So, I've probably only heard 20 new releases this year, so take the list with a grain of salt. That said, my top 5 are as good as any top 5 that I can remember from any year in recent history.
The Top 11
1. Kelly Hogan - I Like to Keep Myself In PainSo, this is what you get when you take one of the best singers working today and have some of the best songwriters out there write songs specifically for her to sing. A home run in every single way.
2. Barry Adamson - I Will Set You FreeBarry continues his hot streak with one of the more song-oriented albums that he's done. Great arrangements, melodies, and (of course) atmosphere from one of the coolest cats on the planet.
3. Fun. - Some NightsOverplayed? Yes. But overrated? Hell no. I loved this album from the first time that I put it on; and, after being disappointed by their first album, I was not expecting that. You can't hold their popularity against them, they deserve every sale and every bit of airplay that they get.
4. Kids These Days- Traphouse RockMaybe a surprise entry. It's still early, so we'll have to see what kind of staying power this one has, but it's a bunch of high school kids playing a jazz/soul/rock/hip-hop fusion, and playing the hell out of their instruments. Great male/female vocals, and an outstanding young male MC to boot. Great melodies, great rhymes, and excellent production (half the time from Jeff Tweedy). Another winner.
5. Justin Townes Earle - Nothing's Going to Change The Way You Feel About Me NowJTE has had his share of problems, but it thankfully seems to feed into his creativity. This is maybe his best record and I love the more-sounful vein that he is starting to mine.
6. Cate Le Bon - Cyrk/Cyrk 2Think Nico meets Stereolab and you'll get a pretty accurate idea of her sound. There is nothing wrong with that combo in my world.
7. Spiritualized - Sweet Heart Sweet LightNot sure if it's because this is a particularly good Spiritualized record (I'll have to go back and listen to more to make that determination), or if it's just a change of perspective thing, but this is the year that these guys finally clicked for me. I am loving this band and this record.
8. OFF! - OFF!File under "Short Attention Span", Keith Morris still sounds as pissed off as he ever has. And I am loving it.
9. Frank Ocean - Channel OrangeAbout half of this album is brilliant. The other half is merely excellent. I gravitate more to the parts where he is channeling a 70's Stevie wonder vibe.
10. Dr. John - Locked DownThe pairing with Dan Auerbach is an inspired one, as they were able to recapture the sound of
Gris-Gris, if not quite all of its brilliance. Still worthy of a top 10 appearance in a strong year.
11. Jimmy Cliff - RebirthThis one makes the list on the strength of its singles alone. The rest of the album is solid, if unspectacular, and just kinda floats pleasantly by. But songs like "One More" and "Reggae Music" stop me and make me listen.
Honorable mentions:
Cleaners From Venus - Stopping TrainThe companion piece to last year's English Electric just barely misses the cut. Some great new takes on old Cleaners favorites. Not sure if it's actually 2012 or not, as I've seen differing listings.
Happy Ashtray - Seventy MilesJohn Swamy is always dependable for some great songs and outstanding vocals.
Ty Segall Band - SlaughterhouseNot bad, but it just didn't grab me like his last one did.
Northern Magnolia - Dreams to Reckon WithLocal country outfit has some pretty good songs and an outstanding guitar player.
Kendrick Lamar - Good Kid/Madd CityMaybe just needs a few more listens.
Disappointing:
Joe Pug - The Great DespiserNot bad, just nothing there for me to really latch on to.
Doesn't really qualify:
Alex Chilton - Free Again: The 1970 SessionsBecause, you know, it's a reissue-type thing.
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Paul Caporino of M.O.T.O. Wrote:
I've recently noticed that all the unfortunate events in the lives of blues singers all seem to rhyme... I think all these tragedies could be avoided with a good rhyming dictionary.
