1. Sonic Youth - Rather Ripped
I’ve always been way more into the idea of Sonic Youth way more than I was actually into the music. Obviously, this all changed after listening to this album, the most solid collection of great music I’ve heard in quite a while.

2. Arab Strap - The Last Romance
Sadly, one of the last releases from this amazing Scottish duo who were seriously underappreciated in their time. I hear we can expect one last album from them though, so cheers to that.

3. Deftones - Saturday Night Wrist
The Deftones finally release an album that gives White Pony a run for its money. Chino unleashes his strongest melodies yet, and the bands never sounded better.

4. Eluvium - When I Live By the Garden and the Sea
I’ve already raved about this one in an earlier post, so check that one out. In the meantime, look forward to an AMAZING new (and seriously epic) album, as well as a tour with Explosions in the Sky and a split with Jesu (holy fucking shit!).

5. Pajo - 1968
Ditto.

6. Marked Men - Fix My Brain
Hands down, the catchiest album of the year. I caught these dudes playing with Pissed Jeans and the Dicks earlier this year and they sounded ass tight.

7. Mono - You Are There
Words can’t even describe this album, but it’s the closest you’ll get to the actual live experience (they’re always on tour) so pick this one up if you haven’t. It’s like that one dude said, they’re not heavy like Metallica, they’re heavy like Beethoven.

8. Jesu - Silver
Justin Broadrick changes all the rules yet again with his newest band Jesu. The debut album itself was awesome, but this EP shows that Jesu have some serious ambitions. Oh, and Silver has got to be my favorite song of the year.

9. Grizzly Bear - Yellow House
A hauntingly beautiful album with these guys who have melodies that come right out of Pet Sounds.

10. Mogwai - Mr. Beast
Obviously, these guys were going to be on here. With their latest album, Mogwai abandon the length of their songs and get a little more conventional. Admittedly, there are some songs that don’t quite light my fire, but the ones that do have rapidly become favorites in an already impressive catalogue of great material.

Honorable Mentions: Joanna Newsom, Envy, Thom Yorke, Tool, Dan Sartain and Lavender Diamond

Top 5 Concerts

1. Coachella
2. Nine Inch Nails-Jones Beach
3. Temporary Residence Festival-Bowery Ballroom
4. Beastie Boys-Hiro Ballroom
5. TIE-Sonic Youth @ CBGBs & Dead Meadow @ McCarren Pool

Tags: best of, staff //