2011 greeted us and then left us with a year full of great music. No matter what your tastes, 2011 was packed full of something for your mind to feast on. Because of all these options I made a list of the top 50 albums of 2011. Don't take all of these numerical placements as scripture, they are vague placements that could easily be interchanged among each other. I'm fully tired of this introduction, so here are the results.
TOP 50 ALBUMS OF 2011
50. Jeff Bridges - Jeff Bridges
49. Waves - Moving Mountains
48. 50 Words For Snow - Kate Bush
47. Drop Out Of Life - This Time Next Year
46. Wildlife - La Dispute
45. Good For Me - The Swellers
44. Codes And Keys - Death Cab For Cutie
43. What Are You So Scared Of? - Tonight Alive
42. In It To Win It - City Lights
41. House Of Balloons - The Weeknd
40. England Keep My Bones - Frank Turner
39. Daybreak - Saves The Day
38. Shed - Title Fight
37. Separation - Balance And Composure
36. Burning At Both Ends - Set Your Goals
35. Room To Run - States
34. CoCo Beware - Caveman
33. The Whole Love - Wilco
32. No Sanctuary - A Loss For Words
31. Gospel - Fireworks
30. Let England Shake - PJ Harvey
29. Under Soil And Dirt - The Story So Far
28. Cults - Cults
27. Metals - Feist
26. The King Is Dead - The Decemberists
Now that we're halfway through this little countdown, here are some of the best EP's released this year. I usually don't acknowledge EP's, but I have finally come around.
The Coloring Book EP - Glassjaw
The Cartographer - The Republic Of Wolves
Follow The Rattle Of The Afghan Guitar - Weatherbox
Last Days Of Rome - Daytrader
By Way Of Introduction - The American Scene
Seasick - Silversun Pickups
I recommend all of those as listens. There's a little something for everybody on that list. Now let's get back to the list.
25. 21 - Adele
It may come as a surprise to a lot of you, but I actually liked this album. With very pretty orchestration and a voice that rivals Amy Winehouse, Adele proved that her previous album, 19, wasn't just an aberration. The piano, acoustics, percussion, and accompanying musicians are spot-on and Adele Adkins' crooning songstress voice cuts to the core of the listener with ease. A fine example of such emotion is the tear-fest "Someone Like You". Very pretty album with no lacking songs on it. Good listen.
24. No One Listens To The Band Anymore - The Damnwells
How this band isn't famous remains a mystery to me. With accessible percussion, smooth guitars, catchy choruses, and sultry vocals, Alex Dezen manipulates his vocal chords on every song that perfectly summarize the changing of the seasons. Just ask Ryan Reynolds and Scarlett Johansson, they are fans and typically attend shows in Hollywood. This is the first album that The Damnwells have released since 2009 when their album One Last Century was released as a free download, but the first physical release of an album since 2006. For about three weeks I refused to listen to any other album.
23. Listen & Forgive - Transit
I wrote a review for this album when it was released and my feelings for this record have not subsided since that day. This is an atmospheric pop-punk album made by a band that is incapable of being put into a genre. Each song has a different aura to them and commands you to listen from start to finish. It's a beautiful road trip album, but it is just as pretty listening to when you turn your head to look out the window and watch the sunset. This album has every right to be in the top ten or fifteen, but the stiff competition keep it from being at the pinnacle. This is the kind of record that if you're in the right mood, it could become one of your favorites you've ever heard.
22. Holy Shit - Living With Lions
Usually when a band gets a new singer there are struggles and backlash. The very opposite happened when Living With Lions hired Stu Ross as their new vocalist. On their first release with a new singer Living With Lions fires on all cylinders for an entire album with the heavier side of pop-punk sensibilities. It was such a great year for this genre so as a band you are faced with so much more pressure to create something with a lasting value. Living With Lions did that with this record. On a side note, they also made one of the best album covers of the year.
21. Avalanche United - I Am The Avalanche
The opening notes hit you as the reverb comes off the guitar and then the sonic explosion happens. This album is packed with firing songs that encompass the Long Island working class and their attitude. Of course, listening to this album will bring thoughts of The Movielife (influential scene band and IATA frontman Vinnie Caruna's former band), but you have to look pass all of that to give this album a fair chance. It's not The Movielife, but on its own, this album is a fighting song from the confines of the scene and never stops swinging.
