Top 50 Albums of 2012

Its late but fuck it, also them write ups they take too long and no one cares.

50. Wild Nothing - Nocturne
49. The XX - Coexist
48. Schoolboy Q - Habits and Contradictions
47. The Men - Open Your Heart
46. Passion Pit - Gossamer
45. Enslaved - RITTIR 
44. Big Boi - Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumours
43. Old Man Gloom - NO
42. Death Grips - No Love Deep Web
41. Perfume Genius - Put Your Back N 2 It
40. Dinosaur Jr. - I Bet On Sky
39. Dirty Three - Toward The Low Sun
38. Bats For Lashes - The Haunted Man
37. Ruby Frost - Water To Ice
36. Cloud Nothings - Attack On Memory
35. ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of The Dead - Lost Songs
34. Tallest Man On Earth - No Leaving Now
33. King Tuff - King Tuff
32. Lawrence Arabia - The Sparrow
31. Alt J - An Awesome Wave
30. Menomena - Moms
29. Matthew Dear - Beams
28. Crystal Castles - III
27. Gojira - L'enfant Sauvage
26. Purity Ring - Shrines
25. Frank Ocean - Channel Orange
24. High On Fire - De Vermis Mysteriis
23. Mac Demarco - 2
22. Lotus Plaza - Spooky Action At A Distance
21. Flying Lotus - Until The Quiet Comes
20. Home Brew - Home Brew
19. Michael Kiwanuka - Home Again
18. Sharon Van Etten - Tramp
17. Kendrick Lamar - Good Kid M.A.A.D. City
16. Grimes - Visions
15. Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffitti - Mature Themes
14. EL-P - Cancer For Cure
13. Ty Segell Band - Slaughterhouse
12. Grizzly Bear - Shields
11. Tame Impala - Lonerism


Top 10

10. Scott Walker - Bish Bosch

I don't care in what form this man sings he'll forever be great, its a strong, powerful voice that brings together some pretty fucked up songs. (if they can even be called that) This is very much a tough listen music wise but it somehow still works with his vocals powering through.

9. Swans - The Seer

This shit is long (2 discs) the first one is my favourite with tracks like Mother Of The World on it but overall Gira has pulled a loud, long and crunching masterpiece. One that at the longer end of an album doesn't at any point for me feel too long.

8. Converge - All We Love We Leave Behind

From the get go this album punches you in the face from the start, this doesn't really let up and its another strong album from a great hardcore band. You better recognise the slick guitar work!

7. John Talabot - Fin

This shit glides on beautifully throughout the tracks flow amazingly but at the same time each are completely unique. This has such a chill mood while the vocals add a nice compliment to the beat he is producing throughout.

6. Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Allelujah! Don't Bend

It's Godspeed and they're back...oh this rules. The atmosphere on this is signature Godspeed the whole mental image the album produces is no surprise but at the same time shouldn't be underestimated cause this is amazing.

5. Beach House - Bloom

Some don't like this cause its more of the same, but when you make such beautiful, dreamy pop tracks why do anything else? I think this is another great album by them and perhaps a slightly bigger sound on this one than the last. A Beach House fan will love this, at the same time how could you hate it?

4. Japandroids - Celebration Rock

The name of this is appropriate, this is such a fun rock album and loud for a band consisting of just a guitarist/singer and a drummer. Easily the one of the best pure rock and roll albums in a while and you can hear through the songs written and performed that they are really enjoying themselves.

3. The Brian Jonestown Massacre - Aufheben

One of my favourite musicians Anton Newcombe has produced another amazing album, its classic psychedelic rock. Unlike the Tame Impala album I feel like the psychedelic nature is as "in your face" and more laid back and flowing.  I prefer it this way, the emotion in his voice is always great and an album closer like Blue Order/New Monday is a monster.

2. Death Grips - Money Store

This album is so fuckin rough. The loud, brash raps with the bass heavy beats accompanied by Zach Hill on drums has lead to a spectacular album. This isn't a normal rap album, the shouting style of vocalist MC Ride for the most part work well considering its not a normal style.

