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Collin's Best of 2012
Member Since: 2/13/2012
Posts: 62,082
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#3, #2, #1 - The Trinity
And finally, we have reached my final three albums of 2012. These three records have been
the songs to my everyday life, anthems to my world, themes of my being. They're everything.
This year would've been nothing without them, and they made it complete for me.
Here's a recap of all the albums in the countdown:
 25 to 16
See Original Post
Quote:
Originally posted by collin
 | #25: The Knife / Silent Shout
Coming in at #25 is an album released in 2006! I know these Best Of's are supposed to be actually in this year, but I decided to do them by what mattered most to ME this year  I've listened to most all of The Knife's work, and this one I listened to earlier this year, and deeply enjoyed. It's a great electronic masterpiece. I'm excited to see what they do in 2013 
Plays total: 190
Released: 2006
Stand-outs: We Share Our Mothers' Health, Neverland, Still Light, From Off to On |
 | #24: Nelly Furtado / The Spirit Indestructible
I'm not a huge Nelly fan, but I decided I should give this album a listen, especially after it abnormally flopped. I discovered some huge bops and found myself sympathizing for Nelly. Though it hasn't been a huge favorite for me this year, it has been memorable for me because I've followed it so closely. Her image and sound this era really gained respect from me, though.
Plays total: 192
Released: 2012
Stand-outs: Play, Parking Lot, Big Hoops (Bigger The Better)
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 | #23: Santigold / Master Of My Make-Believe
I hugely anticipated Santi's return to music after her debut. Though I did enjoy this album, it wasn't incredible for me, but still did the trick. She seems to have perfected the image she was striving for with her debut - a successful mixture of electronic and alternative. She definitely stays true to her own self, and I respect that. Plus the album cover makes the album in and of itself.
Plays total: 125
Released: 2012
Stand-outs: Big Mouth, Pirate In The Water, God From the Machine
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 | #22: Holy Other / Held
Though this may fall under ATRL radar, this album is one I highly enjoyed this year. Especially because it comes from someone I watched come from nothing to a well-developed artist, it's great to be able to enjoy music from an old friend. For those who like music in strange time signatures and deep, soulful synths, this is for you. I'm looking at you, Crystal Castles fans!
Plays total: 121
Released: 2012
Stand-outs: Nothing Here, In Difference, Inpouring
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 | #21: Björk / Volta
One of the many Björk albums I listened to this year. I found myself very much enjoying the album, however I'd definitely rank it in the bottom half of her albums in quality. Clearly, it was still good enough to do some damage in my top 25. The earthy and colorful themes she goes for here are very unique and nice, and the album is a very nice collection in general.
Plays total: 143
Released: 2007
Stand-outs: Pneumonia, Declare Independence, Innocence |
 | #20: William Orbit / Hello Waveforms
As a quick precursor in the wait for MDNA, I decided to go ahead and take a look at William Orbit's solo material. I'm very glad I did so, for it was impressive. The peaceful organization of underwater synths was perfect both as a lullaby and energizer. It's always good to dig into the producers instead of lying on the surface, and this album showed me that.
Plays total: 154 / Released: 2006
Stand-outs: Spiral (feat. Kenna & Sugababes), Humming Chorus, Surfin'
Last Year's #20: Kelis - Flesh Tone
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 | #19: Dev / The Night The Sun Came Up
Though I listened to this mostly in 2011, I didn't include it last year because I thought I'd like it more this year  I do really like this album, though I don't feel it's very "Dev" as she initially meant to come across. I followed it heavily around its' debut, and many memories surround that. Plus, it debuted higher than Kreayshawn and Nelly F, so I'm not complaining!
Plays total: 264 (Total) / Released: 2012
Stand-outs: Lightspeed, Breathe, In My Trunk, Shadows
Last Year's #19: The Strokes - Room on Fire
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 | #18: Sleigh Bells / Reign Of Terror
Though not nearly as great as their debut for me, I still very much enjoyed this album. I was a little let down in comparison to their debut, as the image and many tracks on the album seemed to not be up to par, but then there were some tracks that were amazing and that I loved. I do like that they tested other grounds with RoT, and I'm excited for their 2013 album!
