Album of the Year 2012
Another year has passed which means it is time for Tim's annual round up of the best 10 albums he purchased this year. If you're looking for new music then this is a great place to start because there's such a great variety. There's acoustic music, experimental music, worship music of many kinds, heavy music, spoken word and even music with some anthropomorphic animals and vegetables. I have really enjoyed what this year has had to offer. To make things easier I have added a few 'check out' links to songs on youtube so you can find out what each artist sounds like with minimal fuss. Hope you're having a nice year so far!
10. Daughters of Davis - To the Water
Two sisters with stunning voices producing excellent acoustic-based music. Where some acoustic records suffer from adding to many additional instruments, To The Water remains raw enough and relaxing to listen to.
Check out: Where Do We Go
09. Will Reagan & United Pursuit - Endless Years
United Pursuit returned with an almost under-the-radar release in December. This is a well put together record that really allows you to enter the presence of God. Stand out tracks include the emotionally engaging "Give Me A Song" and the wonderful "Pilgrim Days", which ends in an epic fashion. Infectious melodies and raw expressions of worship make this album a beautiful listen.
Check out: Give Me A Song or Pilgrim Days
08. Sucré - A Minor Bird
I'm a massive fan of Jeremy Larson's solo work so when I found out he had teamed up with Darren (Mutemath) and Stacy King (Eisley) to produce A Minor Bird I was excited. This CD definitely does not let the listener down. It's gorgeous to listen to, as any one familiar with Larson's work would expect. The aural soundscape is completed by Stacy's captivating voice. It's an interesting listen. Beautiful and breathtaking in places.
Check out: Light Up
07. Propaganda - Excellent
Excuse the obvious and easy pun but Excellent is an excellent album. Spoken word collides with hip hop to provide a thought-provoking and moving journey. One highlight, "Forgive Me For Asking", is a humble look at the hypocrisy of Propaganda's Christian faith before, from that place of humility, asking questions about different worldviews. "Lofty", essentially a worship song marvelling at how amazing God is, is my favourite track.
Check out: Forgive Me For Asking or Lofty or download the album for free at Humble Beast Records.
06. Loud Harp - Loud Harp
Stripped down, melodic, repetative, meditative worship. This is a peaceful offering from duo Loud Harp. I've found great comfort listening to it late at night.
Check out: Hold Me Together or download for free at Come&Live! Records.
05. mewithoutYou - Ten Stories
A concept album based on a circus train crash in Montana, 1878, this is a typically bizarre offering from mewithoutYou. I absolutely love to listen to this album, which is a lot more coherent than their last album in 2009. Nowhere else do you get talking elephants or songs about aubergines mixed in with subtle deep truths. This is music at its finest. Philosophical, crazy, beautiful. Hayley Williams' (Paramore) guest vocals on "Fox's Dream of a Log Flume" (yes, that's what the song is about) is a haunting highlight. Give it a go. In a strange way, it might change your life. Either way, there's nowhere else that you could join Aaron Weiss singing gleefully from the perspective of a pondering tiger: "I often wonder if I've already died..."
Check out: Cardiff Giant or Fox's Dream of a Log Flume (ft. Hayley Williams)
04. The Chariot - One Wing
The Chariot just get better and better and better and better. This is as good as it gets for heavy music. Chaotic and experimental. The Chariot are so far ahead of the any other band making this kind of music. "First" is the craziest track and I implore you to listen to it. Persevere through the first minute of noise to hear the song break out into a spaghetti western piece complete with cowbells, woodblocks and even the crack of a whip. I never fail to smile. Fine, fine music. The Chariot, I applaud you!
Check out: First (at least from the 1:12 mark please) - look out for the crack of the whip!
03. Anberlin - Vital
This is how pop rock should be done. After their previous two albums since signing to a major label have had mixed reviews, Anberlin have returned with an infectious album. Soaring choruses, spectacular production, inspired lyrics and creative musicianship. Everything about this record is top quality. If you like good music, check this out.
Check out: Self-starter or Little Tyrant
02. Bethel Live - For The Sake Of The World
This album has a big place in my heart as it will always remind me of Nikki and I's trip to California in October. It's a brilliant worship record. I love the spontaneity of some of the moments. In terms of the quality of the song writing, I think this album is the best the Bethel team have released. I love it. And the first time we listened to it was in a DVD player in a hostel in San Francisco. Fantastic.
Check out: Our Father or Everything To You
01. Ascend the Hill - O Ransomed Son
Ascend the Hill set such a high standard for worship music. They're not afraid to see where it goes as they play. This is one of the best albums I've heard for a long time in taking you into the presence of God. They've combined the spontaneity of their debut album with the deep theology found on the hymns album to produce a masterpiece in worship music. The explosive end where Joel Davis and co. cry out "heaven come down" over and over in moving and beautiful. My heart cannot fail to join their cry as I listen to this album. Amazing.
