TheDoktor's Best Albums of 2012 List... · 1:33am Jan 5th, 2013
...Because I'm awesome and you totally care what I think, right?
2012 was a good year for music, though, especially Metal, for some reason. I do enjoy all sorts of music, but Metal seemed to be at the forefront this year for me, moreso than in the last few years. Though my favorite album of the year is a distinct change of pace.
5. Pig Destroyer- Book Burner: Pig Destroyer don't make music for everyone... in fact it's almost music for no one. The veteran Grindcore outfit's latest record is a harsh, relentless assault upon your ear-holes, with Scott Hull's flesh-rending riffs and Adam Jarvis' pulverizing drums leading the way for vocalist (I won't use the word 'singer') J.R. Hayes' bloody-throated misanthropy. Like any worthwhile artistic work, this demands your attention, on at least some level - Great art does not even care if you love it or hate it; you just will not be allowed to ignore it. (Listen- "Burning Palm")
4. Alcest- Les Voyages de l'Âme: And Metal gets... gentle? Well this is actually closer to Shoegaze than Metal, but this enigmatic French two-man band prove that rapid-fire kick drums and walls of distorted guitar can be employed for more than thuggish violence. Alcest surround the listener in waves of dense, lush, and strangely comforting atmosphere. A voyage well-worth taking, even for those who don't normally indulge in the harder stuff. (Listen- "Autre Temps")
3. Gojira- L'Enfant Savage: France strikes again! This record from the veteran eco-thrashers was for many Metal fans the most anticipated record of the year, and they delivered on those outsized expectations, and then some. All of the neck-snapping violence and brain-scrambling technique that they'd displayed on past records like From Mars to Sirius and The Way of All Flesh is fully in force here, but married to concise song structures for maximum impact, truly an 'all killer, no filler' album. Plus if you buy this record, you're helping to save the planet! (Listen: "The Gift of Guilt")
2. Enslaved- RIITIIR: AKA The Album That Makes You Want to Play Skyrim. When Norway's reigning lords of Viking/Black Metal released Axioma Ethica Odini several years back, it seemed like their Magnum Opus, the album that sums up a career. Enter 2012, and a record that utterly buries that previous work of genius. Everything here just works... Herbrand Larsen has moved from just being the 'clean vocals' guy to being a true Co-Lead Singer, his melodious tenor a fitting contrast to Kjell Grutle's demonic rasp. The songwriting and music (led by guitarist Ivar Bjornson) touch on many places, but it all feels so very cohesive, rather than some sort of stitched-together Frankenstein Monster. People like to throw around the word 'Epic' a lot... this really IS. Masterful. (Listen- "Roots of the Mountain.")
1. Baroness- Yellow and Green: The only reason Enslaved didn't get my Record of the Year is simply this- Baroness had the earth-shattering balls to release a record that they knew would probably alienate a huge portion of their existing fanbase. Past works had placed them at the forefront of the southern- U.S. Sludge Metal scene with like minded purveyors of all things heavy Mastodon. With Yellow and Green, they lose some of their former aural fury, replacing it with texture, mood, and amazing songcraft. From the arena rocking "Take My Bones Away," to the gentle sorrow of "Collapse" and everything in between, it all works so very, very well. Really, this record belongs to Alternative Rock, more than anything else... in this listener's opinion, if this had been released twenty years ago, back when albums actually mattered, this would have gone platinum and we'd all be talking about how legendary Baroness is. Twenty years from now, I think we still may be, anyway. (Listen: "Mtns. (The Crown and Anchor)" )
Well, that's it! Got any favs of your own? Please share!
My favorite album this year was yer butt
-Orange
680469
It should be. My butt is awesome.
All butt-themed jokes aside, discounting everything already on your list, my favorite metal album was Periphery II: This Time It's Personal.
However, metal's not everyone's cup of tea! So, if you're the sort that prefers aggressive political rap We Don't Even Live here by P.O.S. is pure amazing.
For guitar rock fans, I suggest Ugly by Screaming Females (though the new Dinosaur Jr was really good too, if you're super into the genre)
And Theater is Evil by Amanda Palmer and the Grand Theft Orchestra if you are someone who likes to put fun sounds in your ears.
Finally, Caravan Palace's Panic for weirdos in general and because I arbitrarily decided my list should also have five items.
2012 was a fantastic year for music, gotta say.
-Orange
680587
That Periphery record just missed on being on my list. It's really the record that Protest the Hero should've been making the last two times, rather than degenerating into noodle-y-ness.
Also, the latest Murder by Death was a fine return to form after the merely O.K. Good Morning, Magpie.
I also keep hearing the last Smashing Pumpkins record was a comeback of sorts, but I have not heard it yet.
Most anticipated records of 2013? That OTHER Periphery record that's supposed to be coming out, along with the Queens of the Stone Age one with Dave Grohl, Trent Reznor, and Jake Shears from Scissor Sisters.