My Favorite Albums of 2012

Well, it's already time once again to reflect on all the great music that has come out over the past year. Here are my favorites, in no particular order.

Of Monsters and Men - My Head Is An Animal: Last January, I dubbed these guys my new favorite band of the year. (This was before their album even came out in the US, because I am suuuuch a hipster). This band is totally deserving of all the attention they received, and I'm so happy that they found success here as well as Iceland.

Fiona Apple - The Idler Wheel: Fiona is my queen. This album is genius. Etc etc. 

The Gaslight Anthem - Handwritten: I'm basically obsessed with this band and lead singer Brian Fallon these days. Every time I listen to this album, I fall a little bit more in love with it.

The Chevin - Borderland: David Letterman said it best when these British lads played on his show: "Holy crap! That's good."

Green Day - ¡Dos!: I thought American Idiot was fantastic and I will fight anyone who says otherwise. That said, Green Day's take on retro-y garage rock on this album is just so damn fun. I love ¡Uno! and ¡Tre! too, but this is my favorite of the three. 

A Fine Frenzy - Pines: I have such a girl crush on singer Alison Sudol. She could put out a dubstep record and I would still buy it. Thankfully, she channeled her energies into this vibrant, nature-inspired album instead.

The Lumineers - The Lumineers: I don't mean to toot my own horn, but The Lumineers are another band that I totally discovered before they were famous. (#trendsetter) But thanks to Mumford & Sons and that Bing commercial, the rest of the world is discovering how fabulous this three-piece folk band is. I also interviewed lead singer Wesley Schultz back in April, right as the band really started to take off.

Blaqk Audio - Bright Black Heaven: I'm not usually an electronic music fan, but I'll buy anything singer Davey Havok wants to sell me.

The All-American Rejects - Kids in the Street: This band has yet to disappoint me. Right when I moved away from home to NYC, they released a mature album about growing up and figuring out who you are. Thanks for reading my mind, guys.

The Horrible Crowes - Elsie: Okay, this album actually came out last year, but I just discovered it and have listened to basically nothing else since. 

Thanks 2012, it's been real.

The sounds of summer

Every spring, I compile a giant playlist of music for the sunny days ahead. The songs put me in a good mood all summer, and when the weather turns cold, I have a souvenir of the good times I had (and okay, songs to weep to when I'm wrapped up in eight blankets and desperately wishing January would be over already).

Here are some of my favorites from this summer's playlist, in a handy 8tracks mix for you to enjoy.

Soundtrack to Summer 2012 from xanne on 8tracks.

Track list:

1. "Anna Sun" - Walk The Moon

2. "Numb Bears" - Of Monsters and Men

3. "Equestrian" - U.S. Royalty

4. "Werewolf" - Fiona Apple

5. "Runaway Train" - Brandon Boyd

6. "Gonzo" - The All-American Rejects

7. "Red Hands and White Knuckles" - The Bravery

8. "Hey Joe" - Jimi Hendrix

9. "Stubborn Love" - The Lumineers

10. "Paralyzed" - Rooney

11. "Bliss" - Blaqk Audio

12. "Oh, Love!" - William Beckett

13. "MoneyGrabber" - Fitz and the Tantrums

14. "Breath Of Life" - Florence and the Machine

15. "Hacienda Motel" - Pickwick

16. "Motorcycle Drive By" - Third Eye Blind

17. "Mind Eraser" - The Black Keys

My most anticipated spring albums

Every spring, I start assembling playlists of music that feels perfect for the upcoming warm weather. Some music just feels like it was meant for a sunny day. Last year, the best example was All At Once by The Airborne Toxic Event - it came out right when the weather was starting to get nice, and I listened to it quite often in the beginning of the summer. In fact, it began to embody summer so much in my mind that when I tried to listen to it this winter, it just made me want to burrow up under a comforter and bawl because spring was still months away. But that's a story for another time.

A lot of the music that is going to make up my summer playlists hasn't been released yet, but I already know what it's going to be. There are three particular albums coming out in the next few weeks that I am psyched about.

Kids In The Street - The All-American Rejects


So I won't get any street cred for this one, but I just really love AAR. They are one of the only bands that I love all of their albums pretty much equally - usually one of them at least has to be a flop. Not these guys. They are masters of catchy, feel-good pop-rock, and they know it. Plus, just check out that trailer above. Early reviews are saying this is their best and most ambitious album yet. And besides, few acts make music as perfect for summer as AAR. I can't wait and I have no shame.
The Lumineers - The Lumineers

Okay, I confess: I watch some embarrassing TV shows. But the thing is, some of them have such great soundtracks (that's the only reason I watch, I swear.) I found The Lumineers through one of these shows that will remain nameless. I immediately loved the song (the stomping, folky first single "Ho Hey") but could not find any other recorded songs from the band. Thankfully, that's all about to change on April 3rd, when the band's debut comes out. You can stream the whole album now though here.
My Head Is An Animal - Of Monsters and Men

I already raved about this album a few months ago, and now it is officially being released in the U.S. (on the same day as The Lumineers as well!) I'm psyched. I love this band and I cannot wait to see them in April. 
There you have it. I'm sure once these come out, I'll be posting full-length reviews/rambling about how much I love them. 
Honorable mention: this will cost me even more scene points (like I had any to begin with, c'mon) but that new Flo Rida song featuring Sia, "Wild Ones," is just so CATCHY. Anyone who enjoys a summery pop song should check it out.
Now that I'm actually recommending Flo Rida songs on my blog, I think it's time to end the post. Happy spring, everyone!

Of Monsters and Men - my first new favorite band of 2012

Meet my newest obsession, Of Monsters and Men. This six-piece from Iceland makes such gorgeous music that it's almost impossible to not fall in love with them immediately. The instrumentation on their debut album, My Head Is An Animal, seamlessly transitions from melodic and soothing to crashing and then back again. Mix that with dual vocal harmonies, and you have an epically beautiful collection of indie folk pop songs. If I absolutely had to choose a favorite song, I'd probably go with "From Finner," but really, they are all fantastic. After only a few listens to this album, I knew it would be one of my favorites of the year.

The album reached No. 1 in Iceland, but it is not available in the U.S. yet, although it should be released worldwide this year. In the meantime, an EP, Into The Woods, is available now. Do yourself a favor and listen to it.