Favorite Albums of 2012

My 20 favorite albums of 2012, presented here without commentary because well… I’m busy making art. But I do love making these lists and it’s fun to look back and see what music has stayed with me and what I’ve possibly moved away from.

I initially didn’t think this was as good a year as last–in fact, I don’t think any of the albums on this list are better than my top three from last year–but when compiling these albums I realized that there were more artists and more music I liked this year than last. I think easier access form streaming services like Spotify played a large part in this, but the 90′s resurgence (my favorite era of music) continuing from last year was also very welcomed. No Doubt, Smashing Pumpkins, and Alanis Morrisette (who barely got edged out of this list) all had strong releases. Japandroids’ Celebration Rock, my 2nd favorite of the year, felt like it had a kind of 90′s garage aesthetic to it. Still, what I’m most happy about is the varity of genre I enjoyed this year. Even though my current obsession with indie electronic and folk pretty much dominates this list, this is the first time I’ve ever had a soul or R&B album in my top 20–let alone my top 5.

Anyhow, on to the list. For those with Spotify (which, really, if you are reading this at all you should be subscribing to), I made a playlist of these 20 albums. I also compiled a massive five hour playlist of my 75 favorite songs of 2012. If you listen to one playlist this week, that’s the one I recommend. Pretty proud with how it turned out. A song from each of the albums below is in there.

1. Give You The Ghost – Poliça
2. Celebration Rock – Japandroids
3. An Awesome Wave – alt-J
4. Our Version of Events – Emeli Sande
5. The Lumineers – The Lumineers
6. Sweet Heart Sweet Light – Spiritulized
7. Give Us Rest or (A Requiem Mass in C [The Happiest of All Keys]) – David Crowder*Band
8. Eighty One – Yppah
9. My Head Is An Animal – Of Monsters and Men
10. Morning Parade – Morning Parade
11. Till The Casket Drops – ZZ Ward
12. Babel – Mumford and Sons
13. Push And Shove – No Doubt
14. Red – Taylor Swift
15. Valtari – Sigur Ros
16. America – Dan Deacon
17. Sun – Cat Power
18. Halcyon – Elle Goulding
19. Given To The Wild – The Maccabees
20. Oceania – Smashing Pumpkins

Top 20 Album Playlist
Top 75 Song Mix of 2012

And it would be irresponsible for me to not also list my five favorite scores of 2012. There’s a Spotify playlist for these too for those interested (except for The Hobbit since it wasn’t available).

1. John Carter – Michael Giacchino
2. Cloud Atlas – Tom Tykwer, Johnny Klimek and Reinhold Heil
3. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey – Howard Shore
4. Brave – Patrick Doyle
5. Skyfall – Thomas Newman

Top Score 2012

On to 2013!