The Dumbing of America’s Favorite Albums of 2012
There were so many great records this year. It truly was the year that psych-rock crossed into the mainstream. Tame Impala was loved by everyone from Apple, to seemingly every blog on the planet. The staff here was no different, with a smattering of psych on all of our lists. The purpose of lists like these is simply to serve as a tool for discovery and discussion. Amy, Sania and I all have slightly different tastes, which means you’ve got a vast landscape to observe. At the end, leave us a comment and tell us what you liked and what we missed!
In a few days, we’ll also be publishing the “Best of” lists created by some of our favorite musicians, like Father John Misty, METZ, Crocodiles and many more. Tune in, turn on, don’t burn out…
Todd- Managing Editor
10. Milk Maid – Mostly No
9. The XX – Coexist
8. Bob Mould – Silver Age
7. alt-J – An Awesome Wave
6. First Aid Kit – The Lions Roar
5. Melody’s Echo Chamber – S/T
4. The Babies – Our House On The Hill
3. Tamaryn – Tender New Signs
2. Grimes – Visions
1. Father John Misty – Fear Fun
Amy- Writer
10. Aimee Mann – Charmer
(Amy: “I don’t care who hated this album. It was upbeat, fun, and quirky in the good way. Not the Zooey Deschanel way.”)
(Editors Note: “The album isn’t available on Rdio or Spotify. Here’s the single”)
9. Fiona Apple – The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than The Driver Of The Screw And The Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Ever Do
(Amy: “Despite this obnoxious album title, it is her best in years.”)
8. Azealia Banks – Fantasea
(Amy: “Best hip-hop of the year.”)
7. Tame Impala
(Amy: “*MAJOR DISCLAIMER: I hate hate hate the first track of this album, but the rest of side A more than makes up for it, and the deeper you get, the better it gets.”)
6. Freelance Whales – Diluvia
(Amy: “A great, more mature follow-up to their first.”)
5. Frank Ocean – Channel Orange
(Amy: “A stunning departure from Odd Future.”)
4. Cat Power – Sun
(Amy: “Exceeded my expectations for her “comeback” record, that’s for sure.”)
3. The Mountain Goats – Transcendental Youth
(Amy: “John Darnielle’s most personal and best vocal achievement to date.”)
2. Tamaryn – Tender New Signs
1. Father John Misty – Fear Fun
Sania- Writer
10. Disappears – Pre Language
9. Ceremony – Zoo
8. Moon Duo – Circles
7. Ty Segall & White Fence – Hair
6. The Sword – Aprocryphon
5. Tame Impala – Lonerism
4. Christian Bland and the Revelators – Pig Boat Blues
3. A Place To Bury Strangers – Onwards To the Wall EP
2. Cat Power – Sun
1. Allah-Las – Allah-Las
