My Top 10 Albums of 2012
I am a music junkie pure and simple. If I go long enough without hearing any I start to get antsy. Music gets me excited when I am low energy, calms me down when I am stressed, and so much more in between.
In deciding my most favorite music for last year I realized that my musical taste has gone on an extremely long journey over the course of my life. I've liked certain genres of music, began disliking them for a while, then at later points come back to that same kind of music. Isn't it amazing that music itself changes as we grow as people and as a society? Music is part of our lives and always will be. It moves through generations as we do. Things fade away, things come back. It really is quite amazing when you think about it. Ok I'm rambling now, but just a thought.
I don't know if I will like the next thing I hear coming out of the speakers, but I like that it is there and that those speakers will always have something coming out of them.
This were my favorite albums of 2012. Perhaps you might find something below you haven't heard yet and just maybe, you'll find something you like.
Marbert Rocel - Small Hours
10. Marbert Rocel - Small Hours
I only found out about this group a few months ago and I liked this album so much it made my list. A super chill electronic album with jazzy undertones and some very smooth lyrics. Can't wait to hear more from this group who hails from Germany.
Favorite Tracks:
9. Francis Harris - Leland
This album came out early in 2012 and I immediately took a liking to it. I can certainly get into a more chill type of journey and Leland certainly does that. Lengthy melodic tracks with breathy, almost somber trumpets throughout many of the tracks. This grouping of tracks is the true definition of an album for me. It takes you on a journey.
Favorite Tracks:
Justin Martin - Ghettos and Gardens
8. Justin Martin - Ghettos and Gardens
I'm a huge fan of the Dirtybird label: Super low bass and banging drums and you'll hear plenty of that on this disc. Dirtybird was absolutely on fire in 2012 and this album was one of the main reasons. I heard tracks of this album everywhere I went last year from Boston to Mexico and beyond.
Favorite Tracks:
Dont Go // Butterflies // Ruff Stuff
Electric Guest - Mondo
7. Electric Guest - Mondo
Its not often these days that an alternative act grabs my ear, but when they do I usually get hooked. These guys did that to me earlier this year. I think the reason their sound caught my attention was because they were produced by Brian Burton, aka Danger Mouse of Grey Album fame who has also produced albums for Gnarls Barkley and the Black Keys. I really like the sound of this album. It is upbeat and fun, but I'm curious where this band goes from here.
Favorite Tracks:
Nina Kraviz - Nina Kraviz
6. Nina Kraviz - Nina Kraviz
Nina burst on to the scene this year with her party banging track, Ghetto Kraviz. When I decided to pick up her album I was surprised at how diverse and different each track was. Ghetto Kraviz is definitely the most high energy track on the whole thing whereas the rest is very chill.
Favorite Tracks:
Ghetto Kraviz // Taxi Talk // Love or Go
Amirali - In Time
5. Amirali - In Time
Got into this album quick when it came out in May of 2012. While dark at times, Amirali mixes catchy effect heavy vocals all over his dense tracks. Great stuff and I hear his live show is awesome.
Favorite Tracks:
Santigold - Master of My Make Believe
6. Santigold - Master of My Make Believe
I only found out about her a few years ago but when first I got get self titled album which was released in 2008 I could not stop listening to it for weeks. She has certainly been one of my favorite artists for the past few years. Since it had been four whole years since her last album I was worried how the album would turn out. While nothing could touch her previous album this one is up there and definitely one of my best of 2012. She is what pop music should be and I really hope we don't have to wait 4 more years before we see another album from her.
Favorite Tracks:
Fame // Big Mouth // Pirate in the Water
No Regular Play - Endangered Species
3. No Regular Play - Endangered Species
Straight funky house. Positive, punchy bass with smooth vocals and hints of trumpet are all over this album. Loving the direction these guys are taking and can't wait to hear more. This album came out late in 2012 and easily snuck to the top of my list.
Favorite Tracks:
Mario & Vidis - Changed
2. Mario & Vidis - Changed
A great house album with a deep feel and a lots of great vocal work all around. Separated into two sides, or almost two separate albums, the first "side" of the disc has the more vocal heavy chill tracks while the second contains barely any vocals and a quicker tempo. 20 full length tracks (and quite awesome tracks) for just a little more than the price of a regular album. Thats a LOT of good tunes for the money!
Such a great album which hasn't left my iPhone since I downloaded it
Favorite Tracks:
Slow // Suspend the Feeling (featuring Giedre) // Changed (feat Ernesto)
Saschienne - Unknown
1. Saschienne - Unknown
I stumbled on this album when I was checking the "Customer's also bought" section of iTunes. What a find. Nearly every track on this album was on my list for most played in 2012 and while it is a short album (only 8 tracks), all tracks are of the highest quality I can only describe it as hypnotic, built with soft, driving drums and echoing piano, topped with thoughtful, gripping vocals. I couldn't get enough of this album in 2012 and hope we get something from this married couple in 2013.
