(photo by cubagallery)
We’re quickly approaching the end of 2012 and/or the world depending on your interpretation of Mayan prophecy, and that can only mean it’s time to reflect on the best albums of the year. For me, one record stood head and shoulders above the rest in 2012, so album of the year was an easy decision, but there was much deliberation for the other 24 positions (plus, honorable mentions). This was one of the most diverse years of music in recent memory, with pop, guitar-oriented rock, folk music, indie-pop and electronica all being represented just about equally. It was also a year where lots of debut albums and new favorites dominated my listening, with 3/5 of the artists making their first appearance on one of my year-end album lists.
I want to thank you guys for continuing to read and support this blog. Next year, musicforants.com will be making some changes / transitions. I’m dedicated to continue sharing my music recommendations, mixes, lists, musings and whatever else, but for a variety of reasons, that won’t look the same in 2013 as it does now (stay tuned for more info on that). As always, feel free to leave a comment if you like what you see on this list and let me know if you have any of your own favorite albums to add. Have a wonderful holidays!
25. Father John Misty – Fear Fun
MP3 Nancy From Now On
MP3 Hollywood Forever Cemetary Sings
24. Hospitality – Hospitality
MP3 Eighth Avenue
MP3 Friends of Friends
23. Dirty Projectors – Swing Lo Magellan
MP3 Gun Has No Trigger
MP3 About To Die
22. Allo, Darlin’ – Europe
21. Jessie Ware – Devotion
20. Bowerbirds – The Clearing
MP3 Tuck The Darkness In
MP3 In The Yard
19. Cloud Nothings – Attack On Memory
MP3 Stay Useless
MP3 Wasted Days
18. First Aid Kit – The Lion’s Roar
MP3 Emmylou
MP3 King of the World
17. Bat For Lashes – The Haunted Man
16. Titus Andronicus – Local Business
MP3 Still Life With Hot Deuce On A Silver Platter
MP3 In A Big City
15. Shearwater – Animal Joy
MP3 You As You Were
MP3 Breaking The Yearlings
14. Lord Huron – Lonesome Dreams
13. DIIV – Oshin
12. The Mountain Goats – Transcendental Youth
MP3 Cry For Judas
MP3 Harlem Roulette
11. Sigur Rós – Valatari
10. Twin Shadow – Confess
MP3 Five Seconds
MP3 When The Movie’s Over
9. Hot Chip – In Our Heads
MP3 Don’t Deny Your Heart
MP3 Flutes
8. Andrew Bird – Break It Yourself
MP3 Eyeoneye
MP3 Danse Carribe
7. Spiritualized – Sweet Heart, Sweet Light
6. Japandroids – Celebration Rock
MP3 The House That Heaven Built
MP3 Younger Us
5. Jens Lekman – I Know What Love Isn’t
MP3 I Know What Love Isn’t
MP3 The End Of The World Is Bigger Than Love
4. Chromatics – Kill For Love
3. Beach House – Bloom
2. Grizzly Bear – Shields
MP3 Speak In Rounds
MP3 Yet Again
1. Frank Ocean – channel ORANGE
MP3 Pyramids
MP3 Thinking About You
Honorable Mentions:
Moonface – with Siinai: Heartbreaking Bravery
Grimes – Visions
The Tallest Man On Earth – There’s No Leaving Now
Tame Impala – Lonerism
Chairlift – Something
Kindness – World, You Need A Change Of Mind
Alabama Shakes – Boys & Girls
Porcelain Raft – Strange Weekend
Spotify Playlist: musicforants.com’s Best Albums of 2012
Thanks again to everyone for reading! Stay tuned…
Music For Kids Who Can't Read Good 
I haven’t been able to cross the R&B bridge and get on the Frank Ocean train. But other than that, great list!
Surprised to not see Purity Ring on here.
Also – have you listened to Geographer’s Myth? It’s amazing.
Here’s my top 10:
10. Lost in the Trees – A Church that Fits our Needs
9. Beach House – Bloom
8. Of Monsters and Men – My Head is an Animal
7. Passion Pit – Gossamer
6. POLIÇA – Give You the Ghost
5. Ellie Goulding – Halcyon
4. Purity Ring – Shrines
3. Yeasayer – Fragrant World
2. Grizzly Bear – Shields
1. Geographer – Myth
Cool, I’ll check out that Geographer album. I’ve heard some of their stuff in the past and enjoyed. Purity Ring had some great singles for sure, “Fireshrine” made our best songs list.
Don’t let the R&B label stop you from getting on the Frank Ocean train! It’s an R&B album the same way that London Calling is a punk album and Illinois is a folk album. What makes it so groundbreaking (in my opinion) is the exploration of styles from hip-hop, funk, pop, electronica to soul.
Good list as always, Taylor. Props in particular for including Hot Chip, Shearwater, and DIIV — three albums I wish I was seeing on more of these lists. I’ll go ahead and recommend a few of my favorites that weren’t mentioned on here:
Dry the River – Shallow Bed
Lucy Rose – Like I Used To
Port St. Willow – Holiday
The Raveonettes – Observator
Sun Airway – Soft Fall
Tamaryn – Tender New Signs
Toy – s/t
I’ve been dying to post my list. thanks!
My Jerusalem – Preachers
The Lumineers – The Lumineers
My Head is a Monster – Of Monsters and Men
Dear – Keaton Henson
You Anniversary – Lindsay Fuller
Boys & Girls – Alabama Shakes
Idler Wheel… – Fiona Apple
Lost Songs – …And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead
Coexist – the xx
Toy – Toy
Tramp – Sharon Van Etten
End of Daze EP – Dum Dum Girls
Thanks for the list! I always enjoy checking out the things you post. Very happy to stumble upon Shearwater’s “You As You Were” here. It was my favorite song on your list that I hadn’t listened to before. If you want to check it out my list is at http://www.pastandthepending.com/2012/12/2012-ultimate-music-megapost-top-15.html . You guys are 100% responsible for Moonface being on the list based on an earlier post on your blog. Thanks and keep up the good work!