2012: the year that punk broke

The music industry had a greatly significant year in 2011. It was a year that saw underground music begin to tie the noose around the neck of the mainstream market. Sure, pop giants like Lupe Fiasco, Britney Spears and Lady Gaga continued to top the charts, but backyard heroes like La Dispute, The Wonder Years and Touché Amoré began breaking into Billboard territory – a feat usually unheard of for independent bands. Arcade Fire won a Grammy for album of the year, and Bon Iver released an album that would dominate this year's Grammy nominations. Road veterans like Junip and Sharon Van Etten made their late night television debuts and opened the possibilities for many more to follow. Yes, the scent of change was hanging in the air like the burning leaves of autumn.

And here is 2012, a clean slate with much momentum and potential, thanks to the preceding year's efforts. Underground music fans are proud and excited about the progress their heroes made last year, and they are ready to help the efforts in the present. With so much drive built up, music critics can expect to see new names on the charts, as well as baffling additions to major tours and label rosters.

The year started off with a smash, with the announcement of the Coachella festival line-up featuring the reunions of post-hardcore legends At The Drive-In and Refused. With more than a decade passing since both bands' last shows, these appearances promise to make this gathering the event of the year. Down-tempo heartbreaker Mazzy Star has also decided to join the festivities after years of silence, providing a little something for everyone to look forward to.

February will bring about a new album from the legendary Seattle-based drone group Earth. "Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light II," due out Feb. 21, will continue the epic already started in the album's previous chapter and give drone and doom fans alike something to head bang about. Also due out in February is Sharon Van Etten's third effort, "Tramp." The Brooklyn singer-songwriter has been making a smash on national and international tours the past couple of years, and, in light of a recent appearance on "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon," this new album seems likely to be her most successful to date.

Hardcore punk icons Converge will follow up 2009's "Axe to Fall" with "All We Love We Leave Behind." The music world was given a taste of what to expect on last year's split 7" with Dropdead, but it was  not nearly enough to predict what tricks these veterans may have up their sleeves. Joining them on the heavy end of things will be Torche, who will release its debut on Volcom Entertainment. The melodic metal band will hopefully pen a chapter in the music playbook for mainstream alternative rock acts to learn from. Jumping off the grid to Beverly Massachusetts finds post-rock grandfather Caspian putting the finishing touches on its newest album. Judging by various studio pictures and previews, "Waking Season" may be one of the most epic releases of the year.

One thing music critics will learn this year is never to judge a band by the age of its members. Pop-punk wiz kids Title Fight are looking to make another splash in the music pool with their second release and follow-up to its 2011 debut, "Shed."  The young group has quickly climbed up the ladder of success and found itself on this year's Warped Tour circuit and billed on a spring tour with Rise Against. As they hurtle through the obstacle course of support slots, it will not be surprising to see Title Fight headlining some impressive circuits by the end of 2012.

Yes, the scent of change still lingers, and 2012 is promising to be an installment full of surprises. As more and more ensembles cross the line into mainstream territory, hopefully more and more music fans will look below the framework and notice the foundation.