Grizzly Bear
Shields
"Shields not only matches its predecessor in Grizzly Bear's back catalogue, but it exceeds it."- AbsolutePunk
Original Points: 812, Lists Appearing: 30, Final Points: 24360
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
#2
Passion Pit
Gossamer
"The onetime bedroom artist now makes first-rate pop anthems, gleaming rocketships of sound that wouldn't sound out of place on the radio next to Rihanna or Nicki Minaj. The tone might seem out of step with the lyrics, but it speaks to a certain resilience."- Chicago Tribune
Original Points: 869, Lists Appearing: 28, Final Points: 24332, #1: justinandimcool
#3
The Tallest Man on Earth
There's No Leaving Now
"Matsson employs more (though still not much) instrumental shadings to his heart-rending songs on There's No Leaving Now, though he's still riding mostly on the quality of his songs and the spunk of his performances."- The A.V. Club
Original Points: 808, Lists Appearing: 28, Final Points: 22624
#4
Beach House
Bloom
"This is an album that is simply, in the most awe-inspired sense of the term, absolutely golden from end to end – a real treasure and an utter delight to experience every time you play it."- Popmatters
Original Points: 731, Lists Appearing: 27, Final Points: 19737 #1: Bron Yr Aur
#5
Jack White
Blunderbuss
"While Blunderbuss appears to be definite off-loading of emotional baggage, it also feels like a move toward rebirth. "- MOJO
Original Points: 632, Lists Appearing: 25, Final Points: 15800, #1: Noremac
#6
Japandroids
Celebration Rock
"Kind of heartwarming that it's still possible for a young band to rock out with palpable joy about the pleasures, terrors, and life lessons of the road."- Expert Witness
Original Points: 602, Lists Appearing: 25, Final Points: 15050, #1: MPizzle06, keithcoldroses, thebridge15
#7
Frank Ocean
channel ORANGE
"Channel Orange is so arrestingly smooth that all of its unusually shaped pieces fit together as a seamless whole."- The A.V. Club
Original Points: 603, Lists Appearing: 24, Final Points: 14472, #1: dantillo24, luccic12
#8
Kendrick Lamar
good kid, m.A.A.d. city
"Every record is both complexly arranged and sonically fitting, foregrounding Kendrick's vivid lyricism and amazing control of cadence. There's not a single loophole."- XXL
Original Points: 604, Lists Appearing: 21, Final Points: 12684, #1: iMAC386, Swizz2007
#9
Animal Collective
Centipede Hz
"Although the quartet might not have topped Merriweather Post Pavillion, it did the next best thing: make an album that's entirely new and just as exciting. "- Magnet
Original Points: 627, Lists Appearing: 20, Final Points: 12540, #1: FromTheMorning
#10
Tame Impala
Lonerism
"It feels digital, alien, the sound of modern machines going wrong. All this is underpinned by genuinely great songwriting"- The Guardian
Original Points: 537, Lists Appearing: 23, Final Points: 12351, #1: trippingbillie4
#11
Wild Nothing
Nocturne
"Nocturne is a richer, comparatively luxurious listening experience, but it doesn't sound flashy or ostentatious."- Pitchfork
Original Points: 530, Lists Appearing: 22, Final Points: 11660, #1: Kiko
#12
Dave Matthews Band
Away From the World
Pitchfork: Unreviewed
The A.V. Club: Unreviewed
"Away from the World is a bit of a rare thing: a return to form lacking an ounce of nostalgia."- All Music Guide
Original Points: 435, Lists Appearing: 24, Final Points: 10440
#13
Grimes
Visions
"On her 4AD debut, Visions, she continues her march toward accessibility, rendering hazy, quixotic sketches into tangible, hook-heavy electro-pop."- The A.V. Club
Original Points: 574, Lists Appearing: 16, Final Points: 9184, #1: ComeNFrmTheCold
#14
Of Monsters and Men
My Head Is An Animal
Pitchfork: unreviewed
The A.V. Club: unreviewed
"These songs are made to be sung by giant crowds at festivals: British success is already overdue."- The Guardian
Original Points: 422, Lists Appearing: 21, Final Points: 8862, #1: vklugf
#15
Fiona Apple
The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do
"It's essential 2012 listening for anyone interested in popular music as art."- Los Angeles Times
Original Points: 518, Lists Appearing: 17, Final Points: 8806, #1: coldengrey12
#16
Perfume Genius
Put Your Back N 2 It
