My Favorite Albums of 2012.

1.The Classic Crime – Phoenix

This album just speaks straight to my soul. If you ever find yourself in a state of apathy and can’t seem to find the will to keep going, put this album in and let it awaken your heart. The guitars are huge, the vocals are soaring, and the lyrics are entirely and utterly relatable.

2. Ingrid Michaelson – Human Again

Heartbreaking and yet inspiring at the same time, Ingrid Michaelson takes you on a journey into the center of a world filled with break-ups and moving on, and you either come out ready to take on the world and love again (with songs like Fire, This is War, Do it Now, or Blood Brothers), or further despaired (songs such as: I’m Through and Ghost) and to that I suggest you dive right back in to this world she has so beautifully created.

3. Yellowcard – Southern Air

Ever since the genre defining Ocean Avenue in 2003, Yellowcard has always been one of my favorite bands, and Southern Air did not disappoint. The opening song: Awakening, will probably be my Anthem for my upcoming final semester of college. If you like Yellowcard, you’ll like this album, the sound is still classic Yellowcard: pop punk with the violin  (though they did slow down some), and the lyrics are more mature, so you can’t really go wrong.

4. Taylor Swift – Red

It’s no secret to my friends that I’m an unashamed Taylor Swift fan (which I’ve gotten a lot of flack for), she always had her place in my mind as popular music that I enjoy and can sing along to with friends. But I had no idea she was capable of writing an album like this, Red is truly incredible. Showing the ability to cross genres at will, there is something for everyone here, regardless of your view of her beforehand.

5. Go Radio – Close The Distance

From the opening seconds of “I won’t Lie” I knew I was listening to something special with Go Radio’s Close The Distance. The opening 3 tracks are about the strongest string of songs you will hear all year from the pop rock genre, and the rest of the album keeps going (though I personally can’t stand the single “Go to Hell.”) The lyrics are relatable and Jason Lancaster sounds as good as ever.

6-20 Alphabetical Order

Alex Goot - In Your Atmosphere

Pop at its finest. The choruses are massive and catchy, and all the songs are about relationships and thus, relatable.

Anberlin – Vital

Anberlin is back with a vengeance; this album is hard and awesome.

Freelance Whales – Diluvia

A perfect album to have playing in the background when you’re on a long night drive or reading a book.

Fun – Some Nights

All I can say is the opener Some Nights is still my jam, what a song. A solid album as well.

Hit The Lights – Invicta

Summoning their inner The Graduate, Hit The Lights grew up with this album, and I cannot wait to see where they go next.

Imagine Dragons – Night Visions

Right where they left off with the Continued Silence EP, Imagine Dragons does it again and writes an album that will surprise everyone. I’m happy they got pretty big in the mainstream world, as I don’t mind it when I walk into someone else’s room and hear this playing instead of 95% of the crap out there.

Jenny Owen Youngs – An Unwavering Band of Light

Can’t really go wrong with this girl.  

The Lumineers – The Lumineers

Pure, unadulterated talent. Such a solid album.

Memoryhouse – The Slideshow Effect

One of my favorite albums early on in the year, but sadly it didn’t have the lasting effect that I wish it did. After their ep was so beautiful, I wanted this album to be amazing, and while it is good, just doesn’t get many repeat plays from me.

Mumford & Sons – Babel

This album is so, so good, and “I Will Wait” may be the best song of 2012.

Neon Trees- Picture Show

Good album, 80’s sounding pop rock written in 2012. “Mad Love” and “Trust” are two of my favorite songs.  Great follow up to the ever catchy Habit.

The Rocket Summer – Life Will Write The Words

Bryce Avary being Bryce Avary, writing solo effort catchy pop punk but also growing up right before our eyes, can’t wait to see what’s next.

Scars on 45 – Scars on 45

Male/Female  vocal pop rock from England, and man is it good.

Strange Vacation – Chasm

Basically, The Boys of Summer have grown up, maturing in sound and lyrics.

Winterpills – All My Lovely Goners

Another favorite album early on in the year that didn’t get much repeat play, but I will be visiting this again soon, because the dual vocals are lovely.

21-30 Alphabetical Order

The Autumn Film – 8 track Tape

David Crowder – Give Us Rest

First Aid Kit – The Lion’s Roar

House of Heroes – Cold Hard Want

Lucy Rose – Like I Used To

Owl City – The Midsummer Station

Phillip Phillips – The World From The Side of The Moon

Regina Spektor – What We Saw From The Cheap Seats

Stars – The North

The XX – Coexist

Honorable Mentions (Alphabetical Order)

All American Rejects – Kids in The Street

Arrange – New Memory

Beach House - Bloom

Carlie Rae Jepsen – Kiss

Ellie Goulding – Halcyon

Fiona Apple - The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do

Gotye – Making Mirrors

Japandroids – Celebration Rock

Lana Del Ray – Born to Die

Meiko – The Bright Side

Nada Surf - The Stars Are Indifferent To Astronomy

Safety Suit – These Times

Sharon Van Etten – Tramp

Sleigh Bells – Regin of Terror

Soko – I thought I was an Alien

Tennis – Young & Old

We Shot The Moon – Love and Fear

Also, Of Monsters and Men's - My head is an Animal would be my number 1, but it technically came out in 2011, only in America was it released in 2012.