2012 Recap: Year-End Awards

When the final bell tolled in 2012, there was much to celebrate. We all survived a surprisingly underwhelming apocalypse, and with everyone anxiously waiting to see if we all woke up on December 22, we were blessed with the work of some musicians' greatest efforts, in hopes to end the world on a good note. 2012 was bountiful in many different ways in music. Hopefully by now, you've seen both year-end album lists by Craig and myself. But to define an entire year by two simple Top 15 album lists seems to be unfair to all of the other great material released this year. Below, you'll find Keep Calm's best effort to bring you as much of the good stuff 2012 had to offer in one post. Don't forget to hit up the comments to let us know what you felt was the best that 2012 gave us!

Song of the Year

The Gaslight Anthem- "45": The first single from the best album of one of the best bands of the new milennium, "45" had a lot riding on it. After Gaslight fans were somehow disappointed by the band's effort on American Slang, there was a hint of doubt in the band's career. To answer any and all criticism, however, Brian Fallon came back roaring (literally) with one of the band's most blistering tracks, and the biggest rock anthem of the year. 

Runners-Up: fun.- "Some Nights"; Anberlin- "Self-Starter"

Non-Music Related Music Story of the Year

Laura Jane Grace: When Tom Gabel of Against Me! Chose to announce his intentions of undergoing a sex change to Rolling Stone magazine, the world was introduced to a rock star in the middle of an identity crisis. Gabel emerged from this media firestorm as Laura Jane Grace, her new female identity. While the news was starting and shocking to most fans of the band, the reception to Grace's decision could not have been any warmer, and the jolt of humanity into the music industry was a breath of fresh air that raised the anticipation for Against Me!'s new album to a fever pitch. Keep Calm continues to wish Laura the best of luck in her journey towards her true identity.

Runner Up: Mitch Lucker's fatal motorcycle accident (Rest in Peace, Mitch.)

Cover Song of the Year

Bayside- "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)", originally recorded by Billy Joel: Caught in-between full-lengths (and labels), Bayside found themselves in a unique situation that allowed them to do something unique and creative, on their own terms. What they came up with was Covers, Vol. 1, a five-song effort that surpasses any of the last five Punk Goes releases. Their rendition of  "Movin' Out" stays true to the original while still maintaining that classic Bayside sound, and leaves fans hoping for a few more volumes of this series.

Runners-Up: Mayday Parade- "Somebody That I Used to Know (feat. Vic Fuentes)", originally recorded by Gotye feat. Kimbra; The Maine- "Girls Just Want to Have Fun (feat. Adam Lazarra)", originally recorded by Cindi Lauper

EP of the Year

Sparks the Rescue- Sparks the Rescue: The result of a Kickstarter campaign, this seven song effort from the boys of Summer from Maine provides an excellent bounce-back that should reignite the career of Sparks the Rescue. From the impeccible guitar work of Mike Naran to Alex Roy's always infectious melodies, Sparks the Rescue helps the band return to the form that made them one of the best up-and-coming pop-rock acts of a few years ago.

Runner-Up: You, Me, and Everyone We Know- A Great Big Hole

Music Video of the Year

Transit- "Skipping Stone": One of the most interesting decisions of the year was made by the Boston, MA emo revivalists to give the heartfelt acoustic standout on Listen and Forgive the electric feel, but after hearing the song, and seeing the creative and nostalgic music video, it's clear to see why Transit decided to create the alternate version of "Skipping Stone."

Runners-Up: The Gaslight Anthem- "Handwritten," "Here Comes My Man"; Title Fight- "Secret Society"

Guilty Pleasure of the Year

Like Moths to Flames: They're not that innovative of a band, but somehow, there's something about this band that I can't help but love. They're angry, angtsy, and aggressive, and Chris Roetter can sing and scream quite well. Whether you were banging your head to any of the songs on their re-release of their debut full-length When We Don't Exist or their cringe-inducing cover of fun.'s "Some Nights," if you let LMTF into your ears in 2012, chances are you wouldn't be able to get them out of your head.

Runner-Up: 2 Chainz

Tour of the Year

Taking Back Sunday's #TAYF10: Celebrating the release of a landmark album of your genre is a difficult task. But if any album deserved the front-to-back tour treatment, it's Taking Back Sunday's Tell All Your Friends. While watching the band play their game-changing album was worth the price of admission alone, it was the opening acts that made #TAYF10 so special. TBS enlisted fellow Long Islanders Bayside to support the entire tour, while keeping a rotating opening act that consisted of young upcomers like Man Overboard and Transit to get some of their spotlight. What's more, the band played an eight-song "greatest hits" set before breaking into the album, and closed out the night with the album's two b-sides. Kudos to TBS for putting themselves into Band of the Year consideration, in a year that they didn't release any new material.

