My Top 40 Albums Released In 2012
Yet another 2012 albums list. There are lots of records released this year that I haven't listened to yet, I know. Feel free to recommend anything related and unrelated to the ones featured. I understand Sputnik will loathe some of the records on my list, but it's my list, I don't care. |
1 | | Greenleaf Nest Of Vipers
Without realizing, this is the album I listened to most and I could listen to anytime. The songs are simply crafted, but are really strong and diverse. |
2 | | Deftones Koi No Yokan
Another strong effort by Deftones, Koi No Yokan works better as a whole. The tracks are usually more layered than before and Chino and Stephen have never worked better together. |
3 | | The Mars Volta Noctourniquet
A divisive record for the fan base, but great nevertheless. I love the electronic elements, too bad these guys decided to go on a hiatus. |
4 | | Buckethead Electric Sea
A lovely, soothing record that strays from Buckethead's usual affair. It's better and more relaxing than Electric Tears. |
5 | | Hammock Departure Songs
A beautiful, mammoth of an album, that expands over 2 CDs, but really rewarding. |
6 | | Rush Clockwork Angels
Even though I haven't listened to their entire back catalog yet, this album is really strong. |
7 | | Swans The Seer
A really moody monster, that requires a lot of patience. However, it gets under your skin. |
8 | | Black Light Burns The Moment You Realize You're Going To Fall
A diverse record, where Borland lets his imagination loose and shows how much potential he has. |
9 | | Zac Brown Band Uncaged
A lovely country/southern rock album that has some really great and memorable tracks. |
10 | | Wo Fat The Black Code
The best Wo Fat record so far, it has no filler and doesn't stretch out for too long. |
11 | | Golden Void Golden Void
Really cool retro stoner/psychedelic from Earthless' Isaiah Mitchell. Shady Grove is such an addictive tune |
12 | | The Brian Jonestown Massacre Aufheben
Anton makes a fun album that's less exotic than My Bloody Underground, but offers a lot of thrills. |
13 | | Dot Hacker Inhibition
Josh Klinghoffer always showed a lot of potential and here (unlike RHCP's I'm With You, where he sounds restrained) has a lot of space to expand his ideas. |
14 | | Mark Lanegan Blues Funeral
Sadness incorporated. Another great Lanegan record. |
15 | | Soulsavers The Light The Dead See
Dave Gahan's voice really suits the somber atmosphere of the record. In some ways, this is be the follow-up to Depeche Mode's Ultra. |
16 | | John 5 God Told Me To
His best and most diverse effort yet. |
17 | | Foxy Shazam The Church Of Rock And Roll
Even if it's not the band's best record out there, it's fun and has a lot of great songs. |
18 | | Om Advaitic Songs
I wasn't too fond of this record after a first listen, but it has grown on me a lot ever since. |
19 | | Tame Impala Lonerism
A strong album that has some really memorable songs (I love Feels Like We Only Go Backwards). |
20 | | The Sword Apocryphon
Another solid Sword record, this one sounds best when listened to as a whole. I feel the tracks lose momentum when listened to separately. |
21 | | Spiritualized Sweet Heart Sweet Light
The album is good, but it's a bit too tame. |
22 | | Torche Harmonicraft
Really fun and to-the-point stoner rock. Also, I dig the singer's voice, sometimes it's similar to Dave Grohl's. |
23 | | Soundgarden King Animal
I haven't listened to Soundgarden that much, but the album is great. |
24 | | The Offspring Days Go By
Aside from the two or three songs that never should've seen the light of day, only plaguing the record, it is actually a mostly nice listen that brings some of the band's earlier punch back. It's better than Green Day's trilogy anyway. |
25 | | Green Day iTRE!
Blame me for fanboy-ism, I don't care. Objectively, these should be at the bottom of the top since they are Green Day at their most indulgent. |
26 | | Green Day iDOS!
However, half of the songs are fun, so I'll just ignore the rest. |
27 | | Green Day ĦUNO!
The trilogy is still better than 21st Century Breakdown IMO. |
28 | | Orange Goblin A Eulogy For The Damned
This record has lots of cojones. It's one of Orange Goblin's few records that I listen to as a whole. |
29 | | ZZ Top La Futura
A solid return after a 9 year gap. These guys are still going strong after 43 years, it's amazing. |
30 | | The Dandy Warhols This Machine
A more collaborative effort this time, but also a really unfocused one. Some songs are great, some are lacking (Courtney's tracks are still the best IMO) |
31 | | Marilyn Manson Born Villain
Manson is back on track with Born Villain, but still needs more power and, sometimes, catchier hooks. |
32 | | How To Destroy Angels An Omen
This EP only makes me more curious regarding the full length scheduled to be released next year. Also, Reznor's wife is hot. |
33 | | John Frusciante PBX Funicular Intaglio Zone
Frusciante's new sound is interesting and the album does have some great songs. However, I liked him a lot more when he released guitar-centered albums and the songs sounded more personal. |
34 | | Seven That Spells Superautobahn
Insanity caught on tape. |
35 | | Maserati VII
A solid record, pushing towards a more techno sound. Still, it's slightly less rewarding than Pyramid Of The Sun. |
36 | | Nightstalker Dead Rock Commandos
Cool and to the point, this old-school stoner rock album is strong at first listens. Unfortunately, it gets a bit boring earlier than it should. |
37 | | Texas Hippie Coalition Peacemaker
Outlaw metal and a band that does a proper job. Still, some songs are generic and predictable. |
38 | | Delerium Music Box Opera
Not one of Delerium's best releases, being more of a Chimera Pt. 2. It has some great songs, but half the album is unmemorable. Also, there are a few wrong choices of vocalists. |
39 | | Front Line Assembly AirMech
A cool soundtrack, influenced by Leeb's other project Delerium and more reminiscent to Front Line Assembly's Civilization. Still, a proper new release would be a lot more rewarding. |
40 | | The Flaming Lips The Flaming Lips And Heady Fwends
Some interesting jams here, but overall the effort is kinda hit or miss. The track that features Kesha is surprisingly solid. |
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