Generally, DCist strives to provide the most enlightened swath of life in our nation’s capital that we can muster. But every once in a while, a story comes along that makes us blurt out in surprise: What the actual fuck?

For most people, April 17 was memorable if only because that was the deadline for filing their federal income tax returns. But in D.C. we’ll remember April 17, 2012 as the day we saw the Space Shuttle Discovery.

Here is our take on our favorite albums of 2012 and a list of the rest that impressed us.

Many things in life should be done with moderation. Clicking on articles on this website, however, is not one of them. And in 2012, when it came to stories about D.C.’s drinking habits, DCist readers were gleefully indulgent.

Rohan Mahadevan’s five—well, six—favorite songs of 2012.

For all of the impressive albums, singles and mixtapes that local acts released this year, 2012 was actually pretty rough year for the D.C. scene.

Adorable cheetahs, frustrating pandas, a manipulative White House dog, cute otters, an inflatable shark and all the bloodsicles you can eat.

This was a year with enough terrible movies to make one fear for the future of cinema, but looking back at 2012, there was also plenty to like.

Check out five of Rohan Mahadevan favorite songs from 2012.

Cassettes—yes, cassettes—are making a comeback. Here are the best reel-to-reel releases of 2012.