Frank's 2012 favorites

By Frank Krolicki

Tired of "end of the year" lists yet? I'll pretend you said no.

As in years past, I've decided just to write a few words about a handful of releases from Chicago bands that I greatly enjoyed this year. As Gene mentioned in his favorites post, here at WCR we don't like to declare anything the "best," because that's really subjective and there's a ton of stuff we don't get a chance to listen to. But here are seven releases that have been a hit on my iPod, and if you try them out via your listening device of choice, you might find you dig 'em, too.

The Steak House Mints – Love Songs for Prostitutes
I'm a bit nostalgic when it comes to The Steak House Mints. I wrote about them way back in early 2009, when WCR was still a baby blog. I enjoyed their first record, Out of the Sky, so much that I would think about them every so often, hoping we'd hear more from them. It took a few years, but they finally released their second effort Love Songs for Prostitutes late this year. And man, is it great. Better than the first one. This is clever, top-notch pop-rock music with a touch of glam and a healthy twist of weird that I really love. It's all made even more ear-catching by the charismatic vocals of frontman Billy Dave Sherman.




Mooner - Unpronounceable Name EP
Full disclosure: WCR writer Adam Bonich is a member of this band. But I can say with confidence that knowing Adam has little to do with my enjoyment of Mooner's latest EP. It's just damn good. It's classic Americana-tinged power-pop that incredibly well-written and well-recorded, and will probably send visions of a few greats through your head (for me it was kind of like the lovechild of Tom Petty, Jeff Tweedy and Elvis Costello. You're welcome for that mental image).





Hollows – Vulture
Like Andrew, I'm a big fan of this record. The complete Blondie discography has a permanent place in my music collection, which should give you an idea of how I feel about Hollows (think the first couple Blondie records paired with more garage rock and modern indie pop sensibilities). Girl-group harmonies, sugary-yet-slightly-detached vocals, Farfisa organ, surf-pop bounce--it's all there to indulge on.


V is for Vulture by Hollows Chicago

Andrew's 2012 favorites

By Andrew Hertzberg

The Top 5 Albums I Didn't Write About This Year: 

BBU - Bell Hooks (Mishka)
I know we’re technically a rock blog, but this one has probably had the heaviest rotation for me the past couple months. Unfortunately now disbanded, BBU’s hyper-politically-conscious hip-hop adds a much needed passion to a genre currently getting negative press for correlating drill with massive wave of violence that perpetually haunts this city (not to mention rising). Doesn’t hurt they made it sound good at the same time. (download the album from Bandcamp here)



Chandeliers - Founding Fathers (Captcha)
While EDM has become ubiquitous and pestering, it’s good to know there are still bands like Chandeliers out there who actually make thoughtful and captivating electronic music. The all-analog band has created a textured album that reveals a new layer with every listen. Make sure to catch 'em at the Hideout on New Years Eve.

Hollows – Vulture (Trouble in Mind)
For such an ominous title and beaten-down lyrics, it’s hard to find a deceitfully warmer sound in Chicago this year than Hollows' lead track "V Is for Vulture." While the band may have made their name off the girl-group sound, the album owes more to early 2000s indie-pop: quick hooks, grandiose ideas, and wondrous harmonies.

Gene's 2012 favorites

By Gene Wagendorf III 

Twin Peaks at The Whip (photo by Gene Wagendorf III)

It's the end of the year and we're a music blog, so you know what that means: "best of" list time. That said, "best" is a silly and subjective word that we at Windy City Rock are trying to avoid this year. Instead we're offering you some lists of local favorites from several of our contributors. Over the next few days we'll be posting about our favorite Chicago records, bands, shows and what-have-you from 2012. Enjoy, and happy holidays!

5 Favorite Records

Twin Peaks - 'Sunken'
The soundtrack to my summer came courtesy of a group of delinquent minors who, between burning trees, skateboarding and prepping for college, managed to put together a record filled with anthemic, sunny jams. Expect big things out of Twin Peaks in 2013. Read a full review of Sunken here.

Fave track: Fast Eddie
Get the record: here

Running  - 'Asshole Savant'
Get Bent nailed it when they described Running as "an incendiary blast of rock ‘n’ roll akin to smashing Lou Reed’s Metal Machine Music into the Stooges and then smashing that combo into Suicide." Asshole Savant does an admirable job of capturing the mayhem of Running's live sets. 

Fave track: I Can't Believe I'm Alive
Get the record: here

The Smashing Pumpkins - 'Oceania'
Oceania is Corgan and company's best record in the better part of a decade. Doesn't quite reach as high as it aims, but there are some beautiful moments here.

Fave track: Pinwheels
Get the record: here