We carefully crafted our list of top 50 albums of the year in the only way we know how: the most difficult and time-consuming way. With a giant white board, color-coded X’s and ?’s, and a golf-score Google Doc system, we eventually got it together to bring you our favorite albums of the year. Often our lists include releases from the local scene, and we have denoted those below. There were some that just slipped under the cracks that we want to honorably mention, so you can check them out: Quarterbacks, Long Beard, Dick Diver, Fraternal Twin, Space Mountain, Burglary Years, Tomboy, Funeral Advantage, Dirty Dishes and Brittle Brian.

We’re keeping it simple for the first half of our list, but stay tuned for the top 25 tomorrow which will feature opinion pieces from our staff. Hope you enjoy!

*=Local

50. Hair Salon – Ursula*

49. Imaginary Life – Worriers

48. Ratchet – Shamir

47. Elaenia – Floating Points

46. Harm – Infinity Girl

45. Downers – Jamaican Queens

44. The Agent Intellect – Protomartyr

43. Rose Mountain – Screaming Females

42. Teens of Style – Car Seat Headrest

41. Kicking Every Day – All Dogs