January 4, 2013 Playlist

THE BEST OF 2012
Featuring the
KOSMIK RADIATION TOP 25!

       
"Locked Down" by Dr. John (2012)
CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK
Dr. John  "Locked Down 2012 (USA)
This week is the annual "best of last year" special, when we focus on the best discs of 2012.  This was a very good year for music, and in particular a lot of "old grey geezers" have turned in vital new records this year, including Mission of Burma, Patti Smith, John Cale, Scott Walker, Neil Young & Crazy Horse -- and my pick for the #1 album of 2012, the latest by Malcolm J. Rebennack better known as Dr. John "The Night Tripper".  I've already inducted two of his classic albums of yesteryear, so it's a real joy to report that his newest release is quite possibly the best thing he's done since his debut album way back in 1968.  Locked Down recalls the classic psychedelic voodoo soul/funk of his early work, yet the lyrics are utterly contemporary and more socially conscious than ever.
Here's the video/single from this album "Revolution", and the 71 year old Night Tripper playing his big hit from 40 years ago "Right Place Wrong Time".   Though known as a legendary boogie pianist, Mac's first instrument was the guitar -- here he is jamming on "Let The Good Times Roll" in 2010.   Finally, some vintage clips showing the two sides of Dr. John:  the traditional N'awlins stylings of "Tipitina" and the kosmik bayou jive of "Zu Zu Mamou".
Here's some more senior citizens rocking out in 2012:  Patti Smith, John Cale, Scott Walker and Neil & The Horse.  Then there's the merely middle-aged contingent of folks who started out in the 1980's and 90's:  Mission of Burma, Swans, Laetitia Sadier, Acid Mothers Temple, Black Bananas, Chuck Prophet and Lee Ranaldo.  Finally a few young(er) whipper-snappers from the 21st century also made my best of the year list: Ariel Pink, Om, Peaking Lights and Thee Oh Sees.
(N) = New Release
   

Artist Song Album Year (Label) Country
Patti Smith BangaBanga (N)2012 (Columbia)USA
Mission of Burma Semi-Pseudo-Sort-Of PlanUnSound (N)
(Kosmik Radiation #7 album of 2012)
2012 (Fire)USA
Lee Ranaldo Angles
Between The Times And Tides (N)
(Kosmik Radiation #15 album of 2012)
2012 (Matador)USA
Neil Young & Crazy Horse Psychedelic Pill (Alternate Mix)Psychedelic Pill (N)
(Tied for Kosmik Radiation #5 album of 2012)
2012 (Reprise)Canada/USA
John CaleNookie Wood
Shifty Adventures In Nookie Wood (N)
(Kosmik Radiation #25 album of 2012)
2012 (Domino)
UK (Wales)
 
 
Pond
When It Explodes
Beard, Wives, Denim (N)
(Kosmik Radiation #21 album of 2012)
2012 (Modular)Australia
Six Organs Of Admittance One Thousand BirdsAscent (N)
(Kosmik Radiation #17 album of 2012)
2012 (Drag City)USA
Thee Oh Sees
Wax Face
Putrifiers II (N)
(Kosmik Radiation #18 album of 2012)
2011 (In The Red)USA
The Luck Of Eden Hall
This Is Strange
Alligators Eat Gumdrops (N)2012 (self release)USA
Chuck Prophet
Temple BeautifulTemple Beautiful (N)
(Kosmik Radiation #13 album of 2012)
2012 (Yep Roc)USA
   
 
Dr. John
Getaway
Locked Down (N)
(Kosmik Radiation #1 album of 2012)
CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK
2012 (Nonesuch)USA
Dr. John
Ice Age
Locked Down (N)
(Kosmik Radiation #1 album of 2012)
CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK
2012 (Nonesuch)USA
Dr. John
Locked Down
Locked Down (N)
(Kosmik Radiation #1 album of 2012)
CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK
2012 (Nonesuch)USA
Blues Control
Iron Pigs
Valley Tangents (N)
(Kosmik Radiation #9 album of 2012)
2012 (Drag City)USA
 
 
Scott Walker Epizootics!Bish Bosch (N)
(Kosmik Radiation #4 album of 2012)
2012 (4AD)USA/UK
Swans LunacyThe Seer (N)
(Kosmik Radiation #6 album of 2012)
2012 (Young Gods)USA
Can MillionenspielThe Lost Tapes (N - previously unreleased tracks)
(Kosmik Radiation top archival release of 2012)
rec. 1969 (2012 Spoon/Mute)Germany
 
  
LumeriansUntitled #2
Transmissions From The Telos Vol. IV (N)
(Kosmik Radiation #19 album of 2012)
2012 (Permanent)
USA
Moon Of Ostara
The Star Child - part 3
The Star Child (N)
(Kosmik Radiation #20 album of 2012)
2012 (4Zero)UK
Acid Mothers Temple & The Melting Paraiso UFO
Helen Buddha: Miss Condom X
Son Of A Bitches Brew
(Kosmik Radiation #10 album of 2012)
2012 (Important)
Japan
OmGethsemene
Advaitic Songs (N)
(Kosmik Radiation #3 album of 2012)
2012 (Drag City)
USA
Eternal Tapestry Apocalypse TrollA World Out Of Time (N)
(Kosmik Radiation #23 album of 2012)
2012 (Thrill Jockey)USA
 
 
Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti
Mature Themes
Mature Themes (N)
(Kosmik Radiation #2 album of 2012)
2012 (4AD)USA
Black BananasRad Times
Rad Times Xpress IV (N)
(Kosmik Radiation #11 album of 2012)
2012 (Drag City)
USA
Peaking Lights Midnight Lucifer (N)
(Kosmik Radiation #8 album of 2012)
2012 (Mexican Summer) USA
Laetitia Sadier Between Earth And Heaven Silencio (N)
(Kosmik Radiation #24 album of 2012)
2012 (Drag City)France
Menahan Street Band
Keep Coming Back
The Crossing (N)
(Kosmik Radiation #16 album of 2012)
2012 (Dunham/Daptone)USA
Deerhoof The Trouble With CandyhandsBreakup Song (N)
(Kosmik Radiation #14 album of 2012)
2012 (Polyvinyl)USA
   
  
Amps For Christ & WoodsSleep
Amps For Christ / Woods (N - collaboration)
(Kosmik Radiation #12 album of 2012)
2012 (Shrimper)
USA
MV & EEToo Far To See
Space Homestead (N)
(Kosmik Radiation #22 album of 2012)
2012 (Woodsist)
USA
Neil Young & Crazy Horse This Land Is Your Land (Woody Guthrie)Americana (N)
(Tied for Kosmik Radiation #5 album of 2012)
2012 (Reprise)Canada/USA
      
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