It’s all repeats and pre-empted nights for the late-night talk show circuit during Christmas week. So your best bet looks like AXS which will run a series of Christmas-themed performances throughout  Monday and Tuesday. But if you missed Led Zeppelin (chatting not performing) on Letterman the first time around a few weeks ago, you can catch the rebroadcast on Wednesday.

Monday, December 24 [All Times ET]

• Aretha Franklin on Live with Kelly and Michael [syndicated - check listings]
• Judas Priest: Live From the US Festival [VH1 Classic 2PM]
• Alicia Keys: Storytellers [Palladia 6PM]
• Motley Crue: Behind the Music [VH1 Classic 7PM]
• The Killers: MTV World Stage [Palladia 2AM]

Tuesday, December 25

• Faith Hill: Joy to the World [AXS 2:50PM]
• Michael McDonald: This Christmas [AXS 3:50PM]
• Chris Isaak: Chris Isaak Christmas [AXS 4:50PM]
• Infrantree on Conan (R) [TBS 11PM]
• Gary Clark, Jr. on David Letterman (R) [CBS 11:35PM]

Wednesday, December 26

• Foreigner: Live in Chicago [VH1 Classic 11AM]
• Stax Records: 50th Anniversary Concert [AXS 12:45PM]
• Grouplove on Conan (R) [TBS 11PM]
• Led Zeppelin on David Letterman (R) [CBS 11:35PM]
• Buddy Guy on Tavis Smiley (R) [PBS Midnight]

Thursday, December 27

• Neil Young: MusiCares Tribute [VH1 Classic 4PM]
• Prince: Purple Rain [Fuse 5PM]
• Bon Jovi: The Lost Highway [AXS 8PM]
• Ziggy Marley on Conan (R) [TBS 11PM]
• Lynyrd Skynyrd on Craig Ferguson (R) [CBS 12:35AM]

Radiohead’s headlining set at Bonnaroo 2006 reached legendary status soon after the band left the stage. Front man Thom Yorke thought so much of his group’s performance at the Manchester, Tenn. festival that shortly after he told BBC 6 Music that he considered it “my favourite gig for years and years and years.” He went on to say that it was filmed for a video release that would “come out eventually.” Six later we’re still waiting for the Radiohead Bonnaroo ’06 DVD/Blu-Ray, but now we get to hear the soundboard recording of the 28-song set.

A website called RadioheadBonnaroo.com went live a while ago and features links to a two-track master from the soundboard. It was only recently that Radiohead fans came across the site and in the past few days the recording has started to spread. Here’s the story of the recording…

It’s hard to believe this was over 5 years ago, but a friend of mine was running sound that night. He snagged the 2-track master from the board and handed the raw WAV over to me. I felt like I scored the mix of a lifetime. I’ve spent twenty years behind mixing consoles and mastering is one of my fortes, so I couldn’t wait to pull the best out of this one.

After two months of wrangling, I finally came up with a mix that I loved. Everything is crystal clear. I have heard every “official” Radiohead live release and none of them sound this clear. After 5 years of keeping this to myself, I had a talk with my friend — and he gave me to the OK to go ahead and release this to the public on the 5th anniversary of this awesome show. Of course, they could tell me to take it down any moment, so I would download the files below as soon as possible.

The recording sounds fantastic and is worthy of the performance. Head over to RadioheadBonnaroo ASAP and grab this crystal clear recording of a historic set both for the band and the festival.

• Alternate Links: Radiohead @ Bonnaroo Pt. 1 and Pt. 2 [via Powerbub]

Welcome to the fifth consecutive Best Albums of the Year here at Hidden Track. Hopefully, you know by now that we pride ourselves on covering music that spans any genre, any age, any geography and any instrumental makeup. To us, good music is good music. Period.

So, you can rest assured of the one thing that will always make our list a cut above the rest: we consider everything. Our submissions include all styles of music from bluegrass to jazz, jam to indie, electronica to rap, as well as everything in between. At the end of the day, we’re a diverse open-minded music blog. Our writers work here because they have great taste in music, and thus they are encouraged simply to write about what catches their interest. We have no motives, no editorial biases and no strings attached. We hope that comes across in our picks.

So, let’s kick off our week-long celebration of the HT staff’s favorite albums of 2012 with numbers 25 through 21…

25) Old Crow Medicine Show – Carry Me Back

Sounds Like: The modern torchbearers of Bill Monore’s high and lonesome sound

Key Tracks: Carry Me Back, Levi, Bootlegger’s Boy

The Skinny: Long before it was cool to play acoustic foot-stomping Americana music, there was the Old Crow Medicine Show. The Nashville-based band, who have been around since 1998, could arguably be credited with planting the seeds the genre’s current boom – thanks in part to the popularity of their “breakout hit” Wagon Wheel. For their first album since 2008, the band welcomed back founding member Critter Fuqua, and delivered a modern Americana classic steeped in bourbon-soaked bluegrass, dusty country and traditional Appalachian folk sounds. While there has been a question about the authenticity of the newer generation of roots acts, OCMS are undoubtedly the real McCoy.

- Jeffrey Greenblatt

• Spotify Playlist: Hidden Track’s Top 25 Albums Of 2012
  
• Previously On HT: Top 25 Albums Of 2011

24) First Aid Kit – The Lion’s Roar

Key Tracks: Emmylou, King Of The World

Sounds Like: Two talented Swedish lasses got hooked on the sounds of Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris

The Skinny: First Aid Kit has a great story surrounding their second LP, The Lion’s Roar. The stars aligned for Swedish sister Act of Joanna and Klara Soderberg – a duo steeped in a fascination for ’60s Americana and known for their love of Bright Eyes – as they teamed up with Mike Mogis to produce their record. Their vocals fit effortlessly amongst the country instrumentation and the visits by Conor Oberst and the Felice Brothers cement the magnitude of the effort in a familial manner. The album stands firmly as a complete work, but lead single Emmylou is a particularly easy sell, giving First Aid Kit wide appeal beyond alt-country and indie circles.

- Ryan Dembinsky

23) Beachwood Sparks – The Tarnished Gold

Key Tracks: Forget The Song, Tarnished Gold, Water In The Well

Sounds Like: Gram Parsons’ vision for Cosmic American music fully realized

The Skinny: A return from an extended hiatus with a new album is usually a tell-tale sign at an attempt for easy cash-grab by band, with a diluted product ::cough:: Jane’s Addiction, Aerosmith::cough::. Yet that can’t be further from the case when it comes to country-rock revivalists Beachwood Sparks, who impressively managed to become a better band after a decade apart. The Tarnished Gold picks up right where they left off, this time though taking a detour to Laurel Canyon right through the heart of San Francisco. The album is steeped not only the sounds of the Burrito Brothers, The Bryds and the Beach Boys, but also nodding heavily to the Grateful Dead’s psychedelic country phase (the first few 30-plus seconds of Earl Jean clearly crib from Playing In The Band). This is Cosmic American music at arguably its best since Gram Parsons’ coined the term and its sound in late 1960′s.

- Jeffrey Greenblatt

22) Trampled By Turtles – Stars and Satellites

Key Tracks: Midnight On The Interstate, High Water

Sounds Like: Mumford & Sons if they had grown up in America’s Heartland

The Skinny: Trampled By Turtles continue to fine-tune their inventive brand of Americana with each successive studio album. Stars and Satellites is the Duluth, Minn. based quintet’s best effort yet thanks to earnest songwriting and the impressive musicality shown on each of the album’s 11 tracks. Dave Simonett has come into his own as a vocalist and lyricist, while multi-instrumentalist Ryan Young adds just the right emotion to each song. The pair and their mates crafted a highly nuanced album that shows the many talents they possess.

