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.

I was not really feeling being at Lolla today but one performance really made it worth my while, and that was The Cults on the Google+ stage. I loved this stage last year - it’s one of the side stages but it is blessed with lots of shade and great acoustics.

I didn’t keep a set list like I normally would because my cell phone battery was pretty dead. But I definitely have enough notes to give a sense of their performance. Of course, all eyes were on Madeline during their set and why wouldn’t they be? She’s totally cute in that not-quite-a-hipster way. But Brian offered a lot of banter between songs (“I can’t believe you are here watching us instead of the Kills”) and I did like watching him - he’s very goth-y. The crowd was effusive in their adoration (especially for “Go Outside”). I was happily watching the show with a gaggle of guys who were totally into it, clapping their hands, singing and dancing along.

Highlights of the set - opening with “Abducted” (after entering the stage to the Theme to Twin Peaks), the one-two punch of “Bad Things” and “You Know What I Mean”, and later in the set, “Rave On” and “Bumper”.

I’ve been digging this band for awhile now, so I am glad I finally got to see them live. More missives from the Lolla trenches tomorrow.

Artist: Cults
Album: self-titled
Recommended if you like: retro girl band pop
From the press kit:
“Cults leave listeners with one of the more poignant sugar highs of the spring” - Filter
“Completely fresh and utterly intoxicating” - Zink
Standout tracks: “You Know What I Mean”,”Never Heal Myself”
Why you should listen:
This is super catchy and perfect for sunny days in SoCal. If you like Best Coast or Bird and the Bee or the Like or any of those lushly melodic bands, this will be right up your alley.
Listen: on NPR
Links: twitter/official
See them live: Soda Bar on 7/29, Lollapalooza 8/5