1.) Phoenix–’Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix’
..pure…If you don’t own it, or like it, you’re probably an idiot.
2.) The Dead Weather–’Horehound’
..Jack White and Alison Mosshart–another rock n’ roll supergroup…It’s almost not fair for other artists to blend such talent.
3.) The XX–’XX’
..Thanks to Ryan Fisher, who once again rescued my terrible taste… I think I’ve listened to it everyday since it’s discovery.
4.) Alberta Cross–’Broken Side of Time’/'Thief and the Heartbreaker’ EP
..This album has so much soul, even Jesus sings along with it.
5.) The Black Crowes– ‘Before the Frost..Until the Freeze’
..Was never a big Black Crowes fan until this album dropped..Without question their best work as musicians, and bold! The entire double album was recorded and captured live in upstate NY at Levon Helm’s studio.
6.) Band of Skulls–’Baby Darling Doll Face Honey’
..Classic rock sound, very refreshing…and I love hearing Zeppelin-ish sounds no matter where I go.
7.) The Airborne Toxic Event–self titled
..Great stuff…Perhaps releasing one of the most underplayed, and best singles of the year–’Sometime Around Midnight’.
8.) The Flaming Lips–’The Dark Side of the Moon’
..Arguably the only band that could do justice remaking this legendary album… Anddd Henry Rollins makes his appearance numerous times.
9.) Jupiter One–’Sunshower’
..Such a good blend of new wave sound and folk.
10.) Wale–’Attention Deficit’
..I couldn’t leave my hip-hop roots off this list entirely, although I tried…Luckily, Wale saved the year!! I hope hip-hop continues to evolve WITHOUT terrible collaborations and lousy artists…Yes Jay-Z, I hold you accountable.
** Honorable mention, and easily shoul/could fit on the list was Neko Case–’Middle Cyclone‘
