1. Arctic Monkeys, AM
My son says that AM is the best album by the band yet. It's hard for me to agree or disagree with him. Comparing AM to the band's first two albums is a bit like comparing apples to oranges. I loved the explosive energy and roughness of the band's early albums and I never really wanted their sound to change. Yet as we all know, over time things do change. The great news is that over the years the band has grown and matured and so have their songs and songwriting, and now I find myself absolutely loving where the band is today.
2. Arcade Fire, Reflektor
I loved Funeral, Arcade Fire's debut album. But I must have been one of the lone folks to not think that the band's 2010 release, The Suburbs, was the best album of the year. After two years of absence, the band is back with an epic album produced by James Murphy. From the opening song Reflektor to the 11 minute closer Supersymmetry, this album serves as a reminder that albums as albums, and not just a loose collection of songs, do still have their place and relevance in today's musical environment.
3. Airbag, The Greatest Show On Earth
Airbag has quickly become one of my favorite bands. On their third album, The Greatest Show On Earth, the Norwegian prog rock band has fully matured into exceptional songwriters, incorporating a tapestry of textures, shifting tempos, and bombastic dynamics, engaging the listener with a balanced combination of both moody atmospheric soundscapes and grandiose sonic assaults in the tradition of albums like "Dark Side Of The Moon". Prognaut.com
Matthew Houck, who performs under the moniker Phosphorescent, was one of my great musical discoveries this year. I don't know quite how Houck escaped my musical radar for so many years. Now, having listed to his entire catalog of music, I can say that Houck is a special musical artist. With this said, while Houck has written some truly great songs in the past, Muchacho is his first fully realized album. Like a number of the albums on my best of list this year, Muchacho is an album that needs to be listened to and experienced in its entirety.
"Mercury Records debut album is everything a new artist dreams her first record will be. 'Same Trailer Different Park' is well-written, edgy (yet familiar) and coated in "cool." Musgraves is an original who at age 24 is surprisingly wise and adept at using her voice to share her experiences." Taste of Country
I can't say that I have been a big fan of the band's past work. They had their moments, but I thought that they were a bit overrated. Not so on their latest album. Vampire Weekend's songs shine on Modern Vampires Of The City. This album is pure pop joy. What captivates me most about this album is the way the band layers each song with sounds and textures that give them such richness and warmth.
7. The National, Trouble Will Find Me
Not much for me to say here. I'm a bit biased when it comes to this band. In my heart and mind, The National can do no wrong. Fortunately for me, the band has not proven me wrong yet. Trouble Will find Me is another exceptional album by one of the best bands in the country.
8. Daft Punk, Random Access Memories
I will admit that this album was one of my guilty pleasures of this past year. But that's OK, I know that I am not alone. Who hasn't found him or herself singing along to Get Lucky, which is right up there with the best songs of the year. Yet this album is so much more than a great sing-along-song. This French duo, know for their electronic music, pays homage to the best of the disco era while keeping their feet firmly planted in the here and now. This fusion of musical styles and eras works flawlessly and creates an awesome album.
People still refer to Isbell as the former member of Drive By Truckers. I love that band, but Isbell has been on his own since 2007, which is quite a while. In that time, Isbell has established himself as a special songwriter and singer. On Southeastern, Isbell reaches new hights with both. In an interview with Rolling Stone Esbell said that after getting sober, writing and recording the new album felt more natural to him.... and telling the story of his recovery has become part of his existence. Fortunately for us we all become the second beneficiary of sobriety. His story telling and life observations have never been better. Here is a song from the album, a song about cancer, that exemplifies what is so special about Isbell's songwriting.
Two years ago, Blake's self titled debut album was one of my favorites of the year. As much as I loved it, I honestly thought that Blake would be a one trick pony. Marrying Electronic, Dubstep, R&B, and anything else that one could think of, Blake created a musical space that was totally original and new. But then what? On Overgrown, Blake has taken all that he has done and learned and has moved into a new, more sophisticated, and fully realized space. This is truly an incredible creative effort.
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