Aaaaand today is the conclusion of Listmas 2012 for Ranting About Music! I want to thank everyone who has been a part of it, if you’re a new reader then welcome, I hope you like what you’ve seen, and I’m looking forward to more ranting in the new year. After today, I’ll be taking a few days off for the holiday, but I’ll try to get something up next week as well. I started the Odds and Ends segment last year as sort of a final comment on the year, and to catch stuff that I might have missed, or not been able to talk about this past week due to structure, so it’s a little more informal than the rest of the week. Enjoy!

Album given the most second chances: Born to Die by Lana Del Rey.

Albums that would have made the top of the year if I’d had more time with them:
Japandroids – Celebration Rock
Kendrick Lamar – good kid, M.A.A.D City
Cat Power – Sun
Fiona Apple – The Idler Wheel…

Albums that didn’t make the favorites of the year, but I really liked anyway
Best Coast – The Only Place
Metric – Synthetica
The Smashing Pumpkins – Oceania (better than expected)
Norah Jones – Little Broken Hearts

Most Overrated Album: Grimes – Visions

Most Underrated Album: The Menzingers – On the Impossible Past

Most Disappointing Album: Nicki Minaj – Roman Reloaded

Songs That Appeared on the Hot 100 That I Wish Had Been Big Enough To Make the Year-End
Nicki Minaj – Beez in the Trap
Kendrick Lamar – Swimming Pools (Drank)
Bruno Mars – Locked Out of Heaven
Grouplove – Tongue Tied

Most Improved Pop Artist: Bruno Mars. The guy’s stuff from Doowops and Hooligans left me cold, but what I’ve heard off Unorthodox Jukebox has my interest.

Dishonorable Mention: Songs Considered For the Worst Hits of the Year
Drake – The Motto (purely for unleashing “YOLO” on the world)
Maroon 5 – One More Night
fun. – We Are Young
Chris Brown – Don’t Wake Me Up
Flo Rida – Whistle

Honorable Mention: Songs Considered For the Best Hits of the Year
Alex Clare – Too Close
Psy – Gangnam Style
Carrie Underwood – Good Girl
Coldplay – Paradise
Kanye West, 2 Chainz, Big Sean, Pusha T – Mercy

Best number one hit: Gotye – Somebody That I Used To Know

Worst number one hit: Sexy and I Know It, technically. Whistle in practice.

Number one that I just didn’t get: Maroon 5 – One More Night, how was this such a sustained hit?

Joke I Wish I Would Have Thought Of Sooner
Referencing “Cooler Than Me” when in “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”, TSwift says “Find your peace of mind/With some indie records that’s much cooler than mine“.

My 25 Favorite Songs of the Year (In No Order)
1. Metric – Synthetica
2. Amanda Palmer – Melody Dean
3. Frank Ocean – Sweet Life
4. Japandroids – The House That Heaven Built
5. Candy Hearts – Matchbox
6. Gaslight Anthem – 45
7. Green Day – Stray Heart
8. Lupe Fiasco – Freedom Ain’t Free (Around My Way)
9. The Smashing Pumpkins – Pinwheels
10. Norah Jones – Say Goodbye
11. Regina Spektor – Open
12. Moonlight Bride – Diego
13. Cat Power – 3, 6, 9
14. Sharon Van Etten – Warsaw
15. Titus Andronicus – In a Big City
16. Lana Del Rey – Radio
17. Kitty Pryde – Ay Shawty
18. How To Destroy Angels – The Loop Closes
19. Andre 3000, Gorillaz, James Murphy – Do Ya Thing (extended)
20. Blood Red Shoes – Je Me Perds
21. Jack White – Sixteen Saltines
22. Kendrick Lamar – Swimming Pools (Drank)
23. Silversun Pickups – Simmer
24. Stereo Crowd – Who Do you Love?
25. Arcade Fire – Abraham’s Daughter

Ranting About Music Listmas Recap
Dec. 16th: Worst Hits (10-6)
Dec. 17th: Worst Hits (5-1)
Dec. 18th: Best Hits (10-6)
Dec. 19th: Best Hits (5-1)
Dec. 20th: Best New Music
Dec. 21st: Best Albums
Dec. 22nd: Odds ‘n Ends