Albums of 2012

You will be receiving the AIDS virus in the post.

Worst year of music in the century.

But this guy from Austin, Texas is the SHIT!!

I'm deep into work on my list guys! Next Saturday shall be judgment day!

Top 40 albums!
Top 10 Gigs!
Top 20 albums I discovered in 2012 from previous years!

FUCK I'M EXCITED

ahhhh man, I heard the tune while I was driving and it was all fuzzy and shit and didn't make out the proper name,just heard some some clark from Austin.

HI KARL


1. Grimes - Visions
2. Swans - The Seer
3. Goat - World Music
4. John Talabot - Fin
5. Actress - RIP
6. Polica - Give You The Ghost
7. The Liminanas - Crystal Anis
8. The Soft Moon - Zeros
9. Action Bronson vs Party Supplies - Blue Chips
10.Ital - Hive Mind

David, I don't know how to tell you this. But you have AIDS

Gigs:

01: The Stone Roses @ Razzmatazz
02: jack white @ Alexandra Palace
03: Action Bronson @ The Barfly
04: The Horrors @ Latitude Festival
05: The Cribs @ The Troxy
06: Jeff The Brotherhood @ 1234 Festival
07: Beady Eye @ Heaton Park
08: Josh T Pearson @ Latitude festival
09: Paul Weller @ Latitude Festival
10: Savages @ 1234 Festival

EP's, Comps & other shit:

01: TV Sound and Image: British Television, Film and Library Composers 1956-80
Fucking AMAZING comp put out by soul-jazz records. It's basically library music that was used on British TV back in the day. Stuff like the Joe 90 theme tune and the start to Tomorrow's World are included but please don't think that this is some kind of novelty comp of TV themes. The way it's presented treats the music as full pieces, some absolutely sensational pieces of music that covers so many eclectic genres. I highly recommend checking this one out.

02: Milo - Milo takes Baths
Fucking fantastic Hip-hop E.P that Milo gave away on his bandcamp. Milo has a really unique style lyrically and his delivery is somewhat different too. Had this 7 track EP been an album it would of probably been up there was one of my favourites of the year. Check him out, it's free.

03: The Detroit Funk Vaults: Funk & Soul From Dave Hamilton 1968-1979
I love compilations like this, the entire comp was new to my ears with most of it being golden

04: The Raveonettes - Into the Night
4 track EP. For my money it's much better than the Observator LP they released later in the year. They are noisier on this EP & the songs seem stronger. Maybe Raveonettes style lends itself better to short EP's

05: Nobunny - MaximumRockNRoll
The Nobunny record from a couple of years ago is one of my favourites from recent years. This caught me by surprise at just how raw & punk it was. I hope the new album goes back to the older sound but this is still pretty sweet.

06: Royal Grooves: Funk & Groovy Soul From the King Records Vaults
Another solid comp of unearthed nuggets.

07: JEFF the Brotherhood - Hypnotic Knights EP
This EP came out prior to their record of the same title. Basically it contained the best tracks that ended up on the album which meant that when the LP was released it was always going to be a disappointment. Good set of Weezer-like tunes. I'd recommend seeing these guys live.

08: The Lemonheads - Hotel Sessions
For Lemonhead enthusiasts only. Basically it's Evan running through the tracks for the record company that would end up on the 'Come On Feel' record. It's just Evan and an acoustic, he introduces each song and then just wizzes through them. Some have different titles & lyrics. I love the record so it's a nice little companion piece if nothing essential.

09: British Sea Power - Ep's 1-6
I'd like to give these releases an honorable mention. Six EP's of new demo's for their next record they'd knock up before each of their monthly brighton gigs. It was all very raw & very hit and miss but theres some good stuff included on here. I'm pretty sure from the ideas they've knocked up here that the new record in 2013 will be a good one.

10: R. Stevie Moore - Lo Fi Hi Fives... A Kind Of Best Of
This year I got into R, Stevie Moore. A fascinating artist who's made 100's of records from his own home. The best of isn't great but it provided a great starting point for me to get into more of his work.



