How was everybody’s holiday? Well, I guess the season isn’t quite over yet, but I’ve never put much stock in New Years, though this year may be different. I’m at a bit of a crossroads. Maybe I’m maturing. Maybe the last year sucked a little bit. Maybe the one before that sucked too. Might just be time to actually try to improve myself, improve my craft.

Anyway, the past year gave me a few albums I thought were awesome. So here’s my first “This Year’s Things That I Didn’t Want To Break This Year… Year.” I’m focusing on music, because I still think it’s the best art form. Suck it, visual artists.

In no particular order…

Brothers by The Black Keys – This album is so good, I listen to it just about every day. It’s rock ‘n roll at it’s finest and oh-so sexy. Sexiest album of the year.

Treats by Sleigh Bells – Loud-ass album. Arena-rap-rock-ish. It was a an album that just felt like summer to me. High energy. Great work-out music.

Halcyon Digest by Deerhunter – This album is very aptly named. Most songs on it are spacey and wistful, which always makes me sentimental.

Broken Bells by Broken Bells – Best album to give to anyone who likes music. Or The Shins. Or succinct album making. Maybe the album of the year.

The Monitor by Titus Andronicus – These guys are what I’d call Whiskey Rock. It’s a sad, angry, triumphant, pathetic, sprawling, thumping album. It got me through last winter about as good as I could have hoped. I suppose. These guys are also just rad dudes who just might actually be “punk rock”.

And one late album…

Fields by Junip – I just discovered this album, but holy crap. It’s been playing nonstop for days. Beautiful stuff.

See you on Thursday!

I don’t need you, I want you.