Critics Look Back At 2012: The Worst Of The Year (And Some Good Stuff Too)

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Friday, December 28, 2012

For critics Maura Johnson and Chris Weingarten, the Grammy Awards performance by EDM musician Deadmau5, Foo Fighters and Chris Brown was a low point for concert moments in 2012. (Jason Merritt/ Getty Images)

This week, Soundcheck looks back at the past year in music with critics from NPR, Billboard and the New York Times revealing their answers to Soundcheck's 2012 Music survey, a series of questions about the highs and lows of 2012.

Today on the show, NPR Music critic Ann Powers joins us to look at what topped her her list in 2012, including one very sexy slow jam.

Then, we turn the Soundcheck 2012 Music Survey on its head and ask Maura Johnston and Chris Weingarten about the music that made them writhe in agony this year.

And, two members of the Soundcheck team share their favorites too.

Best Music Of 2012
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Guests:

Maura Johnston, Ann Powers and Chris Weingarten

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A Dramatic "Climax" and Swans' Comeback: Ann Powers' 2012 Music Survey

From a cringe-worthy "Roofie anthem" to an emerging Americana artist, NPR Music critic Ann Powers shares her answers to our 2012 Music Survey.

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Oh, The Agony! The Worst Music Of 2012

Enough about the good stuff! We turn our music survey on its head and ask music critic Maura Johnston and SPIN senior editor Chris Weingarten about the music that made them writhe in agony this year.

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K-Pop has found a juggernaut international hit with Psy's hyperkinetic song 'Gangnam Style.'

Producer Picks: Joel Meyer And Gretta Cohn Share Their 2012 Music Surveys

Soundcheck producers Gretta Cohn and Joel Meyer share some of their answers to the 2012 Music Survey -- and they nearly come to fisticuffs over K-pop star Psy and his megahit "Gangnam Style." Plus, they discuss some favorites of the year, from R&B singer Miguel, southern metal stalwarts Mastodon and more.

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