by Phillip Bryant
Music makes the world go round, and 2011 was no different. In a year filled with Bieber-nation domination, the death of Amy Winehouse, and Arcade Fire’s Grammy surprise, it was a weird time in music. Hopefully here you will find some new music, and maybe if you comment below we’ll find some of our own. Here are the 10 best albums of 2011:
Music makes the world go round, and 2011 was no different. In a year filled with Bieber-nation domination, the death of Amy Winehouse, and Arcade Fire’s Grammy surprise, it was a weird time in music. Hopefully here you will find some new music, and maybe if you comment below we’ll find some of our own. Here are the 10 best albums of 2011:
10. I’m With You – Red Hot Chili Peppers
This album was way underrated upon its release. One of the best bands still making music today, along with fellow 90s jammers Pearl Jam and Robbie Robertson (see below), the Chili peppers found a new guitarist after one of the greatest ever (John Frusciante) left the band. His successor, Josh Klinghoffer, adapts quickly and makes some fine pieces of his own. The band may sound a tad bit more pop, but its still Chili Peppers pop, which isn’t really pop at all.
9. Towards the Sun – Alexi Murdoch
I have been waiting impatiently since Murdoch’s previous low-down folk album, Time Without Consequence, to hear more from the Nick Drake meets Bob Dylan British singer. His music is still melancholy, but even more meditative. Notably the tracks Through the Dark, Someday Soon, and The Light (Her Hands were Leaves) remains with you in quiet thoughtfulness.
8. All Eternals Deck – The Mountain Goats
Another great band album after album, this features the second best listen through of the year (see #1). From the fantastic opener Damn these Vampires to the finale of Liza Forever Minnelli, almost nothing can beat the 42 minutes you will spend with John Darnielle and his fellow goats.
7. Simple Math – Manchester Orchestra
I shudder almost to think that I have put this album on the list, or any other, above lead singer Andy Hull’s solo project Right Away Great Captain, which produced one of the 10 best albums of the last decade. The third album I have yet to hear yet and is difficult to find. Back to his main lineup, however, Simple Math is still a great album on par with few others. A concept album from maybe the best lyricist around today, it wins the award for song to make the tears fall the most with Deer.
6. The King is Dead – The Decemberists
One of the most joyful bands of recent memories trade in their Elizabethan stories and quirky melodies for toe tapping, head swingin’ folk songs. Calamity Song provides one of the best openings and January Hymn provides a melancholy song that provides a sure fire top on any winter playlist. The best song though? Maybe the darkly, possible romantically acoustic musical poem of Dear Avery.
5. Civilian – Wye Oak
The biggest breakout of the year is the best girl guy rock lineup sine the White Stripes, and is needed just in time to fill their void. Even if the Stripes were still rocking, Wye Oak’s newest album would rival their best. A great listen with no bad song, or even mediocre song, to be found, Wye Oak is already at the top of whatever lists are counting down anticipation for next releases.
4. Undun – The Roots
With the hilarious Lyin’ Bitch scandal out of the way, the Roots can get back to focusing on their other act besides being Jimmy Fallon’s show band, producing amazing music. From their wildly contemplative Tip the Scale to the best collaboration of the year with Sufjan Stevens on the instrumental cover Redford from Stevens’ Michigan, the Roots make a hip hop master work.
3. How to Become Clairvoyant – Robbie Robertson
A figurehead of The Band, Robertson proves that age does not mean mediocrity. He creates some of the best jams of the year with some of the best lyrics. From The Right Mistake we get words like “Gotta change some old habits/Tryin to turn a new leaf/I gotta stop chasing rabbits/But I got hooked beyond belief”. Also featuring classic greats like Eric Clapton and new brains like Trent Reznor, Robertson becomes clairvoyant indeed, at least musically,
2. Kiss Each Other Clean – Iron & Wine
Remember what I said about Andy Hull being the best lyricist around today? That was premature; he is the second, behind Sam Beam. Beam (real name of Iron and Wine) has crafted some of the best songs in recent memory, and doesn’t disappoint on his latest. Going for a saxophone and jazzy feel on this one, he combines his lyrics with a much different style than the banjo/guitar Creek Drank the Cradle or folk based The Shepard’s Dog. Walking Far From Home, Tree by the River, and Godless Brother in Love would enough make this a fantastic piece of music, but there’s also 7 other beautiful tracks.
1. Bon Iver – Bon Iver
We have come to it at last. Ever since producing the best album of 2007, Justin Vernon has lived through a mythologized story of For Emma, Forever Ago’s creation, sudden indie success, and recording with Kanye West. His new album, a more upbeat and full band sound, is praiseworthy in every sense. From the dramatic opening to 80s keyboard ending, it is the best single listen through of the year. It is an album that begs to be heard on vinyl yet does more than satisfy on any level.
Some albums and artists produce great songs which land on an album that just misses the top 10. Here are the best songs of the year (some of which didn’t make the albums):
10. The Wilhelm Scream – James Blake, James Blake
Nearly making the album of list (as I’ll say on probably every song that didn’t), and featuring the second most original album name behind Bon Iver by Bon Iver, James Blake made a song that is as meditative as it is a crooning heartbeat on an album that flickers with dimmed life.
9. Holy, Holy – Wye Oak, Civilian
Again, Wye Oak is great and this song is near, if not perfect.
8. Hey, All You Hippies! – The Low Anthem, Smart Flesh
As hilarious as it is sincere, The Low Anthem made a song that jams out and then makes you ponder it afterwards. I’ve seen this band open 3 times for The Avett Brothers, Iron & Wine, and Mumford & Sons, each time a rare treat.
7. Longing to Belong – Eddie Vedder, Ukulele Songs
Eddie Vedder. A Ukulele. A melancholy anthem. Need I say more? No, I need not.
6. Lonely Boy – The Black Keys, El Camino
The Black Keys have done it again, here channeling Tighten Up and all things blues. Few other songs will make you feel as cool, and few other songs can rival the Keys on rock great, Howlin’ for You.
5. Pumped Up Kicks – Foster the People
Channeling equal parts MGMT and Pearl Jam (a stretch, I know), Foster the people made the catchiest song of the year, one that begs you to dance, or at least head bop. Combining the dark lyrics of a school shooting with the electronic upbeat jingle makes this as good a song in quality as in playability.
4. Helplessness Blues – Fleet Foxes, Helplessness Blues
No song this year is more of a philosophical thoughtful piece that Fleet Foxes folk rock masterpiece. The song is about growing up dazed and confused, and learning that it really never gets much better until you get out of your little bubble. With haunting and poignant lyrics like “Or bow down and be grateful and say "sure, take all that you see / To the men who move only in dimly-lit halls and determine my future for me” and lovely quaint words like “If I had an orchard, I'd work till I'm sore / And you would wait tables and soon run the store”, this song is equal parts blazing harmony and lyrical wonder.
3. Rolling in the Deep – Adele, 21
No list on music in 2011 is complete without at least mentioning Adele. This song captivated the masses and was acclaimed by the music critics. It’s a rare feat, but only one for a rare voice.
2. Perth/Minnesota, WI – Bon Iver, Bon Iver
I think I’ve said enough on the greatness of Bon Iver, but these two (cheating, I know) tracks flow into the other to make a song as good as any I’ve ever heard. It begins with the sudden riff and military drums of Perth and ends with the slow picking on Minnesota. In between is pure bliss.
1. Brendan’s Death Song – Red Hot Chili Peppers
If this song had been the last on the Peppers’ new album, I would have thought that they were finally saying goodbye after a three decade long career. Instead it’s the third track, and perfectly placed in an odd way. Recording right after learning of the death of a longtime friend, the band worked this song out of a jam, providing a perfect accompaniment to Helplessness Blues and Bon Iver’s Holocene for all those trouble ridden people in the world. Featuring great guitar and Anthony Kiedis’s best vocals in a while, Brendan’s Death Song is quite possible their best track since Under the Bridge.
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