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Top EPs of 2012 & Forgotten Discs From 2011


By Gary Wien

originally published: 12/29/2012


One trend I've noticed recently is that in addition to artists putting out singles on a more regular basis, they're also putting out EPs more often than ever before. Many are utilizing music sites like Noisetrade.com as a place to showcase an EP and hope to introduce their music to a larger audience. When I come up with my list of Top Albums of the Year, I generally restrict the list to those with 6 or more songs. I just don't think it's fair to compare the work of an EP with 4 songs to a complete album. Nevertheless, many of the best releases each year are EPs, so I like to highlight my favorites.

Top EPs of 2012
In alphabetical order

  • The Cheek Of Her -- Megaphonic

  • Brian Fitzpatrick & The Band of Brothers -- The Northern Lights EP

  • Here & Sea -- Acoustic EP

  • Keith Monacchio -- Tips, Drinks & Gas Money EP

  • Playmaker -- Helicopter EP

  • Red Horse -- Hard Control

  • Scott 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 Love

  • Bullet Bob & The Colts -- It's All About The Song

  • Glen Campbell -- Ghost On The Canvas

  • Pete Donnelly -- When You Come Home

  • Earthman -- Remember

  • Eyelit -- Elephant EP

  • Hemingbirds -- Death Wave

  • Lynda Loveless -- Indestructible Machine

  • David Mayfield Parade -- The David Mayfield Parade

  • Matthew Reed -- Come And Drink

  • Paul Thorn -- A Long Way From Tupelo

  • The Valery Trails -- Ghosts & Gravity

  • Corey Wagar -- On The Edge

  • Listen to great tunes like these every day on The Penguin




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    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.



    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

    (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents Itzhak Perlman in Recital on Sunday, April 12, 2026 at 3:00pm. Perlman, joined by his longtime recital partner Rohan De Silva, returns to STNJ in one of the most anticipated events of the season as he celebrates his 80th birthday. The program will include Mozart's Sonata for Violin and Piano, No. 3 in B-flat Major; Franck's Sonata for Violin and Piano in A Major; Dvořák's Sonatina in G Major; and others to be announced from the stage.
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    Two Generations of Jazz: Pianist Caelan Cardello and Bassist Rufus Reid at April Jersey Jazz LIVE!

    "I find it wonderfully satisfying and enjoyable to make music with Caelan. The evening will go like the wind, and it is unfortunate we have only one set, but there will be more opportunities. Don't be late!"
    Krakauer & Tagg

    Krakauer & Tagg's Good Vibes Explosion comes to OCC's Grunin Center on Sunday

    (TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- The Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts at Ocean County College will come alive with the energy and extraordinary sounds of Krakauer & Tagg's Good Vibes Explosion on Sunday, April 12, 2026 at 3:00pm.
    Berlin Under A presents "Roots Rock Women" on April 16th

    Berlin Under A presents "Roots Rock Women" on April 16th

    (NEW YORK, NY) -- Berlin Under A presents "Roots Rock Women" on Thursday, April 16, 2026 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. The lineup includes Debra Devi, Faith NYC, Stephanie Marie & The Double-Knit Players. Doors are at 5:30pm.
    The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Susan Werner

    The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Susan Werner

    ​(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Susan Werner on Thursday, April 16, 2026 at 7:30pm. Over the course of her twenty five year career, Susan Werner has earned a reputation as "one of the most innovative songwriters working today" (Chicago Tribune).​
    State Theatre New Jersey presents The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA

    State Theatre New Jersey presents The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA

    (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA on Thursday, April 16, 2026 at 7:30pm. This is the ultimate ABBA tribute, touring through North America for the past 20 years. The audience and the press all agree that "This is the closest to ABBA you'll ever get!"
    Bergen Institute for the Creative Arts at Bergen Community College presents Back to Bergen on April 16th

    Bergen Institute for the Creative Arts at Bergen Community College presents Back to Bergen on April 16th

    (PARAMUS, NJ) -- The Bergen Institute for the Creative Arts at Bergen Community College presents Back to Bergen, a new live music concert series featuring none other than the college's own music program graduates performing original music and classics. Held Thursday, April 16, 2026 at the college's Ciccone Theater, the inaugural installment will showcase the program's success at producing top notch musicians across a variety of genres from classical and jazz to R&B, pop and rock.
    WilloLand Duo performs on April 16 as part of Westminster Conservatory Noontime Series

    WilloLand Duo performs on April 16 as part of Westminster Conservatory Noontime Series

    (PRINCETON, NJ) -- On Thursday, April 16, 2026 at 12:15pm, Westminster Conservatory at Nassau will present the WilloLand Duo. The performers, Kevin Willois, flute and Patricia Tupta Landy, piano, are members of the teaching faculty of Westminster Conservatory. The recital will take place in the Niles Chapel of Nassau Presbyterian Church (61 Nassau Street) in Princeton. It is open to the public free of charge.
    MPAC presents Patti LaBelle on April 17th

    MPAC presents Patti LaBelle on April 17th

    (MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Legendary vocalist Patti LaBelle comes to Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) on Friday, April 17, 2026 at 8:00pm. Beautiful, simply does not describe the incomparable force known to the world as Patti LaBelle. Through the years, the songbird's name has become synonymous with grace, style, and class.
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    Killer Queen to Perform at Scottish Rite Auditorium

    (COLLINGSWOOD, NJ) -- Killer Queen, the award-winning UK-based Queen Tribute featuring the incredible Patrick Myers as Freddie Mercury, will perform at the Scottish Rite Auditorium on Friday, April 17, 2026 at 8:00pm. The group's ambitious twelve-week 2026 US Tour runs from April 16 to October 23. 

     

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