With the year half over, we thought it was time to reflect back on some of the excellent releases of the year. Behold, our alphabetical list of the twenty-five best albums released so far in 2012.

Admiral Fallow: Tree Bursts In Snow Review

We are suckers for Scottish indie rock, so getting our hands on the sophomore album from Admiral Fallow was a must.

Fiona Apple: The Idler Wheel Is Wiser... Review

 

While you may want a new Fiona Apple album more frequently than she delivers it, there is a sense on her fourth studio album that neither you nor her could handle it if she did.

Mindy Smith: Mindy Smith Review

Folk-leaning singer-songwriter, Mindy Smith strikes out on her own for her fifth studio album, ditching Vanguard Records in favor of self-releasing her latest.

Now Here This - Week of June 25, 2012

As you ramp towards fireworks, drinks, and barbecues, the city offers a wealth of great live music to pick from this week.

Walk The Moon: Walk The Moon Review

The major label debut from, Cincinnati indie rock sensations, Walk The Moon arrives as the danceable cure for your summertime blues.

Margot & The Nuclear So And Sos: Rot Gut Domestic Review

Indianapolis indie rockers Margot & The Nuclear So And Sos' fourth studio album is a gruff, dense listen that balances their excellent songwriting chops against their desire to crank up the distortion for a heavier sound.

Yawn: Happy Tears EP Review

Chicago's Yawn proves anything but boredom-inducing on their latest five-track EP.

Atlas Genius: Through The Glass EP Review

Australian indie rock sensations, Atlas Genius burst onto the scene earlier this year with "Trojans".

The Mynabirds: Generals Review

When The Mynabirds' sophomore album thumps to a start, with the distant organ and heavy beat over a moody vocal from Laura Burhenn for "Karma Debt", you may be wondering where all the country soul of the first album went.

Hortlax Cobra: Night Shift Review

You have to expect dazzling beats from an album by Peter, Bjorn And John drummer John Ericksson, and he happily obliges with a set of playful, beat-driven indie pop.

The Dirty Heads: Cabin By The Sea Review

Book-ened with tracks announcing your arrival and departure from the titular 'Cabin By The Sea', SoCal reggae outfit, The Dirty Heads attempt to take you on a sonic vacation on their sophomore album.

Glen Hansard: Rhythm And Repose Review

The Frames and The Swell Season front man, Glen Hansard offers a stripped-down sound on his debut solo outing.

Now Here This - Week of June 18, 2012

The good news is that there are a ton of great shows this week. The bad news is that the majority of them are sold out.

Stepdad: Wildlife Pop Review

Candied synth and boatload of gooey, summer-ready hooks is how, Chicago indie pop outfit, Stepdad roll on their fantastic debut album.

The Hundred In The Hands: Red Night Review

New York duo, The Hundred In The Hands kicks a little more dirt on their shadowy after-hours electro-pop for their sophomore album.

Top 25 'Father' Songs

With Father's Day fast approaching, we decided to dig into the vaults to uncover the finest 'dad' songs around. Much like our 'Mother' list, the list is not based on sentimentality. Rather, the criteria for hitting the list is simply that it the title has some form of the word 'dad' in the title, and be a great song. We dug through everything from 3rd Bass' "Pop Goes The Weasel" to more classic country than we care to mention, but we boiled it down to this tight set of twenty-five gems.

Motion City Soundtrack: Go Review

Minneapolis pop-punk outfit, Motion City Soundtrack return to the indie label circuit following their damn-fine major label debut, My Dinosaur Life.

Right Away, Great Captain!: The Church Of The Good Thief Review

We beg Manchester Orhcestra's Andy Hull, please stop releasing albums with such regularity. It seems every time a Hull production hits our iPod, it ruins our ability to listen to anything else for weeks on end.

Metric: Synthetica Review

Emily Haines and crew offer a more serene, synth-drenched sound on their fifth studio album. 

Wintersleep: Hello Hum Review

The fifth album from, Canadian indie rockers, Wintersleep is a dazzling set of stadium-ready guitar-fueled rock.

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros: Here Review

After breaking through with the ever-present "Home" landing on more commercials than we thought humanly possible, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros return with their follow-up.

Now Here This - Week of June 11, 2012

Another week, another excellent batch of live shows in Chicago.  With most of next week's offerings sold out, we recommend jumping on your tickets to these shows early - and taking a peek at our list of upcoming shows we think will sell out at the bottom. 

Pomegranates: Heaven Review

Cincinnati indie pop quartet, Pomegranates return two years after, their excellent 2010 offering, One Of Us.

Kelli Scarr: Dangling Teeth Review

California singer-songwriter, Kelli Scarr's sophomore album is an elegant piece of country-leaning folk, ripe with whispery cool vocals and lightly speckled backing that lulls into a false sense of calm.

Freebie Friday - June 8, 2012

For our inaugural Freebie Friday sampling of free tracks, we dive in with a handful of excellent music to get you through the weekend. 

Top 25 Vampire Songs

With the return of, HBO's amazing guilty pleasure, True Blood on Sunday, we decided to dip into the vaults to find the best songs with vampire-related words in the title. While some of the songs are about the bloodsuckers, it was not part of the criteria. It took quite a bit of time to dig through all the blood, vampire, and bite named tunes, but we think the results were worth the trouble. What we came up with was a list of tracks so strong that even Arcade Fire's "Vampire/Forest Fire", Pearl Jam's "Blood", and seemingly shoe-in Rick James' "Cold Blooded" did not make the cut.

River City Extension: Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Your Anger Review

New Jersey's River City Extension trade the seaward folk stylings of their fantastic debut album for a more grounded sound on their sophomore album.

Crocodiles: Endless Flowers Review

San Diego's Crocodiles serve up a third helping of their hazy indie pop cool on Endless Flowers.

Scott Lucas & The Married Men: Blood Half Moon Review

Local H front man, Scott Lucas returns with the sophomore album from his side project.

The Temper Trap: The Temper Trap Review

Australian indie rock quintet, The Temper Trap return a couple of years after grabbing your attention with thier lush "Sweet Disposition" in the trailer for 500 Days Of Summer.

Now Here This - Week of June 4, 2012

Shake off the blues of another five-day work week with some excellent live music. Nearly every day this week offers a great show or two to head out to; except Tuesday. Who likes Tuesdays anyways?