Best Of 2011 Thus Far #2
2011 kicks ass. |
| 1 |  | Bon Iver
Bon Iver, Bon Iver
Brilliant sophomore effort by J.D. and the Gang. I love it just as much as I love For Emma and I can't help but saying: Everything Justin Vernon touches turns into pure gold for me, at least up until now. From the jaw-dropping Intro Perth over the incredible Wash. to the heartbreaking Beth/Rest Bon Iver nail it on every single track and compared to For Emma this has so much more variety to offer. |
| 2 |  | The War on Drugs
Slave Ambient
This Band got sooo much better when Kurt Vile left them. They sound like a mix between Bruce Springsteen and U2 on their Unforgettable Fire LP. This makes for a very entertaining Album from start to finish with some killer tracks(Baby Missiles, I was There, Brothers) The only flaw of Slave Ambient is the fact, that Comin Through, one of their very best songs should replace one either City Reprise or Come for it. If that would be the case, this Album would have scored a classic rating from me. |
| 3 |  | Youth Lagoon
The Year of Hibernation
Chillwave done right, never boring, very emotional and immediate. The Album has a great flow and is a highly enjoyable and relaxing listen but it never get's tedious and boring like many LPs in this genre, because the songwriting is very crisp and to the point. Outstanding tracks are July, Montana and The Hunt. |
| 4 |  | dEUS
Keep You Close
A masterpiece. dEUS really shine on this Album, brilliant instrumentation and great variety, without ever loosing focus, they really nail it on this one. Every song is very well constructed, on the surface many songs seem to be straight up rock songs, but dEUS manage to offer a twist on every on off them, catching you of guard with sudden changes in tempo or using unexpected instruments. Really Amazing vocals as well. Constant Now, Keep you Close and Dark sets in stand out for me. |
| 5 |  | Manchester Orchestra
Simple Math
Alternative Rock done right, every song oozes emotions and Hull delivers in songwriting and singing alike. Simple Math and Deer maybe my favorite songs but the Band the delivers on every single Track. |
| 6 |  | Mansions
Dig up the Dead
Dark and atmospheric, immediate and intimate this album is all of these things and more, Browders vocal delivery is amazing, he manages to squeeze emotions out of every well written line he wrote. Instrumentation is not all that spectacular in terms of technique but you can find some very effective build ups and breakdowns. Favorite tracks are Dig up the Dead, Wormhole and Blackest Sky |
| 7 |  | Wu Lyf
Go tell fire to the Mountain
Somebody on this site wrote the perfect summary for this, i am to lazy to dig it up but it went something like this: Sounds like my dog making music, good thing I love my dog. |
| 8 |  | City and Colour
Little Hell
His best album to date, better production and less repetition make for a very strong LP with some amazing lyrics. He shows, that he is not limited to the same formulate which was used quiet often on the previous Albums. One of the best songs of 2011 which is Weightless. Other Favorites are; We found each other in the Dark and O'Sister |
| 9 |  | J Mascis
Several Shades of Why
Hard to describe why this ends up being so high on my list. At the end of the day I just love most of the songs here and Mascis vocal delivery is just soooo good. Can I and What Happened are recommended for everyone. |
| 10 | | *shels
Plains of the Purple Bufallo
Epic climaxes, crushing walls of sound, brilliant instrumentation, eerie atmospheric parts. Post rock at his bests, always good enough to keep you interested even if they don't stray away to much from the usual postrock formula. Journey to the Plains might end up being one of the best post rock songs ever made. |
| 11 |  | Hey Rosetta!
Seeds
Did not live up to the initial feeling I had, which was that this could become my AOTY. But still a very good effort with Seeds, Yer Spring and Yer Fall being some of the best tracks. |
| 12 |  | Foo Fighters
Wasting Light
Finally they came around and made a crisp and focused Album without unnecessary, cheesy filler tracks. Kicks ass. Bridge Burning, I should have known and Walk in particular. |
| 13 |  | Wild Beasts
Smother
Brilliant. Melodies. Everywhere. Kind of hard to sit through as a whole, cause I find both singers kinda exhausting. Still great though. Deeper, Plaything and Lions Share are standouts. |
| 14 |  | Young Brother
EP
Very good, psychedelic indie Rock. Promising Debut, I think many on sputnik could potentially like them. Bonefires and The Mayor are recommended. |
| 15 |  | The Boxer Rebellion
The Cold still
Very good songwriting and subtle but effective instrumentation. Standouts: No Harm and Both Sides are Even. |
| 16 |  | Destroyer
Kaputt
Chinatown, Blue Eyes, Bay of Pigs |
| 17 |  | The Dodos
No Color
Black Night, Going under |
| 18 |  | The Republic of Wolves
The Cartographer
Home, Mirage |
| 19 |  | Swarms
Old Raves End
T-1000, Flikr of ur eyes |
| 20 |  | The Milk Carton Kids
Prologue
Michigan, New York |
| 21 |  | The Twilight Singers
Dynamite Steps
Be Invited, Get Lucky |
| 22 |  | Trophy Scars
Never Born, Never Dead
Messengers, Angels |
| 23 |  | The Lonely Forest
Arrows
Arrows, Coyote, Tunnels |
| 24 |  | The Kills
Blood Pressures
Future Starts Slowly, DNA, Nail in a Coffin |
| 25 |  | The Horrible Crowes
Elsie
Ladykiller, Crush, Behold the Hurricane |
| 26 |  | Givers
In Light
Up Up Up, In my Eyes |
| 27 |  | Fleet Foxes
Helplessness Blues
Helplessness Blues, The Shrine/Argument |
| 28 |  | Awolnation
Megalithic Symphony
Sail, Jump on my Shoulders, All I need |
| 29 |  | Mogwai
Earth Division
Drunk and Crazy, Does this always Happen? |
| 30 |  | The Antlers
Burst Apart
I don't want Love |
| 31 |  | The Pains of being Pure at heart
Belong
Belong, Strange |
| 32 |  | Vessels
Helioscope
Monoform, Heal |
| 33 |  | The Dangerous Summer
War Paint
Everyone Left, War Paint, Waves |
| 34 |  | The Joy Formidable
The Big Roar
The Everchanging Spectrum of a lie, Cradles |
| 35 |  | Leagues
Leagues
Magic, Mind Games |
| 36 |  | Meniscus
War of Currents
Cursed, Infant |
| 37 |  | Adele
21
Rolling in the Deep |
| 38 |  | PJ Harvey
Let England Shake
Let England Shake, England |
| 39 |  | Laura Stevenson and the Cans
Sit Resist
Peachy, I see dark |
| 40 |  | Idiot Glee
Paddywhack
It, I want the Night to stay |
|
