Top 10 Albums of 2012

#10 Lana Del Rey - Born to Die
Say what you want about Lana Del Rey, but I liked her debut album. It was one of my most anticipated records of 2012. After her terrible SNL performance, her cred went way down, which is a true shame because she has the ability to write good songs. Most of the stuff on Born to Die is very catchy. Sure, nothing will ever be as good as "Video Games," but there's more to her than one would think.
Sounds like: Nancy Sinatra, Marina and the Diamonds, Sky Ferreira
Definitely listen to: "Video Games," "Diet Mountain Dew," "Blue Jeans"

 #9 No Doubt - Push and Shove
After a four year hiatus and 11 years since their last record, No Doubt came back with Push and Shove and I for one was a fan. It doesn't touch any of their older stuff, but it's something new and fresh from them. Even the songs I didn't particularly care for, I still liked to some degree. Here's to more from one of my favorite all-time bands.
Sounds like: Gwen Stefani, Garbage, Nelly Furtado
Definitely listen to: "Push and Shove," "Easy," "Looking Hot"

#8 The Decoration - Anywhere is Home EP
Kept my ears on this boyfriend/girlfriend duo from the start. They put out one of the best pop records of the year and no one has even heard of them. They really have the potential to be something huge and I wish more success for them. All five tracks on their debut EP are delightful and uplifting. Do yourself a favor and check them out.
Sounds like: Letters and Lights, Owl City, Purity Ring
Definitely listen to: "That Girl's Got Spark," "Heavy Hearts," "Summer Summer"

#7 Sucré - A Minor Bird

I follow the band Eisley religiously, and that includes each of the band members. Sucré is the invention of Stacy DuPree and her husband Darren King from Mutemath. Their music is a little more electronic and upbeat than Eisley's. It took me a little bit to get used to Stacy's angelic voice mixed with this more industrialized music, but in the end, it works.
Sounds like: Eisley, Merriment, Porcelain Raft
Definitely listen to: "Chemical Reaction," "When We Were Young," "Light Up"

#6 Calvin Harris - 18 Months
Calvin Harris sort of snuck up on me at the end of 2012. After "Feel So Close" won an MTV Video Music Award, I had a go at it and loved it. Then I listened to more and found other good songs. Then I got the album when it came out and discovered an entire record of great beats. I feel like this music belongs in the late '90s. Back when most people would have written this off as gay techno music. Now, it's awesome.
Sounds like: BT, Darude, Paul Oakenfold
Definitely listen to: "Feel So Close," "Sweet Nothing," "Awooga"

#5 Bassnectar - Vava Voom
Bassnectar might have my favorite song of the year. I've listened to the title track "Vava Voom" more times than any other songs from 2012, according to my Zune Player. I love everything about it; the bass, the flow, the dubstep at the end. It's just an overall amazing track. Other songs are great, too, and a bit more typical Bassnectar. Happy to have this in my top 5.
Sounds like: Skrillex, Datsik, Deadmau5
Definitely listen to: "Vava Voom," "Butterfly," "Empathy"

#4 Grizzly Bear - Shields
Grizzly Bear topped their previous album and created one of the best of the year for me with Shields. I like practically every track on this record and have listened to it in full countless times. Grizzly Bear is unique in that it takes a solid 4-5 listens before you really start to appreciate the music that the band plays. This is a must-have for 2012.
Sounds like: Woods, Dirty Projectors, Twin Shadow
Definitely listen to: "Yet Again," "Gun-Shy," "Sleeping Ute"

#3 Of Monsters and Men - My Head is an Animal
It seems like Iceland is creating some fabulous musical acts. Of Monsters and Men's My Head is an Animal is definitely one of the best of the year and I know many who agree. The entire album is great, and like my #2 choice, Of Monsters and Men is one of the best indie bands of the year.
Sounds like: Mumford and Sons, The Lumineers, The Head and the Heart
Definitely listen to: "Little Talks," "Dirty Paws," "From Finner"

#2 Beach House - Bloom
The indie winner of the year is Beach House. I didn't think they could top Teen Dream, but Bloom is really 10x better. I first listened to this album in May and I still listen to the whole thing all the way through even now.
Sounds like: Pure Bathing Culture, Grizzly Bear, St. Vincent
Definitely listen to: "New Year," "Myth," "Other People"

Here it is, the moment you've all been waiting for...

#1 - Ke$ha - Warrior
Sike!

#1 Imagine Dragons - Night Visions
Yep, I went a little more mainstream than usual and selected Imagine Dragons' Night Visions as my favorite album of the year. It's hit after hit after hit on this thing and it doesn't get old. I'm happy for all their success and look forward to follow up records. If you like good music, then you'll love this band.
Sounds like: Anberlin, fun., The Naked and Famous
Definitely listen to: "It's Time," "Tiptoe," "Amsterdam"

Runners-up: Merriment's Through the Rough EP, fun.'s Some Nights, Chromatics' Kill For Love, Porcelain Raft's Strange Weekend, Purity Ring's Shrines, Passion Pit's Gossamer, Alex Clare's The Lateness of the Hour, The Heavy's The Glorious Dead, Ben Gibbard's Former Lives, Anberlin's Vital