December is, of course, that time of year when we look back at the previous 11 months and decide what was the best 'whatever' of the year, hoping that nothing really special comes along before the New Year that will make our selections look stupid.
So why would we be any different? We are definitely quite prepared to look stupid.
A full set of Top 10 type things will probably appear on The Cream Room Blog during the month, but in the meantime here's our "Top 10 commercially released 'pop' tracks" that wormed into our hearts from January to November. Bearing in mind that I actually have a list of over 60, these are just the ones that happened to make the list right now. And if the X-Factor finalist single turns out to be a classic I'll... no wait that ain't happening!
The 2012 "don't try to be cool" Top 10
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Gotye - Somebody That I Used To Know. Yes I know it was massive, overplayed and probably you're sick to death of it. But you can't deny this had a splash of original quirkiness that sets it apart. The first time I heard this was the YouTube version by 'Walk Off The Earth'.
5 people, one guitar, 140 million views. Check it out here - Frank Ocean - Super Rich Kids. Frank Ocean got a bit of media attention for admitting that he'd wasn't a totally committed heterosexual - a statement that sets him quite apart from many contemporaries. Had to hear this track a couple of times to get it, but once I had I was hooked.
- David Guetta - Titanium. He winds some of the hardcore DJs up but he sure knows how to put together a pop tune. This is the one that's got the drop out synth sound and lyrics that don't quite make sense. Whad'ya mean they're all like that?
- Madeon - Icarus. This was the first official single but it was the mash up 'Pop Culture' that initially caught attention, using samples from thirty-nine songs mixed together on-the-fly using a Novation Launchpad.
- Saint Etienne - Tonight. Yes, Saint Etienne! Back from who knows where with a very good album, and this track is quite possibly my favourite one of the year.
- The Maccabees - Went Away. Another of my favourite albums from 2012, this is a stand out track - the beautiful descending guitar line in the chorus is just gorgeous.
- Kodaline - All I Want. I'm a Napster subscriber and it's thanks to their monthly playlist that I discovered this little beauty. Builds to a huge climax from an understated beginning.
- Knife Party - Bonfire. Ska / Reggae morphs into Dubstep. It was a close call between this and Swedish House Party's 'Antidote' but the coin toss fell this side.
- Taylor Swift - We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together. I'd explain, but it would probably still not make sense. As pop as pop gets - perfect.
- Foals - Inhaler. Definitely my favourite video of the year - coming along in November this totaly blew me away. It sounds exactly like Foals and yet is somehow miles removed from their previous work. Looking forward to the new album 'Holy Fire' next year.
Let us know your favourites from the year and we'll post them up - especially if it's unsigned, unheard and / or extremely brilliant.
Martin