Best albums purchased over the last 12 months.

[Andre Marc]

These are the best albums I have purchased over the past year or so. Based strictly on musical content....or
to put it another way, the ones that have me playing air guitar, singing along badly out of tunes, moping along, or
just plan shaking some ass:

No particular order:

Fitz & the Tantrums-Pickin' Up the Pieces
Glen Hansard-Rythm & Repose
Rush-Clockwork Angels
Calexico-Algiers
Kelly Joe Phelps-Sinner & the Whale
James Vincent McMorrow-Early in the Morning
Tom Jones-Spirit in the Room
Robert Plant-Band of Joy
Norah Jones-Little Broken Hearts
Ray Lamontagne-God Will in' and the Creek Don't Rise
Beachwood Sparks-Tarnished Gold
Jesse Sykes & the Sweet Hereafter-Marble Son
Edward Sharpe & Magnetic Zeroes-Here
Father John Misty-Fear Fun
Patti Smith-Banga
Amadou & Miriam-Folila
Jack White-Blunderbuss
Rufus Wainwright-Out of the Game
Grace Potter & the Nocturnals-The Lion The Beast The Beat
Various Artists-Miles Espanol
Fleet Foxes-Helplessness Blues
Glen Campbell-Ghost On the Canvas
Tinariwen-Tassili
Trembling Bells-The Constant Pageant
Kharia Arby-Timbuktu Tarab
Jesse Baylin-Little Spark
Eric Johnson-Up Close
Laura Marling-A Creature I Don't Know
Bon Iver-Bon Iver , Bon Iver
The Unthanks-Last

Music is dead? I don't think so....!

 

[Andre Marc]

Let me add one serious guilty pleasure..Lana Del Rey...

 

[Bill Hart]

Nice list, Andre. Are any of these on vinyl and if so, can you comment on the sonics of the Jack White, Robert Plant and other stand-outs, musically AND sonically?

 

[Andre Marc]

Nice list, Andre. Are any of these on vinyl and if so, can you comment on the sonics of the Jack White, Robert Plant and other stand-outs, musically AND sonically?

Hi Bill:

I'm afraid I have been out of the vinyl game for 25 years. I'm the last guy to ask.

All of these deliver the goods musically. I rarely, if ever buy duds these days do the the internet. I can sample albums in their
entirety now.

I was hoping to avoid discussion of sonics and stay focused on musical value..but since you asked, the Jack White and Robert Plant sound very good.
Not in any way "audiophile" recordings, but the White is an analog recording, so you take that for what it is worth. The Plant recording is full bodied,
and is well balanced.

 

[LenWhite]

Albums I've purchased in the last year I like musically. Sonic quality varies with jazz, classical, and SACD albums generally having less compression and more dynamic range, but all are eminently enjoyable.

Melody Gardot: My One And Only Thrill (RBCD)
Billy Joel: Piano Man (SACD)
Rene Marie: Voice Of My Beautiful Country (RBCD)
Dusty Springfield: Dusty in Memphis (RBCD)
Adele: 21 (RBCD)
Tord Gustavsen Quartet: The Well (RBCD)
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No.4/Australian Chamber Orchestra; Richard Tognetti -leader; Dejan Lazic' -piano (SACD)
Elton John: Elton John (SACD)
Duke Ellington: Blues In Orbit (RBCD)
Wayne Shorter: Algeria (RBCD)
Norma Winstone: Distances (RBCD)
Herbie Hancock: The Joni Letters (RBCD)
Ella Fitzgerald: like someone in love (SACD)
Emmylou Harris: Pieces Of The Sky (RBCD)
Diana Krall: Love Scenes (SACD)

 

[Andre Marc]

Albums I've purchased in the last year I like musically. Sonic quality varies with jazz, classical, and SACD albums generally having less compression and more dynamic range, but all are eminently enjoyable.

