Favorite Songs of 2012 (Part 2)

Agent Ribbons' Let Them Talk EP has been in constant rotation. The dreamy melodies, the intelligent lyrics with a tinge of dark humor, the sensible use of space in each song...you'll soon find out why even after you stop listening, these songs don't leave you. 

 

Once again, it's probably apparent how much I love National Anthem from previous posts. But here's an incredible live version (probably the only version I haven't posted).

 

Seeing the return of The Woodbox Gang this year made me incredibly happy. Hugh DeNeal and Alex Kirt are one of the most unique songwriting duo's going. The ups and downs of Hugh were well documented in a movie about his life called Confidence Man, and his ultimate imprisonment and release make the lyrics on Glorious Scars all the more poignant. "You write it all right, but you live it all wrong. Stay up your whole life working on a song..."

Redd Kross know how to craft an incredibly catchy, intelligent rock song. Researching the Blues contains 10 of them.

Banga is beautiful, stark and truly captivating. Patti Smith's words have always cut through all the bullsh*t, and her voice and delivery only add depth.