Tapes on the Floor's Favorite Tracks of 2012 (Pt. I)

Can you feel that chill in the air? It must be time for the annual flurry of year-end lists. Following the precedent I set forth with last year's volley of meticulously annotated inventories, I'll be presenting my 40 favorite tracks of 2012 in two parts, followed by a list of my favorite albums released over the past year. I'll also be including the obligatory Spotify playlists for those of you who would prefer to listen to music instead of reading about it.

Graveface holds raffle to recoup flood damage

I live right down the street from Graveface Records, an independent label run out of Logan Square that has released albums from acts like Black Moth Super Rainbow, The Appleseed Cast and Hospital Ships. Last month when severe storms hit Chicago, Graveface headquarters flooded and most of their stock was destroyed. Thanks to an insurance loophole, none of the lost product is covered, which means no compensation for anything that was destroyed or damaged. I think most people would just give up, but the guy who runs Graveface is digging in and looking to the fan community to help keep the label alive.

Donations are being collected in the form of a multi-tiered raffle which offers the chance to win increasingly awesome prizes, the more money you decide to give. Everyone who donates at least $10 gets an instant download of rare/unreleased Graveface Records tracks, including the instrumental version of Black Moth Super Rainbow's Eating Us. Higher donation levels enter you in raffles to win album test printings, rare posters, instruments, props and—oddly enough— a cup of Xiu Xiu frontman Jamie Stewart's urine. Those who donate $25 or more get at least one random Graveface release as a thank you gift, in addition to entry in the corresponding raffle. Check out the full details over on the donation page.

It's certainly a nice way of rewarding fans for supporting the continued existence of this label, and an opportunity that you shouldn't pass up. I'll be putting my name in the running for that aforementioned cup of urine, although I kind of hope I end up with something a little bit more practical. If you've ever enjoyed a Graveface release, or just consider yourself a fan of innovative, original music, please consider making a donation over on the label's website.