- Scott Bernstein

21) The Tallest Man On Earth – There’s No Leaving Now

Key Tracks: 1904, There’s No Leaving Now, Revelation Blues

Sounds Like: A captivating folk singer with a gravely voice that magically transfixes you thanks to mesmerizing acoustic guitar and compelling songs.

The Skinny: Kristian Matsson, a Swede performing under the moniker ‘The Tallest Man on Earth’, does it again with his distinctive voice and hauntingly captivating songs that beckon the listener to sit up, come closer and pay attention. A gifted songwriter, Matsson is able to spin together deep emotions and vivid imagery with ease. His delivery is mesmerizing and upon first listen, many of his folksy songs feel like you’ve heard them 1,000 times. A judicious use of piano, organ and subtle percussion in addition to his omnipresent acoustic guitar, Matsson adds wonderful layers to his third album and continues to grow as a performer.

- Parker Harrington

Check back tomorrow for the next five albums on our list.

No other late night talk show has Christmas traditions quite like the ones David Leterman has introduced us to since switching networks, time slots and being rebranded as The Late Show with David Letterman back in 1993 – with two becoming staples of show’s last new episode of the year prior to their holiday break. Since former Jets quarterback Vinny Testerverde and Letterman ran onto the stage and knocked the large meatball off the top of the in-studio Christmas tree with a football in 1998, comedian Jay Thomas has been back each and every year since to compete in the football challenge. Along with that, Thomas annually retells his hilarious Lone Ranger story, which Letterman has declared the “best story his every heard,” and is a must watch no matter how many times you have heard it.

The other annual tradition actually dates back to Letterman’s NBC days, and has happened every year since 1986 except for one: Darlene Love performing her signature song Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home), a tune made famous on the 1963 holiday compilation album A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector. On Friday night 71-year-old singer once again delivered another standout version of the song. Let’s check it out..

We hope our readers and contributors have a wonderful Christmas.

Black Crowes fans woke up to a treat this Christmas Morning as the band’s official website has been updated with a list of 26 tour dates that span March 24th to May 4th, marking the group’s return to the road after a hiatus. The Crowes will head across the Atlantic to start the tour with five shows in the UK before returning to the states.

The U.S. portion of the tour begins with four shows in the New York City area – two at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester and two at the cavernous Terminal 5 in Manhattan. Chris Robinson and Co. will also visit Washington D.C., Boston, Philadelphia, Detroit, Chicago, St. Louis, Nashville, Atlanta, Dallas, Austin, Houston, St. Petersburg, Orlando and New Orleans during the month-long U.S. tour.

As of now the dates are the only information posted on the site. No word on the lineup (will Luther Dickinson return to the fold?) or when tickets go on sale. We’ll keep you updated.

Here’s the full list of dates…

Mar 24 Manchester, UK Manchester Academy
Mar 25 Birmingham, UK 02 Academy
Mar 27 Glasgow, UK 02 Academy
Mar 29 London, UK HMV Forum
Mar 30 London, UK HMV Forum
Apr 2 Port Chester NY Capitol Theatre
Apr 3 Port Chester NY Capitol Theatre
Apr 5 New York NY Terminal 5
Apr 6 New York NY Terminal 5
Apr 8 Washington DC 9:30 Club
Apr 9 Washington DC 9:30 Club
Apr 11 Boston MA House of Blues
Apr 12 Philadelphia PA Electric Factory
Apr 14 Detroit MI Fillmore
Apr 16 Chicago IL The Vic
Apr 17 Chicago IL The Vic
Apr 19 St Louis The Pageant
Apr 20 Nashville TN Ryman Auditorium
Apr 21 Nashville TN Ryman Auditorium
Apr 23 Atlanta GA The Tabernacle
Apr 25 Dallas TX House of Blues
Apr 27 Austin TX Stubb’s
Apr 28 Houston TX House of Blues
Apr 30 St. Petersburg FL The Mahaffey
May 1 Lake Buena Vista FL House of Blues
May 4 New Orleans LA Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts

December 25

Lazy Lightning > Supplication
11/9/79 Buffalo Auditorium, Buffalo, NY

The very prolific reviewer on LMA who goes by the moniker ‘capn doubledose’ says this version of Lazy Lightning > Supplication is “easily one of the best ever done.”  A guy with a name like that would never steer you wrong about the Grateful Dead, right?  Alas, this highly charged version was left off Road Trips, Vol. 1, No. 1 (Fall ’79). Huh?

Jerry’s rapid runs over the rhythmic 7/7 time signature in Supplication sound like electrical sparks dancing up and down the neck of his guitar. The ending is simply explosive.  I’ll take a double dose, capn!

Jerry Christmas!

Download Link:  http://www.mediafire.com/?u37445seu7m1cuc
LMA Link: http://archive.org/details/gd1979-11-09.sbd.stern.flac16

• Unofficial 31 Days of Dead: 2010 Edition, 2011 Edition, Dec. 1st, Dec. 2nd, Dec. 3, Dec. 4, Dec. 5, Dec. 6, Dec. 7, Dec. 8, Dec. 9, Dec. 10, Dec. 11, Dec. 12, Dec. 13, Dec. 14, Dec. 15, Dec. 16, Dec. 17, Dec. 18, Dec. 19, Dec. 20, Dec. 21, Dec. 22, Dec. 23 and Dec. 24

Last Friday night HT faves The Heavy Pets gathered their hometown fans at Fort Lauderdale’s Culture Room for an “End Of The World Party.” Roosevelt Collier of The Lee Boys stopped by to add lap steel to the festivities and as he tends to do when he sits in, Roosevelt stole the show.

You can watch an insane video of Collier jamming with the Pets on Dewpoint thanks to the talents of videographer  Mark Duclos with help from M.A.D.& CheeseheadProductions…

The Heavy Pets w/ Roosevelt Collier – Dewpoint

Sitting quietly, observing, seeking what may have been in the shadows, looking at the distant light with fresh eyes, burning brightly in some faraway future, a vision never quite dying out because it will also offer something new to those that listen to its poignant echo.

Well, that’s all sweet and dandy, but it’s the tail end of the holiday season and we are here to have fun. And in our current Undead Season, the season which follows the demise of the little thing we do around here exposing some primo buried cinematic loot, FUN is the key word right about now as we feast upon just about anything in sight. Dig in, mates.

Indeed. The perennial holiday classics are hitting us from all sides, and one would be remiss NOT to get in on all of the fun (that word again) without jotting a few choice words about yet another bonafide holiday bit of joy that is always played around the house this time of year.

Ahhh…yes, we wheel out that classic which transcends all religions, creeds, cultures, and keepers of public taste, as we take a look at a mid-period Jackie Chan gem, in this wee big ole lump of Merry Chan Master FUN called The Legend of Drunken Master.

Directed by Lau Kar-Leung and Jackie Chan, DM II was a sequel to the early groundbreaking Drunken Master made in 1978 when Chan was a rising star in Asia, but yet to be known in the western world. Drunken Master II was released in 1994, and subsequently released in the west in 2000 with a rather poorly dubbed English version that sidesteps the question of whether or not dialogue is even necessary in a huge bad ass of a martial arts film.

And as bad ass goes, The Legend of Drunken Master is near the top of the heap for its intoxicating (sorry, just had to throw that in) scenes of brilliant martial arts, incredible acrobatics, and high speed stunts that appear to defy not only gravity but sense, as well. Chan has never been one to sidestep a stunt, no matter how preposterous or dangerous, and he is certainly in fine form throughout this hidden treasure, as are his foes and cast members in the fine art of Le Martial.

