The best CDs of 2012
1. “Landing on a Hundred” by Cody Chesnutt – If Marvin Gaye was still around, his latest CD might sound a lot like this. Chesnutt shows why early ’70s R&B is timeless.
2. “Channel Orange” by Frank Ocean – A sprawling and sensational R&B debut from a member of the Odd Future hip-hop crew.
3. “Sun Midnight Sun” by Sara Watkins – Former Nickel Creek fiddler Watkins made the Americana disc of the year.
4. “Sorry to Bother You” by the Coup – An entertaining mix of hip-hop, funk and politics.
5. “Stranger” by Balmorhea – This collection of minimalist but spacey instrumentals puts Balmorhea up with Spoon, Explosions in the Sky and Okkervil River as one of Austin’s finest bands.
6. “Kaleidoscope Dream” by Miguel – In a strong year for R&B, Miguel offered a “Sexual Healing” alternative to Cody Chesnutt’s grittier Marvin Gaye vibe.
7. “Voyageur” by Kathleen Edwards – Not her best work, but Edwards has a knack for combining hooks and storytelling.
8. “The Idler Wheel …” by Fiona Apple – Not her best work, but Apple’s stripped-down approach works at conveying her romantic angst.
9. “Psychedelic Pill” by Neil Young & Crazy Horse – Not their best work, but Young & Crazy Horse roll out some trippy, extended jams that make great highway music.
10. “Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan” by various artists – Plenty of filler on this four-CD set, but plenty of great tracks, too, by Flogging Molly, Mariachi el Bronx, Miley Cyrus and others.
Honorable mention: “The Seer” by Swans; “Country. God or the Girl” by K’Naan; “Lawless” soundtrack by Nick Cave & Warren Ellis and various artists; “Next Time Around” by Darryl Purpose; “King Tuff” by King Tuff; “Searching for Sugar Man” by Rodriguez; “Little Spark” by Jesse Baylin; “The Truth About Love” by P!nk; “Signs & Signifiers” by J.D. McPherson; and “These United States” by These United States