I was reading PitchFork’s end of year list the other day and realized just how strange a list can become when you are judging music on details. So a band combined influences from Mayan drums and French flutes from the 1760s – really?? I find it hard to believe that a band reads their summary on Pitchfork’s top 100 list and is like, “Wow! We did read a book of Pagan culling spells, and we DID combine this influence with Phil Spektor and late Beatles! Finally, someone who gets us!”
So instead of awkward best album choices that I scrutinized over the artistic merit for hours – I’m just gonna hit ya with what got the most playing time in my ride.
1. Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend 
Vampire Weekend – M79
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They almost got so much hype that you hated them for it. But this album felt like Weezer’s Blue album to me.
2. Born Ruffians – Red Yellow & Blue
Born Ruffians – Hedonistic Me
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Would have never heard of these guys without the Muffin. The best example because it spent a month in my car, but I have constantly found some of the best music from reading our own blog.
3. Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago
Bon Iver – The Wolves (Act I and II)
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I passed on a Bon Iver show with some friends at the beginning of the year. By the end of the year I was patronizing people for not hearing of them.
4. Ratatat – LP3
Ratatat – Dura
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Anytime I was getting ready to do anything, whether it was go to a party, go to the beach, or go to the library – this was the album I was playing on 11.
5. The Ting Tings – We Started Nothing
The Ting Tings – That’s Not My Name
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I don’t know why. In fact, I’m a little embarrassed looking back on it. But those songs were good damn it!
Bought the Ratatat album today after reading your post – damn good stuff sir.
That Born Ruffians album went completely under the radar and I loved that thing. I actually ran across it in some random EW article about how they were a mix of Pixies and Modest Mouse….random. Great pick though!
now there aint NUTHIN wrong with the Ting Tings! Theyre like the superfunnest!