1. Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More
I'd be very embarrassed if you knew how many times I listened to the first half of this album this year. "Sigh No More" wins the favorite song of the year award. Mumford is getting bigger. Someday they may rule the world.
2. The Black Keys - Brothers
Blues, rock, brotherhood, coolness...all of my favorite things triple-coated through the whole album. It will make you happy while you listen to it.
3. Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
I feel as though I was able to enjoy this album more now that my address has Milwaukee in it. I can now credibly pity the poor folks in the 'burbs, so do the Arcade Fire (...I think, I'm still not sure I follow the whole storyline of this album).
4. The National - High Violet
A little dark/depressing...but, repeated listens shot this album way up the list. ("Sorrow found me when I was young / Sorrow waited, Sorrow won". ...It sounds better than it reads.)
5. Josh Ritter - So Runs the World Away
Probably the coolest song of the year is "The Curse"...you should listen to it.
6. Neil Young - Le Noise
The whole album has a good dose of awesomeness, but I especially like the first half...it is noisier.
7. Laura Marling - I Speak Because I Can
Also worth checking out is the EP she did with Mumford & Sons in India.
8. Ray Lamontagne - God Willing' & the Creek Don't Rise
No one does sad and depressing much better than Ray...someday I will figure out how to say his last name.
9. Matt Pond PA - The Dark Leaves
Best song = "Remains".
10. Mavis Staple - You Are Not Alone
Staples Singers...Produced by Jeff Tweedy...it had to be on the list, I even listened to it a couple times.
I like you. Thanks for reading my list.