"Hadreas is a staggeringly talented songwriter, with Put Your Back N 2 It showcasing an array of songs as deceptively simple as they are jaw-droppingly powerful."- musicOMH.com
Original Points: 587, Lists Appearing: 15, Final Points: 8805
#17
the xx
Coexist
"The xx lay out all of their pieces beautifully. There are no extraneous parts. Not a second that they didn't intend. As a result, songs like 'Tides' or 'Chained' unfold as naturally as a ripple of wind."- Drowned In Sound
Original Points: 446, Lists Appearing: 17, Final Points: 7582, #1: JCpatriot66
#18
Andrew Bird
Break It Yourself
"If you like smart pop and are not familiar, hearing Bird for the first time will feel like discovering a new planet."- The Independent
Original Points: 472, Lists Appearing: 16, Final Points: 7552, #1: Route_2, zajDmB1
#19
Mumford & Sons
Babel
Pitchfork: Unreviewed
"The band has mastered the emotional gut-punch of quiet/loud dynamics, exploding from low-murmured harmonies into full Appalachian freak-outs."- Entertainment Weekly
Original Points: 392, Lists Appearing: 19, Final Points: 7448
#20
The Lumineers
The Lumineers
Pitchfork: Unreviewed
The A.V. Club: Unreviewed
"The general expansiveness of sound on songs like "Ho Hey" make this young group's eponymous debut uniquely American in all the best ways: gritty, determined, soaked in sweat and love and drive. There's nothing precious or affected here, just three dedicated artists opening their hearts."- The Austin Chronicle
Original Points: 350, Lists Appearing: 20, Final Points: 7000, #1: herzag17, Ascf33, Auzz76, thehammer316
#21
Cloud Nothings
Attack on Memory
"Attack on Memory is simultaneously abrasive and sentimental; it's a self-deprecating soundtrack for a new generation of adolescent loneliness."- The Boston Phoenix
Original Points: 432, Lists Appearing: 14, Final Points: 6048
#22
Burial
Kindred (EP)
A.V. Club: unreviewed
"The attention to detail Bevin is known for sounds invitingly open on Kindred and the ending fruition is a thrilling success."- Delusions of Adequacy
Original Points: 477, Lists Appearing: 12, Final Points: 5724, #1: emtphish
#23
The Avett Brothers
The Carpenter
"Although the Avett Brothers can't seem to decide whether they're introspective folkies or a big rock act, The Carpenter hits the right chords in such a manner that no one will likely care."- The Austin Chronicle
Original Points: 332, Lists Appearing: 17, Final Points 5644
#24
∆
An Awesome Wave
"You can see every angle and every side of the shape they've made. And the unimpeachable logic of each song, added to their odd tunefulness of the songs, makes them exciting to listen to."- Prefix Mag
Original Points: 425, Lists Appearing: 13, Final Points: 5525
#25
The Dirty Projectors
Swing Lo Magellan
"By the dazzlingly innovative and heartfelt record's end, the band has worked in a bit of everything it has to offer, and offered it with winning sincerity."- The A.V. Club
Original Points: 345, Lists Appearing: 15, Final Points: 5175, #1: jordanbball17
#26
Menomena
Moms
"[Moms is] about lamenting family trees and the things that created us worse for wear. Together, Harris and Seim have created a rock album punching the stomach the way their lyrics do."- sputnikmusic
Original Points: 417, Lists Appearing: 12, Final Points: 5004, #1: LadyMadonna68
#27
The Shins
Port of Morrow
"These are songs to fall in love to, to grow along with, and to share with friends in need of a life-change."- musicOMH.com
Original Points: 279, Lists Appearing: 16, Final Points: 4464, #1: trpnbillie11 & thomhudson
#29
Father John Misty
Fear Fun
"This stirring collection makes Father John Misty's debut one of the best solo efforts this year, a true freak-folk standout." - The Boston Phoenix
Original Points: 320, Lists Appearing: 11, Final Points: 3520, #1 votes: umphucked88
#30
The Walkmen
Heaven
Metacritic: 80
Pitchfork: 8.1
The A.V. Club: A-
"There may well be no such thing as a ten out of ten album, a level of perfection and flawlessness that is by all likelihood totally unobtainable; but it's hard to imagine anyone coming closer than these five men from New York." -This is Fake DIY
Original Points: 319, Lists Appearing: 11, Final Points: 3509
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