When I was thinking of which albums would be on this list a few qualifications came to my mind. Which albums did I enjoy when I first listened to them, which did I still like after a period of time, and which will I most likely continue to like in the future?
Using that criteria I came up with both my Honorable Mentions list and the following albums for my top 5. And yes, they are in order leading up to my favorite album of 2012. I'm very satisfied with how this ended up and I am content with my selections.
*Obligatory apology for Blogspot formatting
I guess this is the best 2012 had to offer...
"My top 5 albums of the awesome 2012 year in music."
5. Frank Ocean - Channel Orange
Probably my favorite member of Odd Future because of how he made it clear to separate himself from the group when it was time for him to find his lane in music. Not using the group's success to launch his own.Ocean established his following with Nostalgia, Ultra, one of my favorite projects of that year. Frank was a nice breath of fresh air to the r&b genre which had remained for the most part dormant to me in the industry.
The biggest appeal Ocean has for me is his subject matter. Channel Orange builds on his already impressive display of social awareness as well as his realist view on relationships, social issues and most prevalently, his commentary on the feeling of unreciprocated affection that is felt through his lyrics as well as his voice. All of that comes together almost flawlessly when combined with production that is frankly for lack of a more appropriate word, beautiful.
I thoroughly enjoyed Nostalgia, Ultra but Channel Orange takes Ocean to another level in my eyes. It wasn't hard at all to put Channel Orange on this list and I look forward to Frank Ocean's next project.
4. XV - Popular Culture
One of the biggest surprises of the year. I didn't expect too much but when I first saw the album cover and title I was intrigued. XV was very creative on this one especially with the theme and production choices. Using samples of various pop culture fields to bring together a piece that represents its title to the fullest.For a fan of all sorts of pop culture it was pleasing to hear most of these references in the context of the album and without feeling like they were forced to meet an agenda. Songs like Breaking Bad, Zombieland Rule 32, and The Kick are my personal high-points. XV primarily raps about relationships and the introspection of his own career on this album but utilizes the theme to do so. Whether that be relating his success to a dream he doesn't want to be "kicked" (Inception reference) out of, or weed to "Rule 32" in Zombieland he finds ways to creatively use his knowledge of movies and shows to his advantage throughout.
Very entertaining album and probably by far the most fun album I've heard all year. Oh and the Willy Wonka sample used in Wonkavator no doubt earned some brownie points. "Sideways, slant-ways, longways, and back-ways"
3. Jack White - Blunderbuss AND Lushlife - Plateau Vision
Tie! Yeah I know a cheap way out of making a tough decision, but it really was a near impossible choice for me so I took the easy road and made them 3a and 3b.
3a. Blunderbuss: I've had this discussion with some friends many many times. When we look back on our generation's music, particularly rock, who will be remembered as the icons? When someone mentions "2000s-2010s rock" which individual artists are the first to pop into your head? We were able to name legends of each era and when we came to current times two names immediately came to each of our minds, Dave Grohl and Jack White. Whether you agree or not with those names two things are for sure, Jack White has had possibly the busiest 5-6 year span of any artist in recent memory and White will be remembered as a key contributing musician of this era. Five albums, three bands, one solo project in that span with Jack White as the spearhead for every single one of them and that's not counting the touring associated with each project. The most impressive thing is that none of the projects disappoint.
That brings me to Blunderbuss, I didn't know what to expect. Do I expect a White Stripes sounding album? What about Raconteurs? Turned out, I was wrong on both. Blunderbuss is Jack White's bluesiest project yet, and the rightful choice for his debut solo album. If you love White's eccentricity on the guitar, his one of a kind voice, and traditional blues/classic rock influenced sound you'll undoubtedly be satisfied with this. Can't really call this a surprise, but I wasn't expecting it to be THIS good.
3b. Plateau Vision:One of the new artists I found this year via DeadEndHipHop and very happy I did. Lushlife's Plateau Vision prompted me to do an Artist Spotlight over Lushlife because it felt appropriate rather than doing a simple album review.
Extremely gifted multi-talented musician who thankfully decided to take his knowledge into the genre of hip-hop to deliver an album that I truly call one of a kind. I spoke so highly of his style and it was much deserved. The album held up over the year to my delight and finding out about Lushlife was certainly a highlight of 2012 for me.
Artist Spotlight - Lushlife
2. Death Grips - The Money Store
Yep. My favorite album of 2012 at the half-way point in the summer. Catchy hooks and gritty production that keeps the abrasive sound of Death Grips on point. Not as unrelenting as the group's debut Exmilitary but still a very hard hitting album.There's really nothing more I can say about this that I didn't back in July other than it's held up nicely. I still throw it on to hear MC Ride's vivid imagery of the insane story being unfolded throughout as he portrays his character.
Death Grips - The Money Store, mid-season review.
1. Kendrick Lamar - Good Kid, m.a.a.d. City
Yeah this one probably isn't a surprise if you know me well enough. But looking back on this year it isn't close how much more I enjoyed this album in comparison to what I've listened to.
Kendrick Lamar has solidified himself as my favorite rapper currently in the game. Now at first I was torn as to which I enjoyed more, Section.80 or Good Kid, m.a.a.d. City, and at first I thought it was easily Section.80 with no fault to the latest album. Then after I stayed with GKMC longer I came to the conclusion that as far as individual songs go I find myself going back to Section.80, but, as an entire concept album from start to finish GKMC is superior.
If you were to ask me to find my one problem with this album...I couldn't tell you. That's not to say it's perfect, but to my naive Black Hippy-Stan ears I can't find one. The story being told about a day in the life of Kendrick in Compton is just awesome. Lyrically it's as on point as K-Dot's ever been. The beats and vibe of every song mesh so well with each other that it bleeds west coast to the core especially with scattered features of west coast rappers like Jay Rock, Dr. Dre, and MC Eiht. Kendrick gives you such a perfect picture of what his life was like back home succumbing to peer pressure, only feeling at peace when you have money, and the environment turning you into something you don't want to be.
One of the more socially aware artists in music, Kendrick touches on an underlying issue with today's society, you never know why a person is the way they are. You don't know how they grew up, where they were raised, who was in their life, and that it really isn't fair to read a book by its cover. A cliche lesson being taught in a very non-traditional way through the concept of this album.
Set up exactly like a movie the album opens up with a chill vibe, setting the scene for the listener. The middle of the album picks up in energy, climaxes with the song m.a.a.d. city and then concludes with the song Compton which couldn't have been a better choice. It's always nice to see an artist put in enough time to even select the ordering just right to wrap everything up in a bow nicely.
The word "classic" has been tossed around with this album loosely. I'm not gonna go that far but alk to me in a few months or a year and then I may have a better answer but right now, album of 2012 will have to do.
Here's to another great year for music! Just a quick rundown of some projects I'm looking forward to:
- A$AP Rocky - LongLiveA$AP
- Big K.R.I.T. & Yelawolf - Country Cousins
- Atoms for Peace - Amok
- Rumored Cynic album
- Whatever the Smashing Pumpkins release for the Teargarden by Kaleidyscope project
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