My Top Albums of 2012.

I stopped actively seeking out music for the past couple of years. I'm not sure entirely why, and no matter how many things pop into my head trying to explain it, there's just no definitive answer.

Late in the year, however, things changed. In October, my friend Erica said I should try out rdio, a music subscription service. She works in music, so I trust her judgment. She gave me three months free on rdio and the first thing I did was add some albums I'd wanted to hear all year, but just didn't make the effort to buy.

I've always been a huge Fiona Apple fan, but for some reason, I kept forgetting to download her newest album. It was the first album I added to my collection. After listening repeatedly (obsessively, almost) for a week, I bought the album on Amazon so I could 'own' it. Kind of the opposite happened with fun.'s latest album Some Nights. After a few cringe-inducing listens, I deleted the album from my collection. It was intensely disappointing, as their debut album was #1 on my list of top albums in 2009.

I now pay for my subscription to rdio and plan to have a much more interesting year musically in 2013. Send me your recommendations, too. Oh, added bonus, I can post a playlist featuring some of my favorite songs of the year right here and you can listen if you want:


TECHNOLOGY, RIGHT?

In no particular order, here are the six albums I really loved this year. (Maybe in 2013 I'll find a whole 10!)














Motion City Soundtrack, Go -- I spent a few days in a blizzard in Minneapolis watching those dudes make this album, and sometimes when you watch people put so much of their heart into something, you become attached, too. I think it's their best album to date, and I love their creative brains to death. Favorite Track: Son of a Gun















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 -- Does Fiona ever go wrong? I'm serious. This, I honestly think, may be her best album ever. I think it's already shoo'd Extraordinary Machine to second best. This is another bold statement, but it may be in my top ten albums of all time. What. No big deal. She just gets it. She always has. Favorite Track: Daredevil (I may or may not have had a long, involved dream about this song once? Story for another post?)

M. Ward, A Wasteland Companion -- I can't quit this guy, either. His voice and guitar sway me whenever I hear it. Favorite Track: I Get Ideas

Dario Marianelli, Anna Karenina soundtrack -- I have to give it up to Mr. Marianelli. Part of the reason the film got such an emotional response from me was due to the music. Even now when I listen to "Dance With Me," and it crescendos violently, I am frightened and moved thinking of Anna getting carried away by Vronsky. Favorite Track: Dance With Me















Electric Guest, Mondo -- I like to dance. This makes me dance. Also, I saw them play live and while it all sounds electro-fun, there isn't some computer making the beats--their drummer is intense and enjoyable to watch on stage. Sound creating and stuff. (Man, I'm real eloquent this morning, huh Favorite Track: Waves

The Menzingers, On The Impossible Past -- It's kind of like early Brand New with the vocals of The Gaslight Anthem with a dash of Blink-182? I mean, I don't even know anything about this band but a few weeks ago I read it was pretty stellar so I rdio'd that ish and now I'm listening to it on the regular, as they say. Favorite Track: Gates

I'd also like to honorably mention Metric's Synthetica, because I do love the song "Breathing Underwater," but nothing else on the album really took hold for me. And as for the most disappointing album of 2012, that would go to fun., but in second place would be No Doubt's Push and Shove. I can't even talk about it.

What are some of your favorite albums of the year? I'm serious about recommendations. I will add them to my rdio and give them a listen. Who should I check out in 2013? HELP ME.

PS Here's some of my past top albums: 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010

My Top Albums of 2010

For the past three years, I've ended the year by recounting my top ten albums. However, this year, for the most part, I've oddly gone ghost on music. Nothing really grabbed a hold of me. I tried listening to Mumford and Sons but it just made me want to listen to The Avett Brothers...so I did. I tried listening to Best Coast but it just made me want to listen to She & Him...so I did. I didn't listen to many new albums more than once or twice, and so I feel like I didn't put a lot of effort into music this year.

Of course, you know, I did have a few albums I became obsessed over. And so, I can only give you but five albums I would present as my favourites of 2010.

 Motion City Soundtrack / My Dinosaur Life

I can still play this on repeat without getting bored. That's basically what I did for several shows this year to see the husband - each time, so excited to hear all the songs!

$7.99 on Amazon mp3 !

