Top 25 Albums Of 2015: Part 1
Now that I’ve completed my Top 50 Songs of 2015 list, it’s time to rundown my Top 25 Albums of the year. Entries 15-11 are just down below. Jump back tomorrow for the final 10 selections. Enjoy.
PS – As always, this list is made up of stuff that I legit listened to a lot throughout the year.
25) Carly Rae Jepsen – E-MO-TION
There are a couple of tracks on Carly Rae Jepsen’s E-MO-TION that aren’t great, but overall it’s definitely one of the most fun albums that I came across in 2015. If you’re into lady-led pop jams from the 80s/90s, you need to become one with CRJ’s latest LP.
:Carly Rae Jepsen – Let’s Get Lost:
24) Joanna Newsom – Divers
If Joanna Newsom’s Divers had come out earlier in the year, I think it might have ended up higher on my list. Like her other efforts, this album is beautiful but dense, and it needs to be digested over lots of listens. In another month or two I’ll be able to decide whether it’s really good or really great.
:Joanna Newsom – Leaving The City:
23) Protomartyr – The Agent Intellect
Protomartyr’s The Agent Intellect isn’t exactly what I would call an easily accessible rock album. On the bright side, if you fully commit to it you get back a rather rewarding experience.
:Protomartyr – Why Does It Shake:
22) Desaparecidos – Payola
Payola is exactly what I wanted Desaparecidos to deliver on their sophomore effort – it’s loud, inspired, angry and crazy infectious. Here’s hoping they don’t stick to the 13-years-between-albums thing that they currently have going on.
:Desaparecidos – City On The Hill:
21) Gal Pals – Velvet Rut
While it still bums me out that Gal Pals jumped from Austin to LA, I do like that the move got them to finally put out a debut full length. Velvet Rut is 29 minutes of garage pop perfection.
:Gal Pals – Ex-Marionette:
20) Thee Oh Sees – Mutilator Defeated At Last
This is the fourth year in a row that Thee Oh Sees have managed to crack my Top 25 Albums list. I don’t mind. They make me want to be a louder person.
:Thee Oh Sees – Web:
19) Sweet Spirit – Cokomo
I’ve jammed Sweet Spirit’s Cokomo a lot since it was released back in October. It’s an upbeat listen that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
:Sweet Spirit – Baby When I Close My Eyes:
18) Joanna Gruesome – Peanut Butter
Joanna Gruesome‘s Peanut Butter is a completely schizo (but really fun) album. They continue to be one of the best noise pop acts around.
:Joanna Gruesome – Honestly Do Yr Worst:
17) Sweet Talk – Double Perfect
Sweet Talk are one of the best bands in Austin, and Double Perfect is one of the year’s best straight up rock albums. You need it.
:Sweet Talk – Witness:
16) White Reaper – White Reaper Does It Again
These fellas out of Kentucky really delivered the goods on their debut LP, White Reaper Does It Again. It’s nothing but super catchy garage punk tunes.
:White Reaper – Make Me Wanna Die:
15) Titus Andronicus – The Most Lamentable Tragedy
A 29-track, 93-minute rock opera from the one and only Titus Andronicus? Yeah, there was never a chance that The Most Lamentable Tragedy wouldn’t be on this list.
:Titus Andronicus – Dimed Out:
14) Colleen Green – I Want To Grow Up
Colleen Green’s musings throughout I Want To Grow Up are both insightful and relatable. Also, there isn’t a single track on it that isn’t catchy.
:Colleen Green – TV:
13) Leon Bridges – Coming Home
Leon Bridges pretty much owned 2015. Coming Home is a warm, inviting effort, and it may just be the year’s most accessible album.
:Leon Bridges – River:
12) Speedy Ortiz – Foil Deer
Admittedly, it took me a little while to fully come around on Foil Deer. I think I was expecting a simple extension of Major Arcana, but their sophomore LP is way more than that – it’s them really evolving, expanding their sound and becoming an overall better band.
:Speedy Ortiz – Raising The Skate:
11) Ratatat – Magnifique
I think Magnifique is Ratatat’s best album. From start to finish it’s loaded with really interesting sounds, and all of the songs move incredibly well. I left it on repeat a lot in 2015.
:Ratatat – Cream On Chrome:
