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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.

    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

    (WARETOWN, NJ) -- Albert Music Hall will be filled with peace, pickin' and harmonies on Sunday, August 9, 2026 as Pineystock returns for a "far out" afternoon celebrating the sounds and spirit of the late 1960s and early 1970s.
    The Newton Theatre presents Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives  on August 12th

    The Newton Theatre presents Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives on August 12th

    (NEWTON, NJ) -- The Newton Theatre presents Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives on Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at 7:00pm. In a career spanning over 50 years, dozens of albums, and too many shows to count, Marty Stuart charts a course through new territory at every chance possible.
    BoDeans - 40th Anniversary Tour comes to Newton Theatre in August

    BoDeans - 40th Anniversary Tour comes to Newton Theatre in August

    (NEWTON, NJ) -- BoDeans are celebrating the 40th anniversary of their critically acclaimed debut album, Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams, in 2026. In honor of the anniversary, the band has a special tour planned which comes to The Newton Theatre on Friday, August 14, 2026 at 8:00pm.
    Music Box at the Borgata presents The Marshall Tucker Band on August 14th

    Music Box at the Borgata presents The Marshall Tucker Band on August 14th

    (ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Music Box at the Borgata presents The Marshall Tucker Band on Friday, August 14, 2026 at 7:30pm.

    Christone "Kingfish" Ingram to Headline 2026 Morristown Jazz & Blues Festival

    (MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Christone "Kingfish" Ingram has been announced as the headliner for the 2026 Morristown Jazz & Blues Festival. The free festival will be held on Saturday, August 15th on the Green. The music begins at noon and runs until 10:00pm. The lineup also includes James Langton New York All-Star Big Band, Richard Baratta Gotham City Latin/Jazz Septet, LaBamba and the Hubcaps, and Dylan Triplett.
    The Newton Theatre presents Supernova: A Tribute to Oasis on August 15th

    The Newton Theatre presents Supernova: A Tribute to Oasis on August 15th

    (NEWTON, NJ) -- Supernova: A Tribute to Oasis comes to The Newton Theatre on Saturday, August 15, 2026 at 8:00pm. They are an Oasis tribute band obsessed with recreating the raw energy, intensity and swagger of a real Oasis gig.

    Rob Garrett's Neil Diamond: The Tribute comes to Atlantic City

    (ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- The Grand at Golden Nugget Atlantic City presents Rob Garrett's Neil Diamond Tribute on Saturday, August 15, 2026 at 8:00pm. The longtime Las Vegas performer has been called "the best of the best" when it comes to tribute acts.
    Showboat Resorts Garden Pier hosts RE-WIND 69

    Showboat Resorts Garden Pier hosts RE-WIND 69' Music Festival

    (ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- The inaugural RE-WIND 69' Music Festival at Showboat Resorts Garden Pier takes place August 14-16, 2026 - the anniversary weekend of the original Woodstock 1969 festival. This is a spectacular revival of a moment in American history when music united generations, healed communities, and sparked cultural change. For three unforgettable days, Atlantic City becomes a living time capsule, bringing the spirit of Woodstock and 1969 back to life through world-class recreations of the now legendary musical performances by a dynamic mix of New Jersey musicians along with national and international touring acts.

    Widespread Panic to Play Three Nights at Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena

    (ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Widespread Panic is taking over Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena for three nights from August 14-16, 2026 with shows at 8:00pm each night. The popular jam band has been together over three decades. Tickets are available for each show individually or as a 3-Day Pass.

    The Temptations to Bring the Motor City to the Ocean City Boardwalk on August 18th

    (OCEAN CITY, NJ) -- Legendary Motown group The Temptations look to continue their celebrated touring schedule with a summer stop at America's Greatest Family Resort, Ocean City, New Jersey on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famers and multiple GRAMMY Award winners celebrate more than six decades of hits with their acclaimed live performances, remain one of the most enduring and influential groups in American popular music. Renowned worldwide for their signature harmonies, impeccable choreography, and an iconic catalog of timeless hits, their legacy continues to span generations.

     

    FEATURED EVENTS


    EagleMania – The World’s Greatest Eagles Tribute Band

    Wednesday, August 12, 2026 @ 8:00pm
    Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
    Morristown, NJ


    Cimarron 615

    Thursday, August 13, 2026 @ 7:30pm
    Lizzie Rose Music Room
    Tuckerton, NJ


    Niko Moon - Mayor's Summer Concert Series

    Thursday, August 13, 2026 @ 7:00pm
    Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) - Main Stage
    Rahway, NJ


    Totally 2000's Party - Y2K Night

    Friday, August 14, 2026 @ 9:00pm
    Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center
    Carteret, NJ


    The Janis Joplin Experience starring Lisa Polizzi

    Friday, August 14, 2026 @ 7:30pm
    Lizzie Rose Music Room
    Tuckerton, NJ



     

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