As I looked back on the music I’d listened to in the past 12 months, my suspicions were immediately confirmed — I didn’t listen to as much new stuff as I want and need to.
Rather than constantly seeking out new bands through a variety of blogs and websites as I have usually done, I found myself reaching into the recent past and listening to acts that I’d either forgotten about or just missed completely.
So, when I set forth to compile a list of the year’s best music, it turned out that my range of possible choices was relatively narrow. And, while all of the music listed below is high quality, I know it’s not as all-encompassing as it should be. For that I am sorry. And I can only hope to do better in the coming year.
THE 10 ALBUMS I THINK EVERYONE SHOULD LISTEN TO
(I didn’t realize this until I alphabetized my list, but six of these bands start with L. That’s rather uncanny.)
- British India – Controller … Favorite song: “I Can Make You Love Me”
- CHVRCHES – The Bones of What You Believe … Favorite song: “The Mother We Share”
- Mikal Cronin – MCII … Favorite song: “Shake It Out”
- Leagues – You Belong Here … Favorite song: “Walking Backwards”
- Little Green Cars – Absolute Zero … Favorite songs: “Harper Lee” and “The John Wayne”
- The Lone Bellow – self-titled … Favorite song: “Green Eyes and a Heart of Gold”
- Lorde – Pure Heroine … Favorite song: “Royals”
- The Love Language – Ruby Red … Favorite song: “Calm Down”
- Lucius – Wildewoman … Favorite song: “Hey, Doreen”
- Kacey Musgraves – Same Trailer Different Park … Favorite songs: “Merry Go ’round” and “Follow Your Arrow”
A COUPLE OF EPs THAT ARE WORTH A MENTION
- Twin Forks – self-titled … Favorite songs: “Something We Just Know” and “Back To You”
- Wildcat! Wildcat! – self-titled … Favorite song: “Mr. Quiche”
A FEW SONGS THAT STOOD OUT IN MY MIND
- Diarrhea Planet – “The Sound of My Ceiling Fan”
- HAIM – “Don’t Save Me”
- HAIM – “The Wire”
- Ivan & Alyosha – “Running For Cover”
- Just Handshakes – “London Bound”
- Phosphorescent – “Song For Zula”
- San Fermin – “Sonsick”
Infinite Shuffle 
[…] Last week, I listed my favorite music from the past year. This week, as I’ve done the past several years, I’ve compiled as many of the various end-of-the-year lists that I could find for your viewing pleasure. Judging from the assorted critics, it appears as though Kanye West’s Yeezus was the most popular release of the year. But Vampire Weekend gave him a run for his money. […]
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