duga's Top 25 Albums of 2012

duga · 12-12-2012, 10:07 AM

If it really is the end of the world, then I'm fairly satisfied with the quality of the Earth's last year of music. There have been some truly great albums this year.

Here I present to you what I find to be the best 25 albums this year, 5 at a time, for your pleasure.

25. Swans – The Seer

I’ll be the first to admit…this album is not for everyone. If the words progressive, drone, doom, or metal don’t do anything for you, feel free to pass this over. This album makes the list, however, because of just how intriguing it is. Michael Gira has been recording as Swans since the 80’s, and if you haven’t heard of him or Swans, there is probably a reason for that. While wholly unclassifiable in general, Swans has created some of the most disturbing and emotionally straining music ever committed to tape. Just listen to Children of God and you will know what I mean. With that in mind, The Seer acts as both the most easily accessible Swans album to date and also their most polished emotional rollercoaster of an album. It took a couple listens, but once this album crept into my subconscious, I had to keep listening to it. If this sounds interesting to you just check out the song “Mother of the World”. Then you'll know if it's worth proceeding.

24. Melody’s Echo Chamber – Melody’s Echo Chamber

Oh, man am I a sucker for shoegaze. Especially hooky psych-tinged shoegaze that doesn’t fall into the “let’s see how many effect pedals we can use” trap. Unfortunately, it is so easy to fall into that trap that most bands take several albums to reach the craftsmanship Melody’s Echo Chamber have achieved on their debut. While this is nothing groundbreaking, it’s catchy as hell and sure to leave you in a good mood.

23. Tamaryn – Tender New Signs

Yes, it’s another shoegaze album. However, these guys take themselves a little more seriously than Melody’s Echo Chamber. While Tamaryn’s vocals drive the music, it’s Rex Shelveron’s incredibly creative and fresh take on shoegaze that really kept me coming back to this album. Ultimately, that’s what makes or breaks a shoegaze band. Rex explores chord progressions with Robin Guthrie-like ease (all without being derivative). This guy has proven he has enough chops that I’ll definitely be keeping my eye on this band.

22. Beach House – Bloom

If Jim Morrison was reincarnated as a woman in the 21st century and discovered dream pop, he would most certainly be in Beach House. Victoria Legrand’s effortless synth melodies, her hazy vocals and Alex Scally’s easygoing but catchy guitar lines have seemed to create a truly winning formula…a simple formula that –in my opinion - only the Doors had previously mastered. For four albums now, I’ve felt their next would be the one that flops. But for four albums now, I have consistently been impressed with how they can keep this formula sounding fresh. While Bloom is not as strong as either Devotion or Teen Dream, the fact that it still made this list says something about the talent this band has (and how good those other two albums are…).

21. Oddisee – People Hear What They See

This album is just great downhome R&B heavy hip hop. Nothing spectacular, but the beats and Oddisee’s even-keeled flow make this a very relaxing album to just sit and unwind to. When I think of this album, I think of warm apple pie. There’s just something very comforting in this music.

12-12-2012, 10:07 AM	#1 (permalink)
duga MB quadrant's JM Vincent Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 3,762	duga's Top 25 Albums of 2012 If it really is the end of the world, then I'm fairly satisfied with the quality of the Earth's last year of music. There have been some truly great albums this year. Here I present to you what I find to be the best 25 albums this year, 5 at a time, for your pleasure. 25. Swans – The Seer I’ll be the first to admit…this album is not for everyone. If the words progressive, drone, doom, or metal don’t do anything for you, feel free to pass this over. This album makes the list, however, because of just how intriguing it is. Michael Gira has been recording as Swans since the 80’s, and if you haven’t heard of him or Swans, there is probably a reason for that. While wholly unclassifiable in general, Swans has created some of the most disturbing and emotionally straining music ever committed to tape. Just listen to Children of God and you will know what I mean. With that in mind, The Seer acts as both the most easily accessible Swans album to date and also their most polished emotional rollercoaster of an album. It took a couple listens, but once this album crept into my subconscious, I had to keep listening to it. If this sounds interesting to you just check out the song “Mother of the World”. Then you'll know if it's worth proceeding. 24. Melody’s Echo Chamber – Melody’s Echo Chamber Oh, man am I a sucker for shoegaze. Especially hooky psych-tinged shoegaze that doesn’t fall into the “let’s see how many effect pedals we can use” trap. Unfortunately, it is so easy to fall into that trap that most bands take several albums to reach the craftsmanship Melody’s Echo Chamber have achieved on their debut. While this is nothing groundbreaking, it’s catchy as hell and sure to leave you in a good mood. 23. Tamaryn – Tender New Signs Yes, it’s another shoegaze album. However, these guys take themselves a little more seriously than Melody’s Echo Chamber. While Tamaryn’s vocals drive the music, it’s Rex Shelveron’s incredibly creative and fresh take on shoegaze that really kept me coming back to this album. Ultimately, that’s what makes or breaks a shoegaze band. Rex explores chord progressions with Robin Guthrie-like ease (all without being derivative). This guy has proven he has enough chops that I’ll definitely be keeping my eye on this band. 22. Beach House – Bloom If Jim Morrison was reincarnated as a woman in the 21st century and discovered dream pop, he would most certainly be in Beach House. Victoria Legrand’s effortless synth melodies, her hazy vocals and Alex Scally’s easygoing but catchy guitar lines have seemed to create a truly winning formula…a simple formula that –in my opinion - only the Doors had previously mastered. For four albums now, I’ve felt their next would be the one that flops. But for four albums now, I have consistently been impressed with how they can keep this formula sounding fresh. While Bloom is not as strong as either Devotion or Teen Dream, the fact that it still made this list says something about the talent this band has (and how good those other two albums are…). 21. Oddisee – People Hear What They See This album is just great downhome R&B heavy hip hop. Nothing spectacular, but the beats and Oddisee’s even-keeled flow make this a very relaxing album to just sit and unwind to. When I think of this album, I think of warm apple pie. There’s just something very comforting in this music. __________________ Confusion will be my epitaph...