Favorite Albums of 2012...so far....

Can 2012 be halfway over all ready? It's been a whirlwind of a year already and there are still 6 more months to complete it. I look forward to the upcoming months with eager anticipation as Amy and I are expecting our first child in late November. What I can tell our new baby years from now about the first six months of 2012 in music? Well, for starters, I'll say your father took a nosedive into some more aggressive albums that I absolutely loved. New releases from The Men, Japandroids, Cloud Nothings, Jack White, Sleigh Bells and a couple album full on retro garage numbers from Ty Segall have found a different place in my heart so far in 2012. But I've also been impressed with a lot of female led artists' releases. First Aid Kid, Sharon Van Etten, Alabama Shakes, Beach House and Fiona Apple have all been way better than average. Artists that have had a foothold in music for quite awhile have released some good music in 2012 as well. I wouldn't tell anyone that the new releases from Springsteen, Hot Chip or Spiritualized are washes. In fact, they are all growers with a lot of potential to be top 20 favorites at the end of the year. And my mellower side hasn't been let down as Damien Jurado and The Tallest Man On Earth both have released exceptional LPs in the first half of the year.

I guess what I'm getting at is 2012 has been a stronger year for music in retrospect than maybe 2011 was at this time last year. And that just gets me excited for a slew of artists in August and September that I'm looking forward to checking out. My message to my newborn would be, you were born in a year of some pretty fine modern music. Now I'm going to play "King Of The World" from First Aid Kit for you.

Like last year at this time, I'm categorizing what I've loved, liked, sleepers, etc. below. A poll is up on the side of the page asking you the reader "What have you enjoyed the most in 2012 so far?" I'm always looking forward to seeing what others have enjoyed so vote for as many LPs as you like.

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 Category 1: Front Runners For Album Of The Year

Damien Jurado-Maraqopa

First Aid Kit-The Lion's Roar

Jack White-Blunderbuss

Japandroids-Celebration Rock

The Men-Open Your Heart

Spiritualized-Sweet Heart, Sweet Light

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 Category 2: Highly Recommended, Solid Purchases

Alabama Shakes-Boys & Girls

Beach House-Bloom

Cloud Nothings-Attack On Memory

Lotus Plaza-Spooky Action At A Distance

White Rabbits-Milk Famous

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 Category 3: Can't Sleep On These...Growers

Bruce Springsteen-Wrecking Ball

Hot Chip-In Our Heads

Sharon van Etten-Tramp

Sleigh Bells-Reign Of Terror

The Tallest Man On Earth-There's No Leaving Now

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 Category 4: Disappointments, For Me At Least

Justin Townes Earle-Nothing's Gonna Change The Way You Feel About Me Now

Plants & Animals-The End Of That

The Shins-Port Of Morrow

The Walkmen-Heaven

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 Category 5: In Need OF A Couple More Listens For Proper Judgement

Fiona Apple-The Idler's Wheel...

Ty Segall-White Fence

Ty Segall Band-Slaughterhouse

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 Category 6: Take It Or Leave It

Bear In Heaven-I Love You, It's Cool

Craig Finn-Clear Heart Full Eyes

DIIV-Oshin

Field Music-Plumb
The Lumineers-The Lumineers

Porcelain Raft-Strange Weekend

Shearwater-Animal Joy

Tennis-Young And Old

Young Magic-Melt

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 Category 7: No Thanks!

Best Coast-The Only Place

The Big Pink-Future This

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Source: http://www.jhostation.com/2012/06/favorite-albums-of-2012so-far.html

The Go! Team The Honey Buzzards Helen Marnie Malcolm Middleton