Best Albums of 2012: Staff Picks

Because there's no such thing as too many Best Albums of 2012 lists, we asked our various Diffuser.fm contributors to submit their picks. Scroll down to see how our team of intrepid reporters and critics rated the year's recorded music, and whether you agree with their selections, hit us up in the comments to share your own personal Best Albums of 2012 lists.

Kenneth Partridge, Editor in Chief
10. Tame Impala, 'Lonerism'
9. Chrome Cranks, 'Ain't No Lies in Blood'
8. Japandroids, 'Celebration Rock'
7. Purity Ring, 'Shrines'
6. David Byrne & St. Vincent, 'Love This Giant'
5. Fresh & Onlys, 'Long Slow Dance'
4. Frank Ocean, 'Channel Orange'
3. Chromatics, 'Kill For Love'
2. Grimes, 'Visions'
1. Twin Shadow, 'Confess'

Joe Robinson, Senior Writer
10. Frank Ocean, 'Channel Orange'
9. Lotus Plaza, 'Spooky Action at a Distance'
8. DIIV, 'Oshin'
7. The xx, 'Coexist'
6. Spiritualized, 'Sweet Heart Sweet Light'
5. METZ, 'METZ'
4. Cloud Nothings, 'Attack on Memory'
3. Godspeed You! Black Emperor, 'Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend!'
2. Swans, 'The Seer'
1. Tame Impala, 'Lonerism'

Michael Gallucci, Contributor/Weekend Editor
10. Kendrick Lamar , 'Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City'
9. Beach House, 'Bloom'
8. Grizzly Bear, 'Shields'
7. Alt-J, 'An Awesome Wave'
6. Taylor Swift, 'Red'
5. Fiona Apple, 'The Idler Wheel …'
4. Japandroids, 'Celebration Rock'
3. Alabama Shakes, 'Boys & Girls'
2. Grimes 'Visions'
1. Frank Ocean, 'Channel Orange'

David Lifton, Contributor
10. Shoes, 'Ignition'
9. Aimee Mann, 'Charmer'
8. The Gaslight Anthem, 'Handwritten'
7. Don DiLego, 'Western & Atlantic EP'
6. Kelly Hogan, 'I Like to Keep Myself in Pain'
5. Bob Mould, 'Silver Age'
4. Jason Myles Goss, 'Radio Dial'
3. Bruce Springsteen, 'Wrecking Ball'
2. City Squirrel, 'Defeat'
1. The Explorers Club, 'Grand Hotel'

Scott Shetler, Contributor
10. Grimes, 'Visions'
9. Jack White, 'Blunderbuss'
8. Avett Brothers, 'The Carpenter'
7. Sigur Ros, 'Valtari'
6. Sleigh Bells, 'Reign of Terror'
5. Ed Sheeran, '+'
4. Of Monsters and Men, 'My Head Is an Animal'
3. Leonard Cohen, 'Old Ideas'
2. Frank Ocean, 'Channel Orange'
1. Bat For Lashes, 'The Haunted Man'

Pete Schiecke, VP of Digital Media, Townsquare Media
10. The Avett Brothers, 'The Carpenter'
9. Youngblood Hawke, 'Youngblood Hawke (EP)'
7. Imagine Dragons, 'Night Visions'
8. Walk the Moon, 'Walk the Moon'
6. Silversun Pickups, 'Neck of the Woods'
5. fun., 'Some Nights'
4. Brian Eno, 'Lux'
3. Muse, 'The Second Law'
2. Mumfod & Sons, 'Babel'
1. Beach House, 'Bloom'

Shauna Farnell, Contributor
10. No Doubt, 'Push and Shove'
9. Chairlift, 'Something'
8. Tame Impala, 'Lonerism'
7. Titus Andronicus, 'Local Business'
6. Of Monsters and Men, 'My Head Is an Animal'
5. Amanda Palmer and the Grand Theft Orchestra, 'Theatre Is Evil'
4. Grimes, 'Visions'
3. Cat Power, 'Sun'
2. Divine Fits, 'A Thing Called Divine Fits'
1. Santigold, 'Master of My Make Believe'