The film has a side message of family commitment and government corruption, which is nice, especially around the holiday season, but its warmth is merely a footnote to the indescribably awesome action sequences. Do yourself a favor, in between the gigs, the food, the drink, the friends, the family, the onslaught of lounging around this time of year, and catch this Drunken Master. And, yeah, don’t forget to honor the family by kicking some serious ass if need be, too.

- Randy Ray

• The Legend of Drunken Master: Amazon / NetFlix
• Previously on Hidden Flick: Hidden History – Led Zeppelin & Rolling Stones

Welcome to the fifth consecutive Best Albums of the Year countdown here at Hidden Track. Hopefully, you know by now that we pride ourselves on covering music that spans any genre, any age, any geography, and any instrumental makeup. To us, good music is good music. Period.

So, you can rest assured of the one thing that will always make our list a cut above the rest: we consider everything. Our submissions include all styles of music from bluegrass to jazz, jam to indie, electronica to rap, as well as everything in between. At the end of the day, we’re a diverse open-minded music blog. Our writers work here because they have great taste in music, and thus they are encouraged simply to write about what catches their interest. We have no motives, no editorial biases, and no strings attached. We hope that comes across in our picks.

We’ve hit day two of our week-long countdown of the 25 best albums of 2012. Let’s check out numbers 20 through 16…

20) Heartless Bastards – Arrow

Sounds Like: Drinking a good whiskey: that moment that straddles clear-headed sobriety and a warm-hearted buzz.

Key Tracks: Only For You, Skin and Bone, The Arrow Killed the Beast

The Skinny: To be a truly great rock band, at some point you need to stop sounding like the great rock bands of the past and chart your own path. With 2009’s The Mountain and even more so with this year’s Arrow, The Heartless Bastards have proven their greatness, staked out a path and delivered some truly kick ass rock and roll. As I wrote earlier this year, Arrow features “superlative songs with patient, build-to-climax construction and some of the most soulful female vocals to sing them.” Erika Wennerstrom has a special from-the-soul passion – when she sings here of life, longing, love, you wish she was singing about you. Listen again and again and you might just convince yourself she is.

- Aaron Stein

• Previously On HT: #25 – #21
• Spotify Playlist: Hidden Track’s Top 25 Albums Of 2012

19) Andrew Bird – Break It Yourself

Key Tracks: Desperation Breeds…, Give It Away, Hole in the Ocean Floor

Sounds Like: 21st century folk meets Einstein’s general relativity… this is non-Euclidean pop music.

The Skinny: Sometimes a great athlete is described by the phrase “the laws of physics do not apply.” The same words describe Andrew Bird’s newest album: the music floats as if unencumbered by gravity; the songs stretch and contract, ignoring time’s steady tick. The last couple of years have found Bird dabbling in instrumental music more and more and this mindset shines through on the album, in little minute-long blurbs between songs and within the compositions themselves. I read a review that declared this album to be “perfect” and who am I to argue?

- Aaron Stein

18) Marco Benevento – TigerFace

Key Tracks: This is How it Goes, Fireworks, Do What She Told You

Sounds Like: Euphorically amplified 1970′s Elton John on a voyage to Where the Wild Things Are

The Skinny: Outside the jam band sphere and festival crowds he can frequently be found, Marco Benevento, the Wonderful Wizard of Weird, has managed to lurk as a relatively unknown keyboardist extraordinaire.  By defying genres with his fourth release, Tiger Face is pleasantly more commercially viable and admirably delivers unique pleasing sounds to the novice or long-time listener.  With the use of circuit bent toys, guitar pick-ups, amplifiers and pedals, Benevento entrances us with cascading layers of sound infused with a myriad of innovative structures and melodic musings.  This is How It Goes and Limbs of Pine mark his first foray including vocals and the quirky and powerful Kalmia Traver of Rubblebucket adds a uniquely successful flair.  The drop of this album, steeped in originality, leaves an indelible mark for Benevento as his most crowning achievement to date and from start to finish, Tiger Face should satiate any fan of quality musicianship.

- Chadbyrne R. Dickens

17) Django Django – Django Django

Sounds Like: The Beta Band meets The Shins meets Hot Chip

Key Tracks: Hail Bop, Default, Zumm Zumm

The Skinny: Don’t go thinking this is going to sound anything like Django Reinhardt – ‘cause it doesn’t. What it will sound like is some of the most addicting new music you’ve heard in years. While the first half of the album is perfectly composed thick layers of songwriter sensibilities – the end of the record starts to more like a really good score for a western or a sci-fi flick. One thing’s for sure – a seriously impressive debut album for this group from Edinburgh that we hope to hear a lot more from in the future.

- DaveO

16) Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band – Wrecking Ball

Key Tracks: We Take Care Of Our Own, Wrecking Ball, Land of Hope and Dreams

Sounds Like: A modern spin on a Pete Seeger protest record

The Skinny: Unlike many of his legendary rocker peers, Springsteen refuses to become a nostalgia act. The Boss’s latest album finds him trying new things (rapping), welcoming new guests (Tom Morello) and lashing out at social injustices without losing the signature sound that has made him one of the best-selling artists of our time. Seventeen albums in and Bruce still has plenty to say.

- Scott Bernstein

Check back tomorrow for the continuation of our list.

Back in 2002, Cody ChesnuTT released his critically acclaimed double-disc debut The Headphone Masterpiece, which mixed Marvin Gaye and Prince-inspired soul and R&B with elements of rock, hip hop, funk and a dash of punk. After its release ChesnuTT seemingly disappeared, choosing to stay at home to raise his family, instead of pursuing rock stardom. Earlier this year ChesnuTT returned with his long awaited full-length follow up Landing on a Hundred, crafting a modern-day soul classic that harkens back to Sly Stone at his finest. On January 25, ChesnuTT will kick off the North American leg of his world tour at the famed Troubadour in Los Angeles and the tour will wrap roughly three weeks later with a gig at The Hamilton, in Washington, D.C. on February 14, before his heads across the pond for a slew of European dates.

If you’re not into a night with Mr. ChesnuTT, then maybe you’ll be interested in hitting one of these recently announced tours…

• Cat Power: World Tour (1/22 – 3/7)
• Assembly Of Dust: Winter Tour (1/11 – 4/13)
• B.B. King: U.S. Tour (12/31 – 4/27)
• Red Baraat: Winter Tour (1/24 – 3/23)
• Caveman: North American Tour (2/26 – 4/11)
• Clutch: Winter World Tour (1/22 – 3/24)

December 26

Scarlet Begonias > Fire on the Mountain
4/24/78 Horton Field House, Normal, IL

This version of Scarlet>Fire from the Horton Field House at Univ. of Illinois is often compared to the versions from 2/5/78 and 5/8/77. The band is ON from the start. A controlling presence right from the beginning, Phil slides his bass into Scarlet. The whole group is in complete sync  interacting with each other at what seems to be a higher level. Garcia solos long and fluently before handing the introduction of the transition jam over to Donna. Stepping back in, with Phil hot on his heels, he fashions a lengthy dreamy jam that gradually and effortlessly transmutes into Fire.

