Top Songs of 2012 - 10-8

10. The Gaslight Anthem - "The National Anthem"

From the album: "Handwritten"

Released: July 20th

"The National Anthem" closes the "Handwritten" album in the most beautifully subtle way possible. A tender acoustic song about a lost love, which is just so Gaslight Anthem, yet so completely different as well. Brian Fallon laments over an acoustic guitar and strings with some of his strongest lyrics yet (really saying something). Not the expected way to close an album, but unexpectedly beautiful.

9. Neil Young and Crazy Horse - "Walk Like a Giant"

From the album: "Psychedelic Pill"

Released: October 30th

A sprawling Crazy Horse epic from an album of sprawling Crazy Horse epics. "Walk Like a Giant" is a sixteen and a half minute folk rock jam that closes "Psychedelic Pill", Young's longest studio album. The length never gets in the way of the song, which is genuinely one of the best songs Young has recorded in the past 30 years.

8. Rival Sons - "Jordan"

From the album: "Head Down"

Released: September 17th

"Jordan" strayed from type for Rival Sons, into uncharted territory with a slow burning blues rock ballad. Downbeat lyrics weave over singing guitars to create a song that forms the centrepiece of the album. "Jordan" showed the growing evolution and diversity of a still young band who have so much to give.