Melody Gardot: My One And Only Thrill (RBCD)
Billy Joel: Piano Man (SACD)
Rene Marie: Voice Of My Beautiful Country (RBCD)
Dusty Springfield: Dusty in Memphis (RBCD)
Adele: 21 (RBCD)
Tord Gustavsen Quartet: The Well (RBCD)
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No.4/Australian Chamber Orchestra; Richard Tognetti -leader; Dejan Lazic' -piano (SACD)
Elton John: Elton John (SACD)
Duke Ellington: Blues In Orbit (RBCD)
Wayne Shorter: Algeria (RBCD)
Norma Winstone: Distances (RBCD)
Herbie Hancock: The Joni Letters (RBCD)
Ella Fitzgerald: like someone in love (SACD)
Emmylou Harris: Pieces Of The Sky (RBCD)
Diana Krall: Love Scenes (SACD)

Cool list. I was confining my list to new releases as opposed to remasters/reissues.

I also have the Billy Joel's, Elton John's, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Dusty (Rhino Deluxe Edition), Adele (wife likes her), and the new Melody Gardot, which I find a mite bit sibilant/digital sounding.

 

[jazdoc]

I think 2012 has been pretty slim pickings for new music compared to the banner years that were 2010 and 2011. My vinyl favorites so far:

Fiona Apple "The Idler..."
This one is a little jarring on first listen if you are long-time fan. The voice is a little ragged. But this one has definitely grown on me.
Recording quality 'A'

Calexico "Algiers"
I've only heard the online stream but I own all of their albums. This is one of their best. My collectors box set of vinyl should be here in a couple days and comes with a bonus LP, CD, etc.

Leonard Cohen "Old Ideas"
One of his best. Has the feel of a valedictory.
Recording quality 'A+'

Dead Kenny G's "Gorelick"
Great band led by Skerik....Highlight is their cover of their namesake's "Kill The Poor"
Recording quality C-

Galactic "Carnivale Electrios"
The ultimate party band...you can smell the beer, vomit and urine that is the olfactory signature of the French Quarter
Recording quality B/B-

Heartless Bastards "Arrow"
Strong double LP. Great songwriting.
Recording quality B+/B

Cat Power "Sun"
First album of originals in 6 years. She's moved on from the Memphis vibe of "The Greatest". I'm in love, but the haircut is VERY disappointing. I plan on taking this up with her when I see the concert in November ;-)
Recording quality A+

The Shins "Port of Morrow"
James Mercer with a new supporting cast. More laid back than prior albums but still a great songwriter.
Recording quality Borderline A-/A

Jack White "Blunderbuss"
Jack White is the rarest of things; a true rock star. Check out the videos from Lollapalooza last month. "Sixteen Saltines" may be the single of the year.
Recording quality B+

The Winterpills "All My Lovely Goners"
Boston's answer to The Fleet Foxes...I think I like these guys better than my Seattle homies. An outstanding double LP
Recording quality A/A+

 

[Andre Marc]

I think 2012 has been pretty slim pickings for new music compared to the banner years that were 2010 and 2011. My vinyl favorites so far:

Fiona Apple "The Idler..."
This one is a little jarring on first listen if you are long-time fan. The voice is a little ragged. But this one has definitely grown on me.
Recording quality 'A'

Calexico "Algiers"
I've only heard the online stream but I own all of their albums. This is one of their best. My collectors box set of vinyl should be here in a couple days and comes with a bonus LP, CD, etc.

Leonard Cohen "Old Ideas"
One of his best. Has the feel of a valedictory.
Recording quality 'A+'

Dead Kenny G's "Gorelick"
Great band led by Skerik....Highlight is their cover of their namesake's "Kill The Poor"
Recording quality C-

Galactic "Carnivale Electrios"
The ultimate party band...you can smell the beer, vomit and urine that is the olfactory signature of the French Quarter
Recording quality B/B-

Heartless Bastards "Arrow"
Strong double LP. Great songwriting.
Recording quality B+/B

Cat Power "Sun"
First album of originals in 6 years. She's moved on from the Memphis vibe of "The Greatest". I'm in love but the haircut is disappointing. I plan on take this up with her when I see the concert in November ;-)
Recording quality A+

The Shins "Port of Morrow"
James Mercer with a new supporting cast. More laid back than prior albums but still a great songwriter.
Recording quality Borderline A-/A

The Winterpills "All My Lovely Goners"
Boston's answer to The Fleet Foxes...I think I like these guys better than my Seattle homies. An outstanding double LP
Recording quality A/A+

Really excellent picks.

