This list has been a long time coming. I have had it sitting in my WordPress dashboard for weeks, waiting for a night where I could sit down and write about each album. I have since realized that night just isn’t going to come, so I am posting this as-is. This list will pretty much wrap-up my “Best of 2011” series, and it was the hardest one to compile. Last year was a good one for music, and there were several albums that could have been my top choice at one point or another.
This is a pretty varied list that dabbles in “indie” rock, electronica and hip-hop. My tastes are always all over the place. I have included links to songs from each album in case you want to listen for yourself.
Honorable Mentions:
Xander Harris – Urban Gothic
Dominik Eulberg – Diorama
The Kills – Blood Pressures
25) Smith Westerns – Dye It Blonde
Check out: Weekend
24) Mark E – Stone Breaker
Check out: Black Moon
23) Unknown Mortal Orchestra – S/T
Check out: Ffunny Ffrends
22) Cults – S/T
Check out: Go Outside
21) 13 & God – Own Your Ghost
Check out: Death Major
20) Gold Panda – Companion
Check out: Back Home
19) araabMUZIK – Electronic Dream
Check out: Streetz Tonight
18) Thee Oh Sees – Castlemania
Check out: I Need Seed
17) Cornershop – Cornershop & the Double ‘O’ Groove Of
Check out: Topknot
16) The Antlers – Burst Apart
Check out: Every Night My Teeth Are Falling Out
15) Jay-Z & Kanye West – Watch the Throne
Check out: Otis
14) The Rapture – In the Grace of Your Love
Check out: How Deep Is Your Love?
13) The Roots – Undun
Check out: Make My
12) Drive (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Check out: College ft. Electric Youth “A Real Hero“
11) Destroyer – Kaputt
Check out: Chinatown
10) Kendrick Lamar – Section.80
Check out: A.D.H.D
9) Mayer Hawthorne – How Do You Do
Check out: Hooked
8) Maceo Plex – Life Index
Check out: Dexter’s Flight
7) Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues
Check out: Montezuma
6) Radiohead – The King of Limbs
Check out: Lotus Flower
5) The Black Keys – El Camino
Check out: Lonely Boy
4) Real Estate – Days
Check out: It’s Real
3) The Field – Looping State of Mind
Check out: It’s Up There
2) TV on the Radio – Nine Types of Light
Check out: Will Do
1) Tycho – Dive
Check out: Dive
So what do you guys think? Did you enjoy any of these albums/songs? What were your favorites of the year?
This has been the year of me finding new music (thanks to Spotify). I’ve never been happier with the abundance of good music. It’s inspiring as a musician and also humbling. I’m excited to get our band in the mix of things and offer something (hopefully) fresh.
Hey Josh, thanks for commenting! I completely agree about Spotify. This service really is the future of music, and I would estimate that 80% of the albums were ones I listened to for the first time via Spotify. There are just so many great ways to find new music these days that it’s actually overwhelming. Still, it’s better to have too much rather than too little. Best of luck with your band!
I actually have not listened to most of these albums, but there are some really good artists on here Eric!
Excuse my randomness, as this is completely off topic, but have you seen 50/50? Thoughts?
I loved 50/50! I ranked it as #2 on my top 10 movies from last year: http://twscritic.com/2012/01/09/top-10-films-from-2011/
Here is my full review: http://twscritic.com/2011/10/19/movie-review-5050-2011/
Have you seen it? What did you think?
Apart from the DRIVE soundtrack I haven’t heard of most of these. But to be honest I am stuck in the 1920s – 60s blues music as a whole. I know I am a freak
I do like Friendly Fires though, you should check them out!
Hey, no need to be ashamed. Some of the best music was made during that time period. I am a HUGE fan of 60s psychedelic/garage rock myself.
I can’t say I have heard too much from Friendly Fires, though I absolutely love Aeroplane’s remix of their song “Paris”. I’ll look into more of their music, thanks!
This is exactly where I stand on this issue.
I’m just one more individual giving a thumbs-up for the Drive soundtrack.
I normally don’t include soundtracks or other compilations in year-end lists, but I just couldn’t pass up Drive. So good.
Sorry I won’t be much help here Eric as I don’t listen to much contemporary music. I’m such an old school as I listen mostly to classic radio and soundtracks 🙂
No problem at all, Ruth. The great thing about music is that there are so many different styles/genres that there is always something for everyone.
Okay we need to talk. Where is M83 on this list? Or Kurt Vile for that matter? I see some albums I enjoyed as well. Real Estate and Smith Westerns would be in the top 10.
Haha. M83 was a narrow miss for me. “Midnight City” may be my favorite track of the year, but nothing else on the LP connected with me on that level. Still some great songs, but it seemed like there was a bit of filler as well. I should probably give it a few more spins…
I liked Kurt Vile’s album, but not to the extent that so many others have. At least we can agree on Real Estate and Smith Westerns. 🙂
Wow I’m completely out of the loop from a musical standpoint ahah. I have never heard of 90% of these artists!
Haha well this list is a good way to get back in the loop. 😀
Good to see Destroyer and Drive on there, both I love
The Radiohead-esque track Its Own Sun – 13 & God was really good, thanks for recommending.
If you love Tycho – Dive, I’d direct you toward
Jon Hopkins and his debut album Opalescent (2001), which I’m a fan of. Pretty similar music !
Glad to hear you enjoyed that 13 & God track. That album isn’t quite as good as their debut, but it’s still a nice listen. Makes me wish The Notwist would put out a new LP, though.
Thanks for the rec. I’ll give it a listen on Spotify right now.
Will give the 13 & God debut album a shot on your recommendation, and look up Notwist , thanks man
No problem! I liked that Jon Hopkins album — great background music for working.
With The Notwist, I would recommend starting with Neon Golden. One of my favorite albums from the last decade.