Discovered in 2012:
Non 2012 releases that I discovered this past year.

01: Mandingo - The Primeval Rhythm of Life (1973)
This record floored me. It sounded like nothing I'd ever heard. It's a bunch of british producers using african rythems to create a jazz-funk masterpiece. It'd work well as a companion piece to the Goat record.

02: Yabby You - Conquering Lion (1975)
Hands down the best reggae record I've ever heard. It just has so much soul & depth, it feels like they are in the room with you playing. Mad vibes

03: Bruce Springsteen - Nebraska (1982)
So this year I got into THE BOSS. He's an artist that I never thought I'd be into but he's won me over. Slowly went through his back catalogue and liked most of it but Nebraska really floored me. What a record.

04: Frank Zappa - Freak Out! (1966)
Been working my way through Zappa's discogrophy. Hot Rats is still my favourite but I really got into the debut, great record.

05: Marie Queenie Lyons - Soul Fever (1970)
She was one of James Brown's backing singers, made this one LP and suddenly disappeared without a trace. SUPERB soul record, almost every track is a winner.

06: Demon Fuzz - Afreaka! (1970)
Similar to the Mandingo record with more soulful vibes. Fantastic

07: Parliament - Osmium (1970)
Been dipping my feet more with Funkadelic/Parliament, was surprised how great this record is as it's not regarded as being one of their better efforts

08: Purple Image - Purple Image (1970)
An obscure pychadelic rock/soul record. Awesome.

09: James Brown - Black Caesar (1973)
Underrated James Brown record that he did for a Blaxspliotation movie. Badass

10: Jean Knight - Mr. Big Stuff (1971)
Everybody knows the title track but the rest of the record is just as impressive

11: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers (1976)
I watched a mamoth documentary on Petty on bbc4 and decided to give him a go. This was a pleasent surprise, never expected to like Petty tbh.

12: Hank Mobley - Soul Station (1960)
Been getting into more Jazz in 2012. I'm still experimenting with what sub-genres really do it for me but Soul Station really hit the spot, fantastic.

13: Wilson Pickett - I'm in Love (1968)
One of his records I'd not heard before. Pickett is so underrated. He tends to be fobbed off as some kind of hits package guy but his albums are all golden.

14: John Patton - Understanding (1968)
Fantastic Organ-jazz, really funky.

15: Morrissey - Southpaw Grammar (1995)
I'd heard this a few times before but I really got into it this year. Really underrated Moz LP

16: Fela Kuti - Afrodisiac (1973)
I'm still yet to hear anything by Fela that isn't great

17: Jerry Butler - The Iceman Cometh (1968)
I got into this as the black keys covered 'never give you up' on their brothers album. The original cut is fucking phenominal. The rest of the record well worth checking out also

18: Miles Davis - On the Corner (1972)
Miles Davis goes electric, mental record.

19: Prince - Dirty Mind (1980)
Been through the classic era of Prince. Taken to Prince alot more than I thought I would though still find the production on many of his records frustrating. This record has turned out to be my favourite, I don't think many consider it near his best work but it's the Prince record I've really been into

20: Max Roach - Members, Don't Git Weary (1968)
A really chilled out post-bop record. One of those that in the right frame of mind sounds amazing




Here we go then. I preferred 2011 by a country mile to this year but theres still some great stuff come out in 2012. I'd highly recommend the top 20 so maybe I should of only done a top 20 but fuck it. I like all these records even if some of them I can't imagine myself returning to on a regular basis in a few years down the line.

