Reaper's Favorite Albums of 2012

[Rugby Thompson]

Originally Posted by Reaper16

I love Pusha T as much as the next guy, but he didn't come out with anything in 2012. Vado didn't drop anything this year either (though I had to double-check that). I respect Curren$y, but his albums tend to have too much filler in my opinion to land amongst my very favorite albums of a year. I dug Smoke DZA's album with that Harry Fraud production all over it, but it didn't crack my top 30.

With rap these days, it's more about mixtapes then albums. Pretty sure he dropped one and Vado did too. My bad, I respect indie, it's just an acquired taste and has to grow on me. I find that Curren$y's stoned immaculate had a lot of filter however he dropped Cigarette Boats which was a classic. Curren$y has stepped it up since Fraud started producing for him just like DZA. I Highly Recommend you listen to Smoke DZA - K.O.N.Y - came out like a month or 2 ago, a lot of nice production on there from Ski Beatz, 183rd and Harry, dunno if you heard it, been out for a month or 2 now...what was you're thoughts on the new Kendrick and the new Game, Jesus Piece?

[NewChief]

Originally Posted by Rugby Thompson

With rap these days, it's more about mixtapes then albums. Pretty sure he dropped one and Vado did too. My bad, I respect indie, it's just an acquired taste and has to grow on me. I find that Curren$y's stoned immaculate had a lot of filter however he dropped Cigarette Boats which was a classic. Curren$y has stepped it up since Fraud started producing for him just like DZA. I Highly Recommend you listen to Smoke DZA - K.O.N.Y - came out like a month or 2 ago, a lot of nice production on there from Ski Beatz, 183rd and Harry, dunno if you heard it, been out for a month or 2 now...what was you're thoughts on the new Kendrick and the new Game, Jesus Piece?

He already said Kendrick's album is ranked high on his list. I'm guessing it may be his album of the year.

[Reaper16]

12. Enslaved – RIITIIR

This is Enslaved’s 12th studio album since 1994, and like all Enslaved LPs it sounds nothing like the other Enslaved LPs. I’ve been calling Enslaved “the Pink Floyd of Black Metal” for years now; this band is simply unafraid to take whatever risks they think up. They’re constantly seeking to redefine the limits of black metal. This album sees the band focus on polyrhythm being played against a backdrop reminiscent of Yes’ best material. 70’s prog with modern American metal sensibilities, basically. But wait, there’s a new wrinkle. Enslaved’s keyboardist is providing clean vocals! And he’s really good at them! These clear, high, super-melodic clean vocals take Enslaved into new melodic territory. They could use this as an excuse to make the most accessible record of their career, but instead Enslaved just uses this as an excuse to make the song structures more dense, ever shifting. Because they know the melodies will ground the listener even as they can’t keep up with the rhythm section. “Roots of the Mountain” is straight-up beautiful (even when it tries to pummel you), and “Thoughts Like Hammers” shows American metal bands how to do repetitive groove riffs correctly without sacrificing edge or melody. Enslaved albums are always eye-opening, this being no exception.

[Reaper16]

11. Godspeed You! Black Emperor – ‘Allelujah! Don’t Bend! Ascend!

This band needs no introduction; they’re titans of post-rock. This new album then is a titanic occasion, but not in the disaster sense. There are two 20-minute long songs here (basically entirely written in 2002 and shelved when the band was on hiatus), and they are superb. Moving in all of the best ways that a Godspeed song can be. Truly epic builds into gigantic, explosive, emotional climaxes. Connecting these two tracks are a couple of noise/drone songs that provide texture and breathing room between the two big buildups. This album was written post-9/11, and you can sort of tell in the slight Arab-influence of “Mladic.” Unfortunately for us (but fortunately for the band) the palpable tension and unease over world politics that oozes out of these songs is just as relevant in 2012 as it was a whole decade earlier when the album was mostly written. I don’t need to say anything more here. It’s a new Godspeed album.

[Chiefspants]

Any chance that the new albums from Katatonia, BTBAM, and The Contortionist are all in your top ten?

[Reaper16]

Originally Posted by Chiefspants

Any chance that the new albums from Katatonia, BTBAM, and The Contortionist are all in your top ten?

I really love one of those bands.

[Chiefspants]

Originally Posted by Reaper16

I really love one of those bands.

Considering your love for Opeth (with Heritage being an exception), I'm going to wager that Katatonia will be making the appearance. With that said, however, have you heard the latest work from The Contortionist? Intrinsic is heavily influenced by cynic/other progressive metal artists and offers a major contrast from TC's previous offerings. It's definitely worthy of a listen, as it may be the album of the year for me thus far. (Though I'd still hold your opinion in high regard if the work was not to your liking.)

[Reaper16]

Originally Posted by Chiefspants

Considering your love for Opeth (with Heritage being an exception), I'm going to wager that Katatonia will be making the appearance. With that said, however, have you heard the latest work from The Contortionist? Intrinsic is heavily influenced by cynic/other progressive metal artists and offers a major contrast from TC's previous offerings. It's definitely worthy of a listen, as it may be the album of the year for me thus far. (Though I'd still hold your opinion in high regard if the work was not to your liking.)

I listened to Intrinsic earlier in the year, but rarely found myself wanting to return to it. It sort of ended up in the same position for me as Ne Obliviscaris' Portal of I in that they are albums that, on paper, I should be totally into. But something didn't connect fully for me, and the album never got past "appreciation" and into "love."

Also, I liked the new Katatonia OK but was more disappointed in it than anything. High expectations, I guess.

[Chiefspants]

Originally Posted by Reaper16

I listened to Intrinsic earlier in the year, but rarely found myself wanting to return to it. It sort of ended up in the same position for me as Ne Obliviscaris' Portal of I in that they are albums that, on paper, I should be totally into. But something didn't connect fully for me, and the album never got past "appreciation" and into "love."

Also, I liked the new Katatonia OK but was more disappointed in it than anything. High expectations, I guess.

I can respect those opinions, Anathema has always been in that "Portal of I" position for me. In regards to Katatonia, I felt like their effort did not exactly advance them from their sounds in TGCD and NITND, but I still enjoyed it nonetheless.

As always, fantastic list, Reaper. Loved the inclusions of Alcest, Panopticon, Devin Townsend, Seers and Enslaved. I also made a note to check out Kamelot and Mgla's new releases.

[Titty Meat]

LOL that guy calls your list wack then says Vado is good

[Rugby Thompson]

Originally Posted by Bo's Pelini

LOL that guy calls your list wack then says Vado is good

You seriously don't think Vado is good?

[Titty Meat]

Originally Posted by Rugby Thompson

You seriously don't think Vado is good?

Not really and i'm part of the Dipset cult.

[Rugby Thompson]

Originally Posted by Bo's Pelini

Not really and i'm part of the Dipset cult.

You haven't taken in Slime Flu ?
Who you thinks the best in the Dipset cult?

[Titty Meat]

Originally Posted by Rugby Thompson

You haven't taken in Slime Flu ?
Who you thinks the best in the Dipset cult?

Slime Flu was ok. I think Cam'ron is by the best in Dipset.