2012 Year in Review Part 2: Top 5 CDs of 2012

2012 started out as a pretty pitiful year musically.  The first half of the year did not offer a lot to a guy like me who is trying to make a top 5 list.  In fact when you see my top five, four of them came out in September or later.  The last third of the year offered some amazing music though, so let's dive into the top 5.

5.) Phillip Phillips-- The World From The Side Of The Moon.  This debut album from 2012 American Idol winner is pretty amazing.  The best Idol Winner debut since Carrie Underwood's Some Hearts. Phillip's voice is quirky, and not always perfect, but his style is great and his melodies infectious.  He wrote or co-wrote over half the songs; and this collection really reflects an artist on the rise. (This December release bumped Taylor Swift off y top 5).

4.) Chelsea Moon-- Hymns Project, Vol. 2.  Imagine getting a call from your metal-head brother-in-law telling you to go listen to this artist who is so great.  Then imagine hearing the folk/bluegrass infused hymn arrangements of this CD.  Couldn't believe the cool styles of this young woman's second collection of hymns.  Even more surprising that my brother-in-law loved it,  Not sure how early in the year this came out, but it is the only pre-September release on the countdown.

Now we come to the top three.  These have been floating around as the top three for a couple months, trying to be put in order, but it really depends on my mood.  All three are from veteran Christian artist that have not released a full studio album of original vocal work in over 10 years, and all are amazing comebacks.  This is there order in my mind today, but lets just call them the top 3.

3.) Bryan Duncan-- Conversations.  This project came about because of a group of fans (myself included) who pledged money through kickstarter to put this CD out.  I am sure none of the backers are disappointed.  Bryan's vocals are as smooth as they were back in the Sweet Comfort Band days, and his lyrics are more heartfelt and personal than ever.  I could play this CD over and over for hours.

2.) Sixpence None The Richer-- Lost in Translation.  When Sixpence broke up over a decade ago I was sad.  They had always brought the alternative Christian music scene an aura of intelligence and beauty in their music that really couldn't be matched.  When they got back together for a Christmas album a few years ago I was hoping a new project would follow  I was not disappointed.  These are some of the catchiest tunes the band has delivered, without losing any of the intelligence of their message,

1.) Charlie Peacock-- No Man's Land.  After spending the last decade concentrating on producing other artists, and releasing a pair of jazz CDs, Christian music's thinker, Charlie Peacock, returns with an amazing collection of tunes infused with cajun and blue grass influences.  So glad he is back.  You must buy this album and play it often.

2012 Year in Review Part 1-- Runners up, also rans, and not even close

Wow, here we are in 2013, and none of my "year end blogs" have posted.  Time is tight and I have had a lot on my mind, but I promise by the end of January to do all my 2012 in review posts.  Today I will look at CDs and Movies that didn't make my top 5 lists (those will be here soon I promise).

Starting with the music, I begin with three CDs by favorite artists; these are all pretty good discs, but fail to make the cut due to the fact that nothing about them seems special, new or exciting.  These three discs are Blown Away by Carrie Underwood, Miracle by Third Day, and RED by Taylor Swift. Again, these are all pretty good records, but just fail to blow my socks off, and just don't cut the mustard to make the top five,

Next on my list are a couple of really good EPs, Freaks by The Hawk in Paris and A Very Merry Perri Christmas by Christina Perri.  Both of these EPs just sound amazing; Freaks is a three song follow up to 2011's His+Hers but at 3 songs it is just too short of a pleasure cruise to make my top 5 list.  Christina Perri's Christmas CD is perhaps the best Christmas CD I have heard in years, but due to its seasonality, I couldn't put it on my top 5 of the year.

Lastly for music I present my #6 CD.  It is the independent, Kickstarter-funded EP by Michelle Lynn Thompson-- Words That Fell. Thompson is half of the Indie Christian group The Wayside, and on this solo project she shows an amazing vocal talent, and some really inspiring, thoughtful lyrics.  A late in the year release (as are most of the top 5) this is an indie project worth hunting for.

Now on to movies: It was an interesting year in film, with several surprises (and I'm sure my top 5 will also surprise you).  Some films that probably belong in my top five, but are missing simply because I have not seen them (Lincoln comes to mind) and I am sorry for missing these.  Let me start with the super hero movies, none of which made my final top 5. I will not comment on them more, but the big three fall in this order for me bottom to top: 3. Dark Knight Rises 2, The Amazing Spiderman 1. The Avengers.  I will admit Avengers almost made the top 5.

Now for a few films that did not make the list, but I found surprisingly better than expected. Katy Perry- Part of Me, Pitch Perfect and Step Up Revolution.  I had gone into these movies hoping to be mildly entertained for a couple hours, and ended up really enjoying them.

Finally three films that totally let me down.  I went in with moderate to high hopes, and just left disappointed.  These disappointments were Dark Shadows, Rock of Ages and The Apparition (okay I knew this horror flick starring Twilight's Ashley Greene would be bad, but didn't realize how much a movie could suck).

Top fives in movies and music, along with a special top five of the most attractive new females on TV will be coming soon. Stay here for the fun.