Hear anything good this year? Anything lousy? Anything outlandish, unexpected or just plain weird?
We heard it all — and found plenty to celebrate, take aim at or scratch our heads over in wonder. Read on for our opinionated look back at the musical year that was.
Most epidemic viral hit
Doughy South Korean pop-rapper Psy may be an unlikely international sensation, but that’s exactly what the 34-year-old became after the release of “Gangnam Style” in April. The video’s cartoonish energy and offbeat giddyap dance moves connected with viewers the world over, inspiring flash mobs in Paris, Rome and other cities; prompting endless parodies and cover versions; and generating a record-breaking 1 billion-and-counting views on YouTube.
Psy performed for President Obama, joined Madonna onstage at Madison Square Garden and was even hailed as “a force for world peace” by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, adding up to a year that he might find hard to top in 2013.
Worst P.R. Stunt
Launched in November, Rihanna’s 777 Tour involved a plane full of journalists and fans who were whisked away on a weeklong tour of the world, and promised seven extravagantly debauched days with RiRi, to mark the release of her album “Unapologetic.” Instead it turned into a debacle, as the singer partied on her own, turned up horrendously late for everything (including her own shows) and barely gave the plebeians in economy a second thought. The result: A fiasco of epic proportions that left her handlers, um, apologetic.
Best Victory Lap
Jay-Z wasn’t literally crowned king of Brooklyn this year, but he might as well have been. The borough-born star, who grew up in Bed-Stuy’s Marcy Projects, opened the glittering new Barclays Center with an eight-night stand in September, and sold out every show. “I’ve been on many stages all around the world,” he exulted to the opening-night crowd: “Nothing feels like this, Brooklyn. I swear to God.”
Biggest Producer Mover
You could say 2012 was a pretty decent year for English songstress Adele, who needed a wheelbarrow to cart home her Grammy haul in February. The take: six awards, including album of the year for her sophomore effort, “21,” tying the record for most Grammys won in one night by a female artist. Oh, and she went on to sell 25 million copies worldwide, and top Billboard’s year-end album chart.
Most ill-advised comeback
Twenty-seven years after David Lee Roth’s departure, the original lineup of Van Halen reformed with a tiny gig at Cafe Wha? in Greenwich Village in January, and soon headed off around the country for a huge reunion tour. But rumors of infighting rapidly surfaced, and in May the band abruptly packed it in, canceling 30 remaining dates.
Weirdest onstage garb
Icelandic iconoclast Björk has never exactly been a jeans and T-shirt kind of girl. But the blue rubber-dinghy dress and orange bird’s-nest headpiece combination she sported during her run at the New York Hall of Science in Queens in February was pretty wild, even by her standards.
Most Missed
For music fans, not to mention fans of film, New York City and life in general, the passing of Adam Yauch — a k a the Beastie Boys’ MCA, who died of cancer in May — still feels like a kick in the gut. But for the 47 years he was with us, we should be grateful. Thanks for everything, Adam.
Most notorious TV appearance
In January, Lana Del Rey proved an appearance on “Saturday Night Live” can still generate deafening buzz. Unfortunately for Del Rey, the buzz was all about how lame and wooden her performance was. The many who took aim at Del Rey ultimately included the sketch show itself, which aired a parody by Kristen Wiig.
Best live show
Those lucky enough to see Green Day play Irving Plaza in September saw the trio tear through two hours of hits and rarities in an electrifying set. As it turned out, it was one of their last for a while — just a week later, singer Billie Joe Armstrong checked into rehab following an onstage meltdown.
Best old dog with new tricks
Most 50-something ex-punks would be on the nostalgia gravy train by now, but not one-time Jam leader Paul Weller. For his latest collection, “Sonik Kicks,” Weller decided to branch out and incorporate a psychedelic Krautrock influence — and scored his best album in years.
