stoblog

Meursault - All Creatures Will Make Merry

This really was my favorite find of the past few years.  Having falling madly, deeply, obsessively in love with Frightened Rabbit…I just needed more of that brogue in my life.  These dudes opened up for FR on a tour…one that I didn’t catch, unfortunately.  Anyway, I’ve already said pretty much everything there is to say about this album a couple posts down.  So just pick the damn thing up.

Tallest Man on Earth - The Wild Hunt

Yeah, so he sounds a little like Dylon…so what.  This album just worms it’s way into your brain…makes you forget about the minimalism of the instrumentation that features on most of the album.  I can’t even talk about what this album is like for me.  It destroys me on a molecular level.  The vocal performance on this thing just can’t be missed.  

Mumford and Sons - Sigh No More

Ok, I know this album has it’s critics.  I’m not concerned that it uses a similar sound structure throughout the record.  I don’t care that it’s heavily influenced by a lot of other bands.  This album is just damn fun to listen to.  They had me from the very first song, and it’s allusion to a play I happen to really love.  This album also proves that you don’t need a rack full of drums to rock out.  There are few other albums out there that get me as excited as this album does.  So there’s that.

Frightened Rabbit - Winter of Mixed Drinks

You know this had to be on this list.  I really like this album.  It’s not midnight organ fight.  I don’t think anyone will make another album that’s as important to me as that was.  So while this album isn’t life changing, it’s damn good.  I can find something about every song that I love.  

Jónsi - Go

This album is just a delight.  It’s pretty like a Disney princess; It’s sweet like candy…but it is more significant than both.  The complexity is astounding without sounding muddled.  Jónsi has the voice to pull this off where very few others could.  I was surprised and delighted by the range of this album.  Now if only my Icelandic weren’t so rusty.  

The National - High Violet

They just don’t miss, do they.  This is chapter in a really consistently good book.  There are just certain times, certain moods that I’m in…where nothing but the National will do: morning coffee and the National, self reflection and the National, a cold night and the National, etc.  Now if I only can find a way to steal his vocal chords…

Stars - The Five Ghosts

Yes.  I think Stars are back to their best.  Looking back on the year, for whatever reason I didn’t listen to this album as much as I thought I might have.  This is a shame really, because I like the mix of songs better than the last album.  I love the rock anthems, but one sleeper hit on this album…Changes, surprised me.  Seems totally unlike them, and yet fits perfectly.  My New Years resolution is to listen to this album more.  I’ll let you know how it goes.

Arcade Fire - The Suburbs

The next installment in the “artists-Joel’s-liked-forever’s new album” section.  I’m so glad I got some more female vocals on this album.  While that may not be such a good thing for the live shows, the album benefits.  It’s nice to hear that Arcade Firey sound again.  No one else can get quite the same feeling of size into their songs that these guys can get.  

Yusuf Azak - Turn on the Long Wire

I considered excluding this one, because i’m early in my flirtation with Yusuf.  I haven’t fully figured out if we’re going to just be friends with benefits, or if I’m going to let him into my heart.  I know I find him incredibly sexy, and new and fun.  I’m intrigued, but it just might be a crush.  The pick up line he used of Eastern Sun, was quite the introduction though.

First Aid Kit - The Big Black and Blue

Speaking of crushes.  These girls’ harmonies have had me for a while.  I feel like their album wasn’t quite as awesome as I thought it could have been.  Their harmonies and voices are spot on.  I don’t know, i just wish some of the arrangement would have gotten out of the way for their voices.  I’m just kinda stubborn about liking these girls despite everything else.  So there you go

Honorable Mention:

Joanna Newsom - Have One on Me

Belle and Sebastian - Write about Love

S. Carey - All We Grow

Sufjan Stevens - The Age of Adz

Cloud Cult - Light Chasers

Antony and the Johnsons - Swanlights

Yeasayer - ODD BLOOD

She and Him - Volume Two

oh and I heard Kanye had an album this year too…huh