1. Frank Ocean Channel Orange
Frank Ocean made a lot of noise this year, not only by what he said but more importantly, by what he conveyed through his music. I was captivated by this record as I listened to his powerful, soulful voice tell tales of superficial LA paired with his own heartfelt emotions of longing, love, and isolation. His sincerity and passion reminded me of Stevie Wonder and Prince. His profound voice and anecdotes made for some of the best commentaries this year. This is a man who not only found his voice but perhaps the voice of his generation.
2. Kathleen Edwards Voyageur
You know I love a great break-up record, well this is a divorce one that chronicles the demise of her relationship with her former guitarist. The album shows Edwards expanding her sound with the help of Justin Vernon (aka Bon Iver) who co-produced the album with her. Throughout the process, their relationship developed into something more than just a working one (they have since separated). It’s a confessional album about transition and moving forward, rather than looking back. Lyrics dealing with heartbreak, loneliness, and emptiness are juxtaposed with music that is lush and layered with subtle sounds and grungy guitars. The subtle nuances of Suzanne Vega and Neil Young come to mind. Her loss is definitely our gain.
3. Father John Misty Fear Fun
After years of recording under his name J. Tillman, in addition to being the Fleet Foxes drummer for a few years, Joshua decided it was time to reinvent himself and headed to California in his van “with enough mushrooms to choke a horse”. The result is his trippy alter ego Father John Misty who sounds like a throwback to ’60’s psychedelia. References to Hollywood, drugs, sex, and mischief are sung in his stunning voice that’s comparable to Harry Nilsson. The floating, airy quality of “Nancy From Now On” sounds like an updated take on the classic soft rock sound that Michael McDonald perfected. Fun indeed!
4. Perfume Genius Put Your Back N 2 It
With the combination of his striking and haunting voice (similar to Antony Hegarty of Antony & The Johnsons), with his revealing, bare-it-all lyrics, this little record really packs a punch. Mike Hadreas, the man behind the songs, shows us intimate glimpses into his personal trauma but manages to turn it into something really beautiful. The production is sparse and thankfully so. This way you can focus on the most important thing: Songwriting.
5. Jack White Blunderbuss
This album sounds like a classic from the very start. Backed by some stellar musicians, it’s energetic and musically varied with plenty of keyboard rifts and raging guitar solos. On his first solo album, White continues to channel Robert Plant and The Rolling Stones with great results. All the while, he still manages to create a sound that’s all his own. The best way to experience this album is to actually stop and listen...and turn the volume up.
6. Grizzly Bear Shields
These Brooklynites continue to expand their sound on their fourth studio album. The band plays with musical textures and ambient soundscapes, persistent in being imaginative and inventive in their quest for new sounds. On “What’s Wrong” the band sounds more like a jazz quartet than an indie rock band. The hipsters are growing up.
7. Dr. John Locked Down
At 71, “Mac” may have made the best album of his career, and this man has had quite a career. The album features The Black Keys’ guitarist and singer Dan Auerbach as guitarist, background vocalist, and producer. While his presence is definitely felt, he doesn’t take over the heart of Dr. John, who continues to combine blues, jazz, zydeco, boogie-woogie, and rock and roll. His passion is still burning bright.
8. Calexico Algiers
On their 7th studio album, the Americana Tex-Mex Tucson band took their signature sound and breathed new life into it. The fact that they recorded it in New Orleans may have something to do with it. The album is full of post-Katrina themes, but the spirit of the Southwest still permeates the songs. A magnificent album from start to finish.
9. The Shins Port Of Morrow
Although this could technically be considered a solo project by James Mercer, it has all the essential characteristics of a classic Shins album. While it may be a bit overly produced for some, the songs are still there, hook and all.
10. Leonard Cohen Old Ideas
An old soul with new ideas. It’s classic Leonard with his smoky baritone contrasted with his angelic-sounding backup singers. He still has a lot on his mind whether it be mortality, betrayal, desire, or regret. He sums it up best on “Darkness” singing “I caught the darkness, drinking from your cup. I said ‘is this contagious?’, you said ‘just drink it up.’” Cheers!