My rough thoughts on each record on this link
rateyourmusic.com/list/mahoneychops/2012s_best_records_

40: Black Market Karma - Cocoon
39: Iggy Pop - Après
38: 22-20s - Got It If You Want It
37: Lilacs & Champagne - Lilacs & Champagne
36: Dan Sartain - Too Tough to Live
35: Black Market Karma - Comatose
34: Graham Coxon - A+E
33: Bobby Womack - The Bravest Man in the Universe
32: Strawberry Whiplash - Hits in the Car
31: Gallon Drunk - TheRoad Gets Darker From Here

30: Audacity - MellowCruisers
29: Brat Farrar - BratFarrar
28: Jason Lytle - Dept. of Disappearance
27: Crusaders of Love - Take it Easy...but Take it
26: Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - Mature Themes
25: BADBADNOTGOOD - BBNG2
24: The Raveonettes - Observator
23: The Vaccines - Come of Age
22: Natural Child - For The Love Of The Game
21: Jack White - Blunderbuss

20: The Limiñanas - Crystal Anis
19: Dinosaur Jr. - I Bet on Sky
18: Calibro 35 - Ogni riferimento a persone esistite o a fatti realmente accaduti è puramente casuale
17: Dr John. - Locked Down
16: Hunx - Hairdresser Blues
15: Nine Black Alps - Sirens
14: Ringo Deathstarr - Muave
13: Nick Cave and Warren Ellis - Lawless
12: The Flaming Lips - The Flaming Lips and Heady Fwends
11: Cian Ciarán - Outside In

10: Paul Weller - Sonik Kicks
09: TY Segall - Twins
08: Action Bronson & Party Supplies - Blue Chips
07: The Cribs - In the Belly of the Brazen Bull
06: Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Psychedelic Pill
05: Fergus & Geronimo - Funky Was the State of Affairs
04: Spiritualized - Sweet Heart Sweet Light
03: Moon Duo - Circles
02: Niechec - Smierc w miekkim futerku
01: Goat - World Music

jesus christ that Grimes album is fucking atrocious hahaha

Top stuff mahoney, now commences the 2 week period of picking through the stuff on your list in order to do my own. I think I like the Graham Coxon album as much as you and that's probably in and around my top 5 at the moment. Glad someone liked the Cribs album, I didn't really, did very little for me outside of a couple of tunes, but they're a band who despite sometimes being a bit titish I always want to do well. Gonna give Moon Duo a couple more spins cos I think it need it but that's not doing anything for me at the moment, getting good vibes off the Goat album though - nice find.

For me it's been a year more about getting into older stuff I'd been meaning to for a while than anything else, largely because I've not been getting in to as much new stuff for whatever reason. Comparing to my top records of the past couple of years where some all time favourites came out it seems like there's been very few lp's I'm gonna be listening to in the next few years from 2012 by comparison

I've put a little bit more effort into this year's end of year recap than I did last year. Here is part 1....

Top 20 gigs of 2012

1,The Stone Roses supported by BEADY EYE @ Heaton Park
Not a lot that needs to be said about this one really. The most powerful band in the world supporting the band I never thought I’d get to see live. Both were perfect, as was the company of Sam, Karl, JamesDCody and KEITH.

2; The Stone Roses @ VFestival
Wasn’t expecting this to be anywhere near the standard of Heaton Park but it nearly was. Not just the top two gigs of the year but probably my top two gigs of all time.

3, Pulp @ The Royal Albert Hall
I’d last seen them 10 years ago so it was a proper rush to see them again. Special vibes in the Albert Hall too and a fantastic setlist mixing big hits with rarities. Jarvis is the ultimate frontman and always guarantees a great night.

4, Action Bronson @ Camden Barfly
Don’t really need to describe this. I think anyone on this forum who wasn’t there probably feels like they were anyway. Probably one of the greatest nights of my life.

5; The Fall @ Epic Studios Norwich
If I see The Fall live I always know it will be there or there abouts in my end of year lists and this was no different. Always totally captivating and full of great tunes.

6; Perfume Genius @ Latitude Festival
I’ve been a huge fan of the two lps he’s released so far and was excited to see him live finally but a bit concerned about it being at a festival and the crowd not really feeling it. It was the complete opposite though with complete silence in the crowd and everyone totally engrossed in what was going on onstage. A proper special moment.

7, Spiritualized @ Cambridge
Went into this one hesitantly after being really disappointed by them live at Latitude a few years back but this time they were absolutely brilliant. Played mostly the new LP which I was fine with as a I love it and despite the lengthy set I could have easily watched them for another two hours.

