Blog Monster's 35 Favorite Records of 2012

It's that time of year again when music fans, critics and neo trendy hipsters start listing their "Top Lists" of the year. This past year has been one hell of a year with several great fuckin' records. So great, I almost was gonna do favorite 50 records, but with like every year, time is not on my side. So, without any hesitation, here are my favorite 35 LP's, (three EP's) for the year 2012. Keep in mind, I never list them in particular order, it's just a list of great records that each and everyone of you should definitely go out and buy each and every one! Unfortunately, I couldn't afford each one of these records this year, but have been fortunate enough to have either the band or someone cool enough to supply me with the tunes. This is where you, that cool enough one gets that "Thank you". So, thanks to you, the labels, the bands and to all who have introduced me to any of these. Enjoy!





Again, in no particular order...

1. The Chemicals - "For Real, For Life, For Whatever" (Jonny Cat)
2. Outtacontroller - "Don't Play Dumb" (PTrash)
3. Spastic Hearts -"S/T" 
4. Spider Bags - "Shake My Head" (Odessa)
5. Kurt Baker - "Brand New Beat" (Collector's Club Records/Jolly Ronnie)
6. White Wires - "III" (Dirtnap)
7. Spider Babies - The Twenty Year War" (Sack O Shit)
8. Hank Wood And The Hammerheads - "Go Home" (Toxic State)
9. Terry Malts - "Killing Time" (Slumberland)
10. M.O.T.O. - No Sleep 'Til Turku" (Blast of Silence/Svart)
11. Legendary Wings - "Making Paper Roses" (Dirtnap) 
12. Redd Kross - "Researching The Blues" (Merge)
13. Off! - "S/T" (Vice)
14. Crusaders Of Love - "Take It Easy...But Take It" (FDH)
15. Randy America - "Fuck Vision" (Emily's Nine)
16. Ex-Cult - "S/T" (Goner)
17. Something Fierce/Occult Detective Club - "Split Ten Inch" (Dirtnap)
18. V/A: "Too Much" Compilation w/Mean Jeans, Mothers Children, White Wires etc... (Why Me?)
19. The Spits - "Tired & Lonely" (Red Lounge)
20. White Lung - 'Sorry" (Deranged)
21. Spider Fever - " S/T" (Windian)
22. The Rippers - " Better The Devil You Know" (Slovenly)
23. The Legs - "Aaaa The New Memphis Legs" (Goner)
24. Gentleman Jesse - " Leaving Atlanta" (Douchemaster)
25. Weird Party - "Hussy" (Sex & Death)
26. Cheap Time - "Wallpaper Music" (In The Red)
27. Mind Spiders - "Meltdown" (Dirtnap)
28. Sonic Avenues - "Television Youth" (Dirtnap)
29. Mean Jeans - "On Mars" (Dirtnap)
30. Cold Warps - "Endless Bummer" (No/Yes)
31. Needles//Pins - "12:34" (Mammoth Cave Recording Co.)
32. The Flip-Tops - "Are Still A Band" (Bachelor)
33. Crazy Spirit - "S/T" (Toxic State)
34. Crimewave - "Nazi Sex Convulsion Gospels" (Agrowax)
35. V/A: Buttons: "Starter Kit" & "From Champaign To Chicago" (Numero Group)

Well there ya have it! Now go out and support the band and labels and buy these records!

TEXAS PUNK RULES, O.K.?

Fuck man, Texas has always had a very cool punk scene. The Big Boys, The Huns, Really Red, The Dicks, The Butthole Surfers, The Hates, Poison 13, The Nervebreakers, Bang Gang, The Offenders, The Hickoids, Marching Plague, and The Skunks are a small chunk that come to mind when I think of early TX punk.

Notable late 80's and 90's punk bands like Sugar Shack, The Reds, The Motards, The Cryin'Out Louds, The Hormones, The Bulemics, Inhalants, Jack O' Fire, The Sons of Hercules, The Jewws, & Lord High Fixes all ruled my turntable back then.

In the last 12 years Texas bands have continued to rule the world. Holy fucking shit, I can't keep up! Every time I turn around there is another great fuckin' band from Texas that I am totally blown away by. Riverboat Gamblers, The Marked Men, The Energy, Bad Sports, Secret Prostitutes, Crime Wave, No Talk, Mind Spiders, and Talk Sick Brats are some of my favorites since the year 2000.

Today I am sharing this link for a Texas compilation that showcases the Houston punk scene. "Shitting In The Funhouse...A Houston Punk Compilation" is perfect from start to finish. Please click the link and you will be able to hear this great comp. I haven't seen anything about it being released on vinyl, but let's hope so!

http://soundcloud.com/mike-grayum/shitting-in-the-funhouse-a