Ned Said: Six Bands To Watch in 2012

2011 is barely in the rear-view mirror, but it’s time to start thinking about what kind of music awaits us in 2012. Although it’s tough to predict who might burrow into our ears over the next 12 months, it won’t stop me from trying to pick a few acts that might be worth checking out that might be off your radar. Who knows, maybe you’ll be able to say you loved ‘em when!

Here are a few bands, from A to Z, that are worth keeping an eye on for 2012:

Alabama Shakes

No band left CMJ in New York last fall with as much buzz as Alabama Shakes. There’s always room on everyone’s plate for a great rock and roll band, and the Shakes are a big meaty entrée of rock and roll in its purest form. I expect lots of sold out shows across the country. Check ‘em if you dig… the old school soul-rock of Janis Joplin and Otis Redding.

The Bright Light Social Hour

[Photo by Shannon Soule]

Ever go to a show and the opener blows the room up so thoroughly that you feel bad for the headliner? TBLSH did that twice for me last year with their party-ready moustache rock. Overdrive guitar playing, souped-up dance tracks, a drummer who channels Keith Moon, hilarious, ribald stage presence and, yes, even a jam or two, this Austin quartet is The Who meets the Bee Gees in the best way possible. A tireless touring schedule means they’re probably playing near you soon. Check ‘em if you dig… pumping your fist in the air in a room full of smiling faces.

Christopher Paul Stelling

There are plenty of guy-with-a-guitar-and-a-song acts out there, that’s for sure. What makes Brooklyn’s Christopher Paul Stelling different? Tough to put into words, but when you see him play, it manifests itself in fingers attacking his guitar with a uniquely powerful rhythm and dexterity and his eyes drifting skyward as he summons his voice from deep down in his soul. This is unqualified folk music at its finest. His debut album comes out on 2/21. Check him if you dig… the magic of a well-written song played to perfection on an acoustic guitar.

Phantom Family Halo

The Phantom Family Halo is a collective born in Louisville and presently resides in Brooklyn and have a sound that bridges the Appalachian scope of Bonnie “Prince” Billy and My Morning Jacket with the Brooklyn’s burgeoning psych-rock scene. Their half of a split EP with Billy, Mindeater, was revelatory and the band apparently has plans for not one, but two full-lengths in 2012. This is dense, ragged, swirling rock and roll that might require a few listens to fully digest. Their album hits on 2/14. Check ‘em if you dig… psych-rock bands that might call themselves “Phantom Family Halo.”

Typhoon

I’ve been to the Newport Folk Festival three times and every single time I come away with a basketful of new discoveries. This year’s golden nugget was Typhoon, the kind of big-sound, tweaked indie-Americana act that could only be borne out of the music scene in Portland, OR. Sporting no fewer than 12 musicians when I saw them live, the music is both orchestral and intimate. Typhoon has horns, strings, two drummers and everything in between. Check ‘em if you dig… the grandiose-but-personal indie music of Sufjan Stevens and The Decemberists.

Zeus

[Photo by Matt Barnes]

Zeus is the latest band out of the Arts and Crafts label in Toronto that gave us Broken Social Scene et al. What started out as a backing band for Jason Collett (they added the pop to his underrated gem Rat A Tat Tat), Zeus is carving out their own space with a Polaris-nominated album Say Us a couple of years ago. I like to think of their sound as a Canadian Dr. Dog or Blitzen Trapper, with a sound reminiscent of fellow countrymen The Band or Crazy Horse and plenty of spit-shine rock and roll to go around. If you catch them live, don’t let them get off the stage until they play their exc ellent cover of Genesis’ That’s All. Their sophomore follow-up to Say Us is planned for a release in the first half of 2012. Check ‘em if you dig… Dr. Dog with a little more bite.

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8 Responses

  1. and…AND…lets not sleep on ZEUS!. are you gonna waste my time is playing 24/7 in my head now, thanks to neddy. keep em coming!

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