#1, just as "The Midnight Organ"was a year ago. Frightened Rabbit is my favorite band to see live. The energy runs off the stage and courses through your veins. Their music is unbelievably joyous, but fraught with despair and darkness. "Things" tells us we don't need the things of this life. "The Loneliness and the Scream" bellows again and again: 'Fell down, found love, but I can lose it again. I'll never calm your old heart, it beats miles from here.' Frightened Rabbit simply has a sound that you can listen to whenever. It doesn't matter if you want to run to the top of a mountain or just off that mountain, the music always fits. As someone who listens to music that fits my mood, there is no better artist than Frightened Rabbit.
2. Mumford & Sons-Sigh No More, 94
Mumford & Sons was the surprise of the year, making iTunes top 5 most bought albums of the year, going up against behemoths like Katy Perry, Drake, and Sugarland. Sigh No More is a collection of heartfelt songs, tied together with an accordion and a banjo. "Sigh No More" sings of: 'man is a giddy thing' and a 'love that will not betray you , dismay or enslave you, it will set you free.' "The Cave" sings: 'I need freedom now, and I need to to know how, to live my life as it's meant to be.' "Winter Winds" gets a bit sappy but reminds you that: 'spring swaps snow for leaves.' I could go on and on as every track hits home. The one gripe is that it's a bit hard to differentiate between the songs.
3. The National-High Violet, 91
When High Violet was streamed early on the New York Times website, I listened to it close to 10 times a day. As the year dragged on, it fell back a bit, but came back with a vengeance when I listened to it again. Matt Berninger weaves woeful stories through every melody. "Bloodbuzz Ohio" is one of my favorite songs of the year. "Terrible Love", "Afraid Of Everyone", "England" and "Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks" are top-notch as well.
4. The Tallest Man On Earth-The Wild Hunt, 89
Kristian Matsson, monikored The Tallest Man On Earth, can hold people captive with his incredible voice. He commands the stage unlike any other. "The Wild Hunt" is the perfect strong opening track. "Burden of Tomorrow" is a beautiful song, spinning tales of 'I'm just a blind man on the plains, I drink my water when it rains, and live by chance among the lightning strikes.' "A Lion's Heart" and "Love Is All" are also wondrous tales.
5. Kanye West-My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, 83
I've always been lukewarm when it comes to Kanye West. However, the first seconds of this album rang true. I think Kanye raised the bar for the entire genre of rap music. He crafted something original and talented. From the beauty of the "All of the Lights" interlude, to the cocky beats of "Power", and even to the haunting, driving "Runaway" Kanye amazes at every turn.
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