11. Bob Mould Silver Age
Bob is back with a vengeance. This collection of angst-filled songs echoes his earlier solo work and former band Sugar. With heavy guitars, pounding rhythms, and biting lyrics, he proves you’re never too old to rage. Silver age? More like the golden age.
12. Sinéad O’Connor How About I Be Me (And You Be You)?
Many called it a return to form. The fiery singer combines all the rage and intensity that made her first two albums so compelling. And that voice? Still intact and incredibly powerful. She definitely put her heart and soul into it, even suffering a breakdown shortly after recording it. In “Very Far From Home” she sings, “I was too free if that’s possible to be” Unfortunately, the truth has yet to set her free.
13. Beach House Bloom
They managed to follow up 2010’s critically acclaimed “Teen Dream” with another solid effort. Sounding a lot like the Cocteau Twins, lead singer Victoria Legrand’s ethereal voice is an integral part of their sound, and she uses it as an instrument. Spacious and dreamy, yet grounded.
14. Django Django Django Django
The first of two debut albums from British acts to make the list. These lads fuse a combination of sounds to create some uptempo grooves. Think Beck meets MGMT meets The Beach Boys. Complex, quirky and fun.
15. Dark Dark Dark Who Needs Who
A local band from Minneapolis that I had heard of, but never really listened to. Their sound is described as a blend of New Orleans jazz, Americana, Eastern European folk, and pop. It reminded me of Florence + The Machine light. This album took a little while to catch on, but once it did, I was hooked.
16. Lost In The Trees A Church That Fits Our Needs
I admit it, there’s a lot of records on this year’s list that deals with heavy issues, and this is definitely one of them. This album focuses primarily on lead singer Ari Picker’s mother, who took her own life in 2009. While it sounds depressing, it’s actually quite the opposite. Instead of being completely direct, he uses metaphors and imagery to refer to the tragedy. With elaborate classical style arrangements and his passionate tenor, you could easily imagine this as Thom Yorke scoring a soundtrack for a movie. A beautiful and moving tribute.
17. Michael Kiwanuka Home Again
From the opening note, it sounds like you’re listening to a Van Morrison album circa 1970. Or is it Sam Cooke? On his debut album, the 24-year-old Brit channels the old songs and sounds of vintage R&B, without ever sounding cliché.
18. Dinosaur Jr. I Bet On The Sky
With releases from Neil Young, Gary Clarke Jr. & Jack White, to name just a few, I am calling this “the year of the guitar”. Sounding like they did in the early ’90s, these guys haven’t changed much, which is just fine. On their 10th release, J Mascis continues to use distorted guitars and his “whiny low-key drawl” to drive the songs forward.
19. Amy Ray Lung Of Love
Better known as one half of the Indigo Girls, Amy was always been the edgier one. Since 2001, she’s been releasing solo albums on her own imprint. This sadly overlooked album finds her in fine form. In her husky voice, she convincingly sings about failed relationships, yearning, and regret. Brandi Carlile and My Morning Jacket’s Jim James provide some backup vocals.
20. Magic Castles Magic Castles
Taking a page from The Velvet Underground’s book, this album sounds like it was recorded in a smoky haze at The Factory. Think of a drugged-out version of the Stone Roses or The Feelies. And, they’re a Minneapolis band to boot.
21. Alabama Shakes Boys & Girls
The breakout band of the year. Led by the charismatic frontwoman Brittany Howard, the Shakes conjure up the soulful sounds of Otis Redding and Janis Joplin but manage to keep it fresh. Full of power and passion, this is a band that is not afraid to wear their hearts on their sleeves or their influences.
Honorable Mentions
Bob Dylan Tempest
First Aid Kit The Lion’s Roar
Gary Clarke Jr. Blak And Blu
Bobby Womack The Bravest Man In The Universe
Bruce Springsteen Wrecking Ball
Overrated Album Of 2012
Fun Some Nights
Overlooked Albums Of 2011
J Mascis Several Shades Of Why
Other Lives Tamer Animals