20. Ceremonials - Florence + The Machine
A pretty album with a pretty voice, what's wrong with that? This record captured a lot of hearts since it was released and the world fell for this British songstress. One thing that stands out to me on this record is when the music kicks in with the percussion and intensifies, the vocals are right there to match the intensity and shoot into the atmosphere like an orchestrated cannonball. For anyone who loves female singers with no prominent pop element, and haven't listened to this album yet, I highly recommend you give this record a few spins. You'll be sure to find at least one album that captures your imagination.
19. When You're Through Thinking, Say Yes - Yellowcard
It seemed like an eternity, but we only had to wait four years until we got a new Yellowcard album. With the anticipation hitting a fever pitch, the band finally dropped the first single off the album and the first thing that plays through the speakers is a violin. That is how every Yellowcard song should start. This album also features one of the best Yellowcard songs ever written ("With You Around"), and a back half of the album that is just as good as the first. For many this album may be a nostalgic kick many old fans have been waiting for, but for the rest of us, even without the nostalgia this album is a great listen.
18. The Fall - Gorillaz
The wonders of what you can do with an iPad. The man behind Gorillaz, Damon Albarn, recorded all of the sounds that you hear on this album directly onto his iPad during the world tour that the band had while in support of their previous release, Plastic Beach. What comes out as the final product is nothing short of an enjoyable, ambient, trance that keeps you listening for its duration. While it does fall short of their previous release, it's still a mellow and fun alternative album that managed to stay off of many radars.
17. El Camino - The Black Keys
It could be considered a crime against humanity that I didn't listen to Brothers enough to list it on last year's list, but I learned my lesson and am here to preach the gospel of The Black Keys. This alternative blues rock band proves their staying power and cements their place in the upper echelon of modern artists with two albums in two years. Contributing on this record is famed writer/producer/performer Danger Mouse, a man that I admire greatly. His touch on this album is the spice needed to separate El Camino from Brothers.
16. People & Things - Jack's Mannequin
Considering how much I adored the previous two records (calling The Glass Passenger the best of 2008) and how much I love Andrew McMahon, you could say the bar was set fairly high for this record. While it didn't live up to all the hype that I had built up around it, this record is still intoxicating and absolutely enjoyable. Each song is completely different from the one that came before it and builds a much different atmosphere than the band has produced before. Maybe that's why I didn't think it lived up to expectations, because this record is a left turn from any expectation. All things considered, it is impossible to listen to this record without an intense grin forming on your face.
15. Night of Hunters - Tori Amos
A lot of commotion arose when it was revealed that Tori Amos would release her new album on a classical label. That commotion turned into curiosity and the curiosity turned into excitement after hearing the first song on the record. Each song is so elegant, delicate, and beautiful with a duality of grace and strength. On a few selected tracks, Amos' fifteen year-old daughter Natashya Hawley makes guest vocal appearances, all of which blew me away. The beauty and tone that this girl possesses is simply astonishing and I can't wait until she stars releasing solo material. Having not been a Tori Amos fan before, and still not considering myself as one now, this album is still unique, beautiful, and a much encouraged listen.
14. Helplessness Blues - Fleet Foxes
Three years after Fleet Foxes released one of the best debut albums in recent folk history, and in music in general for that matter, they return with their new album Helplessness Blues. This record sets a dreamy landscape of folk goodness from start to finish, creating a near flawless atmosphere for a near flawless album. Elements of blues and Americana blend into the gigantic kettle that was needed to create such an eclectic record. While it may take a certain mood for you to be in to fully enjoy this record, this is the kind of album that you do not want to ignore. In a few years, we could be talking about this record along with some of the great ones of indie-folk glory.
13. Angles - The Strokes
Make no mistake about it, I love this band and everything that they have ever done. The dark, broody, indie-garage rock that brought them to my attention enticed me from the very start. But what I came to love about this band isn't what you find on Angles. After a first listen I had to take a step back and a deep breath before jumping back into it for a second listen. And that's where the beauty of this band lays. It didn't seem like much of anything at first but it kept me coming back for listen after listen and soon I found myself smitten with this record. Released five years after their previous record, this album brings a much more vibrant new wave element to their music, giving this record a few new wrinkles to admire. What started out as a shock to me, ended with an album that I simply couldn't stop listening to.
