John
You’re not gonna find any sign of Japandroids or Frank Ocean in my Top 10 albums of 2012. I reckon The Cloud Nothings are overrated too. But then again, I’m not 23 so I probably don’t need that much angst in music anymore. Everyone went gaga for Andy Stott’s Luxury Problems but I think it’s just too pleasant – no real teeth, coffee morning electronica – and not a patch on the preceding one-two of We Stay Together and Passed Me By. The less said about The XX the bet…..Zzzzzz.
In no particular order:
1. Django Djano – Django Django (Bright, breezy with a hint of weirdness)
2. Dan Deacon – America (Skittles rainbow symphony)
3. Giant Giant Sand – Tuscon (Bleached sun and desert dust, at times mournful, others beautiful)
4. Swans – The Seer (If you find Scott Walker’s Bish Bosch too much, try this)
5. David Byrne & St. Vincent – Love This Giant (Fun for horny toads)
6. VCMG – Ssss (Bang ting bang ting + squelch)
7. Monolake – Ghosts (Clank and boom and steam)
8. Future of the Left – The Plot Against Common Sense (A sharp lyrical wit compensates for this album being three songs too long)
9. Orbital – Wonky (Widescreen technicolour comeback)
10. Twilight Sad – No One Can Ever Know (Another guttural and broody take on Father issues)
