After weeks of thought and countless hours of notes, here are my fifty favorite albums of 2012…
50. CHAD VALLEY “Young Hunger”
An ambitious homage to the success that 80s new wave ballads have held up to this day. Featuring the likes of Twin Shadow and Active Child as guest appearances, this is an appropriate homage record that stands above many of its kind.
49. ALT-J “An Awesome Wave”
Whether a mellow piece that echoes the value of Massive Attack or a vocally driven single that plays along the modern trails of acts such as The XX, its a pleaser.
48. ANDREW BIRD “Hands of Glory”
The Bird made a splash with two new records this year, but it was the latter, “Hands of Glory” that made the bigger one. A familiar journey into the experimental folk we’ve come to love from the musician, as well as touches of alt-country and gritty Western undertones.
47. GODSPEED YOU! BLACK EMPEROR “Alelujah! Don’t Bend! Ascend!”
A new album from the beloved post-rock band, the first in ten years, is a haunting, eerie black hole of noise… and it works!
46. DIVINE FITS “Divine Fits”
A super group featuring members of Spoon and Wolf Parade under the moniker Divine Fits, this is a catchy, layered blend of indie pop and QOTSA-influenced psychedelics that will have you tapping your toes while in a state of euphoria.
45. THE SHINS “Port of Morrow”
Albuquerque’s resident indie rockers return with their first new album in five years. As expected, its nothing short of great with catchy melodies and vicious hooks, led by frontman James Mercer’s distinct and powerful voice.
44. BOB MOULD “Silver Age”
The Husker Du founding member and post hardcore pioneer’s latest solo effort is a catchy, effective record that holds true to the songwriter’s signature style, proving you are never too old to write great songs
43. CAT POWER “Sun”
Georgia indie queen Chan Marshall’s latest effort after surviving alcoholism, a nervous breakdown and relationship troubles took a few good listens to catch on to, but soon enough, it had me coming back for multiple listens and an appreciation for how women in indie music grab musicianship by the horns in a time of fabricated pop stars.
42. …AND YOU WILL KNOW US BY THE TRAIL OF DEAD “Lost Songs”
After two shaky albums, the Austin noise rockers have put out the album fans have wanted to hear since 2005′s “Worlds Apart.” Its loud as usual, but this time taking a break from trying to be too epic and sticking to the noisy indie rock roots they came from.
41. FIONA APPLE “The Idler Wheel…”
This definitely takes the cake for the longest album title of the year, but the focus of its success stands in how this brave, blunt woman continues to churn out records that matter, showcasing a mastered talent of songwriting and musicianship of gold.
40. THE BABIES “Our House on the Hill”
A catchy blend of garage rock and folk rock, this group featuring members of Vivian Girls and Woods is a proper journey through a great soundtrack for two people who are in love on a sunny day.
39. JOYCE MANOR “Of All Things I Will Soon Grow Tired”
These California punk rockers really made their mark this year, putting out a record whose aesthetic of quick songs, energetic strums and catchy melodies made were accompanies by endless touring and intense, wild live shows.
38. HOW TO DRESS WELL “Total Loss”
The best way for me to describe this album is Sigur Ros and Bon Iver doing R&B tracks. At times its ambient and atmospheric, others its a lo-fi jam. In totality, its a record worth owning.
37. LUST FOR YOUTH “Growing Seeds”
Imagine if Joe Strummer jammed with New Order. Must I say more?
36. EGYPTIAN HIP HOP “Good Don’t Sleep”
Chilled out indietronica driven by wonderfully melodic vocals brought this English group who sound nothing like their name to life this year in a solid way.
35. FOXYGEN “Take the Kids Off Broadway”
What Dr. dog would have sounded like if they took a majority of their style from The Rolling Stones. Experimental and poppy, it carries a vintage tone that is seemingly fun and fitting for these times.
34. SPIRITUALIZED “Sweet Heart Sweet Light”
Britpop today… Oasis have moved on to other things, Pulp are in the reunion phase, Blur released two satisfactory singles after constant teasing and rumors for a full-fledged reunion, and this ongoing act continued to not only put out new records, but great records.
