2012 was an outstanding year for new music. There were so many great releases – I really struggled to keep this list under 30! Apologies for not commenting about each record. My days are so consumed with family and (real) job that this list would have been delayed for weeks while I tried to find the time to write. Besides, text isn’t required – all of these records are fantastic and stand on their own without my additional words. You can click on each band/release name to be taken directly to their streams. The following is in random order – it’s too difficult for me to pick a favorite from such an amazing collection of records.
A huge thank you to the bands for sharing their music with us, and to all friends of 6forty for joining me on this grand adventure. Here’s to a peaceful and prosperous 2013! – Michael
640.2012 releases
Wassermanns Fiebertraum ‘Brandung’ released 17 April 2012
Leech ‘If We Get There One Day, Would You Please Open The Gates?’ released 02 March 2012
Caspian ‘Waking Season’ released 25 September 2012
Ana Never ‘Small Years’ released 02 November 2012
Giranice ‘Enea’ released September 2012
Swans ‘The Seer’ released August 28 2012
Godspeed You! Black Emperor ‘Allelujah! Don’t Bend! Ascend!’ released 16 October 2012
Adolf Plays The Jazz ‘Form Follows Function’ released 17 April 2012
Alpha Male Tea Party ‘AMTP’ released 21 April 2012
Líam ‘MMIX’ released 25 March 2012
Milhaven ‘Automata’ released 17 January 2012
Pg.lost ‘Key’ released 04 May 2012
Mental Architects ‘Celebrations’ released 02 April 2012
Memory Drawings ‘Music For Another Loss’ release May 2012
Frank Booth ‘Constructs’ released 10 October 2012
If These Trees Could Talk ‘Red Forest’ released 20 March 2012
What The Blood Revealed ‘Harbour of Devils’ released March 2012
The End Of The Ocean ‘In Excelsis’ released 29 June 2012
Bye Horus ‘Archipels’ released 01 January 2012
Tacoma Narrows Bridge Disaster ‘Exegesis’ released 02 February 2012
Sleep Lady ‘So Long Lonely Ghost’ released 13 November 2012
Rumour Cubes ‘The Narrow State’ released 27 February 2012
MinionTV ‘The Last Projectionist’ released 28 July 2012
Red Room Cinema ‘Apsis’ released 25 September 2012
Immovable Objects ‘I’ll Know to Believe in Sparrows’ released 13 November 2012
Machines Learning ‘Pendragon’s Lullaby’ released 01 May 2012
Near Light ‘Near Light EP’ released 01 September 2012
Marriages ‘Kitsune’ released 01 May 2012
640.2012 discovered
Barrows ‘Imprecari Island’ released 09 June 2011
Lander Configurations ‘Of Smoke and Fire’ released 02 December 2011
Fourteen Nights At Sea ‘This Album Is Untitled’ released 30 July 2011
Cyril Snear ‘Fluent In Seven Types Of Monotone’ released 24 April 2009
Lord ‘I’ released 07 August 2011
640.2012 live
This Will Destroy You / February 10, First Unitarian Church
Caspian / February 24, The Studio at Webster Hall
Sleepmakeswaves / March 12, Milkboy
Mogwai / June 12, Union Transfer
Brontide / And So I Watch You From Afar / July 28, Kung Fu Necktie
Sigur Rós / July 29, Skyline Stage at The Mann
Dead Can Dance / August 26, Kimmel Center – Verizon Hall
Caspian / September 24, The Depot
Godspeed You! Black Emperor / October 2, Union Transfer
Swans / October 13, Union Transfer
640.2012 stream
Dead Red Sun ‘BeatCast Coach Road Session’
The Shaking Sensations ‘The Obsidian Sea’