[Artwork by Brian Levine]

 The drummers get locked in and the groove gets thick as Garcia turns the Mutron waaaaay up to a rude and obscenely high level (in a good way). Not to be outdone, Bobby showcases his recently learned slide guitar skills. I’ve heard some people say that Bobby’s slide work here sounds like seagulls being strangled but this is actually some of my favorite guitar work from Bobby! Garcia is so into it that before the final ascent in Fire, he ad libs “Let it burn, let it burn, let it burn.” It may be the only time that he ever did that.  Hearing such inspired music from this band sends chills up and down your spine.

• Unofficial 31 Days of Dead: 2010 Edition, 2011 Edition, Dec. 1st, Dec. 2nd, Dec. 3, Dec. 4, Dec. 5, Dec. 6, Dec. 7, Dec. 8, Dec. 9, Dec. 10, Dec. 11, Dec. 12, Dec. 13, Dec. 14, Dec. 15, Dec. 16, Dec. 17, Dec. 18, Dec. 19, Dec. 20, Dec. 21, Dec. 22, Dec. 23, Dec. 24 and Dec. 25

Ever since we broke the story that the Black Crowes would be returning to the road in 2013, we’ve been gearing up for the shows by checking out old performances featuring all the different incarnations of the band. One fantastic clip we came across shows the Crowes’ network TV debut on Late Night with David Letterman in 1990.

For their visit to Letterman, the Brothers Robinson and guitarist Jeff Cease enlisted the World’s Most Dangerous Band, aka Dave’s house band, to fill out their sound as they tackle their first single. Watch as Paul Shaffer, Sid McGinnis, Will Lee and Anton Fig join Chris, Rich and Cease for Jealous Again…

The Black Crowes – Jealous Again

The Crowes hit it off so well with Letterman that they returned twice more in support of their debut album, Shake Your Money Maker, and have made Dave’s show a regular stop on promotional tours.

Yesterday, The Black Crowes’ website was updated to reflect a series of spring tour dates that marks the band’s return to the road. These dates were the only information shared at the time, but today the band has put out a press release announcing a new live album and a change to the lineup.

HT fave Jackie Greene will join the band on guitar and vocals, adding to a lineup that already includes Chris Robinson, Rich Robinson, Steve Gorman, Adam MacDougall and Sven Pipien. Greene has spent time in bands with Chris Robinson (Weir/Robinson/Greene) and Gorman (Trigger Hippy) and replaces Luther Dickinson who toured with the band in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

The other big news from the press release is that the Crowes will put out a live album on vinyl dubbed Wiser For The Time (Silver Arrow/Megaforce Records) consisting of 26 songs (15 acoustic and 11 electric) from the band’s five-night, sold-out NYC performances in the fall of 2010. Wiser For The Time will also be available as a double album digital download. You can download Under A Mountain from the new release here. Finally, the Crowes’ new tour has a name: “Lay Down With Number 13.”

Anders Osborne @ Brooklyn Bowl – December 21

Words: Chad Berndtson
Photos: Jeremy Gordon

Ultimately, Anders Osborne always sounds like himself. But as far as rock-history comparisons are ever useful, the one I keep coming back to is vintage Crazy Horse era Neil Young, where you’re not only getting the eardrum-shattering, brain-exploding guitar squall you came for but there’s also the sense of portent and foreboding, ever-present no matter how sweet or gentle the song appears. Anders writes heavy songs, tender songs, gutsy songs and sentimental songs, and your only guarantee is that each will be completely presented — merely playing or lightly jamming is never enough for his passionate, tortured soul — as an exhaustively potent workout.

[All Photos by Jeremy Gordon]

It was nice to see Osborne back for a full-on New York show, particularly after he bagged last month’s HeadCount finale at the last minute. Better yet, it was two shows — I caught the blistering first — and a completely different setlist each night, with the emphasis balanced between Anders staples and a sampling of new material and bustout covers.

Night one, overall, was by Anders standards a workmanlike two hours, adequately awesome, with the expected mix of black-chaos drug rockers and soulful, “we’re going to make it after all” kindnesses. Bassist Carl Dufresne and drummer Eric Bolivar are an effective rhythmic chassis, equally as patient with Anders as they are willing to indulge his many, roaring guitar flights. The ubiquitous Scott Metzger played the whole show as guitar foil, though Metzger as a guest musician was, as usual, respectful, content with a support function unless specifically egged on by Anders to shred a bit.

That’s the thing about Anders; so magnetic is he as both a stage presence and guitarist that even equal-footing guest musicians spend as much time orbiting him as they do participating in a jam. But it was still fun to watch the band expand as the music hit its stride about an hour in. JeConte, the NorCal/NoLa-style rocker with whom Anders has collaborated much in the past year, blew crisp harp on Jealous Love, and the ever-sturdy Jamie McLean put the axe-slinger count at three for a blowout Franklin’s Tower.

Brooklyn Bowl, 12/21/12

Send Me A Friend, Ya Ya, Boxes Bills and Pain, Lean On Me/I Believe In You, I’ve Got Your Heart > I Got a Woman, Mind of a Junkie, Back on Dumaine, The Road to Charlie Parker, Jealous Love*, Franklin’s Tower*#

E: Pleasin’ You > Stoned Drunk and Naked^, Summertime In New Orleans

Entire show with Scott Metzger, guitar

* w/JaConte, harmonica

# w/Jamie McLean, guitar

^ w/Bobby (?), guitar

Welcome to the fifth consecutive Best Albums of the Year countdown here at Hidden Track. Hopefully, you know by now that we pride ourselves on covering music that spans any genre, any age, any geography, and any instrumental makeup. To us, good music is good music. Period.

So, you can rest assured of the one thing that will always make our list a cut above the rest: we consider everything. Our submissions include all styles of music from bluegrass to jazz, jam to indie, electronica to rap, as well as everything in between. At the end of the day, we’re a diverse open-minded music blog. Our writers work here because they have great taste in music, and thus they are encouraged simply to write about what catches their interest. We have no motives, no editorial biases, and no strings attached. We hope that comes across in our picks.

We’ve hit the mid-point of our week-long countdown of the 25 best albums of 2012, let’s check out numbers 15 through 11…

15) Norah Jones – Little Broken Hearts

Key Tracks: Take It Back, Happy Pills, Miriam

Sounds Like: A modern day film noir soundtrack, Norah Jones’ heart breaking

The Skinny: Forget what you think you know about Norah Jones. Little Broken Hearts isn’t one for the suburban Starbucks soccer moms. Teaming with IT-producer Danger Mouse, and armed with a stack of deeply personal songs about a recent break up with her longtime boyfriend, Jones walked away with an sparse, dark and moody album that is full of devastating heart break. As the old expression goes “hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.” These are songs that cut deep, Jones pulls no punches wondering on She’s 22 “She 22 and she’s loving you, and you’ll never know how it makes me blue/Does she make you happy?”, while on Little Broken Hearts, proclaiming “Little broken hearts of the night/Slowly picking up their knives/On the way to the fight/Tonight they want revenge.”

- Jeffrey Greenblatt

• Previously On HT: #25 – #21, #20 – #16
• Spotify Playlist: Hidden Track’s 25 Best Albums Of 2012

14) Maps & Atlases – Beware & Be Grateful

Sounds Like: Tamed math-rock.

Key Tracks: Old & Gray, Fever, Remote & Dark Years

The Skinny: Chicago’s Maps & Atlases did exactly what many hoped they would do for their second LP-release, keep the math-rock tendencies that made their debut Perch Patchwork so great but added a dose of tighter production and a few more earworm-worthy hooks. The subject matters seems a bit deeper on this sophomore effort as well which is noticeable right from the start with the poetic recanting of a failed relationship’s nostalgia in Old & Gray.

