ILM's Top 77 Albums of 2012

Orbital cover looks loads better in b&w!

(too low)

I think I have weird expectations of RV because the only track of his I've listened to on repeat was 'Easy Lee'. I'm guessing this doesn't sound like that, right?

This is rubbish, sorry. It's just what happens when bands release records that aren't as good as their last ones.

― Deafening silence (DL), Tuesday, 29 January 2013 14:31 (1 minute ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

I don't think Centipede Hz was THAT much worse than MPP. The standing ovation given to MPP is dramatic compared to the stony silence that greeted Centipede Hz. And it seems to be happening through-and-through with this kind of indie - not just with AC and DP. I think only Simey gave props to Ariel Pink's Mature Themes, elsewhere it was panned (he did say some stupid things in interviews, mind you). It's also probably got a lot to do with the decline of the hipster archetype now that folky indie stuff has made it onto TV adverts and Mumford-style commericalism, suddenly these bands aren't seen as groundbreaking as they were in 2005.

Need to check out the last three entries. Used to be a huge Orbital fan but their last couple of albums were pretty poor.

Didn't love Wonky I'm afraid, sorry. I did want to.

This one is way better than the last couple, although obviously not up there with their best. It's one of those 'greatest hits comprised entirely of new songs' type albums. I like it a lot though.

too low)

― Bel-Air the Fresh Prince, sitting in a chair (DJP), Tuesday, 29 January 2013 14:42 (1 minute ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

Really expected this to be much higher, 25-35 range.

I only have limited experience with Orbital, but Wonky sounds p good to me so far.

I think a better word for latter-day Orbital albums (aside from Wonky) is "complacent"; I still like them tons but they aren't very surprising. One of the things that made Wonky stand out instantly over Blue and The Altogether was the sense that they had rediscovered how to consistently ride in the groove pocket over the course of an entire album as opposed to building a bunch of adequate tracks around two or three killers.

I think my problem with Wonky was that everything was very surface-level. The tracks were quite good fun on first listen, but I wasn't really drawn into hearing them again.

What are we expecting to be top ten/top five? I can't really think of what the big hitters are supposed to be this year.

Should have used the live style mix of 'Where is is it going?' on the album, up there with their best work.

JF you should hear every Orbital album. They are all good to amazing all-time best music (the run from Brown through The Middle of Nowhere is one of the greatest career arcs in modern music)

top 5 kendrick/miguel/frank ocean/taylor swift/???

I haven't heard any Orbital since Orbital 2. It's been a little while.

i really think miguel will beat those other three by some distance

xp

But then again I hadn't heard any of the dance albums that have made the list so far so I'm not exactly in touch with ILX taste.

Oh Swans as well maybe?

really looking forward to the day when Taylor Swift falls out of favor

(I'll probably start liking her then, lol)

If it's not too early, some predictions for top 5/10:

Kaleidoscope Dream
Armor On
Bish Bosch
Fin
Something
The Seer
World Music (maybe?)
Good Kid m.a.a.d. City

forgot Frank Ocean

wonder where something like death grips will place.

But back to the countdown as is, first time playing this Orbital and it's really working for me so I'd be obliged Mr Fever if you would only post albums I have already heard over the next hour so I can continue to enjoy this.

I'd be pretty happy with that list, DL. Don't like all of it by a long shot but it's a good range of things.

i had no idea what Armor On was. had to look it up lol

http://i.imgur.com/vaa10bY.png

54. COOLY G Playin' Me (282 Points, 11 Votes) Spotify

much obliged

ilm favourite that one.

I'd be happy with that top 9 (even though i've come to the conclusion Frank Ocean is just never going to be the one for me), so it's probably wishful thinking.

cooly's leather-clad fist looks very shiny and menacing in b&w

my last post was xposts rE: Armor On

really hope t-swift misses the top 10

How well is Farrah Abraham going to do?

cooly g!!!!

great record. was surprised to find it just missed my ballot - it was among several excellent records floating around between 15-30 for me. in the summer it would've made it, it's a great lazy day in the heat album (but it's the emotional undercurrent that really makes it...)

playin' me
what this world needs now
trouble (the best coldplay cover ever)

How well is Farrah Abraham going to do?

top 20 for sure, holding out hope for the top 10. get the feeling it'll get lots of high votes.

really hope t-swift misses the top 10

traitor

farrah abraham could well be a lock

Do we reckon Old Ideas has any chance of placing?

forgot how gorgeous/sinister the strings are as they build up in "what this world needs now"

think i had cooly g in my top ten. you could maybe find fault with her productions or find her voice a bit lacking, but together they create a really good effect. swoony sensuality overcoming anguished emotion, like being too weak to fight in a dream

having serious cognitive dissonance abt the fact that there is a newish artist named "cooly g"

Dirty Projectors: Kind of surprised this was so low on the list. This album really grew on me to where I can now say that it is quite a bit better than the last one, although it doesn't have that one catchy song like Stillness is the Move. The songs overall are more solid and enjoyable.

Cooly G: I wanted to like this album but her singing is just way too underwhelming. I wish she had focused more on the instrumental/production side of things.

Found Cooly G very cool if taken on a track-by-track basis. A whole album drags a bit though.

It was about the sustained whacked-out atmosphere for me

yeah it really worked as an album for me, such a languorous and sensual vibe

maybe i just need to be feeling it to feel it.. you could pretty easily fit Cooly's stuff into the same "austere dance" category as a lot of the dance records ITT, and for those you really have to be in the zone

Voted for Cooly G, definitely a grower.

she is the opposite of austere o_0

i should listen again then

my prediction for top 10:

Kendrick
Miguel
Dawn
Taylor
Jessie
Swans
Future
Frank
Grimes
I had a tenth one but I forgot who it was...?

Just catching up with the Spotify playlist - Twin Shadow is very good, but I've only just figured out that it's not Paul Young but Fergal Sharkey that he reminds me of.