8, Janelle Monae @ Latitude Festival
Had really enjoyed the album and heard all about the live show being phenomenal and it didn’t disappoint. A proper performance rather than just running through the songs. I’d prefer it if she didn’t try and make me crouch down on the floor though.

9, SBTRKT @ Shepherd’s Bush Empire
Had my first ever go on MDMA here so that may have increased my enjoyment of this slightly but I’ve properly come to love this album over 2012 having only got it late 2011 so it missed my list back then. Was a special gig and being on a Friday night had a great crowd.

10, Allo Darlin’ @ Norwich Arts Centre
I know they get a lot of hate on here but I absolutely love them and this was a great gig. A proper feel good night that just left me with a massive grin on my face.

11, The Lemonheads @ Norwich Waterfront
I’ve seen them a few times now and they’re always good value and I like the slight edge that comes from not knowing quite what mood Evan Dando is going to be in. This night he started slow but then seemed to come alive onstage about 30 mins in and ended up playing for about 2 and a half hours way beyond the curfew. Great night.

12, The Cribs @ Norwich Waterfront
They have pretty much a perfect setlist now mixing old and new and it was nice to see them back in a smaller venue again. Always guaranteed a great night with the Jarmans.

13; Blur @ Hyde Park
Strange one to rate this as the band really were on top form and even better than I expected. I can’t help but look back on this one not quite as fondly as I’d like to though because of the bunch of cunts in the crowd.

14, Elbow @ Latitude Festival
Never planned on seeing them but decided to at the last minute and they properly surprised me. One of those bands I think I kinda don’t want to like but whenever I listen to them/see them they end up reminding me how fucking good they are. Cunts.

15, The Horrors @ Norwich Waterfront
My first gig of the year and a great way to kick things off. I reckon if they keep things up like the last two albums then in another lps time they will have an absolute killer setlist and will be even better.

16, All the Young @ VFestival
2012 hasn’t quite been their year like I predicted haha. I still love them though and a proper guilty pleasure. Me and about 20 other people had it to them in the tiny tent at V whilst everyone else watched Tinie Tempah. Huge times.

17, The Charlatans @ VFestival
Surprisingly this was my first time seeing them in 6 years and led to me revisting all their stuff and becoming a bit obsessed with Tim Burgess in the late summer of this year. They’ve still got it and despite the short set were able to bust out a load of hits.

18, The Rapture @ Norwich Arts Centre
Never really bother listening to them much on record anymore but this was a surprisingly excellent gig. Keith went outside for a smoke and missed House of Jealous Lovers though, what a prick.

19, Radiohead @ O2 Arena
Similar to Blur this was a hard one to rate but for slightly different reasons. The crowd at this gig were cunts too but Radiohead I found slightly inconsistent as well. When they were good they were absolutely mindblowing but the setlist was disappointing and compared to the other nights of the tour I felt we got the raw end of the deal. When they were good though you’ll struggle to find a better live band.

20, Josh T Pearson @ Latitude
Didn’t feel as special as when I saw him in Norwich last year but then again his music is much more suited to an intimate venue rather than a festival setting. Despite this he was still excellent and managed to get in a couple of blowjob jokes.

Top 5 Older Albums I listened to for the First Time in 2012

1, Jackson C Frank – Jackson C Frank (1965)
I spent some time this autumn delving into the work of Bert Jansch and therefore getting quite into folky sorta stuff. I remember reading about this LP a while ago but never checking it out so thought I would as he has an interested backstory. Needless to say my mind was blown by this album and I’m kicking myself for not checking it out sooner. At the same time though I kinda love that fact that despite the fact I have the internet at my fingertips and consider myself pretty knowledgeable about music there are still classics like this out there for me to discover that I’ve not yet found.

2, SBTRKT – SBTRKT (2011)
I’d heard a few people mention SBTRKT in 2011 but again just never bothered to check them out. Decided to do so after a mate saw them live and said they were really good, and couldn’t believe what I’d been missing. Definitely one of the best “dance” albums I can remember in a long time and I’ve used this a lot this year as my getting ready to go out/put me in a good mood album. Probably now my favourite album of 2011.

3, Main Source – Breaking Atoms (1991)
Spent a fair bit of this year checking out a load of old hip hop that had passed me by over the years and this was by far the pick of the bunch. Has totally got the classic old school hip hop sound down to a tee and is now possibly one of my favourite hip hop albums of all time.

4, Butterglory – Crumble (1994)
Can’t remember how I discovered these but essentially it’s mid 90s American slacker rock stuff Very similar to the likes of Pavement and Dinosaur Jr. I particularly became obsessed with the song “Skills of the Star Pilot” for a while which I feel could fit in perfectly on the likes of “Slanted and Enchanted”.

5, R Stevie Moore – Phonography (1976)
As part of my mid 2012 Tim Burgess obsession I spent a little more time delving into the R Stevie Moore back catalogue. This was probably the most consistent lp I’ve heard from him so far and is well worth checking out.

part 2

MY TOP 35 ALBUMS OF THE YEAR

1, Perfume Genius – Put Your Back N 2 It

One of those albums that just stuns me into silence every time I put it on. There’s no chance of putting this on as background music as it just demands your full attention every listen. It was a real close battle between this and Sharon Van Etten for my number 1 but this just pips it to the post with consistent brilliance throughout.

2, Sharon Van Etten – Tramp

This has been a real slow burner throughout the year that I’ve just kept coming back to and has just kept rising up my chart. I’ve delved further back into her older albums and for me this is streets ahead of them and shows a real improvement in quality. It’s not the most instant album in the world but has so much depth it’s well worth investing some time in.

3, Japandroids – Celebration Rock

This has been my album of 2012 to get me in a good mood with some fist in the air sing along action. Slightly reminiscent of The Hold Steady in places but with more balls and more fun. This is the album they threatened with the debut but have managed to create right here. Nice touch with it both starting and finishing with the sound of fireworks too.

4, Paul Weller – Sonik Kicks

It feels strange to have a Paul Weller album so high up on my list in 2012 and for it to be the highest placing British album of the year, but it really does deserve its place. 2012 in general has been a year in which I’ve rediscovered a whole lot of love for his solo stuff and this album is so creative and brilliant it sounds like it’s made by someone half his age. WELLER 4EVER.

5, Spiritualized – Sweet Heart Sweet Light

I’d very nearly given up on Spiritualized. The last couple of albums hadn’t been great and they disappointed a few years back live. This album sees a huge return to form though and is up there with their finest ever work. It’s a great feeling when a band you’d almost written off can pull something this good out of the bag.

6, Allo Darlin’ – Europe

Yeah most people on here hate them, but I really do love them. Unashamedly twee but so much fun and this is just as good as the debut that I loved so much. Sorry.

7, The Twilight Sad – No One Can Ever Know

I had a bit of a weird relationship with this one, on first listen I thought it was a slight return to form but still miles away from the debut that I fell in love with. Again though it was one of those albums that benefited from repeat listens but most of all one that I really connected with after seeing the songs performed live. The opening track especially is one of the best tunes they’ve ever done.

8, PAWS – Cokefloat

I love that this can happen still in 2012. I went to a gig, watched the support band (ie this lot), thought they were fucking amazing and bought the cd on the way out from the frontman. Promptly got home and spent the next two weeks listening to pretty much just this album. Hadn’t really listened to anything on the internet beforehand, no preconceptions or anything like that, just raw music as it used to be. The album is by no means perfect but has a youthful charm and honesty to it that I totally fell for.

9, Jens Lekman – I Know What Love Isn’t

The second song on this album is pretty fucking awful, I was gutted. The good news was that the rest is fucking brilliant. His best ever album I reckon.

10, Evans the Death – Evans the Death

Another young British band who have really caught my attention with their debut this year. They’ve been getting lumped in with the indie pop scene a lot but they’ve got a bit more spunk and backbone to them than that. For some reason they remind me slightly of Life Without Buildings, who we all know produced the album of the decade for the 00s.

