By Gary Wien
originally published: 12/29/2012
Top EPs of 2012
In alphabetical order
The Cheek Of Her -- MegaphonicBrian Fitzpatrick & The Band of Brothers -- The Northern Lights EPHere & Sea -- Acoustic EPKeith Monacchio -- Tips, Drinks & Gas Money EPPlaymaker -- Helicopter EPRed Horse -- Hard ControlScott Miller and Rayna Gellert -- CoDEPENDENTS
Since The Penguin plays indie music, sometimes it's difficult to get releases as soon as they come out. Generally, indie bands take a bit longer to promote their records due to limited resources. A good indie record might still be reaching radio stations two or three years after its release. In addition, as an independent radio station, we're also limited by our own budget. So, here are some of the records that would likely have made previous Top Albums lists had we received them earlier...
Top Forgotten Discs That Appeared In 2012
In alphabetical order
9 Tomorrows -- Gravity In LoveBullet Bob & The Colts -- It's All About The SongGlen Campbell -- Ghost On The CanvasPete Donnelly -- When You Come HomeEarthman -- RememberEyelit -- Elephant EPHemingbirds -- Death WaveLynda Loveless -- Indestructible MachineDavid Mayfield Parade -- The David Mayfield ParadeMatthew Reed -- Come And DrinkPaul Thorn -- A Long Way From TupeloThe Valery Trails -- Ghosts & GravityCorey Wagar -- On The Edge
Listen to great tunes like these every day on The Penguin
Gary Wien is a three-time winner of the Asbury Music Award for Top Music Journalist. He currently writes for NewJerseyStage.com and Jersey Arts, and serves as Program Director for ThePenguinRocks.com, an online radio station spinning indie rock and roll.
About the author:
Gary Wien has been covering the arts since 2001 and has had work published with Jersey Arts, Upstage Magazine, Elmore Magazine, Princeton Magazine, Backstreets and other publications. He is a three-time winner of the Asbury Music Award for Top Music Journalist and the author of
Beyond the Palace (the first book on the history of rock and roll in Asbury Park) and
Are You Listening? The Top 100 Albums of 2001-2010 by New Jersey Artists. In addition, he runs New Jersey Stage and the online radio station
The Penguin Rocks. His personal website is at
lightyscorner.com. He can be contacted at
[email protected].
EVENT PREVIEWS
Prudential Center presents Sergio George: Festival "Ataca Sergo"
(NEWARK, NJ) -- Following the resounding success and unforgettable energy experienced at the Kaseya Center, renowned producer, musician, and visionary Sergio George raises the bar once again, taking his Festival ¡Ataca Sergio! to the next level. This time, the concept returns as a birthday celebration set for Saturday, May 30, 2026 at the iconic Prudential Center in Newark. Showtime is 8:00pm.
South Jersey Jazz Society's Concert on the Beach with the PJ Keiter Octet Set for June 5th
(SOMERS POINT, NJ) -- For the fifth year, the South Jersey Jazz Society (SJJS) will "unofficially" kick off the summer beach concerts on the William Morrow Beach in Somers Point with music by the PJ Keiter Octet on Friday, June 5, 2026.
The Vogel presents Pete Yorn Solo Acoustic: 25th Anniversary of "musicforthemorningafter"
(RED BANK, NJ) -- The Vogel presents Pete Yorn Solo Acoustic: 25th Anniversary of musicforthemorningafter on Friday, June 5, 2026 at 8:00pm. The New Jersey native celebrates the release of his debut album, which put him in the national spotlight.
Concerts in the Studio presents Bastards of Fine Arts on June 5th
(FREEHOLD, NJ) -- Concerts in the Studio presents Bastards of Fine Arts on Friday, June 5, 2026 at 7:30pm. The band includes Matt Keating, Jason Mercer, Steve Mayone, and Greg Wieczorek. You could say they are a new band with old roots.
The Newton Theatre presents L.A. Guns on June 6th
(NEWTON, NJ) -- L.A. Guns comes to The Newton Theatre on Saturday, June 6, 2026 at 8:00pm. The band has been rocking for roughly 40 years since establishing themselves as the undisputed sleaze kings of the Sunset Strip, and, eventually, the world.
Jazz Royalty Comes to the Hamilton Stage on June 6th
(RAHWAY, NJ) -- Saturday, June 6, 2026 marks the date when Jazz Royalty comes to Hamilton Stage with Dizzy Gillespie alumni and Grammy winning bassist John Lee in collaboration with 16-time Grammy winner Paquito D' Rivera.
The Chamber Music Society of North Jersey presents "Music Under the June Moon" at Anderson Park
(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- The Chamber Music Society of North Jersey presents "Music Under the June Moon" on Saturday, June 6, 2026 at Anderson Park. Bring a picnic and a blanket and enjoy an al fresco performance under the stars. Admission is free. Showtime is 7:30pm.
Algonquin Arts Theatre presents "The Boss Bash" featuring The B-Street Band
(MANASQUAN, NJ) -- Algonquin Arts Theatre will host its annual fundraising event, "The Boss Bash," on Saturday, June 6, 2026, featuring two electrifying performances by The B-Street Band — the longest-running and most requested tribute to Bruce Springsteen in the country.
Sinatra Celebration Concert To Swing in Ocean Grove This June
(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Sinatra Celebration Concert, a theatrical special event to honor the legendary career of musical icon Frank Sinatra, is being presented by producer Karen Morris of Sand Castle Communications and The Rat Pack Music Alliance.
Broadcast Legend Sid Mark to be Remembered at Ocean Grove Event on June 7th
(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Sid Mark, the popular and iconic radio host, sadly passed away four years ago, on April 18th, 2022. Sid’s son Brian Mark, Executive Producer of Orange Productions' nationally syndicated radio program The Sounds of Sinatra with Sid Mark, will be a very special host/guest speaker, at a musical event which will highlight the legacy of his father and celebrate the 70th Anniversary of The Sounds of Sinatra broadcast program.
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