just add maple syrup

10. Daughter - If You Leave Metacritic Reviews Buy at Amazon.com 9. Youth Lagoon - The Wondrous Bughouse Pitchfork Review Buy at Amazon.com 8. The National - Trouble Will Find Me Pitchfork Review Buy at Amazon.com 7. Kurt Vile - Wakin on a Pretty Daze Pitchfork Review Buy at Amazon.com 6. London Grammar - If You Wait Pitchfork Review Buy at Amazon.com 5. Rhye - Woman Pitchfork Review Buy at Amazon.com 4. Volcano Choir - Repave Pitchfork Review Buy at Amazon.com 3. Arcade Fire - Reflektor Pitchfork Review Buy at Amazon.com 2. Deerhunter - Monomania Pitchfork Review Buy at Amazon.com 1. Disclosure - Settle Pitchfork Review Buy at Amazon.com

You know you're getting old when you start thinking 'Wow, another year sure has flown by', and really mean it. Thankfully, it's been another super fast fly-by year full of great music. Here are some of the albums that have kept me happy over the past year. I Break Horses - Hearts From the first track to the last, Hearts is immersive, blissed-out and much too short. Expecting big things for the future. Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - Mature Themes This album converted me into an Ariel Pink fan. Our shared affinity for schnitzel didn't hurt. Frank Ocean - Channel Orange Only recently got into this album, and regretting I took so long. While not a complete album, in my mind, highlights such as Super Rich Kids and Lost make it matter. Alabama Shakes - Boys & Girls One of the best albums early in the year, it's blues rock that even your mom will like. Whether that's a good thing or not is another thing, but they're definitely one of th

Ladies and gentlemen, can I please have your attention. I've just been handed an urgent and horrifying news story. I need all of you, to stop what you're doing and listen. I’m back, and I’m doing Movember! Hey, world! Did you miss me? I know you did. Heck, I miss myself and I see me every day. And, damn, do I look good. I mean, really good. I’m talking slap yourself in the face good. Undress yourself with your eyes good. Think of yourself under the covers good. Yes, ma’am, I look that good. What’s my secret? Well, I’m glad I asked me for you. Some say it’s my impeccable taste in polyester suits that subtly scream ‘classy gentleman of leisure’. Others say it’s simply down to my parents’ genetic engineering. You and I both know it’s my mane of hair right down here that the ladies love. That’s right: my moustache, Little Ron. Little Ron and I have had many glorious adventures over the years, from late night rides with Veronica around the city to all you can eat buf

I'd heard about Dan Deacon through friends on Facebook. Too late for my liking as this guy has some serious talent. Evidence: USA, his four-part song from latest album, America. It's 22 minutes of epic rock electro that sounds like Sufjan Stevens and Trent Reznor were locked in Abbey Road Studios. Or, as a fan on YouTube put it, "It is like God himself grasped electronica and then conducted operatic elements in and around it." Judge for yourself.

It's going to be a busy month of music. Here are some of the acts I'm checking this month. Also, will be heading to New York at the end of the month. Somehow all the good shows are in January and March. Guess I'll have to focus on steakhouses and bourbon bars. What can you do? Clap Your Hands Say Yeah M83 Active Child

10. Youth Lagoon - The Year of Hibernation 9. Givers - In Light 8. Metronomy - The English Riviera 7. WU LYF - Go Tell Fire to the Mountain 6. The Horrors - Skying 5. Beirut - The Rip Tide 4. Destroyer - Kaputt 3. Wild Beasts - Smother 2. M83 - Hurry Up We're Dreaming 1. Bon Iver - Bon Iver Honourable Mentions: Washed Out - Within and Without Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues Toro Y Moi - Underneath the Pine Junior Boys - It's All True Beat Connection - Surf Noir Cut Copy - Zonoscope