A Great Big Pile of Leaves / Have You Seen My Pre-Frontal Cortex?

I wish exciting new bands like this were more frequent; I honestly can't remember the last time I was so stoked on a new band. Probably not since college. Which was ten years ago, people. Check them out NOW. Also because their album is currently FREE on their site. Exactly.

She & Him / Volume Two

Obsessed. You could probably tell by the fact that this year alone I saw them live four times. Whatever. I could sing along to Zooey and M. Ward forever and ever.

$5.00 on Amazon mp3 !

Ryan Adams & The Cardinals / III/IV

This, I've been listening to for the past few weeks on repeat. It's so much FUN! Sometimes Adams & The Cardinals can be a bit "downer" in sound, which I enjoy too, but I find myself smiling when I listen to this.

$8.99 on Amazon mp3 !

Various / The Scott Pilgrim Soundtrack

Yes, a soundtrack. But a soundtrack that contains diddies by Beck and Metric. And two-second long songs with titles like "We Hate You Please Die." I also totally love Sex Bob-omb's "Garbage Truck."

$9.99 on Amazon mp3 !

Three other albums I remembered I enjoyed for a while:

The National / High Violet (This one actually should probably be above, I love it.)

Jimmy Eat World / Invented

Empires / Bang

And while there were few moments that music really dazzled me this year (but when I love something, you know I LOVE IT A LOT) - I definitely paid attention to film. Tomorrow, stay tuned for my favourite films of 2010.

What were some of your best albums? Anything you think I'd like that I might not have heard? I think AGBPOL totally ruined my palette because now I want every album I listen to to be innovative and creative and fun and awesome. Thanks, dudes.

My Top Albums of 2009

It's here! It's here! My top albums of 2009! Though I had quite a busy year with the wedding and stalled a bit in hearing new music, with the help of my friend Rick I pulled through in the last half of the year and found some GREAT music. Well, great to me!

There is always a disclaimer before such lists, because of how haughty some people get regarding one's own opinion. Just remember that I haven't had a chance to listen to every release of 2009 (i.e., Say Anything), which may be because I don't have lots of time and it's not my job to listen to music all the time. These are my personal favorites of 2009, and I wouldn't expect anybody else's list to look exactly the same - the beauty of differing opinions. What are your top ten releases of this year?


01 fun. / Aim and Ignite
I think anyone who loved The Format has to love this album, and I love love love love it! It makes me laugh and bop my head from side to side. Upon first listen I wasn't sure exactly how I felt, but now I'm obsessed with it! Favourite songs: At Least I'm Not as Sad (As I Used to Be), Be Calm, I Wanna Be the One ($5.99 via Amazon mp3)

02 Metric / Fantasies
A truly fantastic effort; while I've always loved Metric, I think they just 100% proved themselves to be a cornerstone of my music library with Fantasies. This was the hardest album to pick the songs apart, as I love each and every one of them. Favourite songs: Help I'm Alive, Sick Muse, Twilight Galaxy, Gimme Sympathy ($5.99 via Amazon mp3)

03 Florence + the Machine / Lungs
WOAH! was what went through my head after hearing the first song on the album, "Dog Days Are Over," and that sentiment continued throughout. I am in love with this woman's voice and her fun and sometimes kooky sounds. Definitely my fave discovery this year. Favourite songs: Kiss with a Fist, I'm Not Calling You a Liar, Dog Days Are Over ($7.99 on Amazon mp3)

04 St. Vincent / Actor
Again, another album in which I was hooked from the very first sounds. Her voice sounds delicate at times, and her songs are quite mesmerizing. It's interesting, never bland, and always lovely. This album's been on repeat for most of December. Favourite songs: The Strangers, Actor Out of Work, Laughing With a Mouth Full of Blood ($7.99 on Amazon mp3)

05 Paramore / Brand New Eyes
Yes! Finally Paramore grew up a bit and made the album I was hoping for! I liked Riot! okay, but there were only a handful of songs I liked compared to this album where each song sounds full - whether it's full of anger or happiness or vulnerability. There's only one skipper on this one (it has a breakdown and vocals like an Avril Lavigne song); the rest of the songs are a great achievement for this young band. Favourite songs: Misguided Ghosts, Where The Lines Overlap ($7.99 on Amazon mp3)

