Curtis Swank writesCHIRP Radio Best of 2012 (Curtis Swank)

Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its members’ top albums of 2012. Our first list for this year is from volunteer Curtis Swank.

1. Dirty Projectors - Swing Lo Magellan (Domino)
   BUY: Reckless / Permanent / Insound / iTunes / eMusic
   I loved "Bita Orca," but I wasn't sure what to expect after hearing the first single from Swing Lo Magellan, "Gun Has No Trigger." The complex instrumentation and vocal interplay are still there, but this album is a step in a whole new direction. The instruments are sparse, the vocals are dense and the lyrical imagery is dark. One of the best records in years.
2. Cloud Nothings - Attack on Memory (Car Park)
   BUY: Reckless / Permanent / Insound / iTunes / eMusic
   One of the most emotionally raw records released in a long time.
3. Titus Andronicus - Local Business (XL)
   BUY: Reckless / Permanent / Insound / iTunes / eMusic
   I was a passive fan of this band until I heard "Local Business." This album is filled with punk sensibilities and stream of consciousness lyrics about American life. It's really hard to top the passion emitted on this record.
4. Alabama Shakes - Boys & Girls (ATO)
   BUY: Reckless / Permanent / Insound / iTunes / eMusic
   This is just a really good Rock & Roll record sung by on of the best voices in modern rock. Stripped down, soulful goodness. It's no wonder this band is so popular with the kids.
5. Beach House - Bloom (SubPop)
   BUY: Reckless / Permanent / Insound / iTunes / eMusic
   This band took a while to grow on me, but when I finally got into them I discovered the beauty I had been missing. "Bloom" is a truly beautiful, ethereal record. The sparse guitar parts blend perfectly with the droning organ and the haunting vocals of Victoria Legrand.
6. Royal Headache - Royal Headache (Why?)
   BUY: Reckless / Permanent / Insound / iTunes / eMusic
   Royal Headache is a garage band from Australia. They don't play perfectly, but they have fun and create awesome, short songs. "Surprise" is a classic.
7. Mazes - Mazes Blazes (Parasol)
   BUY: Reckless / Permanent / Insound / iTunes / eMusic
   Very reminiscent of Belle & Sebastian or maybe Fleetwood Mac.
8. Jeff The Brotherhood - Hypnotic Nights (Warner Bros.)
   BUY: Reckless / Permanent / Insound / iTunes / eMusic
   Weezer-influenced pop songs about drinking, smoking pot and chicks. Enough said.
9. Divine Fits - A Thing Called Divine Fits (Matador)
   BUY: Reckless / Permanent / Insound / iTunes / eMusic
   Brit Daniels from Spoon and Dan Boeckner from Wolf Parade. That is all you need to know.
10. Japandroids - Celebration Rock (Polyvinyl)
    BUY: Reckless / Permanent / Insound / iTunes / eMusic
    Celebration Rock is aptly named. It rocks! There really isn't much more to Japandroids, they just play really loud and hard. The songs all sound the same and the music doesn't change much, but it does in fact rock.

Honorable Mention

• Sharon Van Etten - Tramp (Jagjaguwar)
  BUY: Reckless / Permanent / Insound / iTunes / eMusic
  A sad record. "Serpent" is a really good song; the rest of the album is just OK.