New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

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




    Follow New Jersey Stage on social media
    Facebook, Threads, Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky





    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

    (LIVINGSTON, NJ) -- As local residents and friends stroll, bike or jog around the Livingston Oval on Tuesday evenings this July, musicians from several community orchestras are gathering in the township's high school band room to celebrate works "Made in America."
    Rising Sun Presents: A Funky Reggae Party on August 1st

    Rising Sun Presents: A Funky Reggae Party on August 1st

    (KING OF PRUSSIA, PA) -- Rising Sun Presents will celebrate summer with A Funky Reggae Party in Heuser Park on Saturday, August 1, 2026. The evening will feature performances from legendary acts Steel Pulse, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe playing Jimmy Cliff, and The Original Wailers ft. Al Anderson. The lineup also includes The Philly Reggae Allstars ft. members of Wareika Hill. Tabernacle & more, along with DJ sets from Solomonic Sound System (Rob Paine) and Traveler Sounds.

    New Brunswick Performing Arts Center presents John Violinist on August 1st

    (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- John Violinist will perform at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC) on Saturday, August 1, 2026 7:30pm. John is an international violinist and performer who has fused the sound of classical music with the sound of today's popular music.

    The Stone Pony presents John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band on August 1st

    (ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band return to The Stone Pony on Saturday, August 1, 2026. The band has been delivering their patented good time rock 'n' roll for more then 50 years now. This is an all ages show; doors are at 6:30pm.
    Art, Poetry, and Conversation Unite at Monmouth Museum at Dunellen

    Art, Poetry, and Conversation Unite at Monmouth Museum at Dunellen

    (DUNELLEN, NJ) -- Jo-El Lopez will present a special edition of Art in Conversation on Saturday, August 1, 2026 at 2:00pm at the Monmouth Museum at Dunellen (266 North Avenue) in Dunellen. The free public event will feature an engaging artist talk by acclaimed abstract artist Bryant Small, followed by original spoken-word performances inspired by his artwork.

    The Vogel presents Enjoy Every Sandwich: A Tribute to Warren Zevon on Saturday

    (RED BANK, NJ) -- The Vogel presents Enjoy Every Sandwich: A Tribute to Warren Zevon on Saturday, August 1, 2026 at 7:30pm. This is another one of Pat Guadagno's popular tribute shows featuring an all-star cast. Limited tickets remain.
    bergenPAC presents Buddy Guy on August 4th

    bergenPAC presents Buddy Guy on August 4th

    (ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) presents Buddy Guy on Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at 7:00pm. Buddy Guy remains a singular force in American music. Fresh off earning his ninth GRAMMY® Award in 2026 for Best Traditional Blues Album (Ain't Done with the Blues), the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and one of the last living architects of electric blues will celebrate a historic milestone with the Buddy Guy 90 Tour, featuring select headline performances across North America in 2026.
    The Newton Theatre presents Adrian Vandenberg "My Whitesnake Years Tour"

    The Newton Theatre presents Adrian Vandenberg "My Whitesnake Years Tour"

    (NEWTON, NJ) -- The Newton Theatre presents Adrian Vandenberg "My Whitesnake Years Tour" with Marco Mendoza, and Vinnie Moore on Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at 8:00pm.

    Cape May Convention Hall presents Croce Plays Croce on August 7th

    (CAPE MAY, NJ) -- A.J. Croce brings his Croce Plays Croce show to the Cape May Convention Hall on Friday, August 7, 2026 at 8:00pm. Son of the legendary singer songwriter, Jim Croce, A.J. purposefully waited thirty years to perform his father's music, only introducing his acclaimed Croce Plays Croce Tour when he felt there was a meaningful way to honor his musical legacy with depth, intention, and musical integrity.
    State Theatre New Jersey presents Buddy Guy

    State Theatre New Jersey presents Buddy Guy

    (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents Buddy Guy on Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 8:00pm. At nearly 90 years old, Buddy Guy remains a singular force in American music. Fresh off earning his ninth Grammy® Award in 2026 for Best Traditional Blues Album (Ain't Done with the Blues), the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and one of the last living architects of electric blues will celebrate a historic milestone with the Buddy Guy 90 Tour, featuring select headline performances across North America in 2026.

     

    FEATURED EVENTS


    Stone Flower - ​Santana Tribute Band

    Saturday, August 01, 2026 @ 7:30pm
    Lizzie Rose Music Room
    Tuckerton, NJ


    The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA

    Wednesday, August 05, 2026 @ 7:30pm
    Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
    Morristown, NJ


    Dead On Live – Bob Weir Tribute

    Thursday, August 06, 2026 @ 8:00pm
    Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
    Morristown, NJ


    Mi Gente Live - Mayor's Summer Concert Series

    Thursday, August 06, 2026 @ 7:00pm
    Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) - Main Stage
    Rahway, NJ


    James Maddock

    Friday, August 07, 2026 @ 7:30pm
    Lizzie Rose Music Room
    Tuckerton, NJ



     

    Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info