Midyear Compilation Album
“My Girls,” by Animal Collective (from Merriweather Post Pavilion, pictured above): This song from the impossible-to-classify Collective (please don't call them a jam band!) is likely to induce euphoria -- much like the rest of Merriweather, the year’s best album thus far.
“All We Ask,” by Grizzly Bear (from Veckatimest): Multilayered and many-splendored Beach Boys-esque pop from an album whose greatness has only been surpassed by that of the aforementioned Merriweather Post Pavilion.
“1901,” by Phoenix (from Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix): If the Strokes hailed from Paris instead of NYC and were a lot better, this might’ve been their song.
“People Got a Lotta Nerve,” by Neko Case (from Middle Cyclone): Flawless alt-country from the sub-genre’s single greatest voice (sorry, Jeff Tweedy). The album cover is also the best of the year, by far.
“Eid Ma Clack Shaw,” by Bill Callahan (from Sometimes I Wish We Were an Eagle): One of Bill Callahan’s (formerly Smog) most accessible songs to date; also one of his best. Bonus points for the totally unexpected F-bomb midway through!
“The Hole Is Wide,” by Marissa Nadler (from Little Hells): Beautifully haunting piano non-pop—a necessary antidote to the plethora of disposable Gavin DeGraws out there.
“Auditorium,” by Mos Def (from The Ecstatic): Characteristically heady, transformative lyrics (and beats) from one of rap’s few geniuses … and legitimate actors!
“Use Somebody,” by Kings of Leon (from Only by the Night): Superb radio-ready rock that will soon become stale, thanks to its sudden ubiquity (the MTV Movie Awards? Really?). For now, though, it’s impossible to turn the song off.
“Actor Out of Work,” by St. Vincent (from Actor): Leslie Feist may have been temporarily supplanted by St. Vincent’s Annie Clark as the Queen of Indie Pop with gems like this from her quirky, sardonic and all-around awesome album.
“Divinations,” by Mastodon (from Crack the Skye): Last but, well yeah, least, a little metal courtesy of the Atlanta band to round out and crank up the list. Not for everyone, but also not so thrashy that it’ll poison the ears of casual rock fans. KEEP READING: The Obligatory Spencer/Heidi Bashing