the year 2012 marks the return of two four piece bands with dynamic female lead singers who have been on a musical vacation for several years: garbage and no doubt. and there's no doubt: gwen stefani and the boys can still rock your socks.

the apparent heir to queen, underappreciated british trio muse also released a heavy new single in 2012; but mostly i'm playing new songs by indie artists this week. you'll be introduced to an incredibly powerful track by australian band art vs. science called "foreward/new world order," edward sharpe & the magnetic zero's "one love to another," and regina spektor's brilliant "don't leave me/ne me quitte pas."

the songs are linked here: 2012 indies.

the young and the old came out in 2012. fresh, indie-faced artists like miracles of modern science, skrillex (pictured), edward sharpe & the magnetic zeros, and django django; along with old guys like bruce springsteen, joe walsh, and really olde guys like leonard cohen and willie nelson--all released new music this year.

and there were also fresh sounds from artists somewhere inbetween like the shins, damian marley (pictured), tenacious d, and snoop dogg. young kids rockin the block and wizened old masters holding court...