Zer0

I haven't been listening to as much new music this year as I'd like but I'm aiming to rectify that in the next half of the year. 2012 overall has been a bit of an underwhelming year for me so far, I've listened to quite a few underwhelming albums but despite this there has been some real highlights.

10. Nicholas Szczepanik - We Make Life Sad
A very enjoyable ambient/drone album. It keeps things short and sweet instead of overwhelming you with long, drawn-out compositions.

9. Jack White - Blunderbuss
I've been wanted him to release a solo album for a long time and it didn't disappoint. Beats the hell out of The Raconteurs.

8. School Of Seven Bells - Ghostory
A confident push towards a more streamlined electronic pop sound, and moving further away from the dream-pop of Alpinisms. Probably their most consistent album to date although still not perfect.

7. Chairlift - Something
There's nothing particularly original or ground-breaking going on here but this album is just so damn catchy and addictive. Not quite sure whether it will still be high up in my rankings come the end of the year but we'll see.

6. Mirrorring - Foreign Body
A collaboration between Liz Harris of Grouper and Jesy Fortino of Tiny Vipers. A great combination of ambient drone and acoustic-led folk.

5. Beach House - Bloom
It's not a radical departure from Teen Dream but it does capitalise on it a bit. They sound like a band on top of their game here.

4. Japandroids - Celebration Rock
A no-frills indie rock thrill. It's an album packed with unforgettable songs and an overall high-energy rush. Will definitely be high up come the end of the year.

3. Sharon Van Etten - Tramp
Sharon has a great gift for writing simple and moving songs. The album overall has a very melancholic mood and feeling of love lost and has produced one of my favourite singles of the year in 'Serpents'.

2. Allo Darlin' - Europe
On first listen this album didn't quite grab me in the same way that their self-titled debut did, but when it did eventually click it revealed itself to be a very clever and enjoyable indie pop album.

1. Sigur Rós - Valtari
This album was long-awaited and was a pleasant surprise when I first wrapped my ears around it. It's a step towards less commercial territories but this is every bit as good as Takk.., ( ) or Ágætis byrjun. A very beautiful and inspiring album.

You can see my list here, which I'm updating as I go along:
2012

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musicsbiggestfan

Metric-Synthetica
Japandroids-Celebration Rock

Goofle

"4. Japandroids - Celebration Rock
A no-frills indie rock thrill. It's an album packed with unforgettable songs and an overall high-energy rush. Will definitely be high up come the end of the year."

Bored me to tears if I am honest.

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Zer0

That's where you and I differ I guess.

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James Ihash

A Place to Burry Strangers - Onwards to the Wall (EP)
Their are creating a very unique sound, very haunting

James Iha - Look to the Sky
Way better than his first release, it has everything the new pumpkins is missing

IdiotHead - Free Market Music (EP)
Polish band, a form of industrial nu-metal, don't know exactly how to describe, they used to be called Co.In and they used to be heavier, but this is good also

Last Step - Sleep
IDM composed while Aaron Funk (Venetian Snares) was falling asleep. Very interesting.

mewithoutyou - Ten Stories
I dislike the indie route they were following, so they decided to turn the electric guitars again, it's not their best, but it is good

Sarah MacIntosh - Current
Gospel/folk with orchestral and electronic arragements, very rich music

Mark Lanegan - Blues Funeral
Amazing electronic album. His voice isn't the same as it used to be on the Screaming Trees, but it fits perfectly the new musical direction.

††† - EPs
I guess I like everything from Chino Moreno, though Team Sleep is still my favorite.

Disappointments:
- Smashing Pumpkins - Oceania, it is not bad, but I was expecting much more from the samples...
- Marilyn Manson - Born Villain, I have no idea why I gave this a try

Still haven't checked out:
- The Samuel Jackson Five - Selft Titled, post-rock with vocals, couldn't find a link
- Nada Surf - The Stars are Indifferent to Us, I listened to it, but didn't pay much attention, their last album was very good
- P.J. Harvey - Let England Shake, also didn't payed much attention, gonna give it another try
- Fiona Apple - The Idler Wheel..., if it is as good as her past releases I'm going to have a new favorite for the year
- Blue Foundation - In My Mind I Am Free, not very familiar with this trip-hop collective, but people are enjoying this a lot
- The Mars Volta - Noctourniquet, I have listened to the samples but I was at work, don't remember much
- Jack White - Blunderbuss, I have no idea why I haven't checked this already

Looking foward to:
- The Killers - Battle Born
- MGMT - MGMT
- Tool - ? (if they are really releasing something)
- The Wallflowers - ?
- Beck - ? (The single with Jack White was awesome)
- Deftones - Eros (Diamond Eyes was awesome)

Holerbot6000

Die Antwoord - Tension
Ingenting Kollectiva - Fragments of Night
Nurse with Wound - Rupture
Fenn O'Berg - In Hell
Laurel Halo - Quarantine

Goofle

And that's all good

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Forward To Death

Didn't you say you liked POD or something? Lol

NEWGUY562

i did when i was like 11/12

Charlemagne

This is a kinda down year for me in terms of listening to new albums...I think I can make a good 10 though for the midway point. No particular order though, too soon for that.

Suis La Lune - Riala
With this album they continue to prove they are one of the best modern emo bands around. They don't get too caught up in screaming and they are able to put together a hugely emotional, extremely powerful album.

You Blew It! - Grow Up, Dude
This album just shows how much fun a band can have playing music together, it sounds like it was made in just one take, it's raw yet intimate and inviting with fantastic vocals.

Madeline Ava - Still Gonna Be Fine
Exactly what I expected from her, it's awkward but so incredibly charming and sincere. Very simple, but the subtleties she includes are great to find.

Japandroids - Celebration Rock
It's just a fun album straight through. Up-tempo indie rock at its finest. This is an early frontrunner for my overall favorite of the year.

Ramshackle Glory - Who Are Your Friends
It's a little bit odder than Live The Dream but Pat's lyrics remain remarkable and the clips they use in their songs tell fascinating stories, with the music in the background acting almost like a dirge. Powerful.

Ghost Mice - All We Got Is Each Other
I've been waiting years for a new release from them and I wasn't disappointed. This is a very touching tribute to Chris' late best friend, his lyrics are as strong as ever.

Allo Darlin' - Europe
Much poppier overall than their first release, but it's a great improvement. Morris' lyrics have that great balance of insecurity and hopefulness and the instrumentation is upbeat and lively.

Joyce Manor - Of All The Things I Will Soon Grow Tired
Much shorter than their debut full length, but they pack a lot into a very short time. Just a great fun punk album, listen to it for 15 minutes and it will immediately lift your mood.

Alabama Shakes - Boys & Girls
I went into this not expecting to like this nearly as much as I did. Brittany Howard's voice is so strong and she sings with such passion and force. It reminds me a lot of Janis Joplin.

The Saddest Landscape - After The Lights
Another great album from this band. They have their sound completely figured out and can play it perfectly. The vocals are much more in control but they don't lose any of their emotion and fire.

Also some bonus EP's because I listened to a lot of those.

Mott Bonnott - Warm Fuzzies Vol. 1
The Wonder Years/Stay Ahead Of The Weather - Punk Is Dead. Get A Job
Pity Sex - Dark World
Elijah and the Lions - The Day Before EP
s / s / s - Beak & Claw

Stuff I still need to listen to.
Hop Along - Get Disowned
Joie De Vivre - We're All Better Than This
The Tallest Man On Earth - There's No Leaving Now
The Walkmen - Heaven

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Charlemagne had eyes like a lover, but last winter there was weather and his eyes they iced right over.

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