06 Dashboard Confessional / Alter the Ending
Of course Carrabba's showing up on this list! The guy (and his band) continue to grow; his voice may still be the same, but his themes are getting heavier. With the double-disc full band/acoustic packaging, there are some songs I prefer one way or the other, like I have for most of his discography - and if there's one thing this guy knows, it's his fans. Favourite songs: Get Me Right, Even Now, Water and Bridges, Hell on the Throat ($10.99 on Amazon mp3)

07 The Avett Brothers / I and Love and You
I don't even know what to fully make of these dudes, as I don't know much about them at all, but I do know that their album rules and it's a bit folky but different and it makes me smile a lot. I dare you not to smile during "Kick Drum Heart"! Favourite songs: Kick Drum Heart, January Wedding, The Perfect Space ($9.99 on Amazon mp3)

08 Neko Case / Middle Cyclone
You know how sometimes you like something so much that you know there's no way you'll be able to describe it's amazingness in any way for people to understand it? You have to tell them just to listen? Listen to Neko! This album is an epic beauty. Favourite songs: This Tornado Loves You, Vengeance is Sleeping, Middle Cyclone, Prison Girls ($5.99 on Amazon mp3)

09 Mandy Moore / Amanda Leigh
I had no idea this was going to end up being in my tops when I heard she was coming out with an album! However, upon listening and then getting to meet Mandy, I am a huge fan. Her voice is sweet and not overblown and this was on repeat for a good chunk of my summer! Favourite songs: I Could Break Your Heart Any Day of the Week, Bug ($5.00 on Amazon mp3)

10 Band of Skulls / Baby Darling Doll Face Honey
To be honest, Lily Allen occupied this space for most of the time writing this post. I was wavering between her and Band of Skulls for a while and then I re-listened to them both today...sorry, Lily, I just love this trio's sound! There are some great hip-shaking songs on this album! Favourite songs: I Know What I Am, Honest ($5.99 on Amazon mp3)



Honorable mentions:
Lily Allen / It's Not Me, It's You
Brand New / Daisy
Them Crooked Vultures / Them Crooked Vultures
Yeah Yeah Yeahs / It's Blitz!
500 Days of Summer soundtrack
Phoenix / Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
Stars of Track and Field / A Time For Lions
Monsters of Folk / Monsters of Folk
M.Ward / Hold Time

I'm not going to lie, this year some of my favourite musicians put out albums that I just never warmed up to, and felt a bit disappointed by:

Tegan and Sara / Sainthood
Muse / The Resistance

BUT I'M SO EXCITED FOR 2010!! Because I'm highly anticipating:

Motion City Soundtrack / My Dinosaur Life (um, yes, I've heard it, but we're going by release dates! And I'm ridiculously excited for everyone to hear it on January 19th!)
She & Him / Volume Two (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

There it is! Again, I ask, what are your top ten?! Are you totally with me on some of my choices?

My Top Albums of 2008.

Here we are again! Today is the last day of 2008. And therefore, I must tell you my top albums of the year.

There is always a disclaimer before such lists, because of how haughty some people get regarding one's own opinion. Just remember that I haven't had a chance to listen to every release of 2008 (i.e., Fleet Foxes), which may be because I don't have lots of cashish and it's not my job to listen to music all the time. These are my personal favorites of 2008, and I wouldn't expect anybody else's list to look exactly the same - the beauty of differing opinions. What are your top ten releases of this year?


01 She and Him, Volume One
Without a doubt, my most-listened-to album of the year. I really don't have anything bad to say about the album; it's getting a lot of recognition, and I think that leads some to think it's overrated. I think it's lovely - nostalgic, fun, and sometimes emotional. Favourite. (Amazon mp3)



02 Empires, Howl
I downloaded it on a whim, and loved it immediately. Some might dismiss the album because there are so many different kinds/genres of songs, but I think it works just great together. There’s definitely some 90s alt influence, a Beatles-esque song, some lovely acoustic songs, and some real rock out songs. (STILL FREE HERE!)



