http://www.mixcloud.com/jamesmaskalyk/xoxmas2012fromdoctorjames/
could be both.
as is my habit, i made a mix from some songs i heard this year that seemed to fit together. most, if not all, were released in 2012. notable in their absence are kendrick lamar’s record, killer mike’s, clinic, many others. kept it on the rock’n’roll side. xoxmas
***
cold specks – send your youth- love this woman. saw her twice in three days, the second time at massey, and though some of the magic was the company, at least part of it was a voice that sent straight shots to the soul, kindling a kind of graceful explosion. she sang her last song acapella, and filled the hall.
walkmen – beautiful music on a great record from one of my favorite bands. they’re playing jan 16, danforth music hall. bring earplugs.
alabama shakes – boys & girls – saw these guys at lees. they’re, like, 20. i met them on my way in, as they were shivering in the doorway. we talked. they rocked. i like the line ” ‘why’ is an awful lot of questions”.
lee fields and the explosions – moonlight mile – surprised i haven’t seen this as one of the records of the year on any lists. what more do you want? on this cut, the horns let lee fields (who’s been doing this for 40 years) walk that line between beauty and melancholy. plus i love songs about listening to the radio. i don’t know why.
(rest of tracklist after le jump)