The 53 Best Records of 2012
THE 53 ALBUMS YOU NEED TO OWN
A List of What's New & Necessary from the Year that was.
A List of What's New & Necessary from the Year that was.
About Our List...
The Annual Album Buyer's Guide is a celebration of music and personality. At the root of it all - the website, the shows, the sharing - it's all about the music that makes us go. We're music fans first and foremost. Nobody's wrong writing about the things that make them happen. Thanks for reading and being a part of it. We're really happy with everything you're about to discover here.
There isn't a single bad song on Hacienda's "Shakedown," produced by Dan Auerbach. It mesmerized me from first-listen and has yet to release me. Unstoppable. This record summons all kinds of ghosts into the room. I've listened to this one dozens of times.
- Ryan Spaulding
Much of what we hear on the new one, "Arrow," from Heartless Bastards is a band's evolution into a state of excellence. Heartless Bastards have released the best record of their lives. This record gives me chills.
- Ryan Spaulding
Sharon Van Etten and this record took me by storm. "Tramp" tied me up in emotional knots. It's all part of Sharon's plan: the songs are laid out like a series of labyrinths - intended for the listeners to get lost in. Surrender to this one.
- Ryan Spaulding
It's a great thing when people get famous for actually making exceptional music. This is a fantastic record and it's only surpassed by the band's live performance. Alabama Shakes are one of the most important bands in the world right now. If you don't already own it, you need this record.
- Ryan Spaulding
An instant classic here from Ted Billings, "American Bedrooms" harkens back to the personal records of the late 1980s by a mind that's contemporary and forward-moving. Listen to "American Bedrooms" and then listen to it again and again and again and you'll see what I mean.
- Ryan Spaulding
ARTIST LINK // ALBUM LINK
1. Hacienda – Shakedown
2. Heartless Bastards – Arrow (more)
3. Sharon Van Etten – Tramp
4. Alabama Shakes – Boys and Girls (more)
5. Ted Billings – American Bedrooms (more)
6. K Phillips & The Concho Pearls – American Girls (more)
7. Field Report – Field Report (more)
8. The Lumineers – The Lumineers
9. Good Night, States – Country/Static (more)
10. Thieving Irons – Behold, This Dreamer! (more)
11. Coyote Kolb – United State (more)
12. Tame Impala – Lonerism
13. Rosebuds – Love Deluxe *Sade - free download
14. Counting Crows – Underwater Sunshine (album + photos)
15. Plants and Animals – The End of That (more)
16. Tallest Man on Earth – There’s No Leaving Now (more)
17. Father John Misty – Fear Fun
18. Jukebox the Ghost – Safe Travels (more)
19. Dirty Projectors – Swing Lo Magellan (more)
20. Mellow Bravo – Mellow Bravo (more)
21. Diamond Rugs - Diamond Rugs
22. Delta Spirit — Delta Spirit (more)
23. Daniel and the Lion – Death Head (A side) (B side)
24. Stepdad – Wildlife Pop
25. Fantasmes – Redness Moon
26. Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - Here (more)
27. Divine Fits – A Thing Called Divine Fits
28. Bob Dylan – Tempest (more)
29. Communist Daughter - Lions & Lambs (more)
Lions & Lambs embodies a triumphant return for John Solomon and company after the singer/songwriter overcame his battles with addiction. The songs from Communist Daughter are smart and beautifully arranged with gorgeous harmonies, at times evoking Bon Iver and the Shins.
- Chris Fullerton
30. Shovels & Rope – O’ Be Joyful (more)
31. Family of the Year - Loma Vista (more)
Family of the Year comes at you with a wall of sound, vocals, guitars, keys, drums working in unison to overpower you with feelings of joy. In a world of dreary tunes, this collection of songs makes you want to sing at the top of your lungs while you dance with friends.
- Chris Fullerton
32. Good Old War – Come Back as Rain (more)
33. Kasey Anderson & the Honkies - Let the Bloody Moon Rise (more)
34. Lucero – Women & Work (more)
35. Christian McNeil and the Sea Monsters – Everything Is Up For Grabs (more)
36. Nneka - Soul Is Heavy
37. Christopher Paul Stelling – Songs of Praise and Scorn
There’s voodoo magic in the wandering old soul vocals and finger-picking fury of Christopher Paul Stelling. His astonishing debut album, Songs of Praise & Scorn, was recorded above a funeral parlor, an appropriate setting for this starkly beautiful work of art.
- Julie Stoller
38. Foreign Fields - Anywhere But Where I Am (more)
39. Air Traffic Controller - Nordo (more)
40. Kathleen Edwards – Voyageur (more)
41. Leonard Cohen – Old Ideas (more)
42. Of Monsters and Men – Lay Low (more)
43. RIBS – Russian Blood (more)
44. Cloud Nothings – Attack on Memory (more + video)
45. Vivian Darkbloom – Know Your Exit (more)
46. Smoke Fairies – Blood Speaks (more)
47. The Last Bison – Inheritance (more)
48. Dan Webb & The Spiders - Much Obliged
49. Kodacrome – Perla (more)
50. Jeff the Brotherhood – Hypnotic Nights
51. Ty Segall – Twins (more)
52. Avett Brothers – The Carpenter
53. The Minor Leagues - North College Hill (more)
- Ryan Spaulding
Much of what we hear on the new one, "Arrow," from Heartless Bastards is a band's evolution into a state of excellence. Heartless Bastards have released the best record of their lives. This record gives me chills.
