Oy!  Here’s my favorite albums of 2012 and my thoughts on the matter:

1. Menomena – Moms
   “You’re maturing from a memory to a legacy.”  – Capsule
   Menomena – a once 3 man band; with fallouts, issues, fights and conflict so much so that they became a 2 man band, but decided to press forward and keep making music. They released this album in late summer, and was constantly on rotation and has by far the most spins in my library for this year.  I really resonated with this album and think it’s the best thing they’ve done.  Moms hadsa lot of good things going for it; not only from a music standpoint of having some pretty unigue and catchy songs, but also from some pretty amazing lyrics and songwriting. Such a diverse arrangement of instruments, compositions and singing styles are in basically every angle of this thing.  I also loved how this album was a concept album about relationships, fallouts, and coming to terms with reality and what it’s like to need to live up and maturing into manhood.”I GUESS I OUGHT TO FACE MY FATE.”
2. Here We Go Magic – A Different Ship
   “You smell like a flower, squeak to the touch “ –  How do I know
   I felt like this indie release was pretty much the prototype that every band needs to strive for.  Such a groovy album but the band is just so tight in every song and jams off each other in such a great way.  “Make up your Mind” might have been the most progressive song I’ve heard this year. Lots of different dreamy energies on these songs.  Listen to this album when it’s springtime out for a walk one night and you’ll be out of this world.
3. Joey Badass – 1999
   ” I’m in Marty McFly mode, so tell em’ that the future’s back” – Survival Tactics
   This 17 year old dude’s stuff was right up my ally.  Production  and beats and demeanor were such a throwback to so many of the great albums in the 90s that have been sooooooo sorely missed.  I felt like this was such a breath of fresh air and some much needed flows that are different than a lot of stuff out there nowadays in contemporary rap.
4. Frank Ocean – Channel ORANGE
   “Do you not think so far ahead? Because I’ve been thinking about forever.” – Thinkin bout you
   This album was able to cross into so many peoples’ radars and had so many great songs, it would be strange not include it so far up on my list.  Lots of really amazing slow jams on this album, lots of stevie wonder influence. I think that everyone in the world can relate to at lease one of frank ocean’s songs.  A gay odd future member singing in a beautiful voice about many lovely topics?  What’s not to love?
5. Ultrista – Ultrista
   “COME ON AND WASH IT OVER ME. THERE IS A FACE ON THE CANVAS, ANOTHER FACE LOOKING AT US.” – Wash it Over
   I am probably in the minority of this one, but I thought this album was sooo easy to dive into and get lost in the synth / funk / dreamy tracks.  Love the singing, love the drumming.
6. Tennis –  Young and Old
   “Misinform the life all know. On my banner censor shows” – Petition
   Yes, tennis were back this year.  Yes, I still love them.  Got even better on this one, the bass and singing had some really amazing jams throughout most of the album.
7. Deftones – Koi No Yokan
   “I’m hypnotised by your name.  I wish this lie never ends” -Romantic Dreams
   Once again probably in the minority on this album but I loved the raw emotion and energy that come through on every song.  Starts off in one place at the beginning and leaves you at the destination no worse for wear and having gained a lot of exposure to lots of shit.
8.   Bear In Heaven – I Love You, It’s Cool
   ”
   Suuch amazing synth work.  Very legit album… World of Freakout baby.
9. DIIV – OSHIN
   “You’ve gone too far” – Doused
   Relaxing summertime low fi album, easiest listening experience you’ll have. Guitar work is amazing, production is amazing.
10.  Kingdom Crumbs
    “They send flowers for the birds man” – For the Birds
    Gotta be in the mood for it, but when you are in the zone it hits pretty hard.

Mix of some good stuff that came out in 2012: