Bobbyisms: Looking back at 2012 in music

I write about random things a lot. I write a lot about random things. Now that December is finally upon us, it feels like it's safe to talk about Christmas and the coming break without annoying anyone or making the time feel like an eternity.

It's also finally safe to start talking about the biggest and best albums released in the past year, and major magazines and tastemakers have begun to publish their year-end lists. And not unlike electoral primaries, some publications even weighed in on the topic before the end of November, bringing a number of releases to focus — or back to focus — for consideration.

Pitchfork, Paste and MOJO Magazines all weighed in early, and as they're representing different regions in musical taste and driven by different musical climates, it's interesting to note where they agree and disagree.

Although the Americans Pitchfork and Paste agreed on titles like Fiona Apple's The Idler Wheel..., Japandroids' Celebration Rock and Beach House's Bloom, the only release with enough power and appeal to break into the Top 10 of each (the Top 2, more specifically) was Frank Ocean's genre-bending masterpiece Channel Orange.

A "very beautiful album about not-so-beautiful people," according to Paste — who placed the record at number one — the album was released in July just after those in the know released their Best Of So Far lists back in June. Channel Orange is Ocean's first full-length release and features guest appearances by André 3000, John Mayer, Om'Mas Keith and more.

The album is unquestionably beautiful, but what makes it so compelling a listen is its stark and powerful themes of love, sex and the highs and lows in between. The stories and characters may or may not reflect real people, but Ocean's mastery is in their unraveling emotion, like a director carefully guiding them to their full potential. Channel Orange has certainly earned its place among the highlights of the past year.

Speaking personally, however, there are a number of albums that have meant a lot to me that may not appear on many year-end lists. Writing this column for so long has endeared me to a number of artists and their albums, and this year was certainly no exception; in case you missed them, check out these great albums by artists that have appeared in this column over the year:

Cancer Bats, Dead Set On Living: Released in April, Cancer Bats' latest album delivered big rock songs with the sort of power and authority we needed to kick the summer off right. Driven by the singles "Old Blood" and "Road Sick" — part of which was filmed late one night here in London — Dead Set On Living is a dynamic hard rock album that deserves to be heard again and again.

John Mayer, Born And Raised: Released in May, John Mayer's latest studio offering reveals a different side of the singer, one who seems far more introspective and pensive following years of his more immediate lifestyle online via Twitter and his blogs. Mayer dialed the digital lifestyle way back and dove deep into himself while recovering from vocal surgery, resulting in the kind of craftsmanship and vulnerability he displayed on older releases like Room For Squares and Heavier Things.

The Balconies, Do It In The Dark: Although only a single and not a full-length release, The Balconies' new recording reflects a big step for the band, whose humble Ottawa beginnings must be starting to seem in the distant past. The band recorded a popular video cover of Justin Bieber's "Baby" with Toronto's Hands & Teeth and just recently toured across the country supporting Big Sugar, so prospects for a strong 2013 are looking very good.

However, prospects for 2013 is another topic for another column. For more on the latest in music news, views and anticipated releases, consider following this column on Twitter @fsu_bobbyisms, and have a wonderful holiday break! You've earned it. I'm out of words.