2012 IN THIS YEAR…

The Olympic Games are staged in London

Adele’s 21 is the best selling album in the word – for the second year running!

Gangnamstyle becomes the first Youtube video to reach one billion views

STONED AND STARVING

PARQUET COURTS

One of the most idiosyncratic bands of the decade cemented their ‘no f*cks given’ approach here with an effortless slice of slacker rock.

OCTOPUS

BLOC PARTY

Video: bit.ly/tg336video Russell Lissack’s ingenious riff runs through two delays set to 205ms and 103ms, respectively. Use a line selector like the Boss LS-2 to swap between them.

ELEPHANT

TAME IMPALA

If a resurrected John Lennon decided to rewrite Spiritin Thesky so it wasn’t so horribly embarrassing, you might get this.

TEENAGE ICON

THE VACCINES

This spiritual successor of the Beach Boys and the Ramones is the perfect cure for any anti-vaxxers you may know.

I GOTSTA GET PAID

ZZ TOP

A neat idea from guitarist Billy Gibbons – to “bluesify” 25Lighters, a 90s hip-hop anthem – resulted in a modern ZZ classic.

SHE’S THE WOMAN

VAN HALEN

The second track released from their 2012 comeback with Diamond Dave revisited former greatness; EVH’S guitars bursting with charisma and attitude throughout.

LIGHTNING BOLT

JAKE BUGG

The Nottingham strummer’s easy three-chord gem is perfect busking material. Only E, A and B are required.

CARAVAN

RUSH

On Rush’s final album, Clockwork Angels, the heavy progressive rock banger Caravan had the virtuoso power trio in perfect balance.

GOD IS DEAD?

BLACK SABBATH

The standout track from 13 had the elemental power of old Tony Iommi riffing as only he can.