Nathan Flynn's Top 40 Songs of the 2012

After a year of listening to new music, I find that I’m not listening to a lot of 2012 music. There have been a few standout albums (Good Kid m.a.a.d. City, Some Nights, Vital, Cruel Summer) that I still listen to on a regular basis, but most releases, even some that I liked a lot- sorry Regina Spektor- have just fallen by the wayside. Well, this isn’t about the best albums of the year: this is about some diamonds in the rough scattered around some of 2012’s best and worst releases. My 40 favorite songs I would recommend checking out from this year (with links!) are:

Album Review: Foxy Shazam - The Church of Rock and Roll

Album Rating: B

After years of watching the band go through what can only be described as an unnatural progression, I've come to realize that I hope Foxy Shazam never, ever changes.  The glitz and glam of the once post-hardcore unit has become a delight to hear across the past two albums: a bold and impressive meshing of classic rock with modern aesthetics.  And For those worried that lead singer Eric Nally and co. would tone things down, rest assured, The Church of  Rock and Roll is just as flamboyant and bombastic as one would expect...and hope.