Friday, December 28, 2012

Best Of 2012: Songs & Albums


If there seems to be a lot of consensus about which artists’ albums were real stand-outs in 2012 – Japandroids, Beach House, Frank Ocean – it’s for good reasons.  These albums featured solid and interesting song construction, texture, and unique perspectives; the music transported you to another place.  It was also easy to get lost in the lo-fi pleasures of Tame Impala, and mesmerized by the electronic pulses of Tanlines’s long-awaited full-length debut.
Best Album Picks:

Fear Fun – Father John Misty
Maybe it’s Joshua Tillman’s beautiful voice, but somehow this album makes the ethereal real.

Channel Orange – Frank Ocean  
His soulful r&b marries heart and clever descriptions.  Sample lyric: “My TV ain’t HD, that’s too real.”

Celebration Rock – Japandroids
How can you not be swept away by the sound of fading fireworks at the end of “Continuous Thunder”?

BloomBeach House 
Picking up where their previous effort, “Teen Dream,” left off, the Baltimore duo pull off another lazily mystical album.

Boys & GirlsAlabama Shakes 
This Alabama band’s debut disc somehow manages to feel current and timeless.  Brittany Howard’s higher gritty vocals are alluringly distinctive.

Mixed EmotionsTanlines
If there’s been a criticism about this Brooklyn duo’s first LP, it’s that the songs don’t have a definitive arc.  But sometimes it’s nice to linger in the infinite.

The Only PlaceBest Coast 
There’s a wistful sense of remorse tucked into the songs on this record – songs whose melodies might otherwise have you believe that everything’s fine.

Young & Old Tennis 
Have you not been seduced by Alaina Moore’s glorious vocals yet?  How about her lyrics contemplating longing and existence?  Open yourself to the possibilities.

Lonerism Tame Impala 
Some days you just need a dose of Australian pyschedelia.

Best Of 2012 Playlist:
“The Only Place” – Best Coast
“Stay Useless” – Cloud Nothings
“Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings” – Father John Misty
“Continuous Thunder” – Japandroids
“Hold On” – Alabama Shakes
“I Know What Love Isn’t” – Jens Lekman
“Don’t Leave Me” – Regina Spektor
“Cameo Lover” – Kimbra
“One Heart Missing” – Grace Potter & The Nocturnals
“I Belong In Your Arms” – Chairlift
“My Better Self” – Tennis
“Myth” – Beach House
“Angels” – The XX
“Everything Is Embarrassing” – Sky Ferreira
“Oblivion” – Grimes
“Anything Could Happen (Blood Diamonds Remix)” – Ellie Goulding
“Pyramids” – Frank Ocean
“Not The Same” – Tanlines
“Madness” – Muse
“I Love It” – Icona Pop
“Feels Like We Only Go Backwards” – Tame Impala
“Thinkin Bout You” – Frank Ocean