2011: Favourite Albums
Wow, what a year, huh? This list has almost double the amount of ralbums from last years, and that's not including a huge chunk of stuff I rabsolutely loved. 2012 has a lot to live up to. |
| 1 |  | Defeater
Empty Days And Sleepless Nights
This is my most listened to album for 2011. It's another brilliant release from
Defeater which only further places them on the top shelf of modern Hardcore.
It's not a perfect record, but it's the one I've kept coming back to over the past
year and in some cases, it's helped me through some low points this year. And
contrary to basically everyone else, I think the acoustic tracks are a nice
addition, and not simply tacked on for good measure.
Top Track: Waves Crash, Clouds Roll |
| 2 |  | La Dispute
Wildlife
'Somewhere...' is one of my favourite ever albums, so I went into this with high
hopes. It doesn't disappoint. It takes a slightly different approach, and they
don't try and outdo themselves. I like how they didn't try to make another
'Somewhere...', as they'd probably end up having it forcibly compared.
Top Track: King Park |
| 3 |  | The Mountain Goats
All Eternals Deck
Inevitable, there was always going to be that album which 'is really fucking good
but I can't really describe why in a justifiable manner'. You'll have to listen for
yourself. This is easily Darnielle's best record since 'The Sunset Tree'.
Top Track: Liza Forever Minnelli |
| 4 |  | Counterparts
The Current Will Carry Us
Who says Metalcore can't be good? Not only does this act as a how-to guide for
most "core" bands these days, it also tells an openly honest and emotional
story. One which I am able to relate to on a personal level. It really speaks to
me, as cliche' as that sounds.
Top Track: Reflection |
| 5 |  | Bon Iver
Bon Iver, Bon Iver
I'm gonna come out and say that this is better than For Emma. I know most
Iver fans will disagree, but this album is so close to being perfect it's ridiculous.
Top Track: Perth |
| 6 |  | Swarms
Old Raves End
It's a challenge to make ambient music that is engaging enough to not fly over
your head, unnoticed. Swarms succeeds in every way.
Top Track: Sky Below Sea |
| 7 |  | Manners
Apparitions
One of my favourite hardcore releases this year. This band is going to go far, I
can tell.
Top Track: Solitary |
| 8 |  | Will Haven
Voir Dire
A sadly unheard of band, but this might just be their best release yet. Heavy,
and atmospheric, it rivals that of 'Carpe Diem'.
Top Track: Mida's Secret |
| 9 |  | Thrice
Major/Minor
I wasn't a huge fan of either 'Yellow Belly' or 'Anthology' during the pre-release
of the album, but like all of Thrice's work, it quickly grew on me. Another
fantastic outing.
Top Track: Words In The Water |
| 10 |  | Russian Circles
Empros
My love for this band increased tenfold after seeing them live in August. Empros
captures their live presence and puts it on record. Simply overflowing with
energy.
Top Track: Ml?dek |
| 11 |  | Wolves In The Throne Room
Celestial Lineage
It doesn't have an epic track like 'I Will Lay My Bones...' or 'A Looming
Resonance' but taken as a whole, provides an extraordinary listening
experience.
Top Track: Thuja Magus Imperium |
| 12 |  | Elbow
Build A Rocket Boys!
It's no Seldom Seen Kid, but it's close. And you just can't say no to a band
whose lead singer looks like a bear.
Top Track: Lippy Kids |
| 13 |  | Fleet Foxes
Helplessness Blues
A brilliant record with a 'Folky' feel to it, which not only gives it its sound, but an
atmosphere as well. Superb.
Top Track: The Shrine/An Argument |
| 14 |  | Septic Flesh
The Great Mass
Whether or not this is better than Communion is a sheer matter of opinion. One
thing for sure is that they still know how to write huge, orchestral masterpieces.
Top Track: Oceans Of Grey |
| 15 |  | The Human Abstract
Digital Veil
A fantastic return to form after the godawful Midheaven. Technical, heavy and
atmospheric.
Top Track: Antebellum |
| 16 |  | Born Of Osiris
The Discovery
Another great release from a otherwise average band. Phenomenal guitar work,
as well as intelligently placed keyboard and synth which adds a whole other
dimension to the record.
Top Track: Recreate |
| 17 |  | The Devil Wears Prada
Dead Throne
I never really liked these guys until Zombie, and this just expanded on their
intelligent songwriting. Not a brilliant album overall, but you've got to give them
credit for how drastically they've improved by comparison.
Top Track: Born To Lose |
| 18 |  | Down I Go
Gods
A fantastic final outing for these guys. Short, but to the point.
Top Track: Poseidon |
| 19 |  | Tangled Thoughts Of Leaving
Deaden The Fields
While slightly different sounding than their EP, still a really impressive Post-Rock
record, with enough of that edge to make it stand out.
Top Track: Deep Rivers Run Quiet |
| 20 |  | Touche Amore
Parting The Sea Between Brightness And Me
It can sometimes lose track of itself in some parts but I don't really mind that.
It shows Touche Amore evolving even more so.
Top Track: Condolences |
| 21 |  | James Blake
James Blake
Do I really have to explain? Klavierwerke was great, and so is this.
Top Track: I Never Learnt To Share |
| 22 |  | Tyler, The Creator
Goblin
A deep, emotional and psychological trip into the mind of Tyler. What initially
comes off as a generic rap album, soon turns into one of many layers and
complexities.
Top Track: Yonkers |
| 23 |  | Between The Buried And Me
The Parallax: Hypersleep Dialogues
I've noticed that some sections sound eerily similar to some of their older
material (the Augment Of Rebirth/Ants Of The Sky intro comparison is a little
too close for comfort) but it just goes to show that their material is very flexible.
Top Track: Lunar Wilderness |
| 24 |  | Mastodon
The Hunter
While somewhat a departure, this is another fantastic release from one of the
most consistent metal bands out there.
Top Track: Spectrelight |
| 25 |  | Sylosis
Edge Of The Earth
Heavy, Melodic, and just generally invigorating. An absolute monster of an
album.
Top Track: From The Edge Of The Earth |
| 26 |  | The Jezabels
Prisoner
You'd think after consecutively releasing three EP's, they would take a breather
when it came to writing their first full-length. I guess they didn't need to.
Top Track: Catch Me |
| 27 |  | Cynic
Carbon-Based Anatomy
Disappointing that half of the tracks are merely short interludes but it's just as
well that they flow together so well when played as a whole.
Top Track: Box Up My Bones |
| 28 |  | Youth Lagoon
The Year Of Hibernation
The soundtrack to a lazy, sunny afternoon. Serene, even somewhat hypnotic,
music. Just beautiful.
Top Track: Montana |
| 29 | | Red Hot Chili Peppers
I'm With You
I'm quite a big Chili Peppers fan, so this was a welcome surprise. Doesn't stray
too far from their formula, but they definitely haven't run out of ideas yet.
Top Track: Did I Let You Know |
| 30 |  | Gotye
Making Mirrors
Not very well known outside of Australia, but it basically took our country by
storm during its release. Well deserved of the various ARIA nominations/wins.
Top Track: Somebody That I Used To Know |
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