Finally, it’s time for the annual playlist that caps off my countdown. Rather than do a ranking of favorite songs, I choose to compile what I think is a good representation for the year in music, all on an 80 minute CD-R. This year, many of my favorite songs were just too long to fit on this mix, (“Pyramids”, “Wasted Days”, “Hey Jane”, “Nothin’ But Time”, etc…) and of course I always have to leave off some of my favorites because of dead time in the track due to production techniques of its respective album.
Other notes: I managed to squeeze 20 tracks onto this years mix, up one from 2011. The lowest ranked album that has a song appear on the mix comes from an album I didn’t really care for, Port of Morrow by The Shins which was my #63 album of the year. In addition to that track, there are 3 other songs coming from albums outside my top 25. There are nine tracks representing my #11-#25 albums, and 7 tracks from my top 10 albums. As usual, the order of the Mixtape is not a ranking, but rather an order based on how the song appears on its respective album.
Below, you’ll see the tracklist, and after the jump you can listen to every track if you so choose. If you happen to be a Spotify user, I’ve also created a Spotify playlist of my Mixtape (not including “Wildest Moments” and “Tallulah” due to them not being available on Spotify), which you can link to below. Also included is a link to my Amazon.com list which has my entire top 25 albums of the year, nice and neat in a one page form (as well as access to my all my lists since 2001). And finally, for the 5th straight year I give thanks to Amy Boyd for providing me with the album art for my Mixtape. She’s now a Pentagram employee, making this album art the most legit thing on my blog right now.
So, there you have it for 2012. I’m already 3 albums into my 2013 releases, so if you’ll excuse me I’ve got some listening to do.
#5) Cloud Nothings – Attack on Memory [Carpark Records; released 1/24/2012]
“I thought I would be more than this.”
“Wasted Days”
Remember emo? And I mean early 90’s emo, when it was an abrasive almost post-punk genre and before the likes of Dashboard Confessional co-opted it into their own brand of ooey gooey breakup songs. No? Well, considering Dylan Baldi, lead singer of the Cleveland Ohio four-piece Cloud Nothings, is only 20 years old, chances are he doesn’t either. But with Attack on Memory, his sophomore album, he could’ve fooled me. In a year when indie-rock got a nice kick in the ass from noisy, guitar drenched rock, Cloud Nothings started it all off in January when Attack On Memory was released to jaw dropping acclaim with its raw, youthful exuberance and intense darkness. But Attack On Memory isn’t just noisy, it’s damn catchy too, filled to the brim with hooks and melodies that channel some of those early 90’s emo/indie-rock acts like Fugazi, Braid, and Sunny Day Real Estate just to name a few. 90’s revivalism is something we’ve seen a good bit of in the last couple years, and whether intentional or not, Cloud Nothings have created an album that might be the flag bearer for that movement.
[“Wasted Days” – Attack on Memory]
#4) Fiona Apple – The Idler Wheel…[Epic; released 6/19/2012]
“How can I ask anyone to love me when all I do is beg to be alone?”
“Left Alone”
Seven years in the making, Apple’s fourth album, The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than The Driver Of The Screw And Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do (so yeah, let’s just go with The Idler Wheel…) might be her most striking album yet. The completely acoustic album is full of stripped down tension filled songs which serve her well by conveying a feeling of intimacy almost like she’s playing them just for you. These 10 tracks are a cathartic release for Apple, delving into her psyche in ways that has always characterized her music to this point, but on The Idler Wheel… she’s managed to expose herself in an even greater light by crafting such personal and poetic songs enhanced by idiosyncratic production techniques but certainly not devoid of melody. Apple’s albums are such an emotional release for her that you can understand the amount of time that lapses between releases and while it would be nice to get more Fiona Apple songs on a regular basis, we are all better off by waiting for what her catharsis dictates.
[“Werewolf” – The Idler Wheel]
#3) Japandroids – Celebration Rock [Polyvinyl; released 6/5/2012]
“When they love you (and they will), tell them all they’ll love in my shadow. And if they try to slow you down, tell them all to go to hell.”
“The House That Heaven Built”
The power of rock ‘n roll, man, that’s what this album is about. In a year searching for music that reaffirms the saving grace of rock music, Celebration Rock is it. And to think, this album almost didn’t even happen. In 2008, after a couple EP releases, Japandroids had just about given up and decided to release their debut LP Post Nothing and call it quits. What they didn’t expect was the amount of critical acclaim that album would garner (including a spot in my top 25 in 2009) which in turn lead to a renewed enthusiasm which is evident all throughout Celebration Rock. The Canadian duo produces in your face rock anthems with a celebratory spirit so palpable, you’d be hard pressed not to fistpump and sing-along to every “whoa ohhh ohhhh!” even at your most mundane moments. This is such a powerful and affecting listen with lyrics that in other hands might come across cheesy (“We don’t cry for those nights to arrive / We yell like hell to the heavens!”), but with these guys come across as inspirational. Celebration Rock, indeed.
[“The House That Heaven Built” – Celebration Rock]
#2) Grizzly Bear – Shields [Warp; released 9/18/2012]
“But I can’t help myself.”
“Sleeping Ute”
A few months ago a friend of mine asked me for some music recommendations and I told her about the new Grizzly Bear album. She made the point that she gets nervous when a great band releases a new album because she’s worried of a let down. I reassured her that in this case, she had nothing to worry about. With Shields, not only has Grizzly Bear wonderfully followed up their magnificent album Veckatimest (my 2009 album of the year), but they have one-upped it by crafting the best album of their career. There’s just something to be said for a band on top of their game, and right now I don’t know if there is another band on the level of this Brooklyn four-piece. Every single member contributes in ways we haven’t really seen before, and it’s in that synergy that Shields excels in its cohesiveness and sheer compositional beauty. Songwriters Ed Droste and Daniel Rossen seem to have peaked in a way that compliments each other perfectly, and at times Christopher Bear absolutely steals the show with his percussion (See “Sleeping Ute” and “Yet Again”), but at no time does any of this sound like it’s all thrown together, a testament to producer (and bassist) Chris Taylor. This is exquisite chamber pop produced in meticulous detail but completely natural, a remarkable album that shows Grizzly Bear has become the kind of band where you shouldn’t be nervous about a let down, but rather anxious for what they can accomplish next.
[“Yet Again” – Shields]
#1) Frank Ocean – Channel Orange [Def Jam; released 7/17/2012]
“Do you not think so far ahead? Cause I been thinkin bout forever.”
“Thinkin Bout You”
A few weeks prior to the release of his first proper album, Frank Ocean posted the liner notes of Channel Orange on his tumlbr, including a letter detailing his first love, which just happened to be an unrequited relationship with a man. This was a way to get out in front of all the questions that would undoubtedly surface once Channel Orange dropped and the lyrical analysis would begin. (Most specifically on emotional juggernaut “Bad Religion”, which details the aforementioned unrequited love in stunning fashion.) Keeping in mind Frank Ocean is part of a hip-hop community unfortunately known for its homophobia, his declaration of sexual preference was as significant as any moment that happened in the music industry in 2012. It’s in this intimacy and bravery that takes Channel Orange from a very good R&B album to a timeless classic.
The personal nature of Ocean’s songwriting is seen throughout all of Channel Orange in songs that capture his honesty, but are also some of the finest examples of alternative R&B, with their smooth yet unconventional structures. One of my favorite moments on any album this year comes not during a song, but during the transition between tracks. After a surprisingly bearable John Mayer solo that closes out my song of the year “Pyramids”, we’ve just been put through the ringer by the album’s 10-minute centerpiece, but not to be left off the hook, we’re directly led into the catchy beats of “Lost” and immediately re-immersed in this world Ocean has created. The wittiness and pure talent is in no short supply on Channel Orange (his voice on “Thinkin Bout You” is an absolute revelation), and while for the most part these are complex tunes not really built for radio play, their heart and power is something that can’t be ignored. Channel Orange feels like more than just an album, it feels like a groundbreaking moment in music history, not only a career defining masterpiece for Frank Ocean, but a genre defining work of art.
So now it’s time to get to the actual rankings. Today I’m unveiling the 15 albums that make up #11 through #25 in this year’s rankings. I’m only including a little blurb and a track for albums that I haven’t already blurbed about on the blog. For the others, click on the band name to link to its write up.
#23) Thao with The Get Down Stay Down – Know Better Learn Faster
Know Better Learn Fasteris a joy to listen to, full of 13 bubbly and infectious tunes from Thao Nguyen and her backing band. Thao’s lyrics are sweet but pack a sense of feminine empowerment with their straightforward approach with lines like “I disarm you in the morning” in the title track and “What am I, just a body in your bed?” from the handclapping and horn driven “Body”. The songwriting is exquisite and by the second track and my personal favorite “Cool Yourself” you’re instantly drawn in and before you know it 37 minutes has flown by with not a dull moment to be found.
If this album had been released 10 years ago, it very well could have been thrown in among the late 90’s emo/indie scene, but thankfully in 2009 it gets to stand on its own despite being picked up and re-issued by renowned “emo” label Saddle Creek (Cursive, Bright Eyes, The Faint). Hometowns is unapologetically raw album brimming with confidence from the Toronto based trio complete with emotional, yes emotional, vocals and personal lyrics. The musicianship is simple but inspired as the drums really carry the songs but not to be outdone by the subtle orchestration from strings and keyboards. Hometowns is a very refreshing and surprisingly fantastic debut that from a group overflowing with potential.
[“Don’t Haunt This Place” – Hometowns]
#19) The Mountain Goats – The Life of the World to Come
Just a quick glance at the tracklist of The Life of the World to Come can be quite a headscratcher with every song title named after a Bible verse. However, inspiration can come from anywhere for frontman John Darnielle. The Mountain Goats has never been, and never will be a Christian band, but John Darnielle, despite being a non-believer, is an avid reader and lover of the Bible, as he professed on his Colbert Report appearance. The Life of the World to Come is not a religious album by any means, as Darnielle takes the lessons from these 12 Bible verses and applies them to his usual 3 or 4 minute long epics. This album does nothing to change Darnielle’s reputation as one of the 100 greatest living songwriters; it probably only strengthens that belief.
[“Genesis 3:23” – The Life of the World to Come]
#18) Built to Spill – There Is No Enemy
A band like Built to Spill has to look at the current state of indie rock and glow with pride. Becoming one of the first indie rock bands to jump to a major label back when Warner Bros signed the band back in 1997, BTS returns with their 5th major label release and 7th overall with There is No Enemy, another excellent album for the Built to Spill catalog. As a follow up to 2006’s You in Reverse, There Is No Enemy is a more polished effort but recaptures some of the heart that You in Reverse was missing. Doug Martsch has to be considered a Godfather of current indie rock and he has hinted that this could be Built to Spill’s final release. If so, they have gone out in very fine fashion and left another album for up and comers to look up to.
Back with their second album since their reunion, Farm picks up right where 2007’s Beyond left off but manages to trump it in every facet. Farm is overflowing with the guitar drenched catchy tunes full of riffs and solos everyone would have expected Dinosaur Jr. to put out back prior to 1988, when the original lineup disbanded. While it’s predecessor was successful possibly because of the excitement of a reunion, Farm can truly stand on it’s own as one of Dinosaur Jr’s finest.
[“Pieces” – Farm]
#13) Califone – All My Friends Are Funeral Singers
The vastly under-appreciated Chicago group returns with another collection of their experimental folk-rock songs that is again going by relatively unnoticed. Califone consistently releases some of the most interesting albums and All My Friends Are Funeral Singers is no different. The album is the soundtrack to a companion film by the same name that band created and plans to present on their tour and submit to festivals in 2010. However, the album stands just fine on its own and might actually be some of the most tightly constructed songs of the band’s career. The meanings of the songs should become more clear upon viewing the film, but it’s not a necessary viewing to appreciate what an impressive release it is.
[“Funeral Singers” – All My Friends Are Funeral Singers]
#12) Sunset Rubdown – Dragonslayer
A year just wouldn’t be complete without multiple releases from Spencer Krug, one of the hardest working men in indie rock. After last year’s underwhelming Wolf Parade release, Krug released another Swan Lake album, announced another album from his Moonface project, and managed to slip in his best non-Wolf Parade release yet in Dragonslayer. The album still features Krug’s warbling vocals, but is more accessible than his previous efforts and the backing female vocals absolutely shine on this album like none before. It’s the easiest Sunset Rubdown album to listen to, but still contains all the quirks and ambitions that makes Krug such a brilliant musician.
A little something I like to do every year is dole out some awards for the music up to the halfway point of the year. Nothing too detailed, just a little summary. As usual for all my lists, the only albums I’m including are albums that I own and are currently in my itunes library. And of course all this can change as I listen to albums more, but this is what I’m feeling so far for 2009. Enjoy!
Animal Collective
Best, let’s say, 7 Albums (in order of release date):
Antony & the Johnsons – The Crying Light
It’s a beautiful and affecting listen, which was to be expected from Antony Hegarty. It was the first great release of the year and has stuck around to now. I already mentioned in my 1st quarter of ’09 wrap-up…nothing more to add to that really.
Once again, check my 1Q of ’09 post that mentions this release as well. People are starting to pick up on its brilliance but it will surely gain even more of a following once Frenchkiss reissiues it this August.
The only album of these 7 that I haven’t mentioned on the blog yet. The first 6 songs are hard to top. Longstreth tones down the weird just a bit, and it gets album of the year hype…go figure.
One of my most listened to albums so far this year. It doesn’t deserve any album of the year or even top 10 talk, but I think it deserves more attention than it’s getting.
They left behind their melodic pop hooks that made Peregrine so good, and went back to their post-rock instrumental days with bland results. Best description I’ve heard was that it’s like Explosions in the Sky tried to make an Appleseed Cast album…not what I was hoping for.
I just haven’t put enough time into this one to get a reading on it. Some of it has some early Built to Spill indie feel to it, which deserves my attention.
Posted by Hawkins 
A Round of Sound 