Albums of 2012: The Nearly Men Part 1

The top ten albums of 2012 was compiled by sorting my iTunes by year and browsing through the selection (I am an obsessive, every song in my iTunes has a year attached!) If it wasn't in the database, I obviously didn't feel it important enough to even listen to. From the albums in the database, 51 were initially selected as contenders. A first cull left the list at 34, and a second cull left a shortlist of 19. The 19 came from a variety of genres, styles and performers and I had listened to every one of them several times. Compiling the top 10 took some time, and over the next three days I'll look back at the 9 records that didn't quite make the cut.

Halestorm - "The Strange Case Of..."

Released: April 10th

Halestorm's second studio album is a wonderful ride from start to finish, full of punchy rock anthems and beautifully paced ballads. Lzzy Hale solidifies herself as one of the finest vocalists in rock music, showing exceptional range and surprising grit throughout the record. "The Strange Case Of..." is a rousing, powerful set that gets better with every listen, showing evolution and maturity and bodes well for a great future for this highly underrated band.

Key Tracks: "Love Bites (So Do I)", Beautiful With You", "Here's To Us".

Calexico - "Algiers"

Released: September 11th

You're never quite sure what to expect from Calexico, a band whose roots are steeped firmly in country music, but who spin so many different sounds every time they record. Moving out of their Arizona comfort zone to record in New Orleans - the album is named after the district they recorded it - they pick up some new influences while keeping the sound that makes them such a special band in the first place. "Algiers" doesn't break any ground, but it sits very nicely on the ground it's on.

Key Tracks: "Sinner in the Sea", "Puerto", "Hush".

Dr John - "Locked Down"

Released: April 3rd

New Orleans bluesman Dr John has been making music for upwards on 50 years now, and shows no signs of slowing down on his 27th solo outing. Produced by The Black Keys' Dan Auerbach who also plays guitar, "Locked Down" is a roots influenced hybrid of blues, jazz, funk and classic Louisiana R'n'B, that owes as much to the present as it does to the past. It's Dr John's best record in over 20 years, and one of the year's most rewarding listens.

Key Tracks: "Locked Down", "Revolution", "Eleggua".