33. SCHOOLBOY Q “Habits & Contradictions”
The first of two members from the group Black Hippy to make this list, Schoolboy Q takes the cockiness, the confidence and the attitude that can be found in hip hop and twists it all into his own sophisticated, realized blend of beats and rhymes.
32. THE PEOPLE’S TEMPLE “More for the Masses”
Psychedelic, melodic rock and roll. Its a tribute to both 60s garage rock and even the uplifting persona of The Flaming Lips’ iconic sound.
31. ARIEL PINK’S HAUNTED GRAFFITI “Mature Themes”
Two years after the amazing “Before Today,” the openly strange avant-garde one man music machine known as Ariel Friedman returns with another endeavor into the strange and obscure, showcasing abstract lyrics and the nostalgic sound he has become recognized for.
30. DEATH GRIPS “The Money Store”
Featuring Hella drummer Zach Hill, this out of the box hip hop project is a dark, energetic and progressive testament to the amount of creativity one can put into any genre of music.
29. JONNY GREENWOOD “The Master”
The Radiohead guitarist returns to the world of cinema scoring his second Paul Thomas Anderson feature, and much like “There Will Be Blood,” its a journey through the experimental, this time having its share of fun with woodwinds and strings.
28. PRINCE RAMA “Top Ten Hits for the End of the World”
An eclectic dance record that channels the likes of Ladytron and a darker CSS, its Euro-Mediterranean hippie sound would seem the perfect clubbing companion for the Miss Lippie character from “Billy Madison.”
27. FOUR TET “Pink”
The UK electronic scene has flourished into greatness since the early 80s and this record from the electronic Britpop craze of the mid 90s is a prime example that will not fail to impress.
26. MIND SPIDERS “Meltdown”
Denton’s finest punkers come together to form this wonderful band fronted by The Marked Men’s Mark Ryan. A catchy, toe tapping and powerful love letter to old school punk.
25. TEEN DAZE “The Inner Mansions”
Chillwave has made its mark on the electronic scene and this act is another fine example of the offerings of this once unknown style whose term was coined by the Wall Street Journal in late 2009.
24. CLOUD NOTHINGS “Attack on Memory”
San Francisco noise punk act Cloud Nothings returned with this early year release of excellent tracks that further prove punk’s upholding presence in rock and roll.
23. CROCODILES “Endless Sunday”
With influences that range from The Jesus and Mary Chain to The Replacements, this loud and catchy post punk act makes noisy music that could entertain an ear for the poppy.
22. SIMIAN MOBILE DISCO “Unpatterns”
A nostalgic trip through the joys of electro classics with its own modern twist on things, the English duo continues to take dance floors by storm.
21. FRANK OCEAN “Channel Orange”
What a year this R&B youngster and Odd Future member had. From breaking ground in the hip hop scene to this fantastic heartfelt record, there is no other place for Frank Ocean to go but up.
20. HOLOGRAMS “Holograms”
Sweden has always given me so many great bands and this latest dark wave/punk rock act from the Scandinavian nation is nothing short of marvelous.
19. BAT FOR LASHES “The Haunted Man”
English singer-songwriter Natasha Khan’s latest record is an haunting and enchanting blend of indie rock and worldly pop music.
18. CHROMATICS “Kill For Love”
The male half of Portland electronic duo Glass Candy, Johnny Jewell’s latest work with Chromatics is a love letter to the night life… which reflects the cerebral mood of the film they recently provided music for… the cult hit “Drive.”
17. MISSION OF BURMA “Unsound”
They rose to prominence during the post punk craze of the early 80s,and unexpectedly had to go on hiatus when guitarist Roger Miller was struck with major hearing loss. Twenty years later they reformed, churning out melodic pieces that echo the almost anthemic holler of their earliest glory days.
16. JAPANDROIDS “Celebration Rock”
Who knew a two-piece band could roar so loudly? This Vancouver indie punk duo’ s latest release is a collection of anthems whose uplifting sound instructs the listener to do one simple thing… live life to the fullest.
15. DIIV “Oshin”
Spacey and technical shoegaze brought this band to the attention of many indie publications this year and earned the band fans everywhere, including myself.
14. THE SOFT PACK “Strapped”
From flowing post punk to catchy, dancy indie pop, there is a spectrum of sound that this record journeys through, taking the listener on a pleasant ride.
13. WILD NOTHING “Nocturne”
A plethora of wonderfully atmospheric synthpop, the band’s latest release never fails to charm and impress.
12. PASSION PIT “Gossamer”
At times it sounds like a colorful anime soundtrack, others deeply involving R&B or modern electro, Michael Angelakos’ follow-up to the excellent “Manners” is a surprisingly intelligent, upbeat and smile-provoking piece of praise-worthy left of center pop.
11. OFF! “Off!”
Original Black Flag frontman Keith Morris’ latest band has managed to produce and release an absolute tour-de-force of punk rock attitude in the form of sixteen in your face tracks that stand tall with originality and passion.
10. METZ “Metz”
Blending the likes of Pixies, The Nation of Ulysses and Shellac, this Canadian post hardcore punk trio are not only a major contender for the coveted Polaris Music Prize, but a representation of a group of talented musicians who take past influences and give this generation a delicious taste of the great sounds and styles that came right before them.
9. KENDRICK LAMAR “Good Kid, m.A.A.d City”
Compton rapper Kendrick Lamar returns after last year’s phenomenal “Section.80″ with a poetic force of hip hop storytelling matched by outstanding beats and a mentality that tips its hat to the 90s, which is often considered to be the last standing glory period for mainstream hip hop. When modern hip hop has often taken a plunge, Lamar (as well as his group Black Hippy) keep the spirit of the style alive.
8. PEOPLE GET READY “People Get Ready”
A fine line blend of dancy indie and big, folkish undertones, this group’s live show is often accompanied by dance sequences that have me urking to see them perform live. Until then, I will have this wonderful record to keep me company.
7. GRIMES “Visions”
Richly textured with tones of dark and light, this album appeared and remained as one of the strongest electronica releases this year with its darkly playful tone.
6. TITLE FIGHT “Floral Green”
Blaring with melodic gold, this shift in direction from the Pennsylvania post hardcore group is a welcomed treat for frequent listeners as well as new fans. I remember this sound being such a craze ten years ago, and I admire how this band sticks to its guns with class and talent.
5. ANIMAL COLLECTIVE “Centipede Hz”
Baltimore’s psychedelic digi-pop champions put out a hell of a record this year, taking influence from the likes of garage rock, the South American chicha sound and experimental percussion. Its all matched by a captivating live show.
4. GRIZZLY BEAR “Shields”
The Brooklyn indie quartet’s fourth album continues the flawless streak of great music these guys have put out since the dawn of their existence. A landscape of sound including folk and jazz, there is not a dull moment here with song after song just taking you somewhere nice.
3. HOT CHIP “In Our Heads”
Everything these guys create is gold. From party anthems to smooth R&B ballads, these English electro pop titans never fail to entertain the ears and get listeners in a rhythmic groove. This is a purely fun record from start to finish.
2. BEACH HOUSE “Bloom”
Its like a beautiful dream where you’re in the city at night and everything just pieces itself together perfectly… and that’s before you factor in the charming, attractive power of Victoria Legrande’s voice… then its all flawless.
1. TAME IMPALA “Lonerism”
From the moment I first heard this record, I knew it was going to stick with me when it came time to put this list together. I thought long and hard about what deserved the first place slot. Why this album? Because it reflects why musically challenging records such as The Beatles’ “White Album” and “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” have held up the way they do. This record manages to be epic without overdoing it, channeling the beauty of John & Paul & George & Ringo during a period where they were putting out some of the best albums of their decade long career. Its a trippy, mood-filled experience that still holds up to the values of great rock and roll. Its experimental and universally enjoyable and paves the way for more credit to the herds of psych acts that show up every year. This is Tame Impala’s breakthrough, their magnum opus thus far, and if this Australian gem of a band plays their cards right, their journey into further notoriety is going to be a good one for them.
-ADAM KEITH.
