The albums that made the first half of our year came at us from every direction (often, more than one at a time). We've collected our favorites into a handy little list that we're happy to share with you today. (There's plenty more mid-year coverage over here, including a list of our 50 favorite songs and a discussion of 2012's highlights at its midpoint.) If you're looking for a summer road trip album, a soundtrack to your hot summer nights or your dreams of winter, start here.
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1 of
— Cover of Berlin Philharmonic: Bach's St. Matthew Passion
Cover of Berlin Philharmonic: Bach's St. Matthew Passion
/ Berliner Philharmoniker
2 of
— Cover of Billy Hart's All Our Reasons
/ ECM Records
3 of
— Cover of Bobby Womack's The Bravest Man in the World
Cover of Bobby Womack's The Bravest Man in the World
/ XL Recordings
4 of
— Cover of Death Grips' The Money Store.
/ Courtesy of Epic Records
5 of
— Cover of DJ Burn One's Where There's Smoke
Cover of DJ Burn One's Where There's Smoke
/ Five Points Music Group
6 of
— Cover of Fun.'s Some Nights.
/ Courtesy of Fueled By Ramen
7 of
— Cover of Killer Mike's R.A.P. Music
Cover of Killer Mike's R.A.P. Music
/ Williams Street Records
8 of
— Cover of Spiritualized's Sweet Heart Sweet Light
Cover of Spiritualized's Sweet Heart Sweet Light
/ Fat Possum Records