- Ryan Spaulding
Sharon Van Etten and this record took me by storm. "Tramp" tied me up in emotional knots. It's all part of Sharon's plan: the songs are laid out like a series of labyrinths - intended for the listeners to get lost in. Surrender to this one.
- Ryan Spaulding
It's a great thing when people get famous for actually making exceptional music. This is a fantastic record and it's only surpassed by the band's live performance. Alabama Shakes are one of the most important bands in the world right now. If you don't already own it, you need this record.
- Ryan Spaulding
An instant classic here from Ted Billings, "American Bedrooms" harkens back to the personal records of the late 1980s by a mind that's contemporary and forward-moving. Listen to "American Bedrooms" and then listen to it again and again and again and you'll see what I mean.
- Ryan Spaulding
ARTIST LINK // ALBUM LINK
1. Hacienda – Shakedown
2. Heartless Bastards – Arrow (more)
3. Sharon Van Etten – Tramp
4. Alabama Shakes – Boys and Girls (more)
5. Ted Billings – American Bedrooms (more)
6. K Phillips & The Concho Pearls – American Girls (more)
7. Field Report – Field Report (more)
8. The Lumineers – The Lumineers
9. Good Night, States – Country/Static (more)
10. Thieving Irons – Behold, This Dreamer! (more)
11. Coyote Kolb – United State (more)
12. Tame Impala – Lonerism
13. Rosebuds – Love Deluxe *Sade - free download
14. Counting Crows – Underwater Sunshine (album + photos)
15. Plants and Animals – The End of That (more)
16. Tallest Man on Earth – There’s No Leaving Now (more)
17. Father John Misty – Fear Fun
18. Jukebox the Ghost – Safe Travels (more)
19. Dirty Projectors – Swing Lo Magellan (more)
20. Mellow Bravo – Mellow Bravo (more)
21. Diamond Rugs - Diamond Rugs
22. Delta Spirit — Delta Spirit (more)
23. Daniel and the Lion – Death Head (A side) (B side)
24. Stepdad – Wildlife Pop
25. Fantasmes – Redness Moon
26. Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - Here (more)
27. Divine Fits – A Thing Called Divine Fits
28. Bob Dylan – Tempest (more)
29. Communist Daughter - Lions & Lambs (more)
Lions & Lambs embodies a triumphant return for John Solomon and company after the singer/songwriter overcame his battles with addiction. The songs from Communist Daughter are smart and beautifully arranged with gorgeous harmonies, at times evoking Bon Iver and the Shins.
- Chris Fullerton
30. Shovels & Rope – O’ Be Joyful (more)
31. Family of the Year - Loma Vista (more)
Family of the Year comes at you with a wall of sound, vocals, guitars, keys, drums working in unison to overpower you with feelings of joy. In a world of dreary tunes, this collection of songs makes you want to sing at the top of your lungs while you dance with friends.
- Chris Fullerton
32. Good Old War – Come Back as Rain (more)
33. Kasey Anderson & the Honkies - Let the Bloody Moon Rise (more)
34. Lucero – Women & Work (more)
35. Christian McNeil and the Sea Monsters – Everything Is Up For Grabs (more)
36. Nneka - Soul Is Heavy
37. Christopher Paul Stelling – Songs of Praise and Scorn
There’s voodoo magic in the wandering old soul vocals and finger-picking fury of Christopher Paul Stelling. His astonishing debut album, Songs of Praise & Scorn, was recorded above a funeral parlor, an appropriate setting for this starkly beautiful work of art.
- Julie Stoller
38. Foreign Fields - Anywhere But Where I Am (more)
39. Air Traffic Controller - Nordo (more)
40. Kathleen Edwards – Voyageur (more)
41. Leonard Cohen – Old Ideas (more)
42. Of Monsters and Men – Lay Low (more)
43. RIBS – Russian Blood (more)
44. Cloud Nothings – Attack on Memory (more + video)
45. Vivian Darkbloom – Know Your Exit (more)
46. Smoke Fairies – Blood Speaks (more)
47. The Last Bison – Inheritance (more)
48. Dan Webb & The Spiders - Much Obliged
49. Kodacrome – Perla (more)
50. Jeff the Brotherhood – Hypnotic Nights
51. Ty Segall – Twins (more)
52. Avett Brothers – The Carpenter
53. The Minor Leagues - North College Hill (more)
Comments
I check your blog for free downloads and new music, just wanted you to know....as much as I have downloaded free, I have purchased MUCH MORE, KEEP IT UP.
Just want to say thanks for all you do to promote music. Can't wait for more details about the Outlaw Roadshow for this coming March at SXSW. I'll definitely be there....last year's show was unbelieveable. Best kept secret at SXSW!!