Check out: Whom Have I? or Heaven Come Down
10. Daughters of Davis - To the Water
Two sisters with stunning voices producing excellent acoustic-based music. Where some acoustic records suffer from adding to many additional instruments, To The Water remains raw enough and relaxing to listen to.
Check out: Where Do We Go
09. Will Reagan & United Pursuit - Endless Years
United Pursuit returned with an almost under-the-radar release in December. This is a well put together record that really allows you to enter the presence of God. Stand out tracks include the emotionally engaging "Give Me A Song" and the wonderful "Pilgrim Days", which ends in an epic fashion. Infectious melodies and raw expressions of worship make this album a beautiful listen.
Check out: Give Me A Song or Pilgrim Days
08. Sucré - A Minor Bird
I'm a massive fan of Jeremy Larson's solo work so when I found out he had teamed up with Darren (Mutemath) and Stacy King (Eisley) to produce A Minor Bird I was excited. This CD definitely does not let the listener down. It's gorgeous to listen to, as any one familiar with Larson's work would expect. The aural soundscape is completed by Stacy's captivating voice. It's an interesting listen. Beautiful and breathtaking in places.
Check out: Light Up
07. Propaganda - Excellent
Excuse the obvious and easy pun but Excellent is an excellent album. Spoken word collides with hip hop to provide a thought-provoking and moving journey. One highlight, "Forgive Me For Asking", is a humble look at the hypocrisy of Propaganda's Christian faith before, from that place of humility, asking questions about different worldviews. "Lofty", essentially a worship song marvelling at how amazing God is, is my favourite track.
Check out: Forgive Me For Asking or Lofty or download the album for free at Humble Beast Records.
06. Loud Harp - Loud Harp
Stripped down, melodic, repetative, meditative worship. This is a peaceful offering from duo Loud Harp. I've found great comfort listening to it late at night.
Check out: Hold Me Together or download for free at Come&Live! Records.
05. mewithoutYou - Ten Stories
A concept album based on a circus train crash in Montana, 1878, this is a typically bizarre offering from mewithoutYou. I absolutely love to listen to this album, which is a lot more coherent than their last album in 2009. Nowhere else do you get talking elephants or songs about aubergines mixed in with subtle deep truths. This is music at its finest. Philosophical, crazy, beautiful. Hayley Williams' (Paramore) guest vocals on "Fox's Dream of a Log Flume" (yes, that's what the song is about) is a haunting highlight. Give it a go. In a strange way, it might change your life. Either way, there's nowhere else that you could join Aaron Weiss singing gleefully from the perspective of a pondering tiger: "I often wonder if I've already died..."
Check out: Cardiff Giant or Fox's Dream of a Log Flume (ft. Hayley Williams)
04. The Chariot - One Wing
The Chariot just get better and better and better and better. This is as good as it gets for heavy music. Chaotic and experimental. The Chariot are so far ahead of the any other band making this kind of music. "First" is the craziest track and I implore you to listen to it. Persevere through the first minute of noise to hear the song break out into a spaghetti western piece complete with cowbells, woodblocks and even the crack of a whip. I never fail to smile. Fine, fine music. The Chariot, I applaud you!
Check out: First (at least from the 1:12 mark please) - look out for the crack of the whip!
03. Anberlin - Vital
This is how pop rock should be done. After their previous two albums since signing to a major label have had mixed reviews, Anberlin have returned with an infectious album. Soaring choruses, spectacular production, inspired lyrics and creative musicianship. Everything about this record is top quality. If you like good music, check this out.
Check out: Self-starter or Little Tyrant
02. Bethel Live - For The Sake Of The World
This album has a big place in my heart as it will always remind me of Nikki and I's trip to California in October. It's a brilliant worship record. I love the spontaneity of some of the moments. In terms of the quality of the song writing, I think this album is the best the Bethel team have released. I love it. And the first time we listened to it was in a DVD player in a hostel in San Francisco. Fantastic.
Check out: Our Father or Everything To You
01. Ascend the Hill - O Ransomed Son
Ascend the Hill set such a high standard for worship music. They're not afraid to see where it goes as they play. This is one of the best albums I've heard for a long time in taking you into the presence of God. They've combined the spontaneity of their debut album with the deep theology found on the hymns album to produce a masterpiece in worship music. The explosive end where Joel Davis and co. cry out "heaven come down" over and over in moving and beautiful. My heart cannot fail to join their cry as I listen to this album. Amazing.
Check out: Whom Have I? or Heaven Come Down