25. American Aquarium - Burn. Flicker. Die.It's no surprise a band named after a Wilco song would make my top albums list. This album falls nicely in line with other alt-country stuff I love like Drive-By Truckers, Lucero and Dawes. Especially notable since another favorite of the genre, Jason Isbell, was the producer of Burn. Flicker. Die.
American Aquarium - 'Burn. Flicker. Die.'
24. Sigur Rós - ValtariSigur Rós really went more and more towards conventional pop songwriting on the two albums following ( ), but their newest album Valtari seems like a return to that early form. This is definitely an album that begs to be listened to straight through and definitely rewards repeat listens. I should also mention that Sigur Rós are a must-see live band and if they come back through KC you'll read it here.
Sigur Rós - 'Varúð'
In 2010 my album of the year was Deerhunter's Halcyon Digest and one of the main reasons I loved that album so much were the songwriting contributions by Lockett Pundt. Now we are lucky enough to get a second album from his side project, Lotus Plaza where his songwriting takes center stage for the entire album.
Lotus Plaza - 'Strangers'
22. Daughn Gibson - All Hell
There is something about a voice like Daughn Gibson's that instantly pulls me in. When it also has a dark tone and vibe like All Hell does throughout, there is even more for me to love. One of my biggest regrets of the year is missing his show at The Replay in Lawrence in November.
Daughn Gibson - 'In The Beginning'
One of my consistently favorite bands of the past 10 or so years, The Walkmen are another group that you can count on to put out great album after great album. Although Heaven isn't as good as their past couple, it's still one of the better albums of 2012.
The Walkmen - 'The Love You Love'
20. Beach House - Bloom
There is a legitimate knock against Beach House that they've essentially released the exact same album as 2010's Teen Dream. That could be a big complaint for some but the fact is I loved Teen Dream and Bloom is just as beautiful.
Beach House - 'Lazuli'
I fell in love with Hot Chip when I first heard their 2006 album, The Warning. Since then they've released a couple of good, but not great albums. That changed this year with the release of In Our Heads, arguably the best Hot Chip album ever.
Hot Chip - 'How Do You Do?'
18. Murder By Death - Bitter Drink, Bitter MoonNot only were Murder By Death responsible for one of my favorite shows of 2012, they also released one of my favorite albums of the year. I've posted this a couple of times already but I highly recommend checking out their NYE show at the Granada in Lawrence. It should be a fantastic time.
Murder By Death - 'Straight At The Sun'
Australians Tame Impala are a band I've been paying attention to since their debut came out in 2010. I liked that album but didn't really love them until this years fantastic album Lonerism. The album is making many year end best of lists so if you haven't already check these guys out to see what you're missing!
Tame Impala - 'Apocalypse Dreams'
16. Capybara - Dave DruskyThe highest ranking local album on my list comes from KC's Capybara. I'd probably also have to put this on my list of favorite local albums ever. It's just really brilliant indie pop and I'm not really quite sure why they haven't broken big nationally. Dave Drusky is full of songs just as good as most of the stuff Pitchfork gushes over every year.
Capybara - 'Late Night Bikes'
Yet another band that can be classified as consistently great with the release of their third amazing album in a row Shields. Grizzly Bears main draw for me is the absolutely lush songwriting and beautiful vocals from both Ed Droste and Daniel Rossen. I was able to catch a few songs of a set of theirs back in 2008 at Lollapalooza, but their another band I hope to catch in town soon (if they ever make their way here, that is).
Grizzly Bear - 'Sleeping Ute'
14. M. Ward - A Wasteland CompanionI'll admit that I'm a fan of almost everything M. Ward does. Monsters of Folk, She & Him and his solo stuff is all pretty amazing. His solo output is where he shows what a truly gifted musician he is though. Not to mention that he's also probably one of my favorite vocalists around these days. Put that together with fantastic songwriting and you've got a complete package. Now if only he'd come through town sometime to play a show!
M. Ward - 'The First Time I Ran Away'
Probably the most unexpected album on my list this year is the second full length album from Wild Nothing. I loved their debut album and Nocturne is a great step forward. If you like hazy, dreamy indie pop music then I can't recommend Wild Nothing highly enough.
Wild Nothing - 'Paradise'
12. Chromatics - Kill For LoveThis album spent a good deal of time in my top 5 but got pushed down just a bit as the year went on. I still listen to this album pretty frequently as it's more of an "album's album" rather than a collection of great songs. That is rare for an electro-dance pop group like Chromatics. I hate to make this comparison, but if you're a fan of the movie soundtrack for Drive that got so much attention recently, you definitely need to hear this album.
