In a broadly scattered year, Los Angeles Times pop music writers widely agreed on only two albums from 2012, handily naming Frank Ocean’s breakthrough solo album “Channel Orange” the best of the year, followed at a safe distance by another Angeleno rapper, Kendrick Lamar, whose debut album “good kid, m.A.A.d city” finished in the No. 2 spot.
Ocean’s album made seven of eight writers’ Top 10 best lists, while Lamar’s CD finished in six of the Top 10 lists. Times pop music critic Randall Roberts and three other writers named “Channel Orange” album of the year.
1. Frank Ocean, “Channel Orange” (Def Jam) (62)
2. Kendrick Lamar, “good kid, m.A.A.d. city” (Aftermath/Interscope) (43)
3. Fiona Apple, “The Idler Wheel….” (Epic) (17)
4. Dr. John, “Locked Down” (Nonesuch) (17)
5. Japandroids, “Celebration Rock” (Polyvinyl) (16)
6. Miguel, "Kaleidoscope Dream” (RCA) (15)
7. Cat Power, “Sun” (Matador) (14)
8. Andy Stott, “Luxury Problems” (Modern Love) (14)
9. Swans, “The Seer” (Young God) (13)
10. Alabama Shakes, “Boys & Girls” (ATO) (12)
http://graphics.latimes.com/storyboa...est-2012-list/