03 Ryan Adams & the Cardinals, Cardinology
Everyone who loved Heartbreaker complains that Ryan Adams needs to “edit.” He writes too much! There’s ten mediocre songs for every good song! Well, the past two albums with the Cardinals have definitely demonstrated a restraint, and I think this group of songs come together for a great record. (Amazon mp3)



04 Santogold, S/T
Besides the fact that she’s good music, I like that it’s so hard to attach one specific genre to her sound. She’s more Tegan and Sara than M.I.A., and um, she used to be in a SKA band. therefore Santi White = AWESOME. (Amazon mp3)





05 Dragonette, Galore
Dragonette makes promiscuity sound fun and cheeky. They’re a bit Gwen Stefani, a bit Lily Allen. And Martina has just as much stage presence as either of them; she rocks. This album makes me dance and smile. (Amazon mp3)




06 Fall Out Boy, Folie a Deux
The songs take a few listens to get used to, but once I “got it,” I loved it. Patrick Stump sounds phenomenal, the lyrics aren't lacking, and there are a few fist-pumping moments - something I always relish in. (Amazon mp3)





07 The Gaslight Anthem, The '59 Sound
Amazing, amazing album. Snuck into my top ten late in the game, due to me only hearing this album a few weeks ago. I love Fallon’s vocals, along with the Springsteen feel of the album. Where Sam’s Town failed, The ‘59 Sound succeeds with style. (Amazon mp3)




08 Kings of Leon, Only by the Night
Undeniably good. I don't know anyone who hasn't heard this album; therefore you should get on it if you haven't. (Amazon mp3)





09 Panic at the Disco, Pretty. Odd.
So, a bunch of kids discover The Beatles and decide they want to make an album that sounds like that. It doesn’t quite achieve greatness, but it’s some fun music. I love this album even despite what I know about them and their crew as people. Trust me, that’s saying a lot. (Amazon mp3)



10 My Morning Jacket, Evil Urges
The music sets a mood from the onset. I liked listening to it in a calm mood, or when I needed to be calm or relax. That’s not to say it’s a slow album; everything else just goes away when I listen. (Amazon mp3)






Honorable Mentions:
Valencia, We All Need a Reason to Believe
MGMT, Oracular Spectacular
Tiger Lou, The Loyal
The Ting Tings, We Started Nothing
Vampire Weekend, S/T
Butch Walker, Sycamore Meadows

Lame:
The Cab, Whisper War. I tried. I really tried. A bunch of my friends totally geek out guilty-pleasure style over this album and band, but I simply can't. I think it's awful. This is coming from someone who listens to the High School Musical soundtrack occasionally. Apologies.

Stoked for in 2009:
Lily Allen!
Monty Are I!
Dashboard Confessional!
and of course - Motion City Soundtrack!

Note: Adrian of No Doubt confirmed they'd be touring and writing in 2009, but an album probably wouldn't be ready until 2010. Patience!

Oh Seven Recap: My Top Albums of 2007

Here it is - I tried to be succinct about my explanations! There is always a disclaimer before such lists, because of how haughty some people get regarding one's own opinion. Just remember that I haven't had a chance to listen to every release of 2007 (i.e., Neon Bible), which may be because I don't have lots of cashish and it's not my job to listen to music all the time. These are my personal favorites of 2007, and I wouldn't expect anybody else's list to look exactly the same - the beauty of differing opinions. What are your top ten releases of this year?

01 Motion City Soundtrack, Even If It Kills Me
Even if I wasn't, ya know, it would still be at the top of my list. I've enjoyed every release from Motion City, and I think their musical evolution is near flawless. Each album is better than the last, and I thoroughly appreciate the 90s alt-with-synth sound of EIIKM. The lyrics continually mesmerize me, because the brevity of the words are often disguised by the pop of the music. Favorite song: "Last Night"

02 Tegan & Sara, The Con
The Con resonates like an album I would have made had I had any musical talent. Certain lines stand out and hit me hard ("Nineteen"), sometimes the sound of the music itself would haunt me as I lay down to sleep ("Dark Come Soon"). But most of all, the sisters Quin have created a complete album creatively and emotionally. Favorite song: "Call It Off"

03 Dashboard Confessional, The Shade of Poison Trees
I struggled between Dashboard and Ryan Adams. Both amazing albums, but for the longest time I couldn't decide which I liked better. My final decision proves that though both singer/songwriters have been favorites of mine for more than five years, TSOPT's risky effort bested Adams' safer "commercial return." Though Dashboard also called his album a return to form, the lyrics aren't whiny and there is (thankfully) more than just his voice and an acoustic guitar represented. I guess this is growing up, right? Favorite song: "These Bones"

