Here we go...
1.
CHROMATICS - KILL FOR LOVE (Italians Do It Better)
MP3: Chromatics - Kill for Love
It sounds of its time yet instantly timeless, while using music videos and imagery to create an aesthetic that shines with possibility. Any song can break your heart, but keep you optimistic for the entire ride. A+ stuff here, and Johnny Jewel's work ethic and dependability certainly helped put this at #1.
2.
TY SEGALL - TWINS (Drag City) (pictured) /
TY SEGALL BAND - SLAUGHTERHOUSE (In the Red) /
TY SEGALL & WHITE FENCE - HAIR (Drag City)
MP3: Ty Segall - The Hill
MP3: Ty Segall Band - Wave Goodbye
MP3: Ty Segall & White Fence - Time
A lot of people rocked this year, but no one did it harder or cooler than Ty Segall.
3. BEACH HOUSE - BLOOM (Sub Pop)
This pick is both because of it's quality and because of the memories it holds from the year. Those kind of albums are the best, and Beach House has given me more than a few. They're at such a fulfilling time in their career and it just generates so much excitement in everyone. Cool stuff.
4. SUSANNE SUNDFØR - THE SILICONE VEIL (EMI Norway)
The most unique album I heard this year - it's got everything, like a delicious Norwegian stew. Sundfør is onto something special here and I can't wait to see where she's headed next.
5.
CLOUD NOTHINGS - ATTACK ON MEMORY (Carpark)
MP3: Cloud Nothings - Stay Useless
It was nice to get a bit nostalgic for younger days while listening to Attack on Memory. Cloud Nothings made the genius move to record with Steve Albini and put their actual passion on full display all throughout and afterword we were delivered a fun fucking record.
6. KING TUFF - KING TUFF (Sub Pop)
Loved some songs on King Tuff right away but as a whole I didn't really get into it as an album for a spell until I took it off my computer put in my Burger cassette. A sides and B sides, dudes - they really tell you a story, and this story is bad ass. Come party with King Tuff, he's always ready to play.
7. NIKI AND THE DOVE - INSTINCT (Sub Pop)
Best carefree pop music of the year and of course it was from Sweden. Fun lyrics and imagery of space and forests and birds and foxes and shit, but it is also about love... yeah, it goes deep and you don't even realize it. Instinct is another album that really defined 2012 for me - also these folks put on 2 of my favorite shows of the year, so go see them if you get a moment!
8. BOY FRIEND - EGYPTIAN WRINKLE (Hell, Yes!)
Pop music from your best dreams.
9. TOPS - TENDER OPPOSITES (Arbutus)
MP3: TOPS - Diamond Look
Groovin' and movin', feelin' and dealin'.
10.
CONVERGE - ALL WE LOVE WE LEAVE BEHIND (Epitaph)
MP3: Converge - Predatory Glow
What it sounds like to punch a mother fucker in the face who deserves it. Brutal.
11.
BEACHWOOD SPARKS - THE TARNISHED GOLD (Sub Pop)
MP3: Beachwood Sparks - Forget the Song
Sparks fly again! And they did a tape version of this on Burger, what a triumphant return!
12.
FAG COP - WHIMPERS FROM THE PANTHEON (Rank Toy)
MP3: Fag Cop - I Eat Out the Trash
Best dudes being the best.
13.
JESSICA PRATT - JESSICA PRATT (Birth)
MP3: Jessica Pratt - Night Faces
It sounds like it was from the 1960's. I know she keeps hearing that and I hope that she isn't insulted by it, I think it's a compliment. After all that's when music was perfect and this album and her music is that.
14. JAILL - TRAPS (SUB POP)
Summer 2012 record. "Everyone's a Bitch" is the best song to bike to in the sunshine, I promise.
15. SAM FLAX - AGE WAVES (Burger)
This is what sunglasses sound like, but like Blade Runner shades or something cool and futuristic.
--
Best songs of 2012 coming on Monday, see you there!
