Here is the best music of 2011:
Number 10- Anna Calvi by Anna Calvi
- I don't know how on Earth I found out about her, but whoever or whatever, thank you. What a treasure she is! With guitar skills to rival even those on that joke list that Rolling Stone put out and a voice so rich and haunting, Calvi is here to stay. "Rider to the Sea" and "Jezebel" are wonderful, sweeping joys of musical performance. Yeah, she's got it.
Number 9- Zonoscope by Cut Copy
- A great electronica-pop record that has enlivened the love for the genre, making me sure that there are quality products out there to try out (other than this album). It is a joy throughout to listen to, with "Take Me Over" and "Blink and You Miss A Revolution" part of the listing. Of course, the highlight song rules the album with benevolence, but its power is known. Love, love, love this record.
Number 8- Verdugo Hills by Caroline
- Props go to Bitch magazine for this album coming into my plane of existence. Caroline's voice does take some getting used to, but once you do, it is a sweet and melancholic work. Her songscapes are pure dream with tinkling pianos and echoing vocals, lyrics of love and loss and wonder. An underrated album that needs more than a "hey, I know that!" with tracks like "Sleep" and "Waltz".
Number 7- The King of Limbs by Radiohead
- What is with the hate on this album? Did y'all expect something more epic than In Rainbows? For the love of Pete, this is a logical extension to their last works. It is also classic Radiohead, I guess people want innovative Radiohead. I'm happy with both, so this album couldn't disappoint me with songs like "Bloom" and "Codex". Either way, do give it another chance. (Bonus points for the excellent "Supercollider/The Butcher" single!)
Number 6- Drums Between the Bells by Brian Eno and Rick Holland
- 2011 was a great year for Brian Eno. He put his support behind Anna Calvi and put out an excellent ambiance record set to the poetry of Rick Holland. I honestly thought the project wouldn't work, but upon reaching tracks like "Sounds Alien", "Pour It Out", and "Bless This Space"; I knew this was no fluke. The poetry is hauntingly beautiful with ambiance to match it wonderfully. What a craft! What a talent! Eno has done it again.
Number 5- Metals by Feist
- Yet another album that disappointed a lot of fans (except me, and some others). Feist isn't as sunny and fun in this one, she is more serious and almost heartbroken. It is a shame for her to expose her feelings and then for everyone to shun it. With songs like "How Come You Never Go There" and "The Circle Married the Line", her beautiful lyrical play is present, so it's not like she sold out or anything. Oh well. That's what happens when your last big hit was on an iPod commercial.
Number 4- Torches by Foster the People
- I'm kinda surprised (and then not) that this album isn't on that many lists. It is mainstream (the most mainstream on my list). But it also delivers something that most albums can't even do anymore: be damn consistent from beginning to end. Each song is a delivery of wonderful pop goodness. It exists to do good and only be good. It's fun with songs like "Houdini" and "Warrant", darkly funny like "Pumped-Up Kicks", and booty-shaking like "Call It What You Want". And they are nominated for a couple of Grammys this year. Good luck to them, they have some tough competition (oh hai Radiohead).
Number 3- Salt on Sea Glass by If By Yes
- Another thank-you to Bitch magazine for this one. I look forward to more works by this talented group. Petra Haden's vocals are exuberant and gorgeous, especially in the highlight song. The music is soft, but not blending into the backgrounds. Listen in to hear the subtleties of guitar. It is also a solid album through and through, with tracks like "Imagino", "Shadow Blind", and "Adrift". May their future be bright as glass.
Number 2- Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming by M83
- This was a last-minute addition to the list. Originally, I anticipated this album to only impress me with the stellar '80's nostalgia of "Midnight City". Nope, this album had more in store with me. Wonderfully epic with over twenty songs telling the story about a pair of siblings, and not apologizing for it. The highlight song became an instant favorite, while "This Bright Flash" followed close behind. It is sadly absent from a lot of end-of-year lists.
Number 1- Mondo Amore by Nicole Atkins
- Music review world, I am very disappointed in you. Where is this lady and her fierce second album in your end-of-the-year lists? Nicole Atkins continues to remain mostly unknown to the mainstream with her second album, mostly meditations on the darker side of life. It is a dramatic shift from her straightforward noir-pop, it rocks a lot harder than before with songs like "Cry Cry Cry" and "My Baby Don't Lie". It is no sophomore slump, she does what she does best: rock-and-roll storytelling.
Here are some other albums that rocked my year:
Urban Verbs by Urban Verbs
Discipline by King Crimson
Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd
Welcome Plastics by Plastics
The Fool by Warpaint
Joy to the World by Pink Martini
This Nation’s Saving Grace by The Fall
Wild Planet by The B-52’s
In Love with Oblivion by Crystal Stilts
Love Is Overtaking Me by Arthur Russell
Seeds We Sow by Lindsey Buckingham
So Beautiful or So What by Paul Simon
Permanent Waves by Rush
Putumayo Presents: Bossa Nova Around the World by Various Artists
Last Night on Earth by Noah and the Whale
Songs from the Big Chair by Tears for Fears
Uh-ho by David Byrne
Fluorescence by Asobi Seksu
Dead Man’s Party by Oