You’re not gonna find any sign of Japandroids or Frank Ocean in my Top 10 albums of 2012. I reckon The Cloud Nothings are overrated too. But then again, I’m not 23 so I probably don’t need that much angst in music anymore. Everyone went gaga for Andy Stott’s Luxury Problems but I think it’s just too pleasant – no real teeth, coffee morning electronica – and not a patch on the preceding one-two of We Stay Together and Passed Me By.  The less said about The XX the bet…..Zzzzzz.

In no particular order:

1. Django Djano – Django Django (Bright, breezy with a hint of weirdness)

 

2. Dan Deacon – America (Skittles rainbow symphony)

 

3. Giant Giant Sand – Tuscon (Bleached sun and desert dust, at times mournful, others beautiful)

 

4. Swans – The Seer (If you find Scott Walker’s Bish Bosch too much, try this)

 

5. David Byrne & St. Vincent – Love This Giant (Fun for horny toads)

 

6. VCMG – Ssss (Bang ting bang ting + squelch)

 

7. Monolake – Ghosts (Clank and boom and steam)

 

8. Future of the Left – The Plot Against Common Sense (A sharp lyrical wit compensates for this album being three songs too long)

 

9. Orbital – Wonky (Widescreen technicolour comeback)

 

10. Twilight Sad – No One Can Ever Know (Another guttural and broody take on Father issues)