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I’m gonna be honest, I thought Justin Vernon/Bon Iver was a one album wonder. I thought For Emma, Forever Ago was gonna be their only claim to fame. There are maybe 5 songs on there that are pretty good, in my opinion. But after about a month of listening to it, I got really tired of it. So when Bon Iver came out, I was in no hurry to get it, I had seen the video for Calgary, but still wasn’t too psyched to hear it.  I should go ahead and thank Robbie for urging me to download it and give it a shot. After 1 listen, I wasn’t exactly sure what I had just heard. So I listened again, and sure enough, I was in awe. To me, this is the perfect album. There are so many layers on each of these songs that it took 9 players to recreate it live. Much like M83′s Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming, the first song sets the tone very well. Perth is a great intro to such a moody album. Lyrically, I have no idea what the hell he’s talking about. I’ve read the lyrics, but that doesn’t help. Nonetheless, this album is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever experienced.

Such an grandiose statement. Who does Anthony Gonzalez think he is releasing a double album? The Smashing Pumpkins did it with Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, Nine Inch Nails with The Fragile among countless others. But M83? You won’t hear any arguments from me. This album is amazing. The first song on this journey, Intro, features Zola Jesus and sets the tone with effects-laden vocals that basically say: “Get ready”.

There are few albums albums out there where you can listen from start to finish and not feel like there was something that you could have skipped. Burst Apart is one of those albums. It’s nowhere near as moody and involved as 2009′s Hospice, it’s much more accessible. Putting the Dog to Sleep is the highlight of the album for me, simply because it’s the moodiest. I had the opportunity to see them at The Loft and they are every bit as good live as they are recorded.

Another John Congleton entry on the list. This album took me a few listens to really get into it, mainly because it forces the listeners to be a little more patient than it’s predecessors, but the payoff is well worth it. 45 minutes of beautiful melodies and great songs. Last Known Surroundings is possibly the best thing they have ever done. EITS is one of my favorite bands and this album was no disappointment, for sure. Although, I was sorely disappointed that the show they were scheduled to play was rained out and the rescheduled date was when I happened to be in Washington. COME BACK, EITS!

I’m writing this post less than 20 hours from seeing them on their tour-ending blowout with Dead Letter Circus at the Granada Theater, so I may be a little over-excited. Awesome, awesome, awesome. Fair to Midland has matured into something that I’m a big fan of, and that is relentlessness, they aren’t giving up and quite frankly, they seem pissed off. Arrows & Anchors is a kick in the chest and that’s what they wanted it to be. Their ability to write such great hooks (see: Golden Parachutes) and lyrics that make you question your sanity (see: Whiskey & Ritalin) is a rare find these days.

Oh, Annie Clark, why must you be so awesome? So awesome, in fact, that you wrote a song about me. Nevermind the fact that it was a but snarky and kind of an insult, but whatever, I take what I can get. This is another product of John Congleton, who is the producer of choice for a good bit of bands that I follow (This Will Destroy You, Explosions In The Sky, Shapes Stars Make). All of them sonic masterpieces. Annie’s voice has such a presence on this album, that at times, her fantastic guitar work takes a back seat (see Champagne Year) Along with one of the best videos of the year, the song Cruel is probably in my top 10 or so for the year.

“Oh Elijah, don’t make me wait
I got no patience for an estrangement, anyway
Wake up, avenue C
Your hometown is still sleeping”

- St. Vincent (Dilettante)

Helplessness Blues took some time to grow on me. I had a tough time with some of the train of thought lyrics, the whole green apples idea from The Shrine / An Argument annoyed me at first, even to a point where I didn’t listen to the album after the initial listening for 2-3 weeks. But after I delved into it again, I was more receptive of Pecknold’s lyrics and just accepted it for what they are and appreciated the point he was trying to make. After all, The Shrine / An Argument is probably the best song on the album. I’m also a fan of longer songs and it clocks in just over 8 minutes. Goodness. Grown Ocean and Helplessness Blues are both excellent as well.

I had the pleasure of seeing AA Bondy this year at the tiny Prophet Bar (old Gypsy Tea Room) and it was one of the best shows of the year. His simple songwriting and instrumentation is very refreshing to me and is a perfect soundtrack to sitting out on the porch watching a storm pass through. An amazing voice coupled with thoughtful lyrics. A definite 180 from his Verbena days. AA Bondy is one of those artists that I will skip whatever it is I have planned to go see live.

“Behind the red door in american skin
There is a murder of roses
In the midnight hiss come cover me there
For i am electric nothing”

- AA Bondy (Surfer King)

I’m glad Mastodon put out an album that wasn’t Crack the Skye II. Don’t get me wrong, Crack the Skye was my album of the year 2 years ago, but let’s be honest, that album took a lot of time and dedication to enjoy properly. Start to finish is the only way to go with it. The Hunter on the other hand, is not as time consuming of an endeavor. While it’s still a damn good album, there’s no reason you can’t skip around on it and chop it up if needed. Short, 3-5 minute long songs filled this album and no deep-seeded concept to follow here, just good songs. My personal favorite is Creature Lives, which to me, sounds like it’s the most overly produced song of the bunch (not a bad thing). There’s a appearance by Scott Kelly from Neurosis on Spectrelight, which is also a good one.