1. Killer Mike - R.A.P. Music

This album kicks off so well with Big Beast and it goes from strength to strength throughout. This rap album has it all, intensity from Mike with the production from El-P and verses that strengthen the songs at all times. The pace changes throughout and at no point weakens this album. It rules.

Top 50 Songs Of 2012

50. Song For Leigh - The Walkmen (Heaven)
I didn't think of this song until real last minute mainly because I left a note on my ipod that this was my favourite track on the album. After listening to it a few times I remembered why I like it. Its simple, although I've never sung myself sick or met someone called Leigh but he better be grateful for the song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUB5S9RRt8A

49. Oldie - Odd Future (Odd Future Mixtape Vol.2)
I see a theory brewing with Odd Future it starts with people seeing whatever album that is next as the breakout album and then they disappoint you almost completely apart from a few tracks which remind you why you still live in hope. This is that song, the beat is simple, the verses are nice from the whole group and the return of EARL. Oh yeah that theory I need a name for that.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LPBsQ-lWKU

48. Hood - Perfume Genius (Put Your Back N 2 It)
It's sad and slow, the emotion in it is beautiful and believable, I love the change in tempo and the build to that plus the dip back down. The music video is weird.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOpkr8uNWpk

47. Reunion - The xx (Coexist)
I was worried the new xx album might just stink and after the initial love for this album, I kind of got bored but I always felt this track was great. I love the beat, while still slow and minimal it still has found a way to be dancy in its own little way.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVLVNLuC33w

46. Spiritual Rites - High On Fire (De Vermis Mysteriis)
Its one of the few metal tracks on this list and I love the explosiveness of the song and the snarly vocals of Matt Pike. It still has the HOF sludgy sound that has developed over the years and its almost completely balls to the wall.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2dVwtZR4M4

45. Dissolve Me - Alt J (An Awesome Wave)
I hadn't heard of this band until a friend started gushing about them after they were announced for Laneway next year (I'm going) so I checked them out. I don't like them nearly as much as my friend but I definitely see the appeal and this is my favourite off it mainly because of the beat.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrTDDQPzXac

44. I Bought My Eyes - Ty Segall Band (Slaughterhouse)
just a rock song, nice distortion and rocks hard
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAXONGchVtc

43. 1904 - The Tallest Man on Earth (There's No Leaving Now)
I got the new Tallest Man On Earth album for someone as part of a 21st Bday present, I hadn't heard it but knew she'd enjoy it and I ripped the album before gifting
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibEwxlV1ac4

42. Epizootics - Scott Walker (Bish Bosch)
It's debatable about whether this is even a song cause its completely fucked, but Scott Walker's voice is so great and I like this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ih7KzKLLWA

41. Pique - Menomena (Moms)
Lyrically this might be the best Memomena song for me apart from TAOS cause it has "cocksure" in it. I don't prefer the word cocksure cause it has cock in it either. You like men.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kXBmvHJrJs

40. Come on, Be A No-One - The Cribs (In The Belly Of The Brazen Bull)
Its catchy and its British indie rock, it works.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-6vL85EBoc

39. Bones - Michael Kiwanuka (Home Again)
I've never been a soul guy, but this dude is so great that you must recognise. Epic voice.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXtOtdO5jyI

38. Take A Walk - Passion Pit (Gossamer)
Passion Pit are BACK and I was worried the synth pop times might be dying but this album opener is perfect. It throws you back into why Passion Pit were great the first time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wMhhq7zwPc

37. Bad Thing - King Tuff (King Tuff)
I really like this song when he shouts "I'm a baaaaaaad thiiiiinngg"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkxlZk-IYZk

36. Don't Want The World - David Dallas (Buffalo Man)
He's so talented and this rap is just incredibly catchy and once I heard it for the first time multiple listens in quick succession ensued.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aStRlfh6Fxc

35. Upon Viewing Oregon's Landscape With The Flood Of Detritus - Titus Andronicus (Local Business)
While they don't look punk in this slightest, their songs have the same spirit and when it builds to the singer screaming is when shit gets real.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdzwsgJr5OI