Plays total: 177 / Released: 2012
Stand-outs: Crush, End Of The Line, Road to Hell, Born to Lose
Last Year's #18: Madonna - Confessions On a Dance Floor
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 | #17: Justin Bieber / Believe
Coming from me not caring for Bieber at all to actually respecting him and enjoying his music was very refreshing. Believe was a great body of work and undoubtedly his best yet. From the undeniable pop smashes to working with sideline producers like Mike Posner and Diplo, Bieber did well with this album. I'm still waiting for the cutesy anthems to fade out, though.
Plays total: 198 / Released: 2012
Stand-outs: Beauty And a Beat, Right Here, Thought of You, Take You
Last Year's #17: Avril Lavigne - Goodbye Lullaby
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 | #16: Björk / Medúlla
The second of three Björk albums that make an appearance in my top 25, Medúlla was a very impacting album on my listening this year. Though not one of my favorite-favorites, it definitely showcases Björk's musicianship very well. The use of beat-boxing and vocal distortion is flawless. I also learned what medulla was in AP Psych this year and got all excited 
Plays total: 223 / Released: 2004
Stand-outs: Where Is The Line?, Oceania, Submarine
Last Year's #16: Alexandra Stan - Saxobeats
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15 to 9
See Original Post
Quote:
Originally posted by collin
 | #15: Rihanna / Talk That Talk
Because this album came late last year, it only hit #5 on my last year's countdown. If combined with this year, it'd easily reach the top 3. Talk That Talk has been a very important album in my life, an anthem album that I play nonstop. I not only connect to the deep emotion put into the songs, but they're all so musically and sonically pleasant. Such an underrated piece of work, Unapologetic could never. Plus, both the deluxe and standard have incredible album artwork  Maybe I just love this era because it's full of weed influences and great memories, but either way I just love it. I use every flawless track.
Plays total: 190 / Released: 2011
Stand-outs: We All Want Love, Watch N Learn, You Da One, Drunk On Love
Last Year's #15: Jennifer Lopez - Love?
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 | #14: Rye Rye / Go! Pop! Bang!
FULL of huge R&B/electro/rap jams. Rye Rye brings her A-game with every damn track, I was blown away; she definitely exceeded my expectations. On this album she worked with The Neptunes, Bangladesh, Porcelain Black, RedOneand M.I.A. among many artists. Not only is she scoring major points in my book, she really serves. Her genre mash-up of power pop and rap works, and VERY well. I'm actually quite angry that she didn't grab a few smash hits from this set, it's VERY underrated. I tried to buy it (on vinyl) but it flopped too hard and I couldn't find it  That's immoral for this masterpiece.
Plays total: 216 / Released: 2012
Stand-outs: Hotter, Hardcore Girls, Drop, DNA
Last Year's #14: Björk - Homogenic
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 | #13: Björk / Homogenic
Björk's final album on my countdown this year, moving up one spot from last year! Though added less than a week after Talk That Talk in my library in November 2011, this album has also been very prevalent throughout my 2012. I'd find a new song I loved every few weeks until I eventually adored every single one for their electronic perfection, intricate beauty and game-changing abilities. Stuck in a tie with Vespertine (#1 on my albums in 2011) for my favorite album of Björk's, and also would've placed higher had I listened to it in 2012  Regardless, it's a flawless set. Purely flawless.
Plays total: 297 / Released: 1997 (Oldest on my countdown)
Stand-outs: Unravel, Jòga, Pluto, Alarm Call
Last Year's #13: Britney Spears - Circus
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 | #12: Azealia Banks / Fantasea
Yeah, yeah - I know it's a mixtape. However, it runs like an album, does the work of an album, and was treated like an album this year, therefore earning its' spot in the upper half of my top 25. I loved the way she compiled this so successfully, and actually having incorporating a theme into it so successfully; it's still easily the most official mixtape I've ever seen released by an artist. Any Azealia fan would be dumb to not get excited for Broke With Expensive Taste after this flawless release. The feel it has is very unique to her, and I'm more than sure she will serve the best with her first ACTUAL album.
Plays total: 243 / Released: 2012
Stand-outs: Luxury, **** Up the Fun, Neptune, Nathan
Last Year's #12: Caribou - Swim
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 | #11: Christina Aguilera / Lotus
Posterior to the large-scale mess that was Bionic, I think Lotus did a good job at saving Xtina from her awful stance in pop culture. Though it clearly underperformed more-so than any of her previous works, the album actually stops trying to be something else and is simply Xtina. I'd agree that she has a long way to go before arriving at a good medium and must still find her place in music again, but Lotus is a crucial step in the right direction. Your Body clearly did not deserve the under-performance occurred: the song AND video both slay. I bought the album and love it. Legend X did good
Plays total: 332 / Released: 2012
Stand-outs: Cease Fire, Red Hot Kinda Love, Your Body, Blank Page
Last Year's #11: Jessie J (Just like its' US peak ) |
 | #10: Marina & the Diamonds / Electra Heart
Marina's debut, The Family Jewels, did not click with me well. The image and genre shift, however, reeled me in immediately. Alter-ego or not, Marina unarguably released one of the best pop albums this year. Her global under-performance has truly been a disappointment, but Electra Heart certainly was not. Though it's in the vein of Lana and viewed as a sellout by Miss Diamandis, the music does wonders. There are phenomenal tracks that apologize for the tracks that tarnish the record horribly: i.e. Homewrecker and Bubblegum Bitch. But that's just my 
Plays total: 364 / Released: 2012
Stand-outs: Lies, Radioactive, Power & Control, How To Be A Heartbreaker
Last Year's #10: James Blake - James Blake
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This next album earns a special rank in my heart. It has easily pushed its' way into my top 5
albums of all time, especially this year. It reached a decade-old age this year, as well.
Also, it marks the last non-2012 album on my chart, making its' spot #9, which is also my lucky number 
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8 to 4
 | #8: No Doubt / Push & Shove
After spending years and years anticipating a follow-up to my childhood anthem album, Rock Steady, No Doubt finally came around this year and served up to every level I could've possibly asked them to. Though they didn't have the commercial success they've had in the past, I truthfully don't care. Each song is something to listen to and the album is inherently filler-less; it has something to offer for everyone. It takes talent and effort to encompass everything everyone is expecting from an 11-year break, and they did it very well, while still making newer genre-experimenting songs as well. It's like they never left! As a whole, the album's a perfect ska-electronic-dreampop-alternative mashup, or to put it short, a result that I love. One of the few albums I purchased this year 
Plays total: 261 / Released: 2012
Stand-outs: Easy, Sparkle, Push & Shove, Undone
Last Year's #8: Jewel - 0304 |
 | #7: Leona Lewis / Glassheart
I couldn't describe the reason I had for initially listening to this. The last song I have downloaded from Leona is Bleeding Love  This masterpiece of an album made me mad to have not discovered her beautiful, electrifying talent and X factor. The music encompassed in this album is the type that I can't just find recycled elsewhere. Consistent of hypnotic electronica and huge percussion, this album is right up my alley - I'd even consider it in the vein of many other dark electronic projects (i.e. Natalia Kills, Crystal Castles). It's a perfect mixture of everything, it's a true work of art, and even the look Leona went for this era is being grasped flawlessly. Once the song Glassheart is released worldwide, it NEEDS to smash. I will be purchasing this upon US release.
