The Best Song Wasn't the Single: The Top 25 Albums of 2012
Listen to the There Stands the Glass playlist at Spotify.
1. Frank Ocean- Channel Orange
My initial attempts to resist this album were pure folly.
2. Christian Scott- Christian aTunde Adjuah
A sonic wormhole that connects 1965 to 2045.
3. Meshuggah- Koloss
I required colossal sounds to ameliorate the challenges of 2012.
4. Killer Mike- R.A.P. Music
AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted, Fear of a Black Planet and Stankonia rolled into one.
5. Hilary Hahn & Hauschka- Silfra
To paraphrase Stevie Wonder, this is the music of my mind.
6. Pat Metheny- Unity Band
Everything that's good about Pat Metheny in one place.
7. Iris DeMent- Sing the Delta
The word "authenticity" was thrown around a lot in 2012. DeMent is as real as it gets.
8. Kendrick Lamar- Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City
Smart and compelling, this great album raises the bar.
9. Lionel Loueke- Heritage
The Native Dancer of 2012 was produced by Robert Glasper.
10. Krizz Kaliko- Kickin' & Screamin'
Kaliko subverts the Strange Music assembly line to create a personal album about life as an outcast.
11. Lee Fields & The Expressions- Faithful Man
12. Gojira- L’Enfant Sauvage
13. Brody Buster Band- Will Die Young
14. Bob Dylan- Tempest
15. Esbjorn Svensson Trio- 301
16. Jack White- Blunderbuss
17. Robert Glasper- Black Radio
18. Making Movies- A La Deriva
19. Sly & Robbie- Blackwood Dub
20. High On Fire- De Vermis Mysteriis
21. Flying Lotus- Until the Quiet Comes
22. Slash- Apocalyptic Love
23. T.J. Martley- Meditations Vol. 1
24. XV- Popular Culture
24. Neneh Cherry & the Thing- The Cherry Thing
25. Steddy P.- Better Make Room
I'ma Show You How To Turn It Up a Notch- The Top 25 Singles of 2012
Listen to the There Stands the Glass playlist at Spotify.
1. Lil Debbie & Riff Raff- "Michelle Obama"
They're trolling. (At least I think they are.) I'm not. (Or am I?)
2. Beach House- "Myth"
Helping me to make it.
3. Kix Brooks- "New To This Town"
Sometimes I get so very tired.
4. E-40- "Function"
It's harder than it looks.
5. Tracey Thorn- "Joy"
"Joy" is the best new holiday song in years.
6. Alabama Shakes- "Hold On"
"Come on girl- you got to get back up!"
7. Carly Rae Jepsen- "Call Me Maybe"
What's not to love about this slice of pop perfection?
8. Kasey Musgraves- "Merry Go 'Round"
A classic pain song.
9. Esperanza Spalding- "Black Gold"
The theme of self-respect is universal.
10. Eric Church- "Springsteen"
This one's personal.
11. Usher- "Dive"
12. Nicki Minaj- "Beez in the Trap"
13. The Weeknd- "Wicked Games"
14. Christina Perri- "Distance"
15. Twin Shadow- "Five Seconds"
16. Nas- "Daughters"'
17. Japandroids- "The House That Heaven Built"
18. Kellie Pickler- "100 Proof"
19. The xx- "Angels"
20. Stone Sour- "Absolute Zero"
21. Brandy- "Put It Down"
22. Carlos Vives- "Volvi a Nacer"
23. Elle Varner- "Refill"
24. Dierks Bentley- "Tip It On Back"
25. Scissor Sisters- "Only the Horses"
I conducted similar year-end surveys in 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007 and 2006. My favorite concerts of 2012 are listed here. The picks of many of my Kansas City-based colleagues are published here.
(Original image by There Stands the Glass.)
5 comments:
Are those your cassettes? That must be the only Ramones/James Brown C-90 in existence.
This list finally inspired me to get that Christian Scott album. Thank you so much. It's beautiful. I may have to try that Lionel Loueke album too.
Thanks for this blog btw. I learn stuff here I would never find out about otherwise.
No love for my fave,"King Tuff," eh?
I just can't get past King Tuff's vocals, Rick. The songs and guitars are obviously superior, but every time that guy opens his mouth...
Yes, Steve, I still have hundreds of cassettes. The Ramones/JB combo defines my approach to this day. (I went with a photo of the tapes in part because I own physical copies of so few of my 2012 picks.)
And thanks for you kind words.
Think of King Tuff as a modern Dylan, if that helps, HiB.
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