I didn’t have a hard time compiling this list at all this year. In alpha order because that’s how I sort my music. Bonus: listen to my Spotify Playlist of the highlights from each album. (I actually arranged the order of that one for optimal listening pleasure.)

Cults - self titled
Just a fun album. Also one of my fave live performances of the year at Lolla.
Highlights: “Go Outside”, “Bad Things”

The Decemberists - The King is Dead
This one came out early but it haunted me all year and there was never a doubt this would be on my list.
Highlights: “This Is Why We Fight”, “Rise To Me”

Does It Offend You, Yeah? - Don’t Say We Didn’t Warn You
On their sophomore effort, DIOYY keeps the playful and dancy in the mix, but adds a dimension that reminds me of early Radiohead,
Highlights: “Pull Out My Insides”, “Wrong Time Wrong Planet”

Eisley - The Valley
The DuPree girls have never been more emotional and that made for great songs.
Highlights: “Smarter”, “I Wish”

Diego Garcia - Laura
My soundtrack to Spain. Diego really explored his Latin roots.
Highlights: “You Were Never There”,”Under This Spell”

Mates of State - Mountaintops
I can always count on Mates of State to put me in a better mood. Even their slower tempo songs are good!
Highlights: “Maracas”, “Desire”

My Morning Jacket - Circuital
MMJ keeps finding ways to amaze me.
Highlights: “Wonderful (The Way I Feel)”, “Slow Slow Tune”

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - Belong
Shoegaze-y goodness. (Also, check our their debut if you haven’t already, I love that one too.)
Highlights: “Belong”, “Heart in Your Heartbreak”

Phantogram - Nightlife EP
This EP has been in constant rotation since it came out.
Highlights: “Don’t Move”, “Make a Fist”

The Rapture - In The Grace of Your Love
Hands down my favorite dancy pants album of the year.
Highlights: “In The Grace of Your Love”, “How Deep Is Your Love?”

Patrick Stump - Soul Punk and Truant Wave EP
I really love that Patrick Stump went this way on his solo material. It’s totally a pop album made by someone who is a “Soul Punk”. His love of both soul and punk comes through into something altogether different. I’m also amazed that he played every instrument on this album. Dude has got it going on….
Highlights: “Spotlight (Oh Nostalgia)”, “Run Dry (X Heart X Fingers)”,”Coast (It’s Gonna Get Better)”

Single of the Year:
Mayer Hawthorne - The Walk
I really loved this single but still warming up to the album.

The “full frontal jacket” was in affect at FM 94/9’s Holiday Hoot last night. Set list first:

My Morning Jacket
Jenny Craig Pavilion
San Diego, CA
12/3/11

Victory Dance
Outta My System
I’m Amazed
First Light
It Beats For You
Golden
Slow Slow Tune
Dancefloors
Off the Record
Smokin From Shooting
Touch Me I’m Gonna Scream
Dondante
Circuital
Phone Went West
Encore:
Wordless Chorus
The Day is Coming
Holding on to Black Metal
One Big Holiday
Is MMJ one of the best live bands in the music scene right now? Absolutely. Unrelenting with the energy and the aural assault. And never the same show. They also do a great job at mixing up their set lists, so every single time is a diffferent (and magical) experience. My favorites this time around? “Dancefloors”, “Smokin from Shooting” (always. always.), “Phone Went West”, “Holding on to Black Metal” and the EPIC “One Big Holiday”. Will possibly write more about the Hoot in general later. Let me bask in show afterglow for a bit today.

While the majority of the Lolla crowd was on the other side of the park listening to Eminem, the rest of us were worshiping at the church of MMJ. I wasn’t really intending on live tweeting the whole set, but I pretty much did, which makes for an easy recap. Set list first:

Victory Dance
Circuital
Off The Record
I’m Amazed
Gideon
Lay Low
Outta My System
Golden
The Way That He Sings
Mahgeeta
First Light
Slow Slow Tune
Dondante
Smokin from Shooting
Touch Me I’m Going to Scream
Wordless Chorus
The Day is Coming
Holding on to Black Metal
One Big Holiday

Two very solid hours of MMJ. I’m never surprised at how much I love MMJ shows, seems like every time I see them, there’s a different song that speaks to me. This was my first time hearing material from their new record and I have to say that I loved all the new songs live, especially the set opening “Victory Dance”. I was happy to get old faves like “Off The Record” and “Gideon” early. But I was really in heaven during the always epic “Dondante” and then “Smokin’ from Shooting”. And ending with “One Big Holiday” was just perfect.

My favorite Jim James moment of the night was him telling the crowd how amazing it was to be at Lolla. He told us one of his first concerts as a sophomore in high school in ‘94 was the Lolla in Cleveland. Some day some band will be up at Lolla and their lead singer will say that his first concert was Lolla in 11 and MMJ was an inspiration.

Can’t wait for more good music tomorrow.