Artist: Lost in the Trees Album: A Church that Fits Our Needs Year: 2012 Grade: B
In Brief: Due to the topic of suicide, this won’t be an easy listen for most folks, but it is ultimately a beautiful and touching meditation on a mother’s passing.
Artist: P.O.D. Album: Murdered Love Year: 2012 Grade: C-
In Brief: “I Am” might attract all the controversy with its “f-bombs”, but it’s far from the worst thing about an album that shows promise at first, then takes a nosedive.
Artist: Of Monsters and Men Album: My Head Is an Animal Year: 2011 (re-released 2012) Grade: A
In Brief: There’s nothing scary about this Icelandic band, but they do wield some monstrous hooks. I may have belatedly stumbled upon the best new band of 2012.
Artist: Owl City Album: The Midsummer Station Year: 2012 Grade: C-
In Brief: As dorky as Owl City’s past releases could sound, he was much more charming as a wallflower than he is here, desperately trying to fit into the mainstream.
Artist: The Lumineers Album: The Lumineers Year: 2012 Grade: C-
In Brief: The Lumineers are the current “it” band in the folk revival genre, but the songs that made them popular don’t really emphasize their few strengths.
Artist: Andrew Peterson Album: Light for the Lost Boy Year: 2012 Grade: B+
In Brief: I’m too partial to Peterson’s early efforts to call this his best, but this may be his most fully realized album. It’s a commendable artistic rebirth for a veteran songwriter.