- DaveO

13) Woods – Bend Beyond

Sounds Like: Songs for a weirdo bike ride

Key Tracks: Bend Beyond, Cali In A Cup, Is It Honest?, Cascade

The Skinny: I love this album. Woods accomplishes a lot of really good things simultaneously on Bend Beyond in that the songs themselves are catchy and instantly entertaining, but meanwhile incorporate a psychedelic washy quality and manage to serve as jam vehicles when the urge to go off strikes (see Cascade or Find Them Empty). Woods deserves a lot of credit creating a comfort zone on their Woodsist label for modern bands who like to improvise, but prefer not to squander away their talents in fifth tier jamband purgatory. Other bands on the label like Real Estate and Wavves have gotten more attention to date, but Bend Beyond solidifies Woods as not just the creator of the scene, but the leader as well.

- Ryan Dembinsky

12) Dr. Dog – Be The Void

Key Tracks: How Long Must I Wait, Lonesome, Warrior Man

Sounds Like: Dr. Dog’s having a very mild and extremely entertaining identity crisis… with guitars and exquisite harmonies.

The Skinny: Seems like even before Dr. Dog was a band they were a “sound” – a lovable Beatles-vs-The-Beach-Boys harmony-driven rock and roll, proudly wearing their influences on their sleeves. In the ensuing years, that sound has done pretty good by them and no one would blame ‘em for sticking to it. But on Be the Void, more than in the past, Dr. Dog takes that basic premise and starts to build on it, subtly in some ways, more extravagantly in others. What makes the album so much fun is that each track takes the basic comfort-zone sound and twists it in a new direction, so that by the end they’ve spanned a dozen different genres without fully leaving the comfort of home. In the end, there’s no mistaking that this is a Dr. Dog album. It works for the same reason any great album works: the songs are terrific and they’re performed superlatively by a band that knows what it’s doing.

- Aaron Stein

11) Dirty Projectors – Swing Lo Magellan

Key Tracks: Gun Has No Trigger, Swing Lo Magellan, Unto Caesar

Sounds Like: Sometimes Radiohead Lite, sometimes Canned Heat

The Skinny: Dirty Projectors’ big idea man, Dave Longstreth, brought his weirdness quotient down just enough for the occasional fan to follow along this time around. The lyrical content on Swing Lo Magellan remains heavy, but it’s lucid and the majority of the material incorporates infectious acoustic guitar patterns, enjoyable female vocal harmonies and even a bunch of hand claps. A percussive quality permeates the album in a way that keeps it chugging along despite some genre twists and tangents into psychedelia and while fans of Longstreth’s headier diversions might find this one too palatable to be cool, for the rest of us it’s the perfect recipe for the Dirty Projectors.

- Ryan Dembinsky

Our pal Sam Davis of Dog Gone Blog has put together a couple of late night shows of note that take place this weekend at NYC’s Mercury Lounge. On Saturday, Real Estate bassist Alex Bleeker & The Freaks will team up with RecommNeds alum Prince Rupert’s Drops for a night of psych-y goodness. Then, Sunday finds Sam offering up another performance from Brooklyn’s Superhuman Happiness.

Both shows take place at the Mercury Lounge on Manhattan’s Lower East Side and are scheduled to start at 11:30PM. Your $10 cover gets you plenty of music along with liquid light shows provided by Planetary Projections. Head over to The Merc’s website to purchase tickets.

December 27

The Eleven
10/12/68 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA

Today’s selection comes from the fabled Avalon Ballroom in 1968. Besides being comprised of absolutely crushing jams, the show is also exciting in the context of the notoriety for which it has become famous. First, it was probably the most mislabeled tape in the long history of Grateful Dead tape trading.  In addition, 10/12/68 was allegedly the evening that Jimi Hendrix showed up to jam with the Dead. For a fascinating and detailed essay about those events please go to the Lost Live Dead blog.

Legendary taper Dick “Picks” Latvala is quoted on Deadlists saying that 10/12/68 is among his favorite performances, calling it “Primal Dead.”  Here is how the folks over at deadlistening.com describe the term, “Primal Dead” in the great year of 1968:

As far as the Grateful Dead go, 1968 contains a collection of music that is in many ways unparalleled across the vast 30 year span of their career. Like no other year, 1968 never spares a single minute toying around with the idea of taking you on a psychedelic music journey. It doesn’t gently take your hand and lead you down a path which exposes you to some magic land. No, 1968 is more like being run over by a freight train fueled on electric Kool-Aid steam. Drop the needle down at any instance of 1968 Grateful Dead and you’re catapulted directly into the heart of a musical expression so lysergic, so steeped in cosmic adventurism, it defies any true comparison to what we might generally bring to mind as the “psychedelic scene” of the late 60’s. The Dead in ’68 go beyond.

This version of The Eleven from 10/12/68 is simply incredible!  It gathers rapidly intensifying speed and energy before exploding into colossal psychedelic earthquakes of rhythm that leave lysergic aftershocks of cosmic guitar lines reverberating through your body. Yeah, it’s that good.

Download Link:  http://www.mediafire.com/?kvs98cdhamgoygc
LMA Link: http://archive.org/details/gd1968-10-12.sbd.gans.miller

• Unofficial 31 Days of Dead: 2010 Edition, 2011 Edition, Dec. 1st, Dec. 2nd, Dec. 3, Dec. 4, Dec. 5, Dec. 6, Dec. 7, Dec. 8, Dec. 9, Dec. 10, Dec. 11, Dec. 12, Dec. 13, Dec. 14, Dec. 15, Dec. 16, Dec. 17, Dec. 18, Dec. 19, Dec. 20, Dec. 21, Dec. 22, Dec. 23, Dec. 24, Dec. 25 and Dec. 26

It’s hard to believe that ten years have past since Phish ended a 26-month “indefinite hiatus” with a New Year’s show at Madison Square Garden on December 31st, 2002. With the exception of perhaps Phish opening with 1999 on Dec. 31st, 1998; the band’s fans screamed, hooted and hollered like they never had before in the building when the quartet came on stage and opened with Piper.

If you think it’s tough to get a ticket to this year’s Phish NYE run, which kicks off tomorrow, you should’ve tried getting a ticket to the “comeback show.” When we published a list of the toughest tickets in Phish history, MSG ’02 took the top spot. It was tough for the show to live up to all the hype, yet there were plenty of memorable moments including Mound and Time Loves A Hero bust outs, “Tom Hanks” coming out during Wilson, three debuts and the Seven Below snowfall “gag.” For my money, I’ll just never forget the reaction when Phish took the stage and the fanbase rejoiced.

The show went down before every mobile phone could shoot video and before YouTube was a thing, so there’s not much footage out there of the “comeback show.” However, this montage, put together by “The Roamer” brings back the chills I felt that night…

Phish MSG NYE ’02-’03 Montage

Did you attend the “comeback show?” Have any good stories to share?

“I hate New Year’s Eve, it’s always so anticlimactic.” – Your friends who don’t see live music every year.

Perhaps you’ve already got a show picked out for New Year’s Eve 2012-2013. Maybe you lucked out and it’s local or maybe you’re traveling 3,000 miles or even crossing an ocean to get there. Regardless, it’s always fun to know what else is going on at that exact moment all over the country.

Alaska:

DeVotchKa at Bear Tooth Theatre in Anchorage, AK

Arizona:

Sugarland at Ashley Furniture Homestore Pavilion in Phoenix, AZ

British Columbia:

Doobie Brothers at River Rock Casino in Richmond, BC

California:

The English Beat at The Canyon in Agoura Hills, CA

Psychedelic Furs with Dramarama at House of Blues in Anaheim, CA

The It’s An ’80s New Year’s Award: What a lineup this would be if this was 1986. Regardless, the Furs put on a good show and we loved the Bands Reunited episode that brought New Jersey’s Dramarama back together.

