2012 - Best Irish tracks

Welcome to Eirecana 2013. Over the next few days, I hope to offer a full review of 2013 as seen through the prism of the Eirecana blog. Expect posts on the best albums from either side of the Atlantic too but to begin with, some of my favourite tracks from the last year. The music here is a testament to how strong the purveyors of this genre are performing in Ireland. From desert rock to warm folk, the list covers a bit of everything and is well worth sitting back, putting on continuous play and taking in.

The songs listed below are not in order of excellence or favouritism. As I have said before, music is subjective so the songs listed below are the 12 that I have enjoyed listening to the most over the past year. That does not mean that they are the best produced, best written, best arranged...they are just my favourite songs. I have randomly decided to limit it to 13 tracks. The songs may not necessarily have been released in 2012 but I came across them in 2012. Now that all the rules are out of the way, we'll get straight to the music.

For your listening pleasure, I have compiled most of the tracks below and a few more on a Soundcloud best of playlist which you can find here. Jethro Pickett - Dream and Be Safe

From the debut album which is due out soon, "Dream and Be Safe" immediately caught my attention the first time I heard it. 1 minute 41 seconds of soothing americana perfectly formed.

The (T-Town) Bottlestoppers

Although Nathan Conway and River Valley band released one of the best albums of the year (possibly more on that later on in the week); I decided to select an earlier track of his as one of my favourites of the year. Creating a desolate atmosphere as the destination of the song suggests, the song keeps coming back to me again and again.

Stephen Young & The Union - Fairbanks

Released as a single in mid November from the album "Wilderness Machine", the song had been waiting a while for its release. Sounding like it was recorded on a summer’s day in Nashville, the track stands up to repeated listening.

The Quicksand Band - Learning

I had actually forgot how good this song was until I heard it randomly late one night on the radio while driving. It's worth listening to for the final minute and a half of soaring pedal and electric guitar.

Deetrich - No job, No Money

A beautifully composed song that despite of the title brings warm, carefree summer days to life.

The Holy Innocents - The Wolf in Me

"The Wolf in Me" feels like a bitter repost to a former lover. With words to match the urgency of the melody, it feels like a song one would listen to while simultaneously looking over ones shoulder.

Kaplin - The Road Rarely Runs Out of Signs

The stand-out track for me from the album "Devastating Ways". Emotive and compelling.

The Darling Sins - Strings & Glue

An unexpected delight, I came across The Darling Sins by accident and have loved everything they have done since. Ireland's answer to Rilo Kiley I think. One for 2013.

Modesto - Easy Come and Easy Go

Moving into the more rock half of the best 0f 2012, Modesto's mix of blues and desert rock is brought to sublime fruition on "Easy Come and Easy Go".

White McKenzie - On Your Heels

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"On Your Heels" sounds like it’s in a rush to get to the end of the song when all you want it to do is take its time. With those repeated piano notes and gothic vocals on the refrain, it's a solid slice of rock.

Twin Terrace - Our Friend The Atom

I would be the first to admit that I am not the best at interpreting lyrics, that would be the case here but I could listen to this melody all day.

The Hot Sprockets - Honey Skippin'

Propelled by guitar lick and riff and those heavy drums, the song has an impossible to resist foot tapin' rhythm to it.

Raglans - Roll Away

While "Digging Holes" is definitely my favourite video of the last year, it was this track off their Love Live ep that I kept coming back to. Warm yet despondent, the song bears repeated listening.

Other notable mentions:
Vickers Vimy - Southbound
Monorail - Hearts of Gold ft Gemma Hayes
Cold Comfort - Bury Your Head
Lights Camera Sundown - The Realist Thing
John Blek and The Rats - Old St. Catherine
The Annuluments - The Harbour