Top 10 Albums of 2012
- Now, Now -Â Threads
- Passion Pit -Â Gossamer
- Alabama Shakes -Â Boys and Girls
 - Lovedrug - Wild Blood
 - Rayland Baxter - Feathers and Fishhooks
- Shovels and Rope -Â O’ Be Joyful
- The Rocketboys -Â Build Anyway
- Paper Route – The Peace of Wild Things
- The xx - Coexist
- First Aid Kit -Â The Lion’s Roar
Honorable Mentions:Â David Ramirez (Apologies), Kopecky Family Band (Kids Raising Kids), Taylor Swift (Red), Frank Ocean (Channel Orange)
2012 Superlatives:
Overrated Album: Mumford and Sons – Babel
Underrated Album: Now, Now – Threads
Biggest Disappointment: The Avett Brothers – The Carpenter
Best Local Release: Shovels & Rope – O’ Be Joyful
Runner-Up: Elim Bolt – Nude South
Record Label of the Year: ATO Records
Artist of the Year: Alabama Shakes
Brittany Howard and Alabama Shakes have had an unbelievable year. The band’s southern blues-rock sound has caught the attention of many throughout the year, including myself. I first heard of the band in a Garden & Gun article, and since reading, the Alabama Shakes have been everywhere. After signing with ATO Records in late 2011, the band release their first full-length Boys & Girls in April of 2012. The album’s success earned them a closing set at the 2012 Bonnaroo Music Festival in June. The album charted as high as #8 in the US and #3 in the UK, and earned them three 2013 Grammy nominations for best new artist, best rock performance, for “Hold On”, and best recording package with their first album, Boys & Girls.Â