Favorites of 2012: Albums

For the remaining days of 2012, I'll be listing out my favorites of the year. I'm not calling these the 'Best of 2012" because I don't necessarily think they're the best; just MY favorites.

Today, I've listed out my favorite albums of the year. So for this list, if you have other opinions, let me know as a suggestion, not as an attack. Because I'm open minded. Unless your music is terrible.

Here you go. Here are my favorite albums of the year, in no particular order.

SHIELDS - Grizzly Bear

I knew I'd love this album before I even heard it. I knew so much that I pre-ordered the gold pressing. And I don't regret it. When spinning something gold colored, you'd expect something this perfect to come through the speakers. And it does.

I also had the privilege of seeing these guys at Radio City earlier this year. I can't recommend their live show enough. Do it.

Good Kid M.A.A.D. City - Kendrick Lamar
Because of this record, I now have the social obligation to refer to my friends as "the homies."

The first time I listened to this album, I was working...on a Friday...at 8pm. Usually when I work that late, I just want to go home and do nothing. After hearing Backseat Freestyle, all I wanted to do was go home and do nothing but go gorillas.

Kill For Love - Chromatics
I was turned on to the Chromatics scene thanks to the movie Drive starring Ryan Gosling. Now, when I hear them, it triggers a Pavlovian response to question my hetereosexuality.

The album starts with a cover of Neil Young's Into the Black. I love Neil Young's music. But I love his music because of him. Typicallly, this means I won't like Neil Young covers. (The opposite is true for Guns 'N Roses. Can't stand Axl. Love when people cover them.) The fact that I love their cover of Into the Black should tell you what I think about this band. I love these guys. And this album is a treat.

 






Bloom - Beach House

Beach House sounds like heaven. If you don't believe in heaven, Beach House sounds like what I think heaven would sound like.

 There's something about them and this album that just immediately calms me down and puts me in a good mood.  So the next time you watch The Walking Dead and need a hug before going to bed, put on Irene and it should do the trick.

Celebration Rock  - Japandroids 
Celebration Rock is Japandroids' follow up to their great debut Post-Nothing. And it rocks. So hard.

The album dropped on June 5th, just in time for me to declare it my summer album. I listened to it while running, working, getting ready, on the train, eating, etc etc. I spun this record more times in a two month span than maybe any record ever.

Listen to this record. Then take a guess to how many people are in it. You'll think four or five or six. It's two. And they brings the ruckus.

Other 2012 albums I loved that I highly recommend that you should listen to as soon as you can listen to them: 
Purity Ring - Shrines
Father John Misty -Fear Fun
Godspeed You! Black Emperor - 'Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend!
Dirty Projectors - Swing Lo Majellan
Fiona Apple - The Idler Wheel
Death Grips - The Money Store
Spiritualized - Sweet Heart Sweet Light
Bat For Lashes - Haunted Man
DIIV - Oshin
Walkmen - Heaven
Liars - WIXIW
Charilift - Sidewalk Safari
G.O.O.D Music - Cruel Summer
Dum Dum Girls - End of Daze (EP)

 Listin',
CJ