Flyleaf Bassist Pat Seals Picks His Favorite Albums of the Year

Leading up to the end of the year, Revolver has asked some of our favorite artists to pick their Top Albums of 2012 and tell us why each record rules. Here, Flyleaf guitarist Pat Seals selects his faves.

01. Deftones, Koi No Yokan

Another great Deftones album. “Entombed” is my favorite track on this one; haunted and dreamy with a soaring chorus. Perfect.

02. Fiona Apple, The Idler Wheel is Wiser…

These brooding, heartache-fueled ballads marinated in what feels like maybe psychosis are a cut above the rest. One of the best albums I’ve heard in a while. “Werewolf” and bonus track “Largo” are two of my favorites from this release.

03. Crosses, EP 1 and 2

With Deftones frontman Chino Moreno on vocals and Shaun Lopez of Far. “Option” and “Prurient” are my highlights of these EPs. I love the use of hip-hop and the mixes absolutely shimmer, sonically. Hats off!

04. Sleigh Bells, Reign of Terror

Got me through some gym time while recording New Horizons. A sinister, modern Abba playing songs soaked in metal guitar over gullet-rattling beats — yes!!

05. Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Alleluia! Don’t Bend! Ascend!

My cousin gave me Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven several years ago on tour, and I have enjoyed getting lost in this band’s eerie and vastly sprawling records ever since. Though a bit of a time commitment, “We Drift Like Worried Fire” is as maddening as it is enchanting, though I’m not sure I would recommend hearing this track if one were actually worried about something.

06. Stone Sour, House of Gold and Bones

These guys rule, bringing high-energy metal without forsaking pop-sensible songwriting. “Taciturn” is a ballad made for arenas for sure.