Beyond the Charts - Articles - Zimbio: Zimbio's Albums of the Year

Beyond the Charts - Articles - Zimbio

Zimbio's Albums of the Year Nov 26th 2012, 20:32 (Photo of fun. singer Nate Ruess by Getty Images | Illustration by Zimbio.com) From artists whose work rightfully resonated with millions to those who remain independent gems, these were the brightest moments in music in the past year. Be sure to check out the full list through the links below. 1 to 5 | 6 to 10 | 11 to 25 25. Calvin Harris - 18 Months Sure, you've already heard all the best tracks off Calvin Harris' third full-length album, but that's only because the Scottish DJ and producer has been promoting it since the summer of 2011. Some songs — including collaborations with Rihanna and Florence Welch — are much stronger than others, but on the whole, Harris' brand of EDM is more interesting than most. Choice track: "Feel So Close" 24. Maroon 5 - Overexposed Those who forgave the band for "Moves Like Jagger" were delighted by Maroon 5's fourth studio album, which saw the band working with pop confectioners Max Martin and Ryan Tedder, among others. While not entirely groundbreaking, the end result is a solid assortment of Top 40 radio layups. Choice track: "One More Night" 23. fun. - Some Nights The second half of Some Nights falls short of its first, but perhaps it's just that the first half sets the bar very, very high. Indie pop gets epic on tracks like "Some Nights" and that song you might have heard once or twice, "We Are Young." Yes, the album is flawed, but its highs are so very high that it's certainly memorable. Best track: "We Are Young" 22. Lee Fields and the Expressions - Faithful Man While not quite the triumph that was his 2009 release My World, Lee Fields' Faithful Man is still one of the most solid old school soul records in recent years. Its title track features a searing vocal performance set to gorgeous production values (although Fields' stripped-down session for Yours Truly is a marvel, too). Choice track: "Faithful Man" 21. Mac DeMarco - 2 Former Makeout Videoape frontman Mac DeMarco cut down on the pervy affectations that riddled 2012 EP Rock and Roll Night Club for his debut full-length album 2, producing a solo full-length debut that may sound a bit too natural and honest for those in search of the Next Big Thing. But it's excellent, earnest rock and roll. Also, his Facebook updates are the best. Hi, Gary. Choice track: "My Kind of Woman" 20. Citizens! - Here We Are The music video for "True Romance," the delicious lead single off the band's full-length debut Here We Are, depicts a number of amorous couples going at it in the face of destruction. The clip is a fitting visual for the band, a well-dressed and rakish crew of Brits who have embraced a brilliantly seductive pop sound. It's not just an album, it's a proclamation: The band has arrived. Choice track: "True Romance" 19. Sharon Van Etten - Tramp Sharon Van Etten scored one of the year's first critical triumphs in February with the release of Tramp, which retains the emotional intimacy of her first two albums even with its louder, expanded new sound. In November, Van Etten released a deluxe edition that included all the album's demos, most of which are heartbreakingly beautiful. Choice track: "Kevin's" 18. Liars - WIXIW Get past the intentional obfuscation of the album title and you'll find a pretty if unsettling creation in WIXIW. The album is almost entirely electronic, stitched together with odd samples (the band's Angus Andrew told Pitchfork they sampled wet rags dripping on pots and deflating balloons), but avoids sterility with its lyrical exploration of internal struggle. Choice track: "No. 1 Against the Rush" 17. Nas - Life Is Good Nas is one of those artists who works best while miserable. The rapper released his best album in over a decade this year, drawing inspiration from his nasty divorce from singer Kelis and serious tax issues. The entire piece — including the cover art, which features Nas holding his ex-wife's wedding gown — is brutally, brilliantly honest. Choice track: "Daughters" 16. The xx - Coexist It took The xx three years to produce a follow-up to their groundbreaking debut xx, so it was reasonable to assume they were taking their time to explore new sonic landscapes. That wasn't the case: They just delved further into that hushed, spare quality that made xx so unique. Choice track: "Angels" 15. Tame Impala - Lonerism With their sophomore album, Australian psych-rockers Tame Impala moved further away from their trippy '60s rock influences towards warmer pop landscapes. The album was written and recorded almost entirely by frontman Kevin Parker, who explained, "It's about the persona of someone who is really isolated — but not necessarily deliberately." Choice track: "Feels Like We Only Go Backwards" 14. Wild Nothing - Nocturne Nocturne finds Wild Nothing frontman Jack Tatum embracing dichotomy. It's nostalgic without being derivative, moody without being melodramatic. Tatum definitely nods to the '80s synth-pop he holds so dear, which makes the record emotionally resonant while still being catchy as hell. Choice track: "Shadow" 13. Jessie Ware - Devotion There's an elegance to Jessie Ware's debut full-length album, a grace not uncommon among those used to taking supporting roles in the studio (she's a former backup singer). The lack of bombast in these quietly brilliant R&B-flavored tracks is particularly refreshing in light of the flashy party pop that dominates Top 40 radio these days, and everyone — including the ever-subtle Katy Perry! — has noticed. Best track: "Wildest Moments" 12. Grizzly Bear - Shields With the gorgeous 2009 album Veckatimest, Brooklyn's Grizzly Bear cemented its reputation for dreamy, textured, but isolating arrangements that left some listeners struggling to connect. With Shields, the band moved away from its more ponderous moments, offering a more focused, accessible, and verbal experience. It's less artsy, maybe less pretty, but certainly more interesting. Choice track: "Yet Again" 11. Jack White - Blunderbuss Given how prolific Jack White has been for the past decade and a half, it's sort of hard to fathom that this is the first collection of songs he's released under his own name, the only songs he feels are entirely his "own expression." Blunderbuss is weirder than anything produced by The Raconteurs or The Dead Weather, weirder than that one-off collaboration with ICP about butts. But it's wonderfully weird — weird with purpose. Best track: "Blunderbuss" Albums of the Year: 1 to 5 | 6 to 10 | 11 to 25

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