21 More Records from 2012

A couple of weeks ago, I listed my favorite records of 2012. There are over 100 records on that list. And, even though I do believe that all those records belong on the list, I can’t help thinking that one person can’t possibly really, deeply, truly get to know 100 records in just 365 days. After all, I regularly hear new things in records that I’ve been enjoying for years.

Well, then, how really deeply, truly do I know any record? Does it matter? Whatever.

Here’s another list: Records that I didn’t get around to in 2012, but that I hope to spend quality time with in 2013. These records should have been on my 2012 list, and would have been, had there been more days in a year, or had I been more productive. Some of these are records I had heard about, but, for whatever reason, ignored; others are records that I completely missed and have only recently learned about through recommendations, from readers and from other writers.

Interestingly, with a few exceptions, I feel like this list could also serve as a list of my Favorite Album Art of 2012.

This is only a list. (I repeat: This is only a list.) There are no “reviews” here, but I’ve provided samples of the music when I could find them. I’m sure a lot of this stuff is available through streaming services like Spotify and MOG. Sometimes, you can stream entire albums via Soundcloud or YouTube—for the hungry music enthusiast, the Internet is an especially magical and crazy place.

21 Records I Missed in 2012

Bat For Lashes: The Haunted Man (Parlophone)

Crystal Castles: (III)

Pallbearer: Sorrow and Extinction (Profound Lore)

DIIV: Oshin (Captured Tracks)

How To Dress Well: Total Loss (Acephale)

Purity Ring: Shrines (4AD)

Lee Gamble: Diversions: 1994–1996 (Pan)

Richard Skelton: Verse of Birds (Corbel Stone Press)

Charles Gayle Trio: Streets (Northern Spy)

Earth: Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light II (Southern Lord)

DVA: Pretty Ugly (Hyperdub)

Bob Dylan: The Tempest (Columbia)

Alexander Tucker: Third Mouth (Thrill Jockey)

Leonard Cohen: Old Ideas (Columbia)

Motorpsycho and Stale Storlokken: The Death Defying Unicorn (Rune Grammofon)

Jam City: Classical Curves (Night Slugs)

Mac Demarco: 2 (Captured Tracks)

Chromatics: Kill For Love (Italians Do It Better)

Killer Mike: R.A.P. Music (Williams Street)

Jessie Ware: Devotion (Island)

Death Grips: The Money Store (Epic)

COMMENTS
volvic's picture

I can only comment on the Leonard Cohen CD, love it! BTW fine concert performance at MSG last week.  So glad he's touring.  If the previous Bat for Lashes is any indication this one ought to be a winner as well. 

cheers

Nick

dalethorn's picture

Got Crystal Castles and Chromatics. Not bad.

Stephen Mejias's picture

I like the Chromatics album a LOT.

ken mac's picture

Crystal Castles, Lee Gamble, Purity Ring,  How to Dress Well -- most excellent  ! 

Hey, did you get the Dimmak email re their latest, a two girls/two guys London group whose name escapes me? Good stuff.  

Stephen Mejias's picture

Hey, did you get the Dimmak email re their latest, a two girls/two guys London group whose name escapes me? Good stuff.

Scanners? Nope, but I'll look into it.

jimi-jamz's picture

Nice list, Highly recommend this record as well: ULTRAÍSTA.

Markus Sauer's picture

I see you choose the records you buy on the excellence of the cover.

Stephen Mejias's picture

Interestingly, of this bunch, the only covers I'm not too fond of are the Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan.

Patrick Butler's picture

Stephen,

Thank you for introducing me to Richard Skelton.  Now I'm obsessed.

Best,

Patrick

Stephen Mejias's picture

Me too, man. That's a deep well.

Regadude's picture

"The absence" by Melody Gardot

"Little broken hearts" by Norah Jones

Naveb's picture

Check out Angel Olsen's (Cairo Gang) debut Half Way Home. Stunning I think.

ajcrisci's picture

 

Bat For Lashes is an execelent recording. Here are my 5 favorite sounding 'indie' albums. (meaning albums I look forward to listening on my system because of being excelint sounding recordings wth cool stereo imaging. They are not necessarily my favorite albums of the year.

Bat For Lashes - The haunted Man

Tindersticks - The Something Rain

Actress - R.I.P.

Frank Ocean - ChannelOrange

Hundred Waters - Hundred Waters

 

Extremly interested to know your coresponding list (you being somebody with a more golden ear, with very similar music sensibilities).

Stephen Mejias's picture

I agree: These records do sound great on the hi-fi! But I don't think I have "a more golden ear." I might just spend more time practicing listening.

: )

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