Plays total: 376 / Released: 2012
Stand-outs: Glassheart, Stop the Clocks, Come Alive, Lovebird
Last Year's #7: Lady Gaga - Born This Way |
 | #6: Kreayshawn / Somethin' Bout Kreay
Upon release of Gucci Gucci last year, I wasn't totally getting into Kreay. Though I did mildly like the track, it didn't to the trick for me. I had told myself I'd listen to her debut, just because I like doing that before making judgments on artists. I am SO glad I decided to listen to it, and I eventually ended up buying it because it flopped enormously, probably mostly due to the least good tracks being released first  This album is literally a summary of Kreayshawn, and the only song that has to do with love is either about her friends or killing her boyfriend, so that's refreshing and mildly hilarious. The album is FULL of giant electronic jams that are undeniably catchy and that you couldn't even see Rihanna or Katy pulling off. She shows her true colors in this album, and it was an AMAZING result.
Plays total: 325 / Released: 2012
Stand-outs: Luv Haus, Summertime, BFF (Bestfriend), Blasé Blasé
Last Year's #6: Björk - Biophilia |
 | #5: Nicki Minaj / Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded
As much as many people don't want to admit it, this album is absolutely incredible. First of all, the pop tracks basically **** on every other mainstream pop girl without even trying, and Nicki barely even has a singing voice. The rap tracks are arguably a little weak, and paid a little too much dust this era, but regardless I am jamming by track 10. I'm never going to forget erupting the pop tracks through the speakers in my car on spring break and watching Starships and Pound the Alarm climb up the charts effortlessly. So many memories this year are associated with this smash of a record. I'm a little pissed that Whip It was paid dust... currently, I'm shredding my stan card. But as a whole, this album, rap and pop, impacted my life hard this year. I'll always love it
Plays total: 663 / Released: 2012
Stand-outs: Beez In The Trap, Whip It, Pound the Alarm, Stupid H...eaux 
Last Year's #5: Rihanna - Talk That Talk |
 | #4: Madonna / MDNA
Alas, the album that shoved me over the edge and caused me to finally get an ATRL account! The countdown to this album was massive, and I remember every moment. Especially the awful leak over some random streaming website  Everyone acts like this album is the pits of all hell, and maybe it's not Madonna's best - but I still really like this album. Not only does it out-do all other girls' dance anthem attempts over and over in one album, it also gets deep and emotional on many tracks, something us Madonna fans love to see. Hard Candy honestly cannot compare, and it makes me sad to see all the haters lining up to trash Madonna for what I find to be a great collection of tracks. Hell, even Turn Up the Radio deserved to smash. Maybe next time, Madge.
Plays total: 590 / Released: 2012
Stand-outs: I'm A Sinner, Some Girls, Superstar, Girl Gone Wild
Last Year's #4: Madonna - Ray of Light (Grabbing that second consecutive #4!) |
 | #3: Lana Del Rey / Born To Die
Is it by mistake or design? Lana mumbles this lyric in the title track, and upon listening to this release you can only wonder the exact same about her work. Aside from the purely perfect musical bodies of work, the image Lana makes for herself works so incredibly well that you'll find it impossible to be replicated. The only track I do not absolutely love with every fiber of my being is Carmen, a tacky song about a 17-year-old heaux. Aside that, this album is jam-packed with overly impressive track after overly impressive track, each intricate with specially worded lyrics, instrumentation and meaning. It's been a long time that I've seen an artist portray their emotions this well and actually completely design their own league for themselves. Every song from this album gets stuck in my head and even the bonus tracks get me livid. The album, lyrically and musically, is unforgettable in my life, and even between my friends and I. It brings me right back each time.
Plays total: 385 / Released: 2012
Stand-outs: Lolita, Million Dollar Man, Born to Die, Dark Paradise
Last Year's #3: Vanessa Carlton - Rabbits On the Run |
 | #2: Crystal Castles / Crystal Castles III
For those of you who don't know much about Crystal Castles, they're a dark electronic duo from Canada. Each album they gather a collection of tracks that sound all alike in some ways, but nothing exact like any of their previous works. This is a flawless album from my favorite band (I'd say of all time, but that's up in the air). Though it wasn't heavily anticipated on my side of the world, it did every job every single one of their albums have done for me, and that's being so exceedingly incredible, so in-their-own-league. The bond a fan has to this music for CC is so special, and I think only a select few of ATRLers understand it completely, but I'm impressed that anyone enjoys their music along with me here. The album almost creates feelings inside of you that you haven't previously been able to design. It formulates new ideas and each song makes me want to think and ponder forever. The complete opposite of a letdown by CC, this album blew me away, completely.
