Top 10 albums of 2012 according to me!

What an excellent year for music. The following are the top 10 that made the biggest impact on me this year. 

10. Blondes - Blondes 

Don't be fooled by the name--this is actually Blondes' sophmore album. This gem has gotten so many listens from me while I'm writing, working, or being creative--not even funny. Simple, flawed, lo-fi, electronic melodies and rhythms that ease my soul. Take the journey. It's worth your time.

9. Burial - Kindred

Yes, this is technically an EP and not a full album, but Burial's EPs are essentially albums. Each going on a tangent that lasts up to 40 minutes--dragging through various genres and elements. I don't know how he does it, but there's no one out there that's been able to touch his gritty production value. A dark, soulful, dirt infested mess you can't help, but adore.

8. BVDUB - The First Day + Resistance is Beautiful

Brock (aka BVDUB) is an amazing man. I've gotten to know him a bit via email and his music speaks leaps about his stance on the industry.  Each track last 15 to 30 minutes and manages to defy all commercial qualities and never gets dull. He's currently living in China, but he plans to return one day to California--I  hope to give him a platform to share his lovely work in Sacramento. An underrated gem.

7. Clams Casino - Instrumental 2

Clams Casino has been getting a lot of hype the last couple of years and for good reason. A lot of his work is generally for popular rap artists. The highlight for me is actually his Instrumental series which consist of the stripped down (you guessed it) instrumental version of the tracks he's made for different artists. The second in the series is just as essential and it's totally free to download. 

6. Daniel Avery - Water Jump

A loving homage to the early '90s darker dance music scene. Each track in this release shifts through different genres melding 303 and 909 energy. It's energetic, dark, strange, and manages to stay fresh for me. I'm rarely into dance music these days, but innovative producers keep it coming back for me.

5. Hammock - Departure Songs

This is the second time Hammock has made it to my top 10 for a year. The sleeping/relaxing soundtrack to your year. Bordering on shoegaze, but never berating you with it--a must own for anyone that enjoys the ambient side of artists like M83, Ulrich Schnauss, and Sight Below. 

4. Simian Mobile Disco - Unpatterns

This goes down as the best SMD album for me, hands-down. Eschewing the pop vocals of their previous releases and more palatable than their minimal techno release called Delicacies. There's a lot of analog love in this release. 

3. Legowelt - The Paranormal Soul

What a legendary album. Totally old school and totally unapologetic about what it is. Lots of crazy cool analog synths too. If this track doesn't take you back, then I'm pretty sure you've wasted a lot of time reading this little blog. 

2. Lemonade - Diver

The first time I listened to this release, I didn't quite know what to make of it. A similar experience to the older Junior Boys releases. I felt it was a bit too much initially and with repeated listens, it just hooks you. The simplicity of the vocals combined with the layered love given to the music. This one definitely proved a real highlight for the year. 

1. Chromatics - Kill for Love

Johnny Jewel is a production mad man. One of the few artists out there that can make me gobble up so much pop music by layering it with layers. Also, that methodical programming and dirty vinyl trademark. I'm not even going to rationalize it for you--this album is fantastic and hasn't aged one bit for me after tons of repeat listens.