Ah, I neglected to mention Winterpills, excellent album. I bought
the FLAC download.

Also, The Civil Wars...really good record.

 

[daytona600]

based on music only Some new some not

proem - socially inept
the bonzo dog doo dah band - pour l amour des chiens
james blake - james blake
aphex twin - 26 mixes for cash
gil scott heron and jamie xx - were new here
gyote - making mirrors
apparat - the devils work
bliss - they made history
wild beasts - two dancers
the national - high violet
deerhunter - helicopter
david sylvian - sleepwalkers
hildur gudnadottir - leyfou ljosinu

 

[Andre Marc]

based on music only Some new some not

proem - socially inept
the bonzo dog doo dah band - pour l amour des chiens
james blake - james blake
aphex twin - 26 mixes for cash
gil scott heron and jamie xx - were new here
gyote - making mirrors
apparat - the devils work
bliss - they made history
wild beasts - two dancers
the national - high violet
deerhunter - helicopter
david sylvian - sleepwalkers
hildur gudnadottir - leyfou ljosinu

Damn nice list. I actually like the James Blake EP better than the album.

 

[jazdoc]

based on music only Some new some not

proem - socially inept
the bonzo dog doo dah band - pour l amour des chiens
james blake - james blake
aphex twin - 26 mixes for cash
gil scott heron and jamie xx - were new here
gyote - making mirrors
apparat - the devils work
bliss - they made history
wild beasts - two dancers
the national - high violet
deerhunter - helicopter
david sylvian - sleepwalkers
hildur gudnadottir - leyfou ljosinu

Thanks for the list...

High Violet and Deerhunter's "Halcyon Digest" which has the single 'Helicopter' are great LP's. You might like Atlas Sound's "Parallax"

 

[Andre Marc]

For world music fans..I neglected to mention these outstanding albums:

Oumou Sagare: Seya
Amina Alaoui:Arco iris
Sean Anikulap Kut & Egypt 80:From Africa With Fury: Rise
Mulatu Astatke:Mulatu Steps Ahead

 

[jazdoc]

One inadvertently omitted from the list:

Damien Jurado "Maraqopa"

 

[daytona600]

glad you liked my selection andre , like music from the leftfield , typed while playing some chinese opera
After all its all about the music first

Lemon jelly - lost horizons
Dadawa - seven days
Ondatropica = ondatrpica
the magnetic north - orkney symphony
fever ray - fever ray
polar bear - beepers
kindness - world you need a change of mind
boards of canada - music has the right to children
scott walker - sings jacques brel
josh t pearson - last of the country gentleman
portico quartet - portico quartet
burial - hobcdoodi
thomas koner - novaya zemlya
no man - returning jesus

 

[Andre Marc]

glad you liked my selection andre , like music from the leftfield , typed while playing some chinese opera
After all its all about the music first

Lemon jelly - lost horizons
Dadawa - seven days
Ondatropica = ondatrpica
the magnetic north - orkney symphony
fever ray - fever ray
polar bear - beepers
kindness - world you need a change of mind
boards of canada - music has the right to children
scott walker - sings jacques brel
josh t pearson - last of the country gentleman
portico quartet - portico quartet
burial - hobcdoodi
thomas koner - novaya zemlya
no man - returning jesus

Scott Walker's early discography is essential...just startling stuff.

 

[KeithR]

jazdoc- love that Cat Power as well. Couple times through already.

 

[KeithR]

really looking forward to The Piano Guys:

http://www.youtube.com/user/ThePianoGuys

album comes out in a month.

 

[MrAcoustat]

really looking forward to The Piano Guys:

http://www.youtube.com/user/ThePianoGuys

album comes out in a month.

 

[jazdoc]

Thanks Keith --

I'm can't wait for the new Tame Impala record and think you might like it ...comes out in 3 weeks:

One more goodie only available on CD though...Marcy Playground "Lunch, Recess and Detention"

 

[Johnny Vinyl]

I love Sex and Candy!