Heylisten To 2012
I listened to around 90 albums this past year. I enjoyed a lot of what I
heard, but these 20 albums are the ones that stuck with me the most.
When I look back at 2012 these are the albums that I am going to
remember most fondly. Just because an album isn't on this list doesn't
mean I didn't like it, I may have just not heard it. But maybe I did hear it
and didn't like it. Either way, this is my list and I could care less if your
favourite album isn't on here. |
| 20 |  | Sigur Ros
Valtari
Valtari is just Sigur Ros doing what they do best: making beautiful music. No, this
isn't as good as Ágætis Byrjun or ( ), but it's still pretty great. Not sure why it got
so much hate. |
| 19 |  | Wild Nothing
Nocturne
Hadn't heard their previous releases, but I popped this on expecting it to be just
some generic indie/shoegaze. Yeah, it is kind of generic, but it's also kind of great. |
| 18 |  | Anberlin
Vital
At this point I don't think Anberlin could make a bad album if they wanted to. On
first spin, I thought it was just pretty good. But after more and more listens I
began to love it even more. Modern Age was one of my most listened to songs this
year, but the whole LP is more than worthy of a listen or thirty. |
| 17 |  | Beach House
Bloom
Some really great dream pop. Bitchfork was signing this LP's praises when it first
came out and so I figured I'd give it a shot and I'm glad I did. |
| 16 |  | A Fine Frenzy
Pines
This LP has flown criminally under the radar this year but that?s everyone else?s
loss, not mine. Alison Sudol is a beautiful person in every way, but especially her
voice. Although this is quite different than her previous albums, it's still inherently
her. Regina Spektor's LP from this year was pretty great, but I'd rather listen to
Pines. |
| 15 |  | Passion Pit
Gossamer
The whole album is just one sugary sweet indie pop track after another, but in a
good way. |
| 14 |  | Godspeed You! Black Emperor
'Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend!
We drift like worried fire. That's it. |
| 13 |  | Andy Stott
Luxury Problems
Lots of high-quality electronic releases this year, but this one stuck out for me. I'm
not sure why I enjoy it so much. It's really weird and dark, but I like that. |
| 12 |  | Grizzly Bear
Shields
This band has a phenomenal discography and this is no exception. |
| 11 |  | Of Monsters and Men
My Head is an Animal
I think this was technically released in Iceland in 2011, but it wasn?t released in
North America (and I didn?t hear it) until this past April, so I?m counting it as 2012.
These guys have blown up over the past year and it?s nice to see such a great
band attract so much attention, they definitely deserve it. |
| 10 |  | Flying Lotus
Until the Quiet Comes
I don't claim to be an expert on electronic music. Hell, I probably couldn't tell you
the difference between dubstep and techno. But I can tell you what I like and what
I don't like. And this pleases me. |
| 9 |  | Loma Prieta
I.V.
So fucking good. I don't even. |
| 8 |  | Bat For Lashes
The Haunted Man
Not all the tracks on this LP are fantastic, but some are. Oh my god are they
fantastic. The track Laura is especially delicious. |
| 7 |  | Perfume Genius
Put Your Back N 2 It
This album is beautiful in its simplicity. It isn't long and it isn't loud. But his words
are screaming. |
| 6 |  | John Talabot
Fin
A door creaks open and a girl screams. |
| 5 |  | The Menzingers
On the Impossible Past
Pop punk was dead to me until I heard this album. I glossed over it on my first
listen. And then I came back to it and it was like holy shit I forgot how good this is.
It's funny, it's sad and it's fucking gorgeous. |
| 4 |  | Purity Ring
Shrines
Megan James has the voice of an angel. She doesn't need the autotune, but it
adds to the atmosphere of this album. This is synth pop done right; Purity Ring
have a bright future ahead of them. |
| 3 |  | Fiona Apple
The Idler Wheel...
I think enough has been written about this album all over the interwebs. I will just
say that yes, this is as good as everyone says it is. |
| 2 |  | Grimes
Visions
Genesis and Oblvious were stapled to the inside of my mind for the entire year.
Visions is catchy and weird. Oh, and it's also fucking amazing. Yay Canada! |
| 1 |  | The Tallest Man on Earth
There's No Leaving Now
This is what I would define a perfect album. It's a great progression from The Wild
Hunt and his lyrics have never been stronger. I didn't find out that he was coming
to Toronto this year until all the tickets sold out. And that made me a sad panda.
But for me, There's No Leaving Now and 2012 are synonymous. The difference is
that 2012 will inevitably end. But when this LP ends I will simply flip it over and
start it again from the beginning. |
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