@OhthePossibilities:disqus , that would explain why there was only one pair of footprints found through Laurel Canyon.

These sort of taste like vanilla-flavored Dunkaroos frosting sandwiched between two Oreo wafers. That may or may not classify them as a godsend.

@avclub-884c4beddd8c98bb3b016bdfcc1bcdf8:disqus well, I mostly agree with that. That's partly why I think the bottom half of this album sort of fails lyrically (and musically for other reasons). Their ain't much MEAT.

I like cleverness in music, especially when it's manifested in as well-written and playful a song as "Andrew in Drag." Part of why 69 Love Songs worked was because Merritt wasn't being totally romantic about his endeavor— wherever songs come from, I doubt he lacked the integrity as an artist to try and build them from…

I completely forgot that Blak was a thing until I read this list. I vaguely recall it's awkward, chemical aftertaste though. At least Manhattan Special doesn't force two relatively sharp, competing flavors on you.

@avclub-1f25bd51dbe35ffd0319d1cfb405a223:disqus  I don't know if I can fault music for being chaotic, but I can for being over the top. If anything, Sleigh Bells can get over the top fast, though I get why people would love their loud, noisy-ass guitars. 
Don't know how I feel about their albums, but I think they have…

I just finished reading it. For the most part, I didn't think it was too sappy or hamfisted in how it tackled 9/11, but I get the gripes about how precious it could get. I genuinely liked some of the more fantastical bits.

It's more about the way he cracks said space.

Especially in a year of revivalist sax. I still have to listen to his albums, but that technique of his is unreal.

The person who did the most for dubstep this year was James Blake.

He might as well slur them though. It's been argued that his lyrical style is "interesting," but I feel like other artists have and will continue to receive shit for similar incoherence. Vernon's saved by his falsetto, which critics especially love.

The gold standard here seems to be the likes of "Purple Rain," which had both mainstream and artsy cred. I really don't know if every Important Album has been or needs to be Purple Rain though, and a lot of the reasoning against potential Important Albums in the article doesn't appear to be from any codified law…

I see it's crossover appeal, but I find The Weeknd's beats to be good—not game-changing— and Abel Tesfaye's voice sounds like every other Top 40 heartthrob's.

While the glassy stare and unexpected tooth are a bit unnerving, I find them funny. And if you have more than one, you can harmonize them!

I deeply regret not seeing them when they rolled through New York City last Fall. At this point in my music-listening life, Cave's the one artist that I desperately need to see live before it's too late. While Grinderman 2 may very well be one of my favorite things he's done, it would be hard for me not to make that…

Dude… what?

"Hell Broke Luce" aims for the pit of your stomach and hits hard. But don't tell the hipsters that Flea played bass on it, they'll have a fit!

Real Estate played at my campus this past Spring and were pretty sloppy live. Considering that I don't find their music all that interesting to begin with, I don't know… I just can't see what these guys are supposedly bringing to the table.

Steam always has another sale… always…

Hmm, it appears that this sub-thread got up and left. Or maybe I'm just bad at this.