I have been posting my top albums of each quarter. So my Top 20 for the entire year shouldn't be much of a shock. If you haven't listened to some of these albums , I absolutely recommend finding them and giving them a spin. Tell me what you think of the list.
1. The National- High Violet: It took me a while to warm up to this record, but I am now convinced that it may be the most beautiful record that the National has ever written.
2. The Tallest Man on Earth- The Wild Hunt: Arguably the best singer-songwriter working in the business right now. This is a great example of his work.
3. Arcade Fire- The Suburbs: Arcade Fire delivers again with this beautiful screed against suburban America.
4. Titus Andronicus- The Monitor: This record uses an extended civil war metaphor to discuss bleakness of modern reality and to highlight near-perfect punk-pop-art-rock.
5. Fences- Fences: Really nice record of dark yet transcendent indie-folk. No matter who you are, I bet some song on the album will likely speak to you.
6. Free Energy- Stuck on Nothing: Amazing pop record from start to finish with a heavy dose of Thin Lizzy/Cheap Trick throwback goodness.
7. Fang Island-S/T: They describe their music as "everyone high-fiving everyone"; perfect description.
8. Sufjan Stevens - Age of Adz: Although a sonic change of pace (lots of electro-pop), another epic release by Sufjan.
9. Kanye West- My Beautiful Dark and Twisted Fantasy: My favorite hip-hop record of the year and another gem by Mr. West.
10. Surfer Blood- AstroCoast: Near perfect guitar-rock; great album
11. Black Angels- Phosphene Dream: I love this album of neo-psychedelic rock. The band takes their name from a Velvet Underground tune and have received much musical influence from them as well.
12. The Drums- The Drums: This was a long-awaited album ever since the first single "Let's Go Surfing" dropped. This bit of post-punk pop goodness is really great.
13. Local Natives- Gorilla Manor: Beautiful melodies driven by giant percussion.
14. Shout Out Louds- Work: Superfun pop record from Scandinavia.
15. Woods- At Echo Lake: This li-fo atmospheric roots-rock is what Jerry Garcia would play if he was a young kid living right now in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
16. The Hold Steady- Heaven is Whenever: I've never heard anything from the Hold Steady that I didn't like. This is no exception; heady bar-rock at its best.
17. Fresh and Onlys- Play it Strange: A really under-appreciated collection of 1960's inspired rock.
18. Sonny and Sunsets- Tomorrow is Alright: This is a charming piece of folky-retro-rock delivery maybe the best single of the year "Too Young to Burn".
19. Diamond Rings- Special Affections: Infectiously catchy and flamboyant indie-dance.
20. Gaslight Anthem- American Slang: Carrying the torch of fellow New Jersey rocker, Bruce Springsteen. Although not as epic as '59 Sound, this album is still pretty rockin'.
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