12. Hold On To This - The JV Allstars
As I have said before in my review of this album, I try to encounter this record with an unbiased attitude. Being friends with members of this band, it could be very easy to be caught up in that friendship with placing their music with that of those I do not know and only admire. Speaking from a completely unbiased standpoint, this album is one of the best new pop-punk albums recorded. The songs are fun and upbeat, with some slower ones being very sentimental and touching. This is what All Time Low wishes they could record now. This is Midwest pop-punk. This is the curtain call for a band that I love to call friends. It's simply vintage JV Allstars.
11. Man Overboard - Man Overboard
Waving the flag of the new pop-punk sound, Man Overboard evolved from their debut record and created a record that should be spoken in the same breath as the elite albums of the genre. Featuring both inspiring songs and down trodden tunes, this record churns like a locomotive from start to finish. While some of the other albums may be front-heavy, with the best songs on the first part of the record, this one is very back-heavy and listening to the entire album becomes its own reward. Somewhat aggressive, but always melodic, this album revives the "take no prisoners" attitude of their previous record and takes it to new heights.
10. Killing Time - Bayside
Combining the musical ambition of The Walking Wounded and the lyrical mentality of their self-titled album, Killing Time is a relentless punk album with powerful guitars and roaring vocals. The guitar theatrics of Jack O'Shea come center stage with infectious riffs and absolutely ridiculous solos. The previous two releases left me with a stale taste for the band and this became a make-or-break record for them with me. Only ten minutes into the record I fell in love. This was the band that I adored when I was in high school and have seen play live numerous times. It falls just short of their self-titled album, but if this album were released in a different year, it would be in the top five.
9. David Comes To Life - Fucked Up
A hardcore punk concept album executed to perfection. This record is about two love birds in depression-era (1970's and 80's) England. The female love interest dies and the male carries on while meeting new people on the way to help him carry on. I usually don't get too much into the hardcore punk scene anymore, but an album like this one makes you rethink everything you thought you knew about a musical genre. This album completely transcends the hardcore beginnings of the band. For anyone who is a fan of concept albums or likes hardcore punk, this album will be highlighted for years to come.
8. Bad As Me - Tom Waits
One of the most eccentric and entertaining performers of the last fifty years returned to the spectrum with the first album of new material in seven years. What we receive is his best work twelve years (for the record, that album is my favorite he has ever done). Blending an old romantic element to his experimental rock style, this record mixes slower and more sentimental songs with groovy tunes propelled by Tom Waits' signature growl. It's absolutely refreshing to listen to an idol and find that he isn't content with playing the same music. This record is miles beyond what his most recent works were and prove that this man hasn't missed a step.
7. Undun - The Roots
Absolutely defining the genre that has become known as "neo soul", The Roots constantly create new music that both inspires and fascinates. Undun comes to us as an existential concept record about a man's short and tragic life in an urban setting, told through a reverse-chronological narrative. With snare-heavy beats and keyboard fueled soundscapes, this record holds you by the hand and plays for you. It's not an overpowering record, it just plays. When you listen to it, you just absorb it. You get absolutely enthralled with the story of this man and you want to know everything there is to tell about him. The music draws you in, but the voice soothes.
6. Simple Math - Manchester Orchestra
Their last album blew me away and quickly became an urban legend in my approach to music. After basking in the glory of their previous release, I anticipated the new release. Then I heard that frontman Andy Hull announced the album would be a concept album about a 23 year-old man questioning everything in life, even life itself. Hitting me really close to home, I then braced for the first listen and what I found blew me away. This album is an epic atmospheric alternative rock album that takes you on a deeply emotional spiritual journey. While it still isn't better than Mean Everything To Nothing, this is a fantastic record that commands listening to.