34. Lines - Big Boi feat. A$AP Rocky and Phantogram (Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumours)
Phantogram on this song slows things down nicely and unsurprisingly the verses of Big Boi and A$SAP rule.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIo2m0iyl-U

33. Elephant - Tame Impala (Lonerism)
Dat riff, this song oozes psychedelia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCo3CQw6wp8

32. Belispeak II - Purity Ring feat. Danny Brown (Shrines)
Synth pop is still cool or as still as cool as it was before (I'm unsure if it ever was), this version is mo better than the O.G. version (that's great as well). Danny Brown kills it and only add to a strong song. Needs more collaborations.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpdyGFmct78

31. Monoliths - Lotus Plaza (Spooky Action At A Distance)
Desire Lines Pt.2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfGfbaRvdL0

30. Laura - Bats For Lashes (The Haunted Man)
I've met some Laura's before, none to the extent where they'd even be described as a superstar but this song is easily the star on this album. Its right in the middle of the album but you know it peaks at this point.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6kLJiednQc

29. Hey Jane - Spiritualized (Sweet Heart Sweet Light)
God damn this is like old rock classic in 2012 form, when it builds around the middle part of the song reminds me of those times at gigs where its last track and its the last time to really get amongst.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-A0NdCq8KQ

28. Circumambient - Grimes (Visions)
There's many to choose from, but as of right now this is it, a beautiful pop song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAyIOL14eyo

27. Pyramids - Frank Ocean (Channel Orange)
This song is by far the most legit on this, I didn't like the whole statement before this dropped about his first love being a man, not because its a man, cause I don't care about that. But because it totally takes away from the songs as most will describe this as "Frank Ocean, you know the guy who likes men) when it should be "Frank Ocean, the guy who put out Pyramids, the song with the sick beat and beautiful vocals".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfyWQ2AEBic

26. To A Poet - First Aid Kit (Lions Roar)
I love and stripped down they are, its never to a point where it sounds thin. The vocals are amazing, when they sing together for "Though I miss you more than I can take and I will surely break. And every morning that I wake up there is the sake, but there's nothing more to it, I just get through it. Ah, there's nothing more to it, I just get through it." is when it hits its peak.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2Yrit1Da1I

25. Speak In Rounds - Grizzly Bear (Shields)
Dat acoustic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vK2mwcakibA

24. Mother Of The World - Swans (The Seer)
The beginning is relentless and once you get past that its like a gift when Gira starts singing "In and Out and In and Out aggggaaaaaiiinnn" total monster track.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4mQxGXxU2M

23. Everything Is Embarassing - Sky Ferreira (Ghost)
Sky Ferreira the person on twitter who counted down the release of the Hobbit and Christopher Owens re tweeted each days countdown. This is such a lovely pop song, its believable and totally accessible to anyone into pop, I hope people come round to this one, its worth it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tR3_JapvzH0

22. Evil Sway - Japandroids (Celebration Rock)
Can they sound anymore happy during this song? "oh yeah, oh right"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_CIc3hXOkM

21. Catatonic - ...And You Will Know Us BY The Trail Of The Dead (Lost Songs)
It doesn't slow down, you just have to keep up and I prefer it that way.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHavDqUOtTM

20. Wishes - Beach House (Bloom)
It's hard to describe why you like a Beach House song, cause you can't just say "its Beach House", but I'm going to anyway. It's dreamy and while there's no significant different from times past they don't need to change.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyDD-LhpgBc

19. Brats - Liars (WIXIW)
I was late on this, the beat gets this going and the vocals kick it up a notch, the song feels like it'll get out of hand but then you realise it never does.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kl_FP0L76j4

18. Backstreet Freestyle - Kendrick Lamar (Good Kid M.A.A.D. City)
I feel like his raps on this are stronger than any other song by far plus he wants to fuck the world for 72 hours.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTz_K__9L2A

17. Aimless Arrow - Converge (All We Love We Leave Behind)
There's no easing into this song they just throw you in and I love it this way, the song just doesn't give you a chance to catch your breath.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoZlujggIq0

16. Set It Off - Diplo (Express Yourself)
Its a great club track, although I doubt I'll ever hear it in a club.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMOmwFynnWI

15. Hustle Bones - Death Grips (Money Store)
So many to choose from but this one since first listen has been my go to track from this, the style he has when rapping is why I love this. It's totally explosive from start to finish and the abrasiveness of the beat adds to this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1A3HXOVIbU

14. Road Dog - Dope Body (Natural History)
I listened to this song for the first time whilst drunk and wrote a note to remind me to check it out again, that was a great decision. It's a weird rock song, I love the drumming, the strained vocals and the fun the song has.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wghh4t4R8A4

13. Kinski Assasin - Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti
Ariel always finds a way to bring out that retro sound and the lyrics "who sunk my battleship/I sunk my battleship" are great.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCd0Wzrxeyc

12. Listen To Us - Home Brew (Home Brew)
This is the anthem of the poor in New Zealand, it's hard hitting and anti government but without it being all American gangster wannabe. "John Key can suck my dick hiding in his mansion/ while half the population flies across the tasman" is where shit gets real and what Home Brew stands for in this song very much comes out. The piano in compliments this track perfectly as well as the samples at the beginning of the track to set the scene.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AjgWyxJAGQ

11. The Full Retard - El-P (Cancer For Cure)
"Pump this shit/ like they do in the future" Space raps for days, the beat is so chill and El-P just floats through with great flow throughout.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKCX-Hd1Vxo

10. Wrath Of God - Crystal Castles (Crystal Castles III)
I love the beginning of this song, its slow and creeps around like the sleazy dude early in the night at a party. Then the level lifts with the vocals of Alice Glass which is  when the song really gets going its sure to be a great rave as well as massive live.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HYtbC0vcB8

9. Open Your Heart - The Men (Open Your Heart)
Its a relentless punk track with some great noise rock guitar sound throughout it, I love how it even when it lets up we get an almost sloppy, noisey solo that stick's with the theme.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=en1lfsSaOqw

8. Molly Ringwald - Danny Brown/Araabmuzik (Song From Scratch Session)
I enjoy most of Danny Brown's stuff, his rapping is so unique and I enjoy it much more when he really starts rapping a little faster and with more aggression. The beat produced by Araabmuzik is unsurprisingly great, making this a nice one off collaboration.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ple6dGMszM

7. Destiny - John Talabot feat. Pional
If this song never finished I wouldn't have a problem with that.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnQpYijJjf4

6. Don't Die - Killer Mike (R.A.P. Music)
The aggression in Mike's raps is great and I dig that beat change.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ze1_vkSyPDY

5. Hands On The Wheel - School Boy Q feat. A$AP Rocky (Habits and contradictions)
Its my favourite rap song of 2012 "I fucked her once and I could fuck her twice and you heard me right I might fuck tonight" and "weed and brew" don't sum me up at all but still the laid back fashion this has is nice.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGd9DTTrX4U

4. Blue Order/New Monday - The Brian Jonestown Massacre (Aufheben)
Album closer of the year, this track is such an immense psychedelic track the flows beautifully throughout and the tortured vocals of Anton Newcombe only enhances this track to make it a favourite of this year for me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pN7TwM7HZp4

3. Earthforms - Matthew Dear (Beams)
The bass line in this track is one of my favourite parts of this song but what really does it for me is that chorus "I'm right in front of you now, I'm trying to be such a stain" its a pop track that goes a different way but is much more dancey than the rest.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xG0fQw2jW0

2. Give Out - Sharon Van Etten (Tramp)
This has been a long time listen for me and while Serpents could also be up here I love the emotion and slowness of this song. For one I feel like she presents this song perfectly and its completely believable. Sharon Van Etten has thrown her emotions completely into this song and it shows, the minimal instrumentation in this track makes sure that her voice is forever the focal point.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exJ3AG0JIeo

1. Wasted Days - Cloud Nothings (Attack On Memory)
The first time I heard this was just after the album was released, I hadn't heard of this band but decided to check them out anyway. This track blew me away first listen, I love the bass solo midway through, the aggressive build to the end and the lyrics "I thought I would be more than this". There is no real let up in the listen, its an eight minute ride of emotions in the song that culminates aggressively at the end.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsmaTq-T4zE