2012, The Mid-Year Review: Donald's List(s)

John Cusack, be damned: if those crazy Mayans and their lazy calendar-making skills are right, we're more than half way done with the last year ever. That's it. No more after December 21st. But if you're a free-thinking, rational human being, you know that everyone's going to wake up on December 22, and those of us who locked ourselves in our fallout chambers underground are going to feel pretty awkward.

But that's a lot to ponder, and it's summer time. The living is easy, the clothing is skimpy, you get the idea. Summer is just a better time of year. But it also falls smack-dab in the middle of the year, and that gives us all a perfect platform to assess what the year has brought us so far, and take a look at where we're going. So with that, let's get the obligatory lists of things I've liked and things I'm looking forward to out of the way, so I can put my Speedo back on and go tanning in my backyard. Ladies, you're welcome to join.

The Top 5 Albums of 2012 (So Far)
(Click the band name/album title to read Keep Calm's review of that album!)

5. Foxy Shazam- The Church of Rock and Roll: Arrogant, eccentric, and chock full of "swag" (I must be getting old, because I still don't know what that is), The Church of Rock and Roll finds Foxy Shazam coming into their own as one of the most charismatic bands in rock music today.

4. Make Do and Mend- Everything You Ever Loved: Rise Records struck gold when they signed the well-respected punks, and the band rewarded them by putting together what could be one of the label's landmark releases.

3. Every Time I Die- Ex-Lives: Trends come and go, yet Every Time I Die are still kicking the asses of all these upstart young bands, and the swoopy-haired whippersnappers they're comprised of. Ex-Lives hits harder than any of the band's previous work, and this ageless wonder continues to show no signs of slowing.

2. Daytrader- Twelve Years: You've probably never heard of Daytrader, but if you want to be one of those people who can say you knew about a great band before they blew up, you should give Twelve Years a listen. This band is going to do big things.

1. Misser- Every Day I Tell Myself I'm Going to be a Better Person: The side porject of Brad Wiseman (This Time Next Year) and Tim Landers (Transit) has released its debut album unto the masses, and it sounds like these guys have been writing together all their lives. Catchy, creative, and downright honest, Every Day will serve as the album everyone tries to keep pace with for the rest of the year. And there may only be a few who catch up. (We'll get to that later.)


Top 5 Songs of 2012 (So Far)

5. Transit- "Skipping Stone (Full Band)"

4. Foxy Shazam- "I Like It"

3. Gotye- "Somebody That I Used to Know"

2. fun.- "Some Nights"

1. The Gaslight Anthem- "45"

Most Anticipated Albums for the rest of the year:

Circa Survive- Violent Waves: Opting to self-release their 4th full-length, Circa Survive are poised to make a statement (be it good or bad) about the role labels will play in the scene moving forward. Not that I'm not excited to hear the album, but I already know it's going to be awesome, so there's that. (Release Date: August 28)

Yellowcard- Southern Air: Seriously, you can't understate how productive Yellowcard's return from hiatus has been. Two headlining tours, a spot on 2012's edition of Warped Tour, and one of the best albums of 2011, and they're poised to create another soundtrack to your summer. If "Always Summer" is any indication of the direction the band went with Southern Air, get ready roll the windows down and sing as loud as you can to some more perfect pop-rock anthems from one of the best pop-rock bands of all time. Of. All. Time. (Release Date: August 14)

The Gaslight Anthem- Handwritten: Look, I don't want to hear it. I know The '59 Sound was about as perfect as you can get; I know American Slang wasn't what you expected it to be, and you didn't give the album a chance because of it. But if Brian Fallon knows how to do one thing, it's write great, great songs. And if "45" is to be the first of what is poised to be a series of incredible, classic Gaslight tracks, Handwritten will cement itself as the album of the year for 2012. I don't think my body is ready for this album. Come July 24, we'll see. (Release Date: July 24)

So there you have it. 2012, a year that started, coincidentally, when 2011 ended, is halfway through. This summer is poised to bring a slew of great albums, songs, and tours, and will hopefully extend into 2013 with a great deal of momentum. Suck on that, Mayans.