5. King Of Limbs - Radiohead
Radiohead has always been the kind of band you couldn't put your finger on. Each album they have released has been significantly different than the one released before it, each possessing different elements and becoming a whole new genre. King Of Limbs is no different. Instead of the conventional way of recording, Radiohead sampled their own music and manipulated different parts of them into a new record. I didn't know that going into listening to it, but after knowing that it becomes slightly obvious. Featuring one of the most beautiful songs the band has ever recorded ("Codex"); this album keeps us guessing on what Radiohead will do next. After listening to the band for some time, I find myself being absolutely comfortable with that.
4. Elsie - The Horrible Crowes
Just recently I grew fond of the music of Bruce Springsteen. Some of that I contribute to my love for The Gaslight Anthem. Now frontman Brian Fallon teams up with Ian Perkins to create a different album with a much different listening experience. On Elsie, we are treated with a much more slowed down pace and it never picks itself up to the arena-rock grandiose that The Gaslight Anthem has. For the majority of the album it's just a subtle drum part backing a guitar with a grown man spilling his thoughts and dreams out into open air. This is a touching album with a rough voice sang softly over soft accompanying music. The lyrics are vintage Fallon and make you want to spend time listening to this album with someone special.
3. Bon Iver, Bon Iver - Bon Iver
On paper, this album should be amazing. Justin Vernon is credited as play eighteen different instruments on the record and is accompanied by Sean Carey on drums (who released a fantastic solo album, All We Grow, last year). Frontman Vernon spoke of what he did to prepare the album, and while his debut album was highly acclaimed, with one listen this record renders the previous record obsolete. From the first second until after the final note, this album is unparalleled in its beauty. The only album I know of that is comparable in its beauty to this one is Sigur Ros' Ágætis byrjun. With a delicate voice, soft and elegant accompanying instrumentation, precise orchestration, and this album has moved its way into the beautiful new home of my heart.
2. Suburbia, I've Given You All And Now I'm Nothing - The Wonder Years
While on the outside, it may sound like just a perfect pop-punk record, but at its core Suburbia is many things. In many ways it is a journal kept by the band and what they have gone through since their humble beginnings. It also is a letter to the surroundings around all of us and the non-nurturing environment, breeding helplessness and sorrow into the brain of everyone becoming an adult. On another level, it is just a man's love letter to Alan Ginsberg and trying to fit as many references to his work as you possibly can on a record. Filled with references to Ginsberg, previous songs the band has written, and their hometown, this album is a diary with well written words that resonate with listeners. The autobiographical nature of the lyrics connects with fans and the listener immediately relates to the music. This is the perfect pop-punk record for the new pop-punk sound and The Wonder Years have forever solidified their spot in history with Suburbia.
1. War Paint - The Dangerous Summer
On behalf of myself and only myself, I want to apologize to The Dangerous Summer for not including their previous release on my best of 2009 list. Had I have listened to it enough, it would have been in the top three. Now that it has come and gone, the new release War Paint leaves a bigger mark. While the mainstream, radio, and artistic types won't acknowledge its existence, this album consists of everything that I value in music. The bass lines flow perfectly with the surrounding instruments, the drum parts are abstract but never become sloppy, the rhythm and lead guitars blend together with accenting fringes to go with the thrusts of the rhythm guitar, the vocals are genuine and create an arch in melody, while the lyrics are both abstract and direct by expressing either complex or simple ideas with just the right words and phrasing to resonate with the listeners. Having seen this band live a few times and having talked to members of the band, they share the same cohesive vision in their music and it shows when they go in to record the final product. This band has created two flawless alternative-pop-punk records and shows no sign of slowing. This album will forever live as the finest of the 2011 and inevitably puts itself among the best modern records I've heard.
Now that we have said what the best albums of 2011 are and our reflection time is over, the New Year comes with excitement and new opportunities. So now here are my most anticipated albums of 2012.
Some Nights - Fun.
TBA - Phoenix
TBA - Brand New
"3" - Silversun Pickups
TBA - Modest Mouse
Beautiful Things - Anthony Green
Anarchy, My Dear - Say Anything
Port Of Morrow - The Shins
What We Saw From The Cheap Seats - Regina Spektor
TBA - Motion City Soundtrack
TBA - The Early November
Wildblood - Lovedrug
TBA - Every Time I Die
TBA - The Gaslight Anthem
TBA - Hot Water Music
Old Ideas - Leonard Cohen
TBA - The Forecast
