For the last couple of years, Rhubarb Bomb has declared a Festival of The Year which basically
indulged my love of spreadsheets and over complicated scoring systems to crown
a winner. This year, partly because I have had a dreadful run of planning to go
to festivals that ended up being cancelled, I have been thinking how to expand
this idea.
So this year, we have a range of topics for this year’s best
‘stuff’, basically bands, records, live stuff and things that have appeared in
Rhubarb Bomb
The music is restricted to records we have actually
reviewed. Otherwise, the list would be endless. Basically we try to review all
we get sent. Sometimes if one of our writers buys something they love, they’ll
do a review. But, for example, we never reviewed The Cribs album. And for the
best events, we decided to keep it local.
For each category, I have shortlisted five. They are all
potential winners that I would be proud to have regarded as Rhubarb Bomb’s best
of 2012. But beyond that shortlisting, the choice is down to you.
The online vote is HERE. Below is some more information on
the nominees, with links in purple if you want to see / hear more. Voting
closes midnight on December 23rd.
Best Album
Kebnekaise – Wot Gorilla? (self release)
“The sound is new and innovative, but even within the realms
of melodic mathrock they bring something of their own to the table; a more
accessible charm without tuning down their idiosyncrasies one iota; what an
accomplishment.” – Roland X
Midnight At The Sycamore Lounge – St Gregory Orange
(Philophobia Music)
“Every ache over the construction of a beat, the rhythm of a line or the structure of a song has moved them further and further from their peers. The final product justifies each of their decisions: no one else in the world could have made this record. A work of wonder and endlessly collapsing beauty from one of the country’s most unique and engaging bands.” – Dean Freeman
The Time And The Lonelyness – Mi Mye (Self Released)
“Like a story being told rather than a song being sung, these are more than exercises in songwriting. It’s music, art and expression in its purest form which is, of course, the greatest thing and the record’s greatest success.” – Dean Freeman
Thirteen Lost & Found – RM Hubbert (Chemikal
Underground)
“There is no studio trickery, no dense lyric to pour over and no sense of hype or anticipation. Yet the songs pack a greater emotional punch than almost anything else I have heard this year, which on this scale of minimalism is impressive in the extreme.” - Dean Freeman
This Many Boyfriends – This Many Boyfriends (Angular
Records)
“It genuinely makes me want to teleport back in time to be
17, buy a leather jacket, sweat and dance in some overcrowded thrown together
club night and fall in love.” - Jack Falcon
Best Single / EP
Day Three – jamiesaysmile (Geek Pie Records)
“Complex but accessible pop anthems that start small then
build into wider, more expansive soundscapes. The key here for me is the
transition between moods and dynamics; when the overdrive kicks in and mutates the guitars from twangy to crashing or
the vocals move from reflective to downright sad, jamiesaysmile captures a
sound all of his own.” – Matt Rhodie
Honeymoon On Ice – Soulmates Never Die (Cowsnail Records)
“This whole collection of ‘100mph grunge-folk’, as he has
described his own style, is well worth a listen. The scratchy vocals and
elegant guitar hook you in, but for me it’s the unpredictability of the journey
that appeals most.” – Matt Rhodie
Runaround Kids vs We Are Losers – Runaround Kids / We Are
Losers (Philophobia Music)
“It’s great that Philophobia is looking outwards to add
talent to its roster. We Are Losers clearly share a lot with a range of PHOP
bands, in particularly a hardcore passion hung over deceptively poppy songs. The
fanbases of RKs and WAL are very likely to be two separate entities yet both
will be incredibly pleased with the songs they know, and will also have found a
new favourite band on the flipside.” – Dean Freeman
Selfless – Himself (Self Released)
“A band that live and breathe rock music, learnt how to play
it, got bored with it, re-invented it, and fell in love with it all over again.
If a band that complex, inventive and brave can keep a simpleton like me
interested, they must be doing something right.” - Jarv
Spectemur Agendo – Various Artists (Philophobia Music)
“Philophobia's latest EP which features The Do's, Fur Blend
and Clandestines is fucking awesome, pure and simple. I don't know the policy
on swearing, sorry kids if you're reading, sorry if you're offended, sorry
random-er who thought this might be pleasant, but bloody frigging hellers I
haven’t stopped bashing my head around for a second.” – Jack Falcon
It’s a bit of a cheat, but H.Hawkline made the trip up from Wales
three times in 2012, all of which were outstanding. Recruiting local musicians
as backing mere hours before the shows (or mid gig) added to the already charming
performances.
Johnny Foreigner. PAWS. Runaround Kids. Playlounge. Wot
Gorilla. The Spills. Need we say more?
The last of the ‘big three’ (the other two being Pylon and
Dugong) calling it quits resulted in one of the greatest gigs of the year; the
camaraderie of the old Players days mixed in with some high octane, full on
punk carnage – ace.
After surprising themselves as much as any one else
supporting The Cribs for their Wakefield show, Retarded Fish headlined their
own gig, which also saw Protectors play their last ever gig in support.
A special evening that saw a young band release their first
record. Whilst always special in itself, it felt like an almost coming of age
for all the Philophobia bands that performed, especially with St Gregory Orange
finally hitting their stride live. Powerful, because it is such a good omen for
the future.
Making Wakefield
Who else could have dragged two hundred people to a library
on a Saturday dinnertime? And not only that, he made Wakefield ’s new library seem exciting and –
I’m gonna say it – sexy. Another milestone for a continuously improving Wakefield .
The Jarmans played their first gig in Wakefield in five years and despite
reservations about the choice of venue, it was simply an amazing, celebratory,
once in a lifetime show. Once more, they act as a vital catalyst and an
inspiration to people in Wakefield .
Twice this year, The Hepworth has played host to a plague of
zombies. Or, more accurately, it invited people down to be made up as zombies
and then walked them round town to scare the bejesus out of people. Still think
art galleries are stuck up and boring?
2012 saw the dream of Unity Hall come to life. The share
issue was launched in February, allowing local people to invest in its future
and have a say in the direction of what will surely be one of the best and most
unique venues in Yorkshire, if not the country.
Literature Festival? In Wakefield ? A sign in itself of how Wakefield has developed
in the last few years, the first Lit-Fest was a success of inspired speakers
and performers and engaging workshops and film screenings and was organised by
Beam, who are based at The Orangery.
Music Festival
Rhubarb Bomb Article
Always subjective, this shortlist is based on the amount of
feedback I received and these saw people from far and wide bothering to say how
much they enjoyed them; these kind of articles that give me faith that people are out there reading and enjoying what
RB does.
Anatomy Of A Gig – Dean Freeman
Just Give Me A Beat To Dance To – Laura Thompson
Question Of Wakefield Future – Stephen Vigors
Response To Guardian Article – Dean Freeman
Your Feet Have Got It Covered – Helen Rhodes
Best Thing We Did
Fifth Birthday Gig
.jpg)
We celebrated our fifth birthday with an all dayer amongst
the regal surroundings of an 18th century orangery. Champagne , birthday cake, gigs under railway arches,
secret gardens and lots of Wakefield
bands covering each others songs for kicks. A wonderful day for us.
.jpg)
Over three days, with about 100 bands across ten venues,
this year’s Long Division was the biggest yet. Aidan Moffat & Bill Wells in
the theatre? Art Brut in Mustangs? So many highlights for us, we hope you loved
it too, and we can’t wait for next year.
An 18 track album of exclusives from bands we have supported
over the last five years, including those lovely Cribs boys. Packaged inside a
limited edition 200-odd page book about music, indie ideals, Wakefield , zines, and how it all fits
together.
The Issues
With such a busy year, it’s easy to forget we also released
four great issues. Maybe tucking up in a corner and reading our wayward
thoughts was your best Rhubarb Bomb moment this year?
The Blog
Our online content has increased greatly this year, and is
where all our record and live reviews now live, as well as some opinion pieces
that have received almost every response imaginable, both positive and
negative…
Tru DIY
Finally, Rhubarb Bomb has a special award which it will give
to a person or persons who we feel have, through their actions in 2012, helped
perpetuate the ideals if DIY and being independent. It doesn’t have to be
something huge and world changing. Just an extra thing that we think needs
celebrating. Who will it be…?
No comments:
Post a Comment