The Mother Hips with Nicki Bluhm & The Gramblers at El Rey Theatre in Chico, CA

The Monophonics at 19 Broadway in Fairfax, CA

Fishbone at The Date Shed in Indio, CA

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy at Jackson Rancheria Casino & Hotel in Jackson, CA

Tower of Power at Thunder Valley Casino in Lincoln, CA

Cubensis – Grateful Dead tribute at Golden Sails Hotel – PCH Club in Long Beach, CA

Idina Menzel at Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, CA

Rebelution with The Expendables, and Khris Royal at Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, CA

The Melvins with Redd Kross at The Alexandria in Los Angeles, CA

Cake at The Wiltern in Los Angeles, CA

New Monsoon at Sweetwater Music Hall in Mill Valley, CA

Erykah Badu with The Coup at Fox Theater in Oakland, CA

Furthur at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco, CA

The We Really Love This Place Award: Furthur returns to the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium for the fourth New Year’s Eve in a row. For Furthur bassist Phil Lesh this marks his fifth NYE in a row at BGCA as he played the venue with Phil and Friends on Dec. 31st, 2008.

Hot Buttered Rum with Ten Mile Tide at Brick and Mortar Music Hall in San Francisco, CA

Vetiver with Howlin Rain at Cafe du Nord in San Francisco, CA

Sea of Dreams NYE: Gogol Bordello, Sphongle’s Quixotic Masquerade, The Glitch Mob (Exclusive DJ Set), Trentemoller (Exclusive DJ Set), Diego’s Umbrella, Realistic Orchestra, Vau de Vire Society, Quixotic, Pumpkin, Robert DeLong, Christian Martin, Worthy, Mozaic, Little John, Digital Honey, Dax, Plaza De Funk, Syd Gris, Motion Potion, Dex Stakker, Dulce Vita, Cosmic Selector, DJ Brian Williams and more at Concourse Exhibition Center in San Francisco, CA

Mark Farina with Miguel Migs at Mezzanine in San Francisco, CA

The Fresh & Onlys with Sonny and The Sunsets, Extra Classic, and Kelley Stoltz  at Preservation Hall West at The Chapel in San Francisco, CA

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue at The Fillmore in San Francisco, CA

Dawes with Blake Mills at The Independent in San Francisco, CA

Primus at The Warfield in San Francisco, CA

Maceo Parker at Yoshi’s SF in San Francisco, CA

Donavon Frankenreiter at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, CA

Joan Osborne with Mark Karan at Grate Room @ Terrapin Crossroads in San Rafael, CA

ALO at SOHO Restaurant and Music Club in Santa Barbara, CA

Snowglobe Music Festival: Deadmau5, Wiz Khalifa, Chromeo, Beats Antique, Big Gigantic,Laidback Luke, MiM0SA, Madeon, Gramatik, Polica, Flosstradamus, Poolside, Baauer, BoomBox, Break Science, ClockWork, Minnesota, Dam-Funk, and more at Lake Tahoe Community College in South Lake Tahoe, CA

Colorado:

Yonder Mountain String Band at Boulder Theater in Boulder, CO

The Motet at Fox Theatre in Boulder, CO

The String Cheese Incident at 1stBank Center in Broomfield, CO

The Where Have You Been? Award: SCI will play a NYE gig for the first time since 2006 and first home state New Year’s gig since 1996.

Chris Robinson Brotherhood at Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom in Denver, CO

Amon Tobin at City Hall Events Center in Denver, CO

Decadence New Year’s Eve: ATB, MiM0SA, Zeds Dead, Paul Basic, Wolfgang Gartner, Krewella, and Flosstradamus at Colorado Convention Center in Denver, CO

The Samples at Herman’s Hideaway in Denver, CO

The Lumineers at Ogden Theatre in Denver, CO

STS9 (Sound Tribe Sector 9) at The Fillmore Auditorium in Denver, CO

Cracker at The Soiled Dove Underground in Denver, CO

Thievery Corporation with DJ Logic at Dobson Ice Arena in Vail, CO

Connecticut:

Ryan Montbleau Band with Jesse Dee at Fairfield Theatre StageOne in Fairfield, CT

Max Creek at The Great Hall in Union Station in Hartford, CT

Most Interesting Venue Award: Max Creek’s Scott Murawski told us this NYE show will take place in a railroad station and that the band has treats in store.

Marshall Tucker Band with Jeff Pevar at Infinity Hall in Norfolk, CT

Cyndi Lauper at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT

Delaware:

Rusted Root at World Cafe Live at the Queen in Wilmington, DE

District of Columbia: 

Drive-By Truckers with North Mississippi Allstars Duo at 9:30 Club in Washington, DC

Little Feat at The Hamilton in Washington, DC

Florida:

Kool & The Gang at Seminole Casino Coconut Creek in Coconut Creek, FL

B.B. King at Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Kid Rock at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, FL

Pitbull at AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, FL

The Revivalists with Stokeswood at The Stage in Miami, FL

SOJA at House of Blues in Orlando, FL

Donna The Buffalo at Skipper’s Smokehouse in Tampa, FL

The Bright Light Social Hour at The Ritz Ybor in Tampa, FL

Lady Antebellum at Cruzan Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach, FL

Georgia:

Perpetual Groove at Center Stage in Atlanta, GA

Umphrey’s McGee at The Tabernacle in Atlanta, GA

The Guaranteed Cover Debuts Award: It’s a New Year’s tradition, horn section and a half dozen new covers.

Col. Bruce Hampton at The Hummingbird Stage and Taproom in Macon, GA

Illinois:

Big Gigantic at Aragon Ballroom in Chicago, IL

The Movin’ On Up Award: Jamtronica duo Big Gigantic continue to climb to new heights as last year they played Chicago’s Riv and this year they move to the bigger Aragon.

Los Lobos at City Winery in Chicago, IL

Mat Zo with Porter Robinson, and The M Machine at Congress Theater in Chicago, IL

Wanda Jackson at Double Door in Chicago, IL

MuteMath with Third Eye Blind, and The Steepwater Band at House of Blues in Chicago, IL

JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound at Mayne Stage in Chicago, IL

The Airborne Toxic Event at Metro in Chicago, IL

Orchard Lounge at Smart Bar in Chicago, IL

Mr. Blotto at The Greenville Tavern in Chicago, IL

Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe with Robert Randolph & The Family Band at The Riviera Theatre in Chicago, IL

Leftover Salmon with The Lee Boys at The Vic Theatre in Chicago, IL

This Must be the Band: Talking Heads Tribute at Durty Nellie’s in Palatine, IL

Indiana:

Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band at Bluebird in Bloomington, IN

Trans-Siberian Orchestra at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN

Iowa:

Roster McCabe with Zeta June at Gabe’s in Iowa City, IA

Kentucky:

Le Castle Vania with ZOOGMA at Madison Theater in Covington, KY

Louisiana:

Jon Cleary at Chickie Wah Wah in New Orleans, LA

The Soul Rebels at DBA in New Orleans, LA

Gregg Allman with The Royal Southern Brotherhood at House of Blues in New Orleans, LA

Rebirth Brass Band with Papa Grows Funk at Howlin’ Wolf in New Orleans, LA

Galactic at Tipitina’s Uptown in New Orleans, LA

Maine:

Bernie Worrell Orchestra at Sunday River – Foggy Goggle in Bethel, ME

moe. at State Theatre in Portland, ME

The We Love Secondary Markets Award: Jam stalwarts moe. sure love playing secondary markets (ie. not the major markets) as they’ve played Asheville, Poughkeepsie, Atlantic City and Camden in the past. This year they return to Portland, Maine’s State Theatre for the second year in a row.

