Winner- Jam Bands – For two consecutive nights in late December, the Disco Biscuits and Phish changed what it means to be a Jam Band. This is it, folks, in 2012 Jam Bands did not mean herb inflicted, self indulgent, meandering noodling. Instead, two simple rock bands, no big nothings except for light shows, spent first sets charging and that canons and the second sets dismantling and putting them back together again.
Loser – Streaming Music – With the huge success of Taylor Swift's Red, not shared with any streaming services (well, except for the first single), big bands all over the industry will hold off giving permission to Spotify, Pandora and the like to share their latest releases to the Streaming services. This might well do more than simply inconvenience the services. I think, after a couple of experiments, no mid-size band will find it helps them at all but the bigger bands? Keep your eye on Vampire Weekends next release. That will tell the tale.