Wrapping up 2012 in Music

Three months in to 2013, definitely no better time than this moment to put together my best albums of 2012 list (insert slight sarcasm).  It's been generating in my head for a bit of time now...not to mention, 2013 has already seen some great music, I need to keep 2012's in it's own category.

2012 was a strange year.  While I was thrilled to see the folk scene continue to erupt, mainstream country took a turn for the worse.  In a digital world of singles, it seems as if a collective album was hard to come by.  Front to back, every track takes you on a journey.  Music buyers were all across the board. Top 40 was busy creating buzz for songs like The Lumineer's "Ho Hey", fun.'s "Some Nights", Alabama Shakes' "Hold On", Of Monsters and Men's "Little Talks" and Imagine Dragons' "It's Time".  Vintage record players came back with a vengeance, and vinyl was selling/is still selling like crazy (which I love).  Either way, as a fan, it was a fun year to be a part of.

Without further adieu...

1. Mumford and Sons Babel - flawless...that's it
2. Lana Del Rey Born To Die - the girl may not be able to perform to save her life, but every song on this entire album is great.  The lyrics are raw, her voice is perfect.  It's the one album that reminds me of life in LA, driving with the windows down and this on heavy rotation.
3. The Lumineers The Lumineers - the story behind how the band was created is incredibly emotional, and definitely reflects through their lyrics.  I always find myself going back to this album.
4. Alabama Shakes Boy and Girls - Brittany Howard's voice will go down in history.
5. The Shins Port of Morrow - The Shins are what American indie rock is all about in my opinion.  James Mercer takes you on a journey with his voice through every single song.  Easily my favorite album art of the year as well.
6. Of Monsters and Men My Head is an Animal - Philadelphia's 104.5 was the first radio station in the states to get a hold of the single "Little Talks", and I was hooked ever since.  Such a great male/female vocal dynamic.  This album occupied my cd player for a very long time.
7. Paloma Faith Fall to Grace - there's just something about a powerful female voice you can not ignore.  I heard the single "Picking up the Pieces", and not long after that Rolling Stone put out a review for the album.  I promptly bought it, and have not turned back since.
8. fun. Some Nights - despite being number 8, this is probably the album of this list that got the most rotation last year.  While on the treadmill, sitting at my desk at work, driving or just enjoying company, this album can do no wrong.  Nate Russ can shred your heart with his voice. And of course I am a huge sucker for any musician who strongly voices their opinions in support of Human Rights.
9. The xx Coexist - Again, talk about bringing the male/female dynamic to a whole different level.  Oliver Sim and Romy Madley Croft do it in probably the most original sound I've heard.  I was not the biggest fan of 2009's xx release, but I'm glad I gave this one a chance because it's such a great album, front to back.
10. Grimes Visions - I said it at the beginning of the year, this album would be on my top 10 and it remains.  Completely different than anything else on the list, Claire Boucher brings you in to a crazy world with a whole lot of keyboard and synthesizers. 


This list exists with a few asterisks in which could change it's content, however, I am sticking by these 10 and internally beating myself just a tad with the exclusions...

*It literally pained me to keep Passion Pit's Gossamer off this list.

*Two albums from 2012 have become my favorites after discovering them this year, so I felt it only fair to not include them in last year's list.  However, listen to me when I say, do yourself all a favor and get Tristan Prettyman's Cedar + Gold and Matthew Mayfield's A Banquet for Ghosts.  You will find yourself correlating your life to these albums.  Insanely raw emotion about love and loss.

*EP's that can't make the list but should be in everyone's collection; Haim's Forever and Imagine Dragon's Continued Silence.  While Imagine Dragon's actual album drop Night Visions was great, and does include all of the tracks from the EP, it didn't quite make it in the top 10 for me.

*Carrie Underwood's "Black Cadillac" reminds me why I love country music.

*Sara Bareilles released an EP in May.  I'm still obsessed.

*Jennifer Nettles had a baby.  I guess newborns hinder the whole creating a new album and touring process.  Patiently awaiting for her to get that little nugget a nanny and get back in the studio.


Hope you all enjoyed the first blog in a long time.  No better way to start, than with music.

Coast to Coast Love,
Erin