Top 10 albums of 2011! (as chosen by someone with very little time on his hands)
Hellllloooooo. It's that time of the year again! When everyone with a blog thinks they know whats best! And here's my collection of my favorite albums from 2011. Also, I don't listen to a lot of new music. So here's my opinion!
10. Loom- Epyllion
Beautiful, haunting melodies. Chill out music at it's finest. Which doesn't mean it lacks edge, the riff on "Around Again" sounds like it could have been borrowed from the Black Keys.
Best Tracks: Around Again, Is it Love
9. tUnE-yArDs- WHO KILL
Like Paul Simon on ecstasy. Definitely the most exciting listen of the year.
Best Tracks: Bizness, You Yes You
8. Sandro Perri - Impossible Spaces
Always thought provoking. Perri really shows off production skills here.
Best Tracks: Changes, Wolfman
7. St. Vincent - Strange Mercy
Annie Clark is a fantastic musician. Easily the most interesting guitarist/songwriter performing right now. Strange Mercy, like Clark, is both Agressive and Angelic.
Best Tracks: Surgeon, Year of the Tiger
6. Birdsacrosswater - Archives
Nic Lefebvre is constantly releasing music, under both birdsacrosswater and Rays. This is a collection of experiments recorded over 2 years, but it's surprisingly cohesive. The best part is that you can download it for free at his bandcamp page.
Best Tracks: Old Photograph, It Never Gets Old
5. Bon Iver - Bon Iver
It took me some time to get to this album. But I'm glad I finally did. Bon Iver takes a whole new approach to this album than "For Emma, Forever Ago", much more synth and elecric guitar heavy, but the excellent songwriting is still there.
Best Tracks: Perth, Towers
4. Timber Timbre - Creep on Creepin' On
The follow up to their wonderful self-titled debut, finds Timber Timbre more unified. Some of the gothic blues is put aside for hints of classic soul and heavy experimentation.
Best Tracks: Black Water, Woman
3. Radiohead- King of Limbs
I've honestly never been disappointment with a Radiohead release. It took me more time to warm up to King of Limbs than with others, but I'm glad I took the time. Always progressing, King Of Limbs is at times their least, and at times most accessible album in years.
Best Tracks: Codex, Morning Mr Magpie
2. Slow Down Molasses- Walk Into the Sea
Slow Down, Molasses is a big band, who want to to say a lot of things. Sometimes on stage that can be overwhelming, and it can be hard to hear the message. But on their newest, producer James Bunting has mixed the band to perfection, subtly moving a guitar here, plugging in a cello there, and putting together one of the finest albums I heard this year. Wonderful songs.
Best Tracks: Late Night Radio, Light
1. Gillian Welch- The Harrow and the Harvest
How this album has escaped so many peoples top albums lists is beyond me. After a 7 year wait Welch releases her finest effort yet. Beautiful harmonies, haunting melodies, and top notch story telling.
Best Tracks: A Dark Turn of Mind, Hard Times
10. Loom- Epyllion
Beautiful, haunting melodies. Chill out music at it's finest. Which doesn't mean it lacks edge, the riff on "Around Again" sounds like it could have been borrowed from the Black Keys.
Best Tracks: Around Again, Is it Love
9. tUnE-yArDs- WHO KILL
Like Paul Simon on ecstasy. Definitely the most exciting listen of the year.
Best Tracks: Bizness, You Yes You
8. Sandro Perri - Impossible Spaces
Always thought provoking. Perri really shows off production skills here.
Best Tracks: Changes, Wolfman
7. St. Vincent - Strange Mercy
Annie Clark is a fantastic musician. Easily the most interesting guitarist/songwriter performing right now. Strange Mercy, like Clark, is both Agressive and Angelic.
Best Tracks: Surgeon, Year of the Tiger
6. Birdsacrosswater - Archives
Best Tracks: Old Photograph, It Never Gets Old
5. Bon Iver - Bon Iver
It took me some time to get to this album. But I'm glad I finally did. Bon Iver takes a whole new approach to this album than "For Emma, Forever Ago", much more synth and elecric guitar heavy, but the excellent songwriting is still there.
Best Tracks: Perth, Towers
4. Timber Timbre - Creep on Creepin' On
The follow up to their wonderful self-titled debut, finds Timber Timbre more unified. Some of the gothic blues is put aside for hints of classic soul and heavy experimentation.
Best Tracks: Black Water, Woman
3. Radiohead- King of Limbs
Best Tracks: Codex, Morning Mr Magpie
2. Slow Down Molasses- Walk Into the Sea
Best Tracks: Late Night Radio, Light
1. Gillian Welch- The Harrow and the Harvest
How this album has escaped so many peoples top albums lists is beyond me. After a 7 year wait Welch releases her finest effort yet. Beautiful harmonies, haunting melodies, and top notch story telling.
Best Tracks: A Dark Turn of Mind, Hard Times