Best Albums of 2012

My best albums list consists of 16 mood/theme based lists (most with eleven albums) that contain the top albums of 2012.... (In progress)
I understand that some people may feel that this is overkill, but the point is threefold:
a. to create a very personal document of my musical enjoyment from 2012 for future reflection
b. to provide individualized suggestions for people who like different styles
c. to honor and acknowledge those working musicians who give their lives to making great art

I'm sure that as time goes on i'll discover releases from 2012 that i missed that should be on here...when that happen i'll generate a "Missed Classics" list...
This project was put on hold for a couple years due to ever increasing responsibility and time commitments.

This also includes eps, splits, live acts, cover art, and films from 2012 as well.

i have attempted to notate my top 10 albums with (*)
so with that i leave you to the list...enjoy!

Best Album Covers of 2012

Here is a list of the top 25 album covers of the year. Based upon total concept including; artwork, text, color scheme, and layout. Placement on this list in no way considers the musical content on the album. This is about cover art only.
List is in alphabetical order.

Acres - Acres

Altarnihil - Terminal

An Autumn For Crippled Children - Only The      Ocean Knows

Beach House - Bloom

Boris / Joe Volk - Split

Bosse De Nage - III

CFCF - Exercises

Charlatan - Isolatarium

Chromatics - Kill For Love

Dead Branches - Dead Branches

Encoffination - Elegant Funerals for the Unkown Dead

Helios - Moiety

Ian Hawgood - The Shattered Light

Javier Miranda / Yellow Flesh - Season of Good      Rain / 1991

Jesu - Duchess/Veiled

Kleefstra / Bakker / Kleefstra - Griis

Lucrecia dalt - Commotus

Michael Price - A stillness

Nothing - Downward Years To Come

Olan Mill - Paths

Slow Magic - On Yr Side

The Ghost of 3.13 - The World Isn't Here

Tim Hecker & Daniel Lopatin -    Instrumental Tourist

witxes - sorcery/geography

Young Magic - Melt

Best Live Acts of 2012

The top 11 best live bands I saw during 2012. Based on total experience of their set including; sound, talent, visual, and personal enjoyment.

11. Father Murphy
10. Balam Acab
9. A Hawk and a Hacksaw
8. Andrew Bird
7. Pedestrian Deposit
6. Father of the Flood
5. White Horse
4. The Body
3. Thou
2. Peculiar Pretzlemen
1. Chelsea Wolfe