***RM Top Albums of 2012*** deadline Jan 27

[washing machine]

I'm not just trying to be difficult here, but I think that soundtracks of any nature should count. A cohesive collection of songs, no matter who recorded them or when they were recorded, is something that I consider to be an artistic statement and a part of the musical fabric of any given year. The clearest example I can think of is The Royal Tenenbaums or the Lost in Translation soundtracks. I can't imagine how a 2001 or 2003 year-in-review that doesn't include those two albums would paint an accurate portrait of those years.

[Kevin Davis]

Any album released between 1/1/12 and 12/31/12 should count.

[VinylGuy]

Lets see:

Mark Lanegan Blues Funeral
Dinosaur Jr I bet on sky
Soundgarden King Animal
Cat Power Sun
Fiona Apple The idler wheel...
Melvins Lite Freak Puke
RNDM Acts
The Evens The odds
SP Oceania
Neil Young & Crazy Horse Psychadelic Pill

[Jorge]

Any album released between 1/1/12 and 12/31/12 should count.

Reissues? Compilations? I dunno.

[epilogue]

Any album released between 1/1/12 and 12/31/12 should count.

Reissues? Compilations? I dunno.

I definitely agree with the no reissues rule. Compilations always hang me up. I can go either way.

[Kevin Davis]

A straight reissue (or remaster) of an album sans augmentation that was originally released in totality in a previous year shouldn't count, though I would make exceptions for reissues of albums that present bonus material in a new, cohesive way--I would have no issue with someone citing, for example, the Elvis Costello Rhino reissues as their favorite release of that particular year. Most magazines print a separate column for reissues, which is fine, but it doesn't bother me regardless.

Compilations I would permit bar none--even if the material is familiar, I largely view compilations as new creations that are capable of rendering material in a new light. Many artists are not "album artists," per se, but thrive in the compilation format.

I guess the way I feel about it is that people who care enough about their music collections to make lists of their favorite releases from a particular year are going to be discerning enough to only include something like a reissue or a compilation if they really feel like it shaped their listening of the year in a new, meaningful way. I'd doubt anyone's list is going to be composed strictly of reissues or soundtracks, and I'd imagine anyone who would include one would be prepared to defend it, which in my view would make for a better thread than just a bunch of numbered lists that aren't allowed to deviate from a strict set of rules. Likewise, since most votes for these types of releases will be pretty isolated, they'll likely have no bearing on the larger list--and if something does end up winning more votes than normal, then maybe it's for good reason.

[The Big So-So]

1. Fiona Apple - The Idler Wheel...
2. Neil Young with Crazy Horse - Psychedelic Pill
3. Witch Mountain - Cauldron of the Wild
4. High On Fire - De Vermis Mysteriis
5. Neil Young with Crazy Horse - Americana
6. Grass Widow - Internal Logic
7. Lavender Diamond - Incorruptible Heart
8. Rush - Clockwork Angels
9. Devin Townsend Project - Epicloud
10. Grimes - Visions
11. Om - Advaitic Songs
12. Dwight Yoakam - 3 Pears
13. Candlemass - Psalms for the Dead
14. Corin Tucker Band - Kill My Blues
15. Cat Power - Sun

[Birds in Hell]

9. Rites Wild - "Ways of Being"

Just in case anyone wanted to check this out:

[Fuzzcharger]

I don't mind that dreamy synth psych-drone stuff at all but I think sonically I find the keys sound too thin or middy or something for repeated listens of this. That was my only real issue with the Beach House record too.

[Birds in Hell]

I like almost all of the songs on the record better than that one, for what it's worth.

She also made another record recently under the name Regional Curse (which also made my list) which is a lot spacier, darker and more ambient.

http://regionalcurse.bandcamp.com

[Fuzzcharger]

That Regional Curse is quite cool. I like that first track.

[southp]

1. Bruce Springsteen - Wrecking Ball
2. Soundgarden - King Animal
3. Neil Young - Psychedelic Pill
4. Tragically Hip - Now for Plan A
5. Green Day - Uno
6. Glen Hansard - Rhythm And Repose
7. Dave Matthews Band - Away from the World
8. Smashing Pumpkins - Oceania
9. Gaslight Anthem - Handwritten
10. Mumford & Sons - Babel
11. Bob Dylan - Tempest
12. Cat Power - Sun
13. Green Day - Dos
14. Alabama Shakes - Boys & Girls
15. Neil Young - Americana
16. Mark Lanegan - Blues Funeral
17. Jack White - Blunderbuss
18. Green Day - Tre
19. Japandroids - Celebration Rock
20. Mynabirds - Generals

[Dr. Van Nostrand]

Got to listen to a bunch on the planes last night and have a long ride home in a couple of days, should be able to male a decent list soon

And by the way Woods and Father John where both so good, with a couple more listens i think they will be near the top of my list

[Norah]

Lots of bullshit lists without The Mynabirds in this thread.

[Dr. Van Nostrand]

Lots of bullshit lists without The Mynabirds in this thread.

I need to give them a few more listens, but i like what ive heard so far, ill use the headphones on the way home

[Norah]

Lots of bullshit lists without The Mynabirds in this thread.

I need to give them a few more listens, but i like what ive heard so far, ill use the headphones on the way home

You're not driving, are you?

[Dr. Van Nostrand]

Lots of bullshit lists without The Mynabirds in this thread.

I need to give them a few more listens, but i like what ive heard so far, ill use the headphones on the way home

You're not driving, are you?

No, it will be on the plane when i use the headphones, i was driving yesterday when i made it through about half of generals before i got to the airport

[epilogue]

Lots of bullshit lists without The Mynabirds in this thread.

[BurtReynolds]

Lots of bullshit lists without The Mynabirds in this thread.

i like it ok, but i feel like i've heard it all before.

[Fuzzcharger]

Lots of bullshit lists without The Mynabirds in this thread.

i like it ok, but i feel like i've heard it all before.

Yeah me too. It's nice enough but it's nothing really special. I'd watch them at a festival but I wouldn't buy the t-shirt.