A quiet year musically, for me. Didn't find anything that felt like an all-time classic, but some very solid releases. Without further ado -- the list.
The War On Drugs - Lost In The Dream - Extended, slow-burning indie anthems that use mid-tempo rock (think: Springsteen circa 1984) as a foundation for shoegaze-y atmosphere, impressionistic lyrics and judicious guitar solos. Occasionally some of the songs meander, but overall it's a remarkably affecting and consistent album.
Cymbals Eat Guitars - Lose - Passionate indie-rock from a band that seems to be hitting its stride with this latest album. Previous releases were unfocused, but suggested the group had potential. Lose realizes much of that potential. The songwriting is clearer, punchier, and all-around better than anything they have done before. It's a consistent winner that rewards multiple listens.
Spoon - They Want My Soul - Spoon return with a new album that is among the best of their career. Britt Daniel sounds rejuvenated after a little hiatus. If you are already a fan, this is a must buy. If not, this is a fine place to start enjoying their stripped-down, hypnotic rock ethos.
Future Islands - Singles - With catchy synth melodies over pulsing bass lines, Future Islands have a pretty nice 80s pop sound. But it's the urgent, sincere vocals of frontman Samuel Herring that make the group thoroughly modern-indie. They've been around for a while, and got their big break with a well-received performance on Letterman showcasing Herring's over-the-top croon and primal dance moves. Of course, it helped that "Seasons (Waiting On You)" is a powerful, emotionally charged song that was one of the best of the year. And the rest of the album is nearly as good. Really look forward to hearing more from these guys!
Interpol - El Pintor - They started with a stunning debut album, released a worthy follow up, got signed by a major label, released a solid, but less inspired third record, and finally returned to their original indie label to release their self-titled 4th album. Founding bassist Carlos Dengler, who was a key part of their dark post-punk sound, left soon afterwards. Frontman Paul Banks had already released a solo album under the pseudonym Julian Plenti. It looked like it was just a matter of time before they split up. But somehow they stuck together and produced an album that rivals anything they've done since their debut. Dengler's distinctive, complex bass lines are definitely missed, but Daniel Kessler's guitar lines are sharper than ever, and Banks has improved as a writer and singer. The band has grown musically without abandoning their signature style. It probably would have been easier to break up and pursue their own interests, but the sum is still greater than the parts.
Hold Steady - Teeth Dreams - Their new album rocks hard with twin guitar interplay from longtime guitarist Tad Kubler and new addition Steve Selvidge. Of course, like everything Hold Steady, it's really all about Craig Finn's songs. Whether he's introducing a newbie to some of his seedy, long-running characters ("I Hope This Whole Thing Didn't Frighten You"), doing a finely detailed character study ("Big Cig"), or simply being optimistic about romantic redemption ("Spinners"), Finn's writing remains in a class of its own. Essential listening.
The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - Days Of Abandon - The lineup for these twee-poppers has almost completely morphed around frontman Kip Berman. They've toned down most of the alterna-rock pretensions which burdened their last album, but also lost most of the fuzzy, jagged edges which marked their early successes. What remains is a basic, refreshing indie-pop, which is easily enjoyable, overly precious, and frequently excellent.
Cloud Nothings - Here And Nowhere Else - Their previous album Attack On Memory missed my top ten in 2012 by a whisker, mainly because I felt too many of the songs paled next to transcendent single "Stay Useless" (which I happen to think was next in a series of indie-rock-zeitgeist defining songs that have come in the wake of Superchunk's "Slack Motherfucker" some 25 years ago, but I digress). Their new album also features another soon-to-be classic in "I'm Not A Part Of Me", but the remainder of the album keeps pace. Dylan Baldi has put together his most mature, considered set of songs, without losing his coltish vigor. And drummer Jayson Gerycz is just amazing, his hyperactive pounding somehow staying completely in control. Worth savoring.
Tony Molina - Dissed And Dismissed - Brief, crunchy, nuggets of power-pop lightly coated in hard rock and metal influences. Most of the songs are a minute and half or less, but they feel complete (a couple even feature guitar solos!). Molina has a knack for earworm riffs, and his lyrics are relatable and heartfelt. The obvious complaint is that it's too short, but the solution is simple. Put it on repeat. I know I have.
Various Artists - Zane Lowe @ BBC Radio 1 Rescores: Drive - The soundtrack to the movie Drive made my top ten a couple years back, so when I heard some guy at the BBC was curating an alternative soundtrack to it, I pretty much assumed it would be garbage. In fact, I already had a nominal alternative soundtrack assembled by Italians Do It Better uber-producer Johnny Jewel, Symmetry: Themes For an Imaginary Film. (Jewel was slated to do the soundtrack originally, and some of the songs on the Symmetry release were clearly part of that project). But then I saw the list of contributing artists and that Nicolas Winding Refn (director of Drive) had expressed support for the project. So I listened with an open mind. It's not as good as unified soundtrack for the movie, but many individual tracks are great in and of themselves. So even though it wasn't officially "released", it's all available via the internet and good enough that I decided to count it.
Honorable Mention
Charli XCX - Sucker
U2 - Songs Of Innocence
Ballet School - The Dew Lasts An Hour
Magic! - Don't Kill The Magic
Weird Al Yankovic - Mandatory Fun
Taylor Swift - 1989
I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness - Dust
Todd Terje - It's Album Time
Best Reissues
Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin I/II/III/IV/Houses Of The Holy (Deluxe)
Oasis - Definitely Maybe (Deluxe)
Oasis - (What's The Story) Morning Glory (Deluxe)
Fugazi - First Demo
Bruce Springsteen - The Album Collection, Vol. 1