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Courtney Barnett – Sometimes I Sit and Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit
This album was a lock for the #1 spot from the get-go. Not happy that they re-released it with an extra 6 live tracks tagged on. Totally unnecessary as the original album is super satisfying.

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Titus Andronicus – The Most Lamentable Tragedy
Could have benefitted greatly if it had been whittled down to a double album but I’m not one to get in the way of Patrick’s manic brain. Hopefully this album will up the ante for Fucked Up to put out something better or at least on par with this.

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My Morning Jacket – The Waterfall
Again, total overkill with the deluxe version. The single 10-track album is straight to the point with no filler. They didn’t really step out on a limb with this one but that’s ok by me.

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Kurt Vile – b’lieve I’m goin (deep) down…
There’s a theme going on here with the desire for “less is more”. And again similar to MMJ, no major risks taken here. I do like the emphasis on acoustic picking.

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Jim O’Rourke – Simple Songs
One of my favorites to listen to on vinyl this year. Gorgeous Steely Dan like production. Had me re-listening to many of his older albums in the same vein that Drag City have released over the past decade.

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Built To Spill – Untethered Moon
Nice to hear some new life injected into BTS with a new, younger lineup. But like MMJ and K-Vile, just sticking with the tried and true formula.

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Tobias Jesso Jr. – Goon
This album evoked some fond memories of Nilsson. Excited for the follow-up which I’m sure will be a much more elaborate affair.

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The Velvet Underground – The Complete Matrix Tapes
I was only mildly curious to check this out since one disc had already come out last year on one of the deluxe reissues. The 37-minute version of “Sister Ray” is worth the price of admission alone.

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Eagles of Death Metal – Zipper Down
A fun listen straight through. Though I could have done without the Duran Duran cover.

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Fargo – Season Two
This is the first time I’ve put a TV show on the list. Normally I don’t have a problem finding 10 solid albums but this year it was a stretch. Everything about this season was fantastic.

Tame Impala – Currents
Needs more rock and less synths and drum machines.
Wilco – Star Wars
Just seemed to be placeholder until the next fully realized album comes out. Good move on the freebie.
Yo La Tengo – Stuff Like That There
Neat that they revisited their Fakebook past.
EZTV – Calling Out
Heard great things and comparisons to Real Estate (which was fair to say).
Low – Ones and Sixes
Had a couple of gems on it.
Wand – Golem
Caught these guys live at Mercury Lounge earlier in the year and was blown away enough to buy their cassettes at the show. Yes, cassettes.
Boogarins – Manual
Kind of where I wish Tame Impala was musically. Came upon this late in the year but it grew on me quite quickly.
Happyness – Weird Little Birthday
An interesting mix of YLT, Sparklehorse and Pavement.
Dungen – Allas Sak
Kept going back to this throughout the year and liked it each time, but just seemed to missing something to put it over the edge.
Failure – The Heart is a Monster
Really wanted to love this but aside from a handful of tracks, it was just a decent return.
Bill Fay – Who is the Sender?
Came upon this late in the year as well. The guy really knows how to crank out the somberness!
Bob Dylan – The Cutting Edge 1965-1966
I know this is blasphemy but this is just plain excessive. Disc 3 is 20 versions of “Like a Rolling Stone”. Stop the madness!!

Ken Beck