Maryland:

Lotus with Moon Hooch at Rams Head Live in Baltimore, MD

The Roots at The Fillmore Silver Spring in Silver Spring, MD

Massachusetts:

My Morning Jacket with Preservation Hall Jazz Band at Agganis Arena in Boston, MA

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones at House of Blues in Boston, MA

Lee Fields & the Expressions at Jordan Hall in Boston, MA

Soulive at Paradise Rock Club in Boston, MA

The Magnetic Fields at Symphony Hall in Boston, MA

What A Difference A Year Makes Award: Last year we awarded Boston the “Surprisingly Few Options Award” due to…you guessed it – the lack of NYE options in Beantown. This year the situation is much different with fans able to choose between MMJ, Soulive, The Bosstones and more.

Deer Tick with Two Gallants at The Sinclair in Cambridge, MA

Zach Deputy with The Alchemists at Pearl Street Nightclub (Ballroom) in Northampton, MA

Entrain at Blue Ocean Music Hall in Salisbury, MA

Shemekia Copeland at Bull Run in Shirley, MA

Michigan:

Skrillex with Boys Noize, Flosstradamus, Alvin Risk, D.I.M., and Destructo at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, MI

Zac Brown Band at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, MI

Greensky Bluegrass with Frontier Ruckus at Majestic Theatre in Detroit, MI

UltraViolet Hippopotamus at Bell’s Brewery in Kalamazoo, MI

Minnesota:

The Big Wu with God Johnson at Fine Line Music Cafe in Minneapolis, MN

Big Head Todd and The Monsters at Mill City Nights in Minneapolis, MN

Brandi Carlile with Filligar at Varsity Theatre in Minneapolis, MN

The Beach Boys (led by Mike Love & Bruce Johnston) at Mystic Lake Casino in Prior Lake, MN

Missouri:

Cornmeal at 2720 Cherokee in St. Louis, MO

Orgone at Old Rock House in St. Louis, MO

JJ Grey & Mofro with Speakeasy at The Pageant in St. Louis, MO

Nevada:

The Pimps Of Joytime at Cal Neva Resort in Crystal Bay, NV

Jackie Greene at Crown Room at Crystal Bay Club in Crystal Bay, NV

Celine Dion at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, NV

Red Hot Chili Peppers at Chelsea Ballroom in Las Vegas, NV

The Australian Bee Gees at Excalibur Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, NV

The Black Keys with Divine Fits at The Joint @ Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas, NV

Dead Winter Carpenters with Moondog Matinee at Great Basin Brewing Company in Sparks, NV

New Hampshire:

Rustic Overtones at Dover Brick House in Dover, NH

Spiritual Rez with Superfrog at The Stone Church in Newmarket, NH

New Jersey:

Jane’s Addiction at House of Blues in Atlantic City, NJ

Grand Funk Railroad at Resorts Atlantic City in Atlantic City, NJ

Tiesto at Revel Ovation Hall in Atlantic City, NJ

Village People at Tropicana Showroom in Atlantic City, NJ

The Hold Steady at The Wellmont Theatre in Montclair, NJ

Project/Object at Mexicali Live in Teaneck, NJ

New York:

Consider The Source and Timbre Coup at Red Square in Albany, NY

Jay-Z with Coldplay at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY

The Odd Couple Award: We can only imagine the scene when gentle, adult-contemporary loving Coldplay fans meet Jay-Z fans at the new venue in Hova’s home borough of Brooklyn.

They Might Be Giants at Music Hall Of Williamsburg in Brooklyn, NY

Average White Band at Tralf Music Hall in Buffalo, NY

Dark Star Orchestra at Paramount Theatre in Huntington, NY

Jimkata at The Haunt in Ithaca, NY

Gov’t Mule at Beacon Theatre in New York, NY

Punch Brothers at Bowery Ballroom in New York, NY

Dead Sessions at Highline Ballroom in New York, NY

Mike Stern at Iridium Jazz Club in New York, NY

Touchpants featuring Jon Fishman at Iridium Jazz Club in New York, NY

Phish at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY

The Hidden Track Contingent Award: We know our readers, a lot of you live in the NYC area and a lot of you don’t mind getting on a plane for New Year’s.

The Felice Brothers at Mercury Lounge in New York, NY

Nas with Elle Varner at Radio City Music Hall in New York, NY

Pretty Lights at Roseland Ballroom in New York, NY

Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk with Jennifer Hartswick Band at Stage 48 in New York, NY

Amanda Palmer at Terminal 5 in New York, NY

Best NYE “Gimmick” Award: Palmer and her Grand Theft Orchestra will cover Prince’s Purple Rain in its entirety at T5 on New Year’s.

RJD2 with Com Truise at The Gramercy Theatre in New York, NY

The Mingus Big Band at The Jazz Standard in New York, NY

The Disco Biscuits at Theater At Madison Square Garden in New York, NY

2 Jambands 1 Building Award: Both tDB and Phish will play the Garden this year for NYE as the Biscuits will rock the smaller Theatre at MSG while Phish delivers three sets in the main arena. Due to staggered start times, it’s possible to see most of both shows if you’re sick in the head willing.

The Funky Meters and Dumpstaphunk at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY

Earth Wind and Fire at Turning Stone Casino in Verona, NY

North Carolina:

The Hackensaw Boys with Danny Barnes at Grey Eagle in Asheville, NC

Emancipator at Orange Peel in Asheville, NC

Widespread Panic at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, NC

We’re Baaaaa-aaaack Award: After nearly a year off the road, Widespread Panic returns with a two-night New Year’s run in Charlotte.

The Avett Brothers with Amos Lee at Greensboro Coliseum Complex in Greensboro, NC

The Mantras with Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band at The Blind Tiger in Greensboro, NC

Tim Reynolds and TR3 with Formula at Port O’ Call in Kill Devil Hills, NC

Ohio:

The Afghan Whigs at Bogart’s in Cincinnati, OH

ekoostik hookah with Rumpke Mountain Boys at Agora Theatre in Cleveland, OH

The Werks at Newport Music Hall in Columbus, OH

Oregon:

David Grisman Bluegrass Experience with Shook Twins at Alberta Rose Theatre in Portland, OR

Jerry Joseph and The Jackmormons at Bagdad Theater in Portland, OR

Paper Diamond with Nero, and Kill The Noise at Oregon Convention Center in Portland, OR

Railroad Earth at The Crystal Ballroom in Portland, OR

Pennsylvania:

Backstreet Boys at Sands Bethlehem Event Center in Bethlehem, PA

New Riders of The Purple Sage with Mysterytrain, ScareKrow & DeLacey, MiZ, and Pan at Kempton Community Recreation Center in Kempton, PA

The War On Drugs at Johnny Brenda’s in Philadelphia, PA

Brothers Past with The Heavy Pets at The Trocadero in Philadelphia, PA

The Devil Makes Three with Brown Bird at Theatre of Living Arts (TLA) in Philadelphia, PA

Rhode Island:

Kung Fu at The Spot Underground in Providence, RI

Tennessee: 

The Dirty Guv’nahs at Tennessee Theatre in Knoxville, TN

Todd Snider at New Daisy Theatre in Memphis, TN

Moon Taxi at 3rd & Lindsley in Nashville, TN

Bassnectar at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN

Keller Williams with Del McCoury Band, and The Travelin’ McCourys at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, TN

Old Crow Medicine Show with Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three at Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN

Texas:

Willie Nelson at Austin City Limits Live @ Moody Theater in Austin, TX

A Live One with Deadeye at Stateside at The Paramount in Austin, TX

Lights All Night 2012: Axwell, Ghostland Observatory, Diplo, Sander Van Doorn, Break Science, Nero, 12th Planet, 3LAU, Figure, Grizzly, Minnesota, Archnemesis, Abakus, MartyParty, Crizzly and more at Fair Park in Dallas, TX

Most Bang For Your Buck Award: If you’re into electronic music, a $89 (cheap seats) ticket gets you in to see a whopping 40+ acts.

