Best albums of 2012

Easily the best Mars Volta album since Frances the Mute, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed what would eventually be the band's swan song. I'm bummed they broke up, but I'm glad they went out on a high note (even though I didn't get to see them play any of these songs live). There's a passion on display throughout this album that had been somewhat missing on the few albums that preceded it.

Favorite song: "The Malkin Jewel"

It's no Never Better, but it's damn close. Also the only good/great hip-hop album to drop in 2012.

Favorite song: "Bumper" (maybe, I can't pick really)

While I'm not a big Converge fan I love this album in all its dark, brutal glory. It makes me want to break things, and it's been a while since an album has made me feel that way.

Favorite song: "Sadness Comes Home"

The latest Swans album is brilliant, provided you have the patience to get through it all. It's 2 hours of music, with 3 of the tracks adding up to one of those hours (one of which is a very patience-testing 30+ minutes long). Nice to know there's at least one band left in the world with the balls to make challenging music instead of something palatable.

Favorite song: "Song for a Warrior"

The first two times I listened to this album I was worried because I wasn't finding my way into it. So I took a break & tried it again later, and whether it was a change in mood or simply that I now knew what to expect from it I finally appreciated it. And that appreciation has continued to grow over time. It's my least favorite Liars album, but still heads & shoulders above most other music that gets released.

Favorite song: "Flood to Flood"

Another solid record from Deerhoof. So glad I finally got into them a couple years ago.

Favorite song: "The Trouble with Candyhands"

At one point this was my favorite album of 2012, but over time my love for it has diminished a little. My favorite aspect of this album is the percussion, which frequently blows my mind. But I still prefer Fiona's first two albums over this one, and it's a toss-up between this one and Extraordinary Machine which I like least. Of course with both those albums rated 8/10, it's not like I dislike either of them really. I just don't reach for either album very often as time rolls on.

Favorite song: "Left Alone"

Kudos to Metric for sticking around & continuing to put out solid records. And mostly without help from any established record label, which is admirable. The only real issue I have with this one is the "collaboration" with Lou Reed (RIP), which finds him supplying partial vocals to the chorus of "The Wanderlust" & thus feels like a missed opportunity. I fail to understand why you'd want to record with a legend like that & not give him a bigger presence in your song, but whatever.

Favorite song: "Dreams So Real"

Admittedly I haven't kept up too well with any post-Fugazi releases, but this one has me curious to at least check out the rest of The Evens' albums.

Favorite song: "Wanted Criminals"

Murder By Death continues to be one of my favorite bands, even if their last couple albums haven't endeared themselves to me as much as their 2nd and 3rd did. Still, they continue to turn out albums with plenty of gems & this is a good example of that. Plus it spawned one of my favorite videos in "Lost River", a beautifully depressing song with animation to match.

Favorite song: "The Curse of Elkhart"

Found this one on npr.org in 2012 & couldn't stop listening to it for the week or so it was available there. Word of mouth tells me their previous albums are even better, so clearly I need to check them out at some point. I dig the lyrics a lot, and their density reminds me of The Fall (a compliment).

Favorite song: "(I Am the) Electric Man"

Not my favorite of future of the left's albums, but I like it for the most part. Honestly it should probably sit below in the Runners-up section, but this song was among my favorites for the year & since it's my list I can arrange these albums any way I like. So :P

Favorite song: "Robocop 4: Fuck Off Robocop"