Best Albums of 2012: #30 - #21

#30

Silversun Pickups - Neck of the Woods

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Silversun Pickups is one of those bands that I never had any interest in when they first became popular.  Over the years I've grown to really enjoy their music, however, and Neck of the Woods hit all the right notes when it was released last year.  While it's not a perfect album, and not as good as Carnavas, it's got enough staying power to lead off my Best Of... list.  Recommended tracks: Skin Graph, Bloody Mary (Nerve Endings)

#29

Damien Jurado - Maraqopa

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Damien Jurado's 12th full-length album came out early in 2012, and it sort of unknowingly set the tone for a lot of the albums that would follow.  Music that wears its inspiration on its sleeve.  Inspired by the slightly psychedelic folk & soul music from the 70s, Maraqopa updates that laid-back, easy-going sound for a modern audience.  It's easy to close your eyes and get lost in the echo and the warmth that comes out of every song.  Recommended tracks: Life Away From the Garden, Maraqopa

#28

Bobby Womack - The Bravest Man In the Universe

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Bobby Womack teamed up with Damon Albarn (of Blur & Gorillaz fame) to release his first studio album in 13 years.  Albarn used his knack for creating catchy electronic/hip-hop hooks and samples to lay down the base for Womack's stellar voice to soar above.  It's one of the most creative albums I've heard in a long time, and while some people questioned the decision to have Albarn produce, I can't imagine a better person for Womack to have worked with.  Recommended tracks: The Bravest Man In the Universe, If There Wasn't Something There

#27

Soulsavers - The Light the Dead See

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The best band I can compare Soulsavers too is Savatage.  Whether you know who Savatage are or not, all you need to know is that Soulsavers has re-ignited the old torch of symphonic and orchestral progressive rock, and they're not even a rock band.  Soulsavers is an electronic production team based out of England, and Dave Gahan from Depeche Mode joined them to perform lead vocals on this album. Slow, atmospheric, gloomy, and oh so very good. Recommended tracks: Longest Day, Presence of God

#26

Earth - Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light 2

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This album is everything I like about drone metal, and almost nothing I hate about it.  Earth has a great ear for melody and composition, and while the album clocks in at 46 minutes over 5 tracks, it isn't a chore to listen to.  Unlike some other drone albums there isn't any point where I feel like I'm being tortured while listening to it.  Granted, that may actually turn some people off of the album, but hey, different strokes.  Recommended tracks: None (mostly because you need to listen to this album from start to finish).

#25

Bill Ryder-Jones - If…

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Ok, so this album came WAY out of left field last year.  It's essentially a movie score without a movie to go along with.  Beautiful orchestration and wonderful composition combine to create easily the best classical album I listened to last year.  It's not something that you can listen to all the time, but when you're in the mood for modern classical music it's hard to recommend anything other than If…. Recommended tracks: The Flowers #3 (Lotus)

#24

First Aid Kit - The Lion's Roar

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This duo came to my attention when their cover for Fleet Foxes' "Tiger Mountain Peasant Song" hit YouTube.  It was obvious that they could re-create great music, but I really wanted to hear what original work they could compose.  "The Lion's Roar" proves that these girls have a knack for solid songwriting.  While the songs aren't overly complex, they speak to the basics of folk music that make the genre one of my favorites.  Come for the beautiful vocal harmonies; stay for the stories that they tell.  Recommended tracks: Emmylou, To a Poet, The Lion's Roar

#23

Torche - Harmonicraft

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While this album can sort of lose itself at times as the sludge rises a bit too high, it's got enough high points to pull you up-and-out of the mire. Those high points represent the parts of the album more focused on melodies than droning, and I prefer that sound from this band. It's an enjoyable listen most of the time, but nothing about it really stands out enough to push it any higher than #23 on my list. Recommended tracks: Kicking, Roaming, Skin Moth

#22

Allo Darlin' - Europe

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Jangly indie pop (or twee pop) from England.  Very catchy, very bouncy, and almost impossible to listen to with a frown.  Allo Darlin' fits right in with bands like Camera Obscura, Belle & Sebastian, and Rilo Kiley.  There's really not much else to say, so go and listen to this album right now.  It'll make you smile.  Recommended tracks: Capricornia, Tallulah, My Sweet Friend

#21

Crystal Castles - (III)

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The first experimental electronic album on my list is a doozy.  This is a genre that I used to avoid like the plague, but 2012's releases really made me change my opinion on it.  Crystal Castle's third album is a dark and moody piece of music.  Most of the time it's not a happy listen, and it honestly can be a bit draining if you listen to it in the wrong state of mind.  In fact it might be because it's so gloomy that it stands as one of the best albums I listened to last year.  Recommended tracks: Plague, Affection