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.

Diego Garcia’s first solo album Laura was my unofficial soundtrack when I was in Spain. I was a huge fan of his band, Elefant, and was really happy to get to see the new material performed at Anthology, which was a perfect venue for Diego and his supporting band. The show was the first night of their West Coast tour though you wouldn’t have guessed that because their performance was flawless. The set list:

Separate Lives
You Were Never There
Roses and Wine
Stay
Under This Spell
This Strange Effect - Kinks cover
Nothing to Hide
Inside My Heart
Laura

Encore:
All Eyes on You

(Disclaimer: not sure if I got the first two right because I got there late and didn’t start keeping notes until “Roses and Wine”. ) Diego Garcia was his usual charming self, introducing songs and interacting with the reverent yet enthusiastic crowd. He was backed by Danny (?), his cellist and Mod on acoustic guitar (again ? because I am a bad fan and didn’t pay attention to their names and now I can’t find any info on them to save my life). I was hoping they’d throw in an acoustic Elefant song or two, but no dice. After the show, as people were filtering out, Diego and his band came out to the lobby and talked to quite a few fans (myself being one of them.) We had a nice conversation about the new material and I reminisced with him about some of his amazing performances in SD during the Elefant years. (Remember when they opened for BRMC at HOB and he did the show with a cast on his broken leg? Or that last show at the Casbah? So much love that night…) So definitely a great night. And now I’m thinking I may have to catch them in the OC on Tuesday….