11, Action Bronson – Rare Chandeliers

I seem to be in the minority in preferring this to Blue Chips but give a fuck, it’s Bronson innit.

12, Sea of Bees – Orangefarben

Probably not quite as good as the debut but a great follow up nonetheless. Properly became obsessed with her after Latitude last year and this record continued that.

13, The Raveonettes – Observator

Really enjoyed this and I don’t really get some of the mixed reaction it has received. I love the direction they’ve gone in with these last two lps and it feels somewhat cinematic in places. Songs like “Curse the Night” feel like they could be from Twin Peaks or something.

14, Woods – Bend Beyond

Always been a fan of Woods and I think this is probably their best album. It feels more melodic than some of their stuff and reminds me of bands like Midlake in places.

15, Grizzly Bear – Shields
Seeing these lot live really helped me get into a lot of their recorded stuff. This record whilst seemingly getting mixed reviews, I think could be a challenge for their best lp to date. “Yet Again” is such a tune.

16, Jake Bugg – Jake Bugg

I really wanted to dislike him but this album has really gotten under my skin and I’ve been playing it loads lately. The press around him have kept this fairly quiet so you may not know, HES ONLY 18.

17, All the Young – Welcome Home

In the end this wasn’t quite the masterpiece I was hoping for but I’ve still had great fun with most of these songs this year. FIST IN THE AIR.

18, Action Bronson – Blue Chips

As previously mentioned, I seem to be in the minority in that I prefer Rare Chandeliers to this but this is still another fine addition to the Bronson cannon of work.

19, The Heartbreaks – Fun Times

I kinda feel like this guys are another slight guilty pleasure in a way but I;ve really enjoyed this album this year. 80s indie pop rip offs but some top tunes.

20, The Wedding Present – Valentina

Another top album from David Gedge. I don’t love it quite as much as El Rey but still well worthy of its place in their stunning back catalogue.

21, The Wave Pictures – Long Black Cars

It would be a year in music without a release from The Wave Pictures. It’s nothing new and you totally know what to expect from these guys but I love it as always.

22, The Cribs – Belly of the Brazen Bull

A return to the pre Marr sound and they’ve managed to produce some of their best ever tunes. Jaded Youth never fails to make me jump around like a spastic.

23, Best Coast – The Only Place

Initially this was a big disappointment. After loving the fuzzed up sound of the debut, the polished almost country sound in places here was a shock. However with repeated listens and the bird hammering this album in her car I’ve grown to really love it.

24, Frank Ocean – Channel Orange

I know this one has divided opinion somewhat but I really like it. What with Frank and Perfume Genius music by benders really took off in 2012.

25, Thomas White – Yalla

A lot more melodic and straight up pop than some of his other solo stuff. Some really nice tunes on this and im surprised a few more people on here haven’t talked about it.

26, Dinosaur JR – I Bet on the Sky

Nothing that you’ve not heard before from Dinosaur Jr but they do it so fucking well.

27, Tribes – Baby

A weird one this, initially I didn’t think too much of it but I keep seeming to revist it this year and enjoy it more and more each time. Reminds me of being in Camden and some good memories in the summer.

28, Wild Nothing – Nocturne

Starting to get a bit bored of these “chillwave” bands now but Wild Nothing have always been one of my favourite and this is another strong album. Full of lovely melodies and the sound that THE PAINS seem to be wanting to head in.

29, Cat Power – Sun

Started to properly get into her this year. This seems to be a bit of a return to form.

30, Crocodiles – Endless Flowers

Another slight disappointment to begin with as their last two albums have both been high up on my favourites list. This isn’t in the same league as those two but has grown on me considerably throughout the year and still has plenty of value.

31, Tim Burgess – Oh No I Love You

I became obsessed with Burgess for a bit this summer and was really looking forward to this. It wasn’t quite what I expected but seems to be one of those albums that reveals more and more with each listen and I think will continue to grow on me. It’s no Oh My Corazon though.

32, Magoo – The Continuing Adventures of Magoo

This doesn’t feel like a new album to be because ive seen these songs played live so many times over the years. Not their finest work but still, it’s fucking Magoo aint it.

33, Standard Fare – Out of Sight, Out of Town

I absolutely adored their debut and whilst this doesn’t quite have that same charm for me it’s a more mature and polished effort that still highlights their great songwriting ability.

34, Errors – Have Some Faith in Magic

Another good effort from stocky’s mrs best mates. Don’t think I like it quite as much as the debut but still some good shit on this.

35, This Many Boyfriends – This Many Boyfriends

Like a weird cross between Allo Darlin’ and The Cribs. I don’t quite feel comfortable with this at all times but there’s some cracking songs on this that get stuck in my head easily. IDONTLIKEYOUCAUSEYOUDONTLIKETHEPASTELS!

Big drift apart in the Soapbox this year, guess it's a sign of the times...

Great work fellas, mine's in the post, having a real hard time seperating my 16th and 17th fave albums. A few more days listening should make up my mind and i'll be ready to post it.

This is shaping to be the shittest top10 since I started doing end of the year lists, and positions 4 to 20 could be easily exchanged. I'm gonna post a top25 and only count that number from other lists. Hope we get at least 10

i actually really enjoyed this year tbh, i'm not sure what that says about me but i'm guessing it's not good... only gonna do a top 20, but here goes:

1. Chromatics - Kill For Love
2. Woolfy vs Projections - The Return of Love
3. Mock & Toof - Temporary Happiness
4. Goat - World Music
5. Purity Ring - Shrines
6. Moon Duo - Circles
7. Futurecop! - The Movie OST
8. Nite Jewel - One Second of Love
9. Casual - Respect Game or Expect Flames
10. Ghostigital - Division of Culture and Tourism
11. Ultraista - Ultraista
12. Poliça - Give You the Ghost
13. Frank Ocean - Channel Orange
14. Two Fingers - Stunt Rhythms
15. Nickodemus - Moon People
16. Breach - Borders
17. Midnight Magic - Walk the Midnight Streets
18. Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend!
19. Peaking Lights - Lucifer
20. Friends - Manifest!

the order is totally vague but there you go, adds a bit of mystery to proceedings.

oh and a couple of other bits i loved are Blackbird Blackbird's Borucay Planet e.p. and the OST for Hotline Miami.

It's testament to how little new music i've listened to this year that I can just about manage a top 27 (with marks out of ten).

My choices all seem quite predictable too.

27. The Shins: Port of Morrow (6.5)
26. Django Django: s/t (6.5)
25. Jessie Ware: Devotion (7)
24. EL-P: Cancer for a Cure (7)
23. Mystery Jets: Radlands (7)
22. Toy: Toy (7)
21. Allo Darlin: Europe (7)
20. Kendrick Lamaar: Good Kid M.A.A.D City (7)
19. Grimes: Visions (7.5)
18. Fiona Apple: The Idler Wheel..... (7.5)
17. Tame Impala: Lonerism (7.5)
16. Liars: WIXIW (7.5)
15. Burial: Kindred EP (8)
14. Tindersticks: The Something Rain (8)
13. Lower Dens: Nootropics (8)
12. Goat: World Music (8)
11. Sam Lee: Ground of it's Own (8.5)
10. Allah-Las: s/t (8.5)
9. Sharon Van Etten- Epic (8.5)
8. Alt-J: An Awesome Wave (8.5)
7. Ty Segall: Twins (9)
6. Patrick Watson: Adventures in Your Own Backyard (9)
5. Killer Mike- R.A.P Music (9)
4. Damien Jurado: Maraqopa (9)
3. Jack White: Blunderbuss (9.5)
2. Grizzly Bear: Shields (9.5)
1. Frank Ocean: Channel Orange (10)

I forgot about the shins (6.5), the mystery jets (7) and Tindersticks (8)

Update the list, then

done ;D