2012 --the year that electronic music killed rock & roll? Maybe not.--- A panel at SXSW purported such a thing, and I'm not buying it, not with the majority of these albums being not-electro. Not that I'm opposed to that, it's just that the proof isn't in the pudding, as they say. Here's a list of some of the albums, by release date, that I'm most excited about (and, hopefully, they don't turn out sucking).

4.3 Go here to read my picks for this past Tuesday.

4.10
M. Ward, A Wasteland Companion ("The First Time I Ran Away" below)
Alabama Shakes, Boys & Girls
Choir of Young Believers, Rhine Gold
Peelander-Z, Space Vacation

4.17
Neon Trees, Picture Show ("Everybody Talks" below)
Spiritualized, Sweet Heart Sweet Light

4.24
Diamond Rugs, Diamond Rugs ("Gimme a Beer" below)
Jack White, Blunderbuss
Suckers, Candy Salad

5.1
Santigold, Master of My Make Believe ("Disparate Youth" below)
5.8
Here We Go Magic, A Different Ship
Keane, Strangeland
Off!, Off!

5.15
Beach House, Bloom ("Myth" below)
Best Coast, The Only Place
Holy Water Music, Exister

6.5
Crocodiles, Endless Flowers
The Mynabirds, Generals
Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Americana
Alejandro Escovedo, Big Station

6.12
Hot Chip, In Our Heads ("Flutes" below)


The dB’s, Falling Off the Sky
The Tallest Man on Earth, There’s No Leaving Now

6.19
Del the Funky Homosapien and Parallel Thought, Attractive Sin

6.26
Fiona Apple, The Idler Wheel is Wiser than the Driver of the Screw, and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do