The 25 Best albums of 2012

Both members of Johanna’s Visions writing staff voted and about 190-100 albums were nominated in the process of compiling our year-end “Best album of 2012” list. Like Johanna’s Visions web site itself, the list features an eclectic mix of genres, but with an emphasis on roots oriented stuff (country, soul and rock’n roll). It features well known artists and lesser known acts.

The album that would go on to earn the #1 spot appeared on both our lists and on the same position. The rest of the list is a result of mathematics and hard bargaining.

This is Johanna’s Visions 25 Best Albums of 2012.

Click on the album cover or the link to get our short descriptions of the album and a list of our chosen tracks for each record.

1.Bob Dylan – Tempest

2.Justin Townes Earle – Nothing’s gonna change the way you feel about me now
3.Patterson Hood – Heat Lightning Rumbles In The Distance
4.Jack White – Blunderbuss
5.The South – The South

6.Neil Young & Crazy Horse – Psychedelic Pill
7.Bill Fay – Life is People
8.Leonard Cohen – Old Ideas
9.Iris Dement – Sing the Delta
10.Calexico – Algiers

11.Bruce Springsteen – Wrecking Ball
12.American Aquarium – Burn. Flicker. Die.
13.Hiss Golden Messenger – Poor Moon
14.Alabama Shakes – Boys & Girls
15.Dinosaur Jr. – I Bet on sky

16.Van Morrison – Born to sing, No plan B
17.Dwight Yoakam – 3 Pears
18.Shovels and Rope – O’ Be Joyful
19.I Was A King – You Love It Here
20.Kathleen Edwards – Voyageur

21. Mumford & Sons – Babel
22. Darrell Scott – Long Ride Home
23. Marty Stuart -Nashville, Volume 1: Tear The Woodpile Down
24. Bobby Womack – The Bravest Man in the Universe
25. Sharon Van Etten – Tramp

View Comments

    • We discussed it but didn't think that The Carpenter was up to the standard set by I and Love and You or Emotionalism. It's a good album, just not top 25 for us.

      Thanks for the feedback!

      - Hallgeir

  • Thanks for the feedback Mark,

    Babel is a great album (higher on my personal to 25 list).
    I have not listened to Gary Clark Jr., nor Old Crow’s Medicine Show... but it wouldn't surprise me if Hallgeir has..
    JTE is always a fav here at JV :-)

    -Egil

  • Evidently Babel hasn't had a chance to "grab" ya'll yet....I love Dylan and this lastest CD is probably about 10th on my list of favorites by him, not on my top 10 for 2012 though (nor is Springsteens). Did ya'll listen to Gary Clark Jr's or Old Crow's Medicine Show's new releases? Great stuff. Gonna have to give some of these another (and a couple a first) listen. Great call on JTE at second, that album is solid!!

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