Chromatics - 'Kill For Love'
I'm not a musician or a songwriter but I still find it incredibly hard to understand how A.C. Newman is able to write so many brilliant pop songs. He's responsible for the lion's share of five brilliant New Pornographers albums as well as three really great solo album. His newest, Shut Down The Streets, is definitely my favorite solo effort of his and a nice change of pace for Newman.
A.C. Newman - 'I'm Not Talking'
10. Perfume Genius - Put Your Back N 2 ItThis album held the number 1 spot on my list for most of the first half of 2012. Who knows if it would have been higher if it had came out later in the year (I tend to over-rank albums on first listen). Regardless, this is still one of the top albums of 2012. Something about piano heavy, melancholy music paired with beautiful vocals really gets me. This album can be emotionally heavy at times, but not too much that it weighs down my enjoyment of the album.
Perfume Genius - 'Take Me Home'
I'm really disappointed that I'm not seeing this album on more year end lists. Maybe it's the song lengths that kept people from digging into this album with 3 songs pushing past 15 minutes and the opening track just short of a half hour. Regardless, the songs don't get stale or boring at all. In fact, this is probably the best Neil Young album since Harvest Moon.
Neil Young - 'Ramada Inn'
8. Mac DeMarco - 2This was probably the latest addition to my albums of the year list. Not because it came out recently, but I wasn't familiar with it until a friend recommended his stuff to me about a month ago. I instantly fell in love with Mac DeMarco's second album of 2012, aptly titled 2. I'm not sure how to categorize his music either, stoner-pop maybe? At times he reminds me of the artist responsible for my favorite album of 2011 in Kurt Vile, which could be a large part of my draw to Mac.
Mac DeMarco - 'Ode To Viceroy'
No surprises finding this on my or anyone else's year end list as it seems to be almost universally enjoyed. I've been paying close attention to Frank Ocean when he was brought into the Odd Future fold. It always seemed like an odd pairing and Ocean has skyrocket past the rest of OFWGKTA this year. My only complaint about this album was the tracklisting seemed odd. Once someone sent me their suggested song order for the album is suddenly clicked for me in a way it hadn't before.
Frank Ocean - 'Thinking Bout You'
6. How To Dress Well - Total LossAlthough this could technically be classified as R&B next to Frank Ocean's album, the two are worlds apart sonically. Pairing his falsetto with some really minimalist beats & loops, Tom Krell really hit a home run with his second full-length album Total Loss. There is always an album really high on my year end lists that I'm not sure anyone else reading this blog would enjoy much. This year it's How To Dress Well. If you do dig it, however, you're in for a treat.
How To Dress Well - 'Cold Nites'
Lovers of exclamation points, Godspeed You! Black Emperor have always been a band that borders on über pretentious. Heavily political, 20+ minute songs and no vocals doesn't make for a accessible music experience. However, if you love post-rock stuff like Explosions in the Sky, MONO and Mogwai then you'll probably love GYBE as well. Put these guys at the very top of my list of bands I've never seen that I'm dying to see.
Godspeed You! Black Emperor - 'Mladic'
4. Father John Misty - Fear FunI've been a fan of J. Tillman's solo work as well as his work with Fleet Foxes for a few years. When I heard he was now recording under the moniker Father John Misty and had signed to Sub Pop, I got really excited. Turns out my excitement was justified as it's one of the best albums of 2012. The album also produced my favorite track of 2012 with 'Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings'. The rest of the album has more of an alt-country feel to it but that's not a bad thing as it's chalk full of amazing tunes.
Father John Misty - 'Nancy From Now On'
Another album that seems to be universally praised and has been listed as the number 1 album on many year end lists is Kendrick Lamar's second album Good Kid M.A.A.D. City. Rarely outside of Kanye West does commercial rap work as well in a full album format as it does with Lamar's new album. There are so many great tracks on this album it's hard to pick a favorite, and that is always the sign of a great album.
Kendrick Lamar - 'Sing About Me, I'm Dying Of Thirst'
2. Sharon Van Etten - TrampI have a very strong affinity for female singer/songwriters and Sharon Van Etten has quickly climbed my list of favorites with her new album, Tramp. This is another album where I really love every song on the record. Seeing her at The Riot Room was another concert highlight of 2012 (although I'm just now realizing I left her off my post of favorite concerts of the year). I can't recommend this album highly enough as I think most music fans would enjoy the hell out of it.
Sharon Van Etten - 'Give Out'
As much as I enjoyed Japandroids first album Post-Nothing, I never expected their follow-up to resonate with me as much as Celebration Rock has. This album is complete fist in the air, middle finger to everyone kind of rock 'n roll that takes me back to being a teenager. There is no doubt in my mind if I heard this album when I was 16 it would be in the running for my favorite albums of all-time. So if you haven't already, queue this album up and get ready to be 16 again.
Japandroids - 'The House That Heaven Built'
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