The first big wave of new releases in 2012! I've included info and links for the ones you want to know about most below, plus some other ones you may never have heard of (but should know), with audio & video for your listening and viewing pleasure. Click here to check out releases that dropped over the past few months …
Beyond the Bridge, The Old Man and the Spirit (Frontiers)
Bhi Bhiman, Bhiman (Redeye)
Blessed by a Broken Heart, Feel the Power (Tooth and Nail Records)
Chairlift, Something (Columbia/DMZ)
The follow-up to the indie duo's 2008 debut. Singer/keyboardist Caroline Polachek and multi-instrumentalist Patrick Wimberly enlisted production help from UK producers Dan Carey (Hot Chip, Lilly Allen) and Alan Moulder (Depeche Mode, Interpol) to put together their Dark Wave dreamy synth pop sophomore effort. Listen to "Sidewalk Safari" below.
Cloud Nothings, Attack On Memory (Carpark Records)
Joe Cocker, Hard Knocks (Savoy Label Group)
The Dead Lay Waiting, Almost Heaven (Rising Records)
The Darcys, AJA (Arts & Crafts)
Toronto art rock quartet presents the second in a trilogy of releases, this one an interpretation of Steely Dan’s 1977 studio masterpiece of the same name. The tribute is available as a free download and/or stream here. Check out their spacey version of "Deacon Blues" below.
Al Di Meola, Morocco Fantasia DVD/Blu-ray (MVD Entertainment)
The 2009 concert shot at the Mawazine Festival in Rabat, Morocco featuring Di Meola with Peo Alfonsi (2nd guitar), Fausto Beccalossie (accordion), Gumbo Ortiz (percussion), Victor Miranda (bass), Peter Kaszas (drums), and with special guests from Morocco, Said Chraibi (oud), Abdellah Meri (violin) and Tari Ben Ali (percussion).
Riley Etheridge Jr., Better Days EP (Rock Ridge Music)
Craig Finn, Clear Heart Full Eyes (Vagrant)
The Hold Steady frontman steps out with his debut solo effort.
First Aid Kit, The Lion's Roar (Wichita Recordings)
The second studio album from Swedish folk duo made up of sweetly harmonizing sisters Johanna and Klara Söderberg. Watch the haunting video for the album's title track after the jump.
This article appears in Jan 19-25, 2012.