The music that meant the most to me in 2012
I couldn’t do it. There was so much fabulous music this year that I just couldn’t narrow it down to a Top 10. So here—alphabetically because there was no way I could rank them—are the twenty-five albums I listened to, and enjoyed, the most this year. Yeah, twenty-five (and it was hard enough getting it down to that).
Europe – Allo Darlin’
All Music Guide calls this “twee pop,” which doesn’t sound like something I would want to listen to. But I love this album. Why it isn’t on more lists is beyond me. Here’s “The Letter”
The Carpenter – The Avett Brothers
True, there’s nothing as infectious as “I and Love and You” on it, but this is another great album from these guys. Here’s “Winter in My Heart”
Barchords – Bahamas
Laid back and lovely. Here’s “Lost in the Light”
Break It Yourself – Andrew Bird
If I had to pick one album as the best of the year, this gorgeous one might just be it. Here’s “Orpheo Looks Back”
The Marble Downs – Bonnie “Prince” Billy
Another gem from Will Oldham, this one a collaboration with Trembling Bells. Here’s “Love is a Velvet Noose”
Sun – Cat Power
Almost left this one off the list because I made the mistake of going to see Cat Power instead of The Mountain Goats, but then I listened to “Nothin But Time” again
Old Ideas – Leonard Cohen
When I saw Cohen a few weeks ago, he played all his old classics and the songs from this album were still among my favourites of the night (though I was bummed he played “Show Me the Place” his second night in Toronto, not his first)
Swing Lo Magellan – Dirty Projectors
Thought this might take me several listens so I was surprised I liked it so much so quickly. Here’s “Impregnable Question”
End of Daze – Dum Dum Girls
Good thing this is only an EP because if a whole album was this great, my head might explode from joy. Proud to say I am a Dum Dum boy. Here’s “I Got Nothing”
Nothing’s Gonna Change the Way You Feel About Me Now – Justin Townes Earle
How many brilliant albums does this guy have to put out before we forget he has a famous father? (And I ask that even though I love his father.) Can’t find the album version of “Am I that Lonely Tonight?” so here’s “Memphis in the Rain”
Fear Fun – Father John Misty
Lots of fun live, too (especially when he did a Canned Heat cover to end the show). Here’s “Only Son of a Ladiesman”
The Lion’s Roar – First Aid Kit
Two Swedish sisters put out the best folk album of the year? Works for me. Here’s “In the Hearts of Men”
Celebration Rock – Japandroids
One of the few albums on my list that is on most of the year-end lists I’ve seen. And deservedly so. Great fun. Here’s “The House that Heaven Built”
Blues Funeral – Mark Lanegan
“If tears were liquor, I’d have drunk myself sick.” Here’s “St. Louis Elegy”
I Can See the Future – Eleni Mandell
Another lovely album from Eleni. And while I am not really a fan of videos, I can watch “Magic Summertime” again and again and again
Transcendental Youth – The Mountain Goats
Why did I go to Cat Power instead of seeing John Darnielle again? Here’s “Transcendental Youth”
My Head is an Animal – Of Monsters and Men
I really need to get to Iceland. Here’s “Little Talks”
Strange Weekend – Porcelain Raft
I listened to this a lot during my three months in Dawson City and it brought me a lot of joy. Here’s “Put Me to Sleep”
Between the Times and the Tides – Lee Ranaldo
Why didn’t more of you people listen to this fabulous solo album from the Sonic Youth guitarist? Here’s the album version of “Xtina as I Knew Her” and a great live version of it
Interstellar – Frankie Rose
Synth pop done right. Dreamy. Here’s “Know Me”
Provincial – John K. Samson
Maybe not as consistent as the work he’s done with the Weakerthans, but some great stuff here, including “When I Write My Master’s Thesis”
Sweet Heart Sweet Light – Spiritualized
“Hey Jane” is one of the best songs of the year
Tramp – Sharon Van Etten
Talented singer-songwriter. Here’s “I’m Wrong”
The Something Rain – Tindersticks
Haunting. Here’s “Frozen”
Local Business – Titus Andronicus
It’s not The Monitor, but I got over that and just enjoyed it. Here’s “In a Big City”
Honourable Mention:
Beach House, Best Coast, David Byrne & Saint Vincent, DIIV, Kathleen Edwards, Grizzly Bear, The Heavy, the list goes on…