Plays total: 584 / Released: 2012
Stand-outs: Insulin, Wrath of God, Kerosene, Transgender
Last Year's #2: Britney Spears - Femme Fatale |
 | #1: Ke$ha / Warrior
    
Now that that's out of the way, this album is ****ing amazing and I don't care if it flopped, under-performed, what the hell ever. As a Ke$ha stan, this was EVERYTHING I wanted from her and it completely slayed my life. Even if the music has not been the best of the entire year (which it has been for me), this album deserves a #1 spot here because I have spent nearly all of my 2012 freaking out about it and preparing to be slayed all over again, but even preparation couldn't prepare me for this extremely perfect album. My only issue with this album is the fact that damn RCA is trying to make her look like a weird heaux when she clearly isn't. Regardless, I'm ready to see this album everywhere in 2013
Plays total: 791 (Passing up everything in 2012 in 1 month) / Released: 2012
Stand-outs: C'Mon, Supernatural, Only Wanna Dance With You, Last Goodbye
Last Year's #1: Björk - Vespertine |
This has been my top 25 albums countdown I hope you all enjoyed it! Next up: Top 200 Songs
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Member Since: 3/27/2012
Posts: 27,951
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Wow, I so didn't see Warrior being #1
GREAT TOP 3 THOUGH
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Member Since: 4/24/2004
Posts: 7,295
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Not a fan of MDNA.
WARRIOR and BTD 
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ATRL Contributor
Member Since: 8/1/2012
Posts: 15,668
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Great top 3 
IMO THE standout track from Warrior is "Crazy Kids" :P But every person to their own opinions I suppose haha
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Member Since: 2/20/2012
Posts: 24,225
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Warrior is good, but not that good.
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Member Since: 2/13/2012
Posts: 62,082
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I disagree I connect with it on every single level, I just seriously adore Ke$ha, you have no idea
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Member Since: 3/29/2012
Posts: 28,833
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YAS Born To Die and WARRIOR  Stan sis, stan
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Member Since: 4/19/2012
Posts: 1,557
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Amazing top 3! (III)
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Member Since: 5/18/2012
Posts: 20,576
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Awesome list, especially the top 3.
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Member Since: 6/20/2007
Posts: 37,153
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Warrior
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Member Since: 3/1/2012
Posts: 4,141
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Good list mate
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Member Since: 6/6/2012
Posts: 2,639
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Flawless! I loved it, collin! 
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Member Since: 9/13/2011
Posts: 14,715
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BTD and WARRIOR!
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Member Since: 12/22/2008
Posts: 14,438
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Member Since: 11/17/2008
Posts: 28,694
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Lana Del rey top 3
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Member Since: 11/5/2005
Posts: 29,791
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'Warrior' & 'Born to Die'
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Member Since: 8/27/2006
Posts: 4,802
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Born to Die , great album 
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Member Since: 5/23/2007
Posts: 65,087
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Just listened to the Crystal Castles album yesterday, pretty good BTD is one of my fave albums of the year too! and amazing #1, so deserved for Ke$ha, Warrior is great!
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Member Since: 6/16/2009
Posts: 7,224
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Awesome #1 album, Born To Die also made it into my Top 3!!!!1111111
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Member Since: 11/28/2011
Posts: 10,662
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Warrior Incredible.
And yes, STAN for C'mon and Last Goodbye!
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This album impacted my childhood like a damn meteor. In my last year living at home, this album has been very special to me. I resurrected many tracks from it (including the outtakes and demos) that have all become a giant part of my 2012. My best friend had her dad ship in a Japanese Deluxe Edition of this for my birthday back in March, making it just that much closer to my heart. The album is basically what defines iconic for me, and is basically timeless. I listen to it and it immediately makes me happy. I'm also extremely excited for her 2013 album 
