I do my music exploration online, but once I've found something that I like, I buy the album, and I almost always buy the hard copy rather than digital.

The new version of itunes that seems to play stuff in a random order, or sometimes…

Here is a question for the crowd: What do PSY (most ever youtube views), Justin Beiber (second place on youtube to the Korean phenomena) and…

But I think my favourite song of this year is this (their new album sounds very Connan Mockasinish...);
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvXLONlKTgY

I'm the same, but I've listed to vast amounts of music. I blame Spotify mostly as I tend to listen without buying and then only buy when the playlist has been on rotate for a while.

I did [[http://opdiner.com/2012/its-where-i-do-my-raindance-just-to-weather-the-crop|a brief…

Stardust Ballroom – Los Angeles, Sept. 28, 1979

http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2012/12/07/talking-heads-stardust-ballroom-los-angeles-sept-28-1979/

It's worth watching his NPR Tiny Desk concert just to see the way that he makes the music. Layers built with a loop pedal, but he mixes up playing his violin traditionally,…

It's also a good catch-up for someone who's far enough away from a local FM radio. Great sounds.

Unfortunately there's a lot of frustration for me, from bandcamp and their "we make the rules, peasant" popup for people that like to choose which flash applications run…

Two gigs really stood out: Astro…

It does work surprisingly well, doesn't it? Then again, Everything But The Girl went all Drum & Bass for a while, to great effect (well, I thought so at the time), and I first heard Beth…

I too like LDR. I've always liked pop. Video Games (Copycat's Night Drive remix

Also, Grimes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FH-q0I1fJY

It's pretty damn beautiful, and the album is worthy also.

Dear Time's Waste – 'Heavy High'
http://vimeo.com/54751015

I was alerted to that link too when it was published (by her mum), and have since heard both Royals and Million Dollar Bills on Kiwi FM. I think she has a bright future, and deservedly so. Slight LDR vibe, IMhO, but with some cool harmonies and vocal strength.…

Any ideas?

Wow. I can't quite work out of it's my thing or not, but that's strikingly characterful…

Kishi Bashi has been my find of 2012 – astounding musician, and I've been throwing him at anyone who walks nearby. Recently or soon to be reviewed in the NZ Herald by Graham Reid.

For live music -…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkcnPnY_2Mk

otherwise, for mine, this has been a year of great re-releases. Jazzman's Jukebox Mambo is fantastic, as have been almost all of Gerald's 50s RnB singles…

I hadn't checked actually, but according to wikipedia, it sneaks in as 18 January 2012.

http://www.listener.co.nz/culture/music/albums-of-the-year-fish-fry/

Yep, pleased to see Cool Rainbows get a mention there. It's going to get thrashed in the coming motnhs, perfect laid back sumer record.

Aside from stuff already mentioned, I really like The Luckless album & better late than…

Just gives me a sadface that I still haven't managed to catch up with the SJD, Kora or Sola Rosa albums. Thinking I spend too much time at work...

You will find no argument from me, sir. None whatsoever.

I was counting that as a 2011 release. Am I wrong there? Because I'd have that in too.

I'll offer one addition to the album of the year, First Aid Kit's Lion's Roar and particularly the track King of the World

Indeed, but right up there is Bill Direen's (The Builders) 'Russian Rug' and the Victor Dimisich Band's 'It's Cold Outside' :)

I knew it would annoy people, but I actually played that album quite a lot.

having said that NZ wise I really like the singles Street Chant have released this…

https://soundcloud.com/johnsy72/king-yellowman-tony-johns-edit