04 Ryan Adams, Easy, Tiger
Ryan ranks as one of my top five artists of all time. That said, with his myriad of releases since 2000's Heartbreaker, Ryan's voice has never sounded so good. The songs are reminiscent of previous releases - "Goodnight Rose" recalls his Cardinals records, "Halloweenhead" injects a little of his dot com releases, and "I Taught Myself How to Grow Old" could have been on Heartbreaker. Each track delivers - something Ryan's struggled with in his past couple of albums. Favorite song: "Halloweenhead"

05 Against Me!, New Wave
You should know by now I'm a big fan of fist-pumping. I can appreciate a band with songs that have a message and a good hook. It was my first time seeing them live in September, and I was mesmerized. Thank you, Jesse, for passing along the album. In a year replete with sugary pop-punk, it was good to find some rock and a growl. Favorite song: "Thrash Unreal"

06 Lily Allen, Alright, Still
Gotta love a girl with sass. I could bounce down the street with this album every day. Even in the dead of winter, with the wind lashing at my face, I listen to this album and smile (no pun intended) because it feels like summer shining down on me. I love how it sounds so happy, but if you listen to what she's saying, she's calling someone a twat. And it's usually a dude. Favorite song: "Alfie" (right now, but it switches between "LDN" and "Knock Em Out," too)

07 Foo Fighters, Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace
Okay, we all know I love Dave Grohl. If anything, the Foo Fighters are consistent. Nothing, in my opinion, has surpassed The Colour and the Shape, but ESP&G rocks, rolls, and soothes. It's quite a mix of the hard-hitting and the acoustically memorable. Dave even brings out a piano for one of my faves on the album, its heartfelt ender - "Home." Favorite song: "Stranger Things Have Happened"

08 Fall Out Boy, Infinity on High
Yes. FOB has made my tops of 2007 list. The album's infectious! It started out my year with my girls. It's fun to hear a band that knows exactly where they stand - delivering lines like "he tastes like you only sweeter" to their gaggle of fangirls waiting to eat up Wentz's lyrics. It's tantalizing sugar ready to be consumed; Babyface knows what's up. Favorite song: "Better with a Pen (Fame>Infamy)"

09 M.I.A., Kala
I didn't much like this album when I first heard it, but after giving it another try last month, I've come to love it. Arular is one of my favorite albums ever, and though Kala doesn't quite live up to its predecessor, the global beats remain riveting, her use of sampling is fun and intriguing and her lyrics have grown even more compelling. Favorite song: "Paper Planes"

10 The Photo Atlas, No, Not Me, Never.
Admittedly, I heard this album at the end of 2006 after rocking out to them at CMJ. However, it was officially released in March this year, and I still enjoy the hip-shaking, hand-clapping beats. It's hard to listen to this album sitting down...or walking down the street: I always want to dance. Favorite song: "Handshake Heart Attack"

Honorable Mentions:
Jimmy Eat World, Chase This Light.
Various, Across the Universe Soundtrack.
Sherwood, A Different Light.
Paramore, Riot!*
Stars, In Our Bedroom After the War.
The White Stripes, Icky Thump.

Lame:
Say Anything, In Defense of the Genre. An attempt at epic-ness that falls short. However, this album could turn out to be like Return of Saturn, an album I initially hated for a year before realizing its amazingness. I highly doubt I'll come around on the album as a whole. There are about five songs of its 29 that are listenable. Bemis, if your pretentious lyrics are being bested by the likes of Wentz, you've failed.

That said!

Great albums new to me in 2007 (aka bands I hated for silly reasons and Jesse made me love, FANX):
Say Anything, ...Is a Real Boy
The Format, Dog Problems

Ha.

* Note: an enjoyable record, if not recycled-sounding. Too many skippers to be in my tops. But! Hayley is proving to be this generation's Gwen Stefani - not in sound, but in significance to teenage girls. I can appreciate the fact, as this generation was not around when "Just A Girl" broke. I have much more to say on Paramore, but that would be another post altogether.