Vermont:

Rubblebucket with Marco Benevento at Higher Ground (Ballroom) in Burlington, VT

The Best Co-Bill Award: You can take Rubblebucket out of Vermont, but you can’t take the Vermont out of Rubblebucket. The freak-rockers team up with frequent collaborator Marco Benevento for what’s sure to be a fantastic night of music in Burliworld.

Virginia:

The Infamous Stringdusters with Lake Street Dive at Jefferson Theater in Charlottesville, VA

Dopapod with Papadosio at The National in Richmond, VA

The Jamie McLean Band at Blue 5 in Roanoke, VA

Mike Dillon Band at The Hot Spot in Waynesboro, VA

Washington:

Beats Antique at Paramount Theatre in Seattle, WA

Rusko at WaMu Theatre in Seattle, WA

All week long we’ve been looking at our staff’s choices for the best albums of 2012 five LPs at a time. Our submissions include all styles of music from bluegrass to jazz, jam to indie, electronica to rap, as well as everything in between. At the end of the day, we’re a music blog. Everyone is encouraged to write about what they like with no motives, no editorial biases, and no strings attached. We hope that comes across in our picks.

We’re in the home stretch, so let’s check out numbers 10 through 6…

10) Mumford & Sons – Babel

Key Tracks: I Will Wait, Lover of the Light, Broken Crown, Ghosts That We Knew

Sounds Like: The Avett Brothers on steroids harmonizing with CSN at an Old Crow Medicine Show hoedown

The Skinny: Marcus Mumford and his boys from London delivered one of the most contagious albums of the year. A non-stop euphoric choke hold to the senses, the punchy Babel unleashes the bluegrass and folk quartet into a hooting and hollering love fest complete with vulnerable and dark lyrics that provide adept imagery into the plight of tormented heartbreak. Lyrics that pull one’s heart strings, strongly influenced by literature, are covered by heavenly harmonies over banjo picking, mandolin strumming and plush piano playing. Mumford’s vocals touch deep into the soul, like a more powerful raspy David Gray, warranting repeated listening to discern meaning in grand scope within the musical adventure.

- Chadbyrne R. Dickens

• Previously On HT: #25 – #21, #20 – #16, #15 – #11
• Spotify Playlist: Hidden Track’s Top 25 Albums Of 2012

9) Fang Island – Major

Sounds Like: Hero Music

Key Tracks: Sisterly, Make Me, Never Understand, Dooney Rock

The Skinny: Fang Island deserves their own genre. It’s too sophisticated to be considered punk. It’s too accessible to be considered progressive rock. And it’s too organized to be considered jam. It’s wizard rock. It’s dude rock. It’s anthem rock. I remember sending off a text the first day I got the new album to a fellow HT writer that read, “There’s no point in trying to kick ass anymore. Fang Island kicked all the ass that remained.” That pretty much sums up our feeling on these guys. In an era where apathetic shoegazers with too much reverb get the most attention, it’s refreshing to find a band can connect with audiences based on the sheer emotion of their guitars.

- Ryan Dembinsky

8) Grizzly Bear – Shields

Sounds Like: What happens when the shy artistic kid balls up his fist and proclaims his worth to the rest of the world.

Key Tracks: Speak In Rounds, A Simple Answer, Half-Gate

The Skinny: For the past five years, Grizzly Bear have been patiently staking out their claim as Brooklyn’s most critically revered export. As if conjured from the mind of David Lynch, Grizzly Bear excel at presenting idyllic scenes of pastoral bliss over which mysterious and unsettling forces loom elusively out of reach. With Shields, Grizzly Bear no longer sounds like the delicate and fragile band from Yellow House. Rather, they’ve harnessed the magisterial strength of their harmonies, finessed their ability to marry masterful songcraft to haunting, expansive and aurally compelling soundscapes and unleashed drummer Christopher Bear, who propels Shields forward with measured intensity. The ambient has rarely felt this substantive and immediate. Their finest album to date, Shields simply doesn’t feel like an apex for Grizzly Bear and greater work may loom ahead . . . unless their po’mouthin in New York Magazine wasn’t an act.

- David Schultz

7) Michael Kiwanuka – Home Again

Sounds Like: Bill Withers or the quieter Jimi Hendrix tunes

Key Tracks: Tell Me a Tale, Home Again, Bones

The Skinny: An album needs not be groundbreaking or revolutionary if it is simply packed with incredible tunes written by a promising new songwriter with a perfect voice to back them up. And start to finish this is what Michael Kiwanuka has accomplished with his critically acclaimed debut LP Home Again. While Kiwanuka thinks the Bill Withers comparison is a bit “weird” – the shoe fits and he wears it well. An absolute must listen for a 2012 retrospective.

- DaveO

6) David Byrne & St. Vincent – Love This Giant

Sounds Like: An awkwardly beautiful first date between multi-generational kindred spirits

Key Tracks: Who, I Am An Ape, The One Who Broke Your Heart

The Skinny: On three refreshing solo albums, St. Vincent nee Annie Clark displayed a remarkable penchant for avoiding the stereotypical tropes and signposts for non-mainstream rock. Open mindedness and free thinking aren’t unique approaches; in the late-Seventies and early Eighties, David Byrne and the Talking Heads operated with pretty much the same expansive vision. The 2012 pairing of these iconoclasts from the past and present came with a sense of the inevitable as did the fact that Love This Giant, the resulting collaboration, managed to confound expectations. Rather than find the common ground amongst their musical oeuvres, St. Vincent and Byrne formulated Love This Giant around a marvelous horn section and their shared love of songcraft. In avoiding the allure of making a Talking Heads record featuring Annie Clark or a St. Vincent album starring David Byrne, the results were much greater than the sum of its parts.

- David Schultz

With five spots remaining here’s out Top 25 so far…

6. David Byrne & St. Vincent – Love This Giant
7. Michael Kiwanuka –  Home Again
8. Grizzly Bear – Shields
9. Fang Island – Major
10. Mumford & Sons – Babel
11. Dirty Projectors – Swing Lo Magellan
12. Dr. Dog –  Be The Void
13. Woods –  Bend Beyond
14. Maps & Atlases – Beware & Be Grateful
15. Norah Jones – Little Broken Hearts
16. Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band – Wrecking Ball
17. Django Django – Django Django
18. Marco Benevento – TigerFace
19. Andrew Bird – Break It Yourself
20. Heartless Bastards – Arrow
21. Tallest Man on Earth – There’s No Leaving Now
22. Trampled By Turtles  - Stars and Satellites
23. Beachwood Sparks – The Tarnished Gold
24. First Aid Kit – The Lion’s Roar
25. Old Crow Medicine Show – Carry Me Back

Check back tomorrow to see what our staff considered the top five albums of the year.