Hottest ticket
When German electronic pioneers Kraftwerk staged a retrospective of their illustrious career at MoMA over eight nights in April, the hotly anticipated shows were celebrated by fans and scalpers alike. With a mere 400 tickets per night, seats sold out instantly, and four-figure sums were the norm on the resale market.
Coolest cover version
Neneh Cherry’s kept a low profile since scoring a big hit with 1989’s “Buffalo Stance,” but she’s continued to make intriguing music under the radar. This year she issued an album of covers with Swedish free-jazz trio the Thing, highlighted by a long version of “Dream Baby Dream,” by New York post-punks Suicide, that simmers at low heat before boiling over.
Most overrated band
“Bloom,” the fourth album from the Baltimore-based duo Beach House, was an indie staple in 2012. Too bad their dreary songs sounded like little more than pretty hipsters having afternoon nap time.
Most Ridiculous Rumor
As Mayan-calendar apocalyptic paranoia mounted earlier this month, a hotel owner outside São Paulo, Brazil, alleged that Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood was holed up in his establishment awaiting the end of the world. The band’s management managed to stifle its laughter long enough to deny the claim.
BIggest rock-royalty MEETUP
Proving that nothing brings out rock A-listers like a high-profile benefit, the 12-12-12 concert for Sandy victims at Madison Square Garden featured one of the heaviest-hitting lineups in memory, including The Who, the Rolling Stones, Roger Waters, Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel and Bon Jovi.
Best disco-rock
Kelly Clarkson’s “Stronger” is “Since U Been Gone” gone to the disco, channeling tough-girl disco-rock from Donna Summer to early Madonna. Only Kelly’s pipes are bigger than any of them.
Best blatant imitation of a contemporary artist
With lyrics dissecting small-town angst set to pretty, downcast music, Kacey Musgraves’ “Merry Go ’Round” follows the Miranda Lambert template so closely it could fool an FBI agent.
Best blatant imitation of an old artist
R. Kelly’s 11th solo album, “Write Me Back,” doesn’t tip its hat to just one act, but to a whole bunch of them — especially Michael Jackson (“Feelin’ Single,” “Clipped Wings”) and Stevie Wonder (“Believe That It’s So”). It still sounds entirely like R. Kelly, though.
The Year’s Best Albums
Hardeep Phull’s Top 5
1. Frank Ocean, “Channel Orange”: Even in July, when it was released, it seemed unlikely that anyone would surpass the breadth and depth of this debut. Indeed, Ocean’s space-age R&B is so impressive it may not be bettered for years.
2. Deftones, “Koi No Yokan ”: After 24 years, these metal stalwarts sound more vicious and vital than ever.
3. Liars, “WIXIW”: Even if it’s not their best disc, Liars’ mutant electro-rock creations still blow everyone else out of the water.
4. Kendrick Lamar, “good kid, m.A.A.d city”: A biographical disc that chronicles the kid from Compton’s turbulent early life with an engrossingly cinematic sound.
5. Grimes, “Visions”: Claire Boucher (a k a Grimes) deprived herself of sleep to write much of her debut, but among the electro-dance darkness, “Visions” also hid some wonderful pop songs.
Michaelangelo Matos’ Top 5
1. The Dirty Projectors, “Swing Lo Magellan”: They’re arty Brooklynites, and David Longstreth’s voice cracks some, but he’s become one of the best songwriters going. You’ll want to hear these tunes — in this order — over and over again.
2. Andy Stott, “Luxury Problems”: A UK producer of heavy, dubbed-out dance grooves, Stott collaborated for the first time with a singer, Alison Skidmore, and sparks flew.
3. “Sofrito: International Soundclash”: A 15-song selection that doubles as a serious exploration of the Latin disco groove and an irresistible party album.
4. Lone, “Galaxy Garden”: English producer Matt Cutler makes deliberate throwbacks to early-’90s rave anthems, overlaid with gorgeous production tricks.
5. Daphni, “Jiaolong”: Recording as Caribou, Canadian Dan Snaith leans toward vintage art-rock. As Daphni, he throws an ebullient dance party made entirely from vintage synths.