Runner-Up: The Glamour Kills Tour (The Wonder Years, Polar Bear Club, Transit, The Story So Far, A Loss for Words, Into It. Over It.)

Vocalist of the Year

Ace Enders, The Early November: Always known as a man who likes to keep busy, Ace Enders has been perfecting his voice since before some of his fans were even born.Whether you were listening to In Currents this summer or watching The Early November on their tour with Cartel this fall, one thing was very clear: Enders's vocals have never sounded more heartfelt, emotional, or better.

Runner-up: Nate Ruess, fun.

Guitarist(s) of the Year

Alex Rosamilia, The Gaslight Anthem: One of most underrated parts of Handwritten's greatness is the increased and improved role Rosamilia's guitar work took on in The Gaslight Anthem's songwriting. Rosamilia's solos (in "Biloxi Parish" and "Mulholland Drive") and swift riffs (in "45" and "Howl") set the tone for the entire album, and if his talents were overlooked before, they sure won't be again.

Runners-up: Tim Landers/Brad Wiseman, Misser

Drummer of the Year

Nate Young, Anberlin: Young won this award within the first 20 seconds of "Self-Starter," and the rest of his work on that song and the entirety of Vital is essentially just him showing off. While you can't really see him in the picture above, you can certainly hear him loud and clear on Vital, arguably Anberlin's best album, and what you're hearing is the sound of one of the most passionate drummers in modern rock.

Runner-Up: Steve Clifford, Circa Survive

Bassist of the Year

Nick Beard, Circa Survive: With Circa Survive's Violent Waves focusing more on instrumentals than Anthony Green's signature vocals, it was Beard who emerged as the benefactor of the album's more groove-oriented styles. Beard's background vocals also compliment Green's throughout the album, and his powering basslines keep the album moving, as best experienced on the album's epic opener "Birth of the Economic Hit Man"

Runner-up: Ned Russin, Title Fight

Songwriter of the Year

Brian Fallon, The Gaslight Anthem: While it took a monumental effort from The Gaslight Anthem as a band to achieve what they did on Handwritten, everything the band releases will inevitably be examined for Fallon's songwriting. What was discovered when the album was examined this time was Fallon's best work, featuring the same arena-ready choruses with a little more of the punk soul that seemed absent from American Slang, and even more of Fallon's heart on his sleeves.

Runners-up: Greg Barnett and Tom May, The Menzingers

Guest Feature of the Year

Jason Vena, on All Time Low's "Outlines": Providing the vocals that were supposed to be delivered by Patrick Stump are tough shoes to fill (just ask Tay Jardine, who filled in for Stump on Yellowcard's "Here I Am Alive"). But who better to replace one signature voice than a man with a signature voice in his own right? To do this, All Time Low enlisted Jason Vena, formerly of Acceptance (check them out if you haven't yet). The result is the best song on what may be the band's best album, Don't Panic, and another assertion that sometimes it's best to get by with a little help from your friends.

Runner-up: Geoff Rickly, on Circa Survive's "The Lottery"

Performance of the Year (all instruments)

Sean Mackin (Violinist), Yellowcard: To create a great Yellowcard album, you need to have Mackin at the top of his game. On Southern Air, Mackin's never sounded better. The solo provided on "Always Summer" is his best since "Ocean Avenue," and his work to provide summery atmospheres never ceases to amaze. Oh, and on top of all of that, the dude beat cancer, and was still able to bring it onstage while the band headlined Warped Tour and a fall headlining tour with The Wonder Years and We Are the In Crowd this year. Congratulations, Sean, and may your good health continue. 

Band of the Year

fun.: In a year that so many indie artists were able to break into the mainstream, no act made a bigger splash than fun. Propelled by the shocking success of "We Are Young," the band also enjoyed success with "Some Nights" and "Carry On," and Some Nights was declared gold by the RIAA. The band headlined nearly every major festival this summer, scored big-time performances at many different award shows and late-night appearances, and lead all Grammy nominees with 6 nominations. 2012 was an odd year, but it was also the year of fun., and there's nowhere to go but up for the band that just might be the next big thing.

Runner-up: The Gaslight Anthem

2012 Recap: Donald's Top Albums

And, here we are, at the end of another year. 2012 has been a wild ride, for many reasons, but one of biggest reasons were the myriad of albums that stood out, from all over the spectrum of musical genres. From metalcore to piano-pop, punk to post-hardcore, there was something for every music fan to sink their teeth into and enjoy. That being said, there's always a list that needs to be made at the end of each year, and 2012's is the most diverse list I think I've ever compiled. With that, here's the best of 2012, through my eyes. Don't like my picks? You can always leave an anonymous, hate-fueled comment below. Happy reading, and we'll see you in 2013.

15. The Chariot- One Wing

The Story: They've never quite been the "flavor of the week" in metalcore, but The Chariot sure do it better than anybody else. The band are as likely to have a Charlie Chaplin soundbit (the epic album ender "Cheek.") as they are an a capella hymnal ("Your"), and when mashed together with the band's already sterling repertoire for metalcore chaos, One Wing is a chimera that pummeled the ears of those who dared listen to it, but those who were brave enough were treated to an album they've never heard anything like before.

Key Track: "First"

14. Every Time I Die- Ex-Lives

The Story: There's a level of consistency that fans have come to expect from Every Time I Die. Each year the band release a new album, they seem to find the perfect balance between what fans have come to love about them, while still finding new ways to expand their sound. On Ex-Lives, Kieth Buckley's stretch as the vocalist of hair-metal revival band The Damned Things (which featured members of Fall Out Boy and Anthrax) drips into the band's blend of punk, hardcore, and metal, as his clean vocals take on more of the spotlight than on the band's previous releases. Now six albums into their career, Every Time I Die continue to prove that they're doing it better than any band you saw on Warped Tour this year.

Key Track: "Revival Mode"

13. Make Do and Mend- Everything You Ever Loved

The Story: Make Do and Mend began in sweaty basements, blasting their punk anthems through broken sound systems. But this year, on their Rise Records debut, the band showed their potential for rock greatness with Everything You Ever Loved, an album that could easily fit in the discography of bands like Foo Fighters, The Gaslight Anthem, or Jimmy Eat World. There is still a great deal of grit and emotion in James Carroll's voice, and the improvement of the band's musicianship help make this album the possible spark plug to a promising career for Make Do and Mend.
Key Track: "Disassemble"

12. Go Radio- Close the Distance

The Story: Ever since Jason Lancaster left Mayday Parade, every release MP or Lancaster's new band Go Radio put out was compared to the two parties' most beloved effort, A Lesson in Romantics. With Close the Distance, Lancaster beats his former bandmates for the title of "Best Album since A Lesson in Romantics," by a landslide. The pop sensibilities laced throughout the piano-driven rock of Close the Distance are the perfect soundtrack for any stage of your relationship, from the promise of devotion ("I Won't Lie") to the messy break-up (lead-off monster single "Go to Hell"). Lancaster's voice has never sounded better, and Close the Distance could set Go Radio up for a huge mainstream breakthrough.

Key Track: "Go to Hell"

11. Further Seems Forever- Penny Black

The Story: About a decade ago, Chris Carrabba left Further Seems Forever to pursue Dashboard Confessional full-time (and I think we'd all agree that worked out pretty well). This year, the prodigal son returned to create Penny Black, an album that many fans who only know Carrabba for his work with Dashboard won't believe was written by the dude who wrote "Hands Down". Penny Black shows Carrabba's darker lyrical themes, and the singer seems comfortable getting back to his roots, and the album soars because of it. 

Key Track: "Staring Down the Sun"

10. Yellowcard- Southern Air

The Story: Just a year removed from 2011's Comeback Album of the Year When You're Through Thinking, Say Yes, Yellowcard came back roaring with even more songs for you to scream into your steering wheel on your way down to the beach this summer. Southern Air is exactly what you'd expect from a Yellowcard album, just better. Ryan Key's vocals have never sounded better, and each musician gets their fair share of the spotlight, including Sean Mackin, who's victory in his battle over cancer was a lightningrod for the energy Southern Air is laced with.

Key Track: "Awakening"

9. Title Fight- Floral Green

The Story: Building on the momentum created from last year's Shed, Title Fight's new album is as energetic and loud as you'd expect, but it's the raw emotion displayed on Floral Green that set it apart as the band's definitive album. While there aren't any huge singles, the album's cohesion and consistency make it an album you'll want to listen to from front to back, without having to skip any one track. 

Key Track: Have you seen the video for "Secret Society" yet? It's wild. 

8. fun.- Some Nights

The Story: From the Format to Fueled by Ramen to Glee, fun. went from generally unknown to a household name by the end of 2012. Powered by monster single "We are Young," Some Nights was one of the most inescapable albums of the year, and with good reason. Nate Ruess's lyrics are as dark as they get, yet his delivery seems to offer some hope to listeners, and beyond "We are Young," there are so many great tracks, including "Some Nights," "Carry On," and "One Foot," that easily could have been big singles. fun.'s big 2012 was important for so many reasons, but one of the biggest was that it restored some hopes that there's still a place for rock music in popular radio. 

Key Track: "Some Nights"

7. All Time Low- Don't Panic

The Story: About a year ago, Dirty Work torpedoed the success All Time Low had fought so hard for years to achieve, and had the band a step away from irrelevance. However, returning to what got them there in the first place, the band got rid of the co-writes (save for "Outlines," which was co-written by Patrick Stump), and went back to Hopeless Records with Don't Panic in tow. What the band had put together on the album was a much-needed source of redmeption, with tracks like "The Reckless and the Brave," "Somewhere in Neverland," and "Paint You Wings" showing off the band's infectious melodies, soaring choruses, and pop-rock gold that only they know how to deliver.

Key Track: "If These Sheets Were States"

6. Misser- Every Day I Tell Myself I'm Going to be a Better Person

The Story: The fact that bands create side projects with one another is inevitable. But no one ever said they'd be as good as this. Featuring Tim Landers of Transit and Brad Wiseman of now-defunct This Time Next Year, Misser is the result of two men wanting to do things a little differently than they usually do, and the sonic shift couldn't sound any sweeter. Essentially a concept album about juggling a relationship with a busy touring schedule, the emotions are raw, the guitars are wonderfully arranged, and the melodies and back-and-forth between Landers and Wiseman are exactly what dual vocals should sound like on a rock album. 

Key Track: "Time Capsules"

5. The Menzingers- On the Impossible Past

The Story: Despite the internet providing a forum for music to be discovered in an instant, some bands and albums still come from out of nowhere to surprise everyone. Case in point, The Menzingers's On the Impossible Past. Featuring a series of snapshots of what it's like to grow up in America, the album is full of hardship, struggle, cigarrettes, and muscle cars, but the heart and grit of The Menzingers help to set On the Impossible Past apart as one of the definitive albums of 2012.

Key Track: "Good Things"

4. Anberlin- Vital

The Story: Anberlin never seem to disappoint do they? While New Surrender and Dark is the Way, Light is a Place weren't quite up to par with Cities, they still had a couple great tracks each. However, Vital is the return to form some may have been waiting for. Driving tracks like "Self-Starter" and "Someone Anyone" pick up the energy while heartfelt numbers "Modern Age" and "Other Side" feature the band's newfound electronic creativity, and it all melds together perfectly to an album that enters the argument of which Anberlin release is the best.

Key Track: "Little Tyrants"

3. Circa Survive- Violent Waves

The Story: Dear record labels: leave Circa Survive alone; they're fine without you. Self-funded, self-produced, and self-released, Violent Waves may not be the best album from the band, but it may just be their most important. 7-minute opener "Birth of the Economic Hit Man" and the Geoff Rickly feature on "The Lottery" show the band's willingness to take a few creative risks, and they all pay big dividends for the band. What's most interesting about the album, however, is the way Anthony Green's vocals take a backseat at times, allowing his bandmates to show off that while Circa Survive have the best vocalist in the scene, they just might have the best band in the scene, too.

Key Track: "Birth of the Economic Hit Man"

2. The Early November- In Currents

The Story: When The Early November announced their hiatus, fans immediately began clamoring for their return. One listen through In Currents, and one question comes to mind: what took them so long to come back? From start to finish, In Currents enthralls the listener in the ebbs and flows a near-masterpiece of modern rock, with Ace Enders's vocals driving each song to great heights. It was tough to watch terrible bands rise while The Early November was away, but when you can come back with an album as good as In Currents, it just may have been worth the wait.

Key Track: "In Currents"

1. The Gaslight Anthem- Handwritten

The Story: From the first time the world was introduced to "45," there was a silent understanding that Handwritten was going to be something special. Five months since it's release, I'm still floored by it. In simple terms, there wasn't a better album put out in 2012 than The Gaslight Anthem's fourth full-length. But that doesn't say much about just how much better it is than not only any album this year, but any album in recent memory. Handwritten is the culmination of The Gaslight Anthem's climb from New Jersey basement shows to a globally-recognized rock act, and with tracks that soar like "Handwritten," "Biloxi Parish," "Mulholland Drive," and the aforementioned "45," there are very few albums that can stack up with this powerhouse. Many fans thought that the band would never recapture the magic of The '59 Sound, but with Handwritten, the band have shattered any and all expectations, and have cemented themselves as one of the best bands of this generation, if not the very best. 

Key Tracks: Every single song.