My Favorites From 2011
So apparently this is week were everyone makes their year end lists- and heres mine. It was rvery difficult to rpick out the top 5ish. Where last year it was because there were too many rperfect albums, this year is sadly rbecause there are too many albums with just one or two rflaws... Not to hate on this year, it was a great year rfor music overall. I basically completely rstopped listening to metal, got really into indie rock, and stopped rfollowing ska as much r(which kinda bums me out, but i still go to tons of shows). Heres a list of my favorites rfrom rthe year- in general order, but not perfect. Recs/disagreements/props welcome! |
| 38 | | Main Attracktionz
808s & Dark Grapes II
A really great, chill as anything rap album with some really unique
production and great flow. Really slick |
| 37 |  | The Strokes
Angles
So it wasn't a return to form or even a return to quality, but it had enough
great singles to make it worth most of the hype. |
| 36 |  | G-Side
The One...Cohesive
A really good rap album with a little bit of everything on it |
| 35 |  | Big D and the Kids Table
For the Damned, the Dumb, and the Delirious
Everyone was expecting a lot from this one and it didn't really deliver, but
there are still a lot of great ska songs on this one |
| 34 |  | The Roots
Undun
This is an edit, I originally had the 'Step Brothers' Mixtape, but checked out the Roots album (didnt know it
had leaked) and its by far one of the best rap albums ive heard in a really long time. Plus Im a sucker for a
good concept album |
| 33 |  | The Kills
Blood Pressures
Great, but missing something. A few songs that sound like filler are in the
worst places and it really disrupts the flow |
| 32 |  | Yuck
Yuck
A really cool and different album than most the stuff you here these days |
| 31 |  | Dropkick Murphys
Going Out in Style
Solid Dropkick album, which translates into at least 5 great songs to add to
the St. Pattys day show and the rest of the album is filler. |
| 30 |  | Toh Kay
Streetlight Lullabies
I'd imagine youd have to be a streetlight fan to appreciate this one, but I
am and when I saw his live solo show I wished he would release this and
here it is. Still not as good as full band or even just seeing him live (hes
really chill and funny in person) |
| 29 |  | Okkervil River
I am Very Far
I liked this one a lot when I first heard it but now it kinda faded away |
| 28 |  | Telekinesis
12 Desperate Straight Lines
12 very catchy pop songs- basically the first album but more intense, overall
better, but not as many hit songs |
| 27 | | James Drake
Mixtape
Really cool mixtape that combines James Blake and Drake samples. they
come together and it sounds like something completely new and different.
Really good mashup |
| 26 |  | Talib kweli
Gutter Rainbows
Really solid rap album by one of my favorite rappers |
| 25 |  | Foster the People
Torches
Over-hyped, under-rated |
| 24 | | Jay-Z and Kayne West
Watch the Throne
The amazing collection of singles make up for the album itself not being
supurb. Still a great album |
| 23 |  | Holy Ghost!
Holy Ghost!
LCD is gone, and while DFA label mates Holy Ghost put out a good release
it has a lot of flaws |
| 22 |  | Big K.R.I.T.
ReturnOf4eva
One of the most solid rap releases of the year. A lot of party bangers and a
few real talk rhymes as well |
| 21 |  | Kendrick Lamar
Section 80
Another really good rap tape, this was a really good year for rap. Havent
really paid attention to the mainstream/radio stuff that much but
underground rap had a ton of good releases |
| 20 |  | Arctic Monkeys
Suck it and See
I feel like if this was their first album they wouldnt have succeeded like they
did, but at this point in the Monkey's career its pretty much exactly what
they need to stay relevant and not screw up like the strokes |
| 19 |  | Bad Meets Evil
Hell: The Sequel
Alright, Eminem is probably my favorite rapper and i love this return to the
slim shady persona after all that drug addict crap and recovering mediocrity
. |
| 18 |  | Manchester Orchestra
Simple Math
I think they finally hit their stride with this one. Still has some flaws, but is
much better than anything they released in the past |
| 17 |  | The Black Keys
El Camino
I really like this style of the Keys. Probably thier best album along with
Attack and Release, though its the newest so it can obviously grow the
most |
| 16 |  | The Horrible Crowes
Elsie
what else would you expect from Brian Fallon? Hope Gaslight is making
something for next year |
| 15 |  | The Rosebuds
Loud Planes Fly Low
A superb indie rock album with some really great songwriting dynamics and
skills |
| 14 |  | Tyler, the Creator
Goblin
Didn't buy into the hype at first, but this is acutally really good- though I like
bastard better. |
| 13 |  | Wilco
The Whole Love
From my initial reactions I think its Wilco's best since Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.
Needs more time though |
| 12 |  | The Decemberists
The King is Dead
I like the amped up style on most of the songs, but a few of them fall flat |
| 11 |  | The Vaccines
What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?
I really enjoyed the straight forward rock mentality of this one. Its super
catchy and fresh sounding even though its all been done before |
| 10 |  | Beirut
The Rip Tide
This one grew on me a lot. I think its Beiruit's best and most consistent
album to date |
| 9 |  | Neon Indian
Era Extrana
Riding chillwaves all day with this one. Haha, its also really catchy- but side
b is nowhere near as solid as A |
| 8 |  | Grouplove
Never Trust A Happy Song
My Favorite new band of the year. Didnt the exposure it deserved but
atleast now its on the ipod commerical, for what thats worth... |
| 7 |  | Starfucker
Reptilians
One of the most fun albums of the year. Pretty much all the songs on here
are great in any mood |
| 6 |  | Radiohead
The King of Limbs
Really dont understand the wide amount of panning on this one. Its
actually really good (like all Radiohead), Ill admit it took me 2 or 3 listens to
like some of the more out there songs though |
| 5 |  | James Blake
James Blake
This is about where it got difficult to decide. Holy shit this album is
awesome. Such creative layering and instrumentation, especially since its
somewhat minimalistic (in the sense they perform it live with 3 people). Oh
yeah, and the bass |
| 4 |  | Girls
Father, Son, Holy Ghost
Really Great album. I Gave this one,3,and1 (duh) each a decent amount of
consideration for number one. The first half of one reminds me a lot of Pink
Floyd. I think this would be my number two choice for top album, but not
sure if it will really have the same lasting effect as 1 |
| 3 |  | Bomb the Music Industry!
Vacation
Really cool, with a lot of new styles than earlier albums. Some songs feel
like blue era weezer (probably the live shows), some have indie rock feel,
some are straight up punk. |
| 2 | | M83
Hurry Up, We're Dreaming
So fucking epic. From start to finish, all 22 songs (except 3 haha) Didn't pick
it for one because I don't think it will be that remembered in a few years
just because it borrows a lot from older stuff and they will probably make
something that overshadows this one. |
| 1 |  | Bon Iver
Bon Iver, Bon Iver
I feel weird naming this one as album of the year, but I honestly can't
justify any other album as much as this one. It's really great from start to
finish, grows on you with each listen, and will probably be remembered as
one of the best of the decade in a few years. Edit: Gave the top 5 Relistens, and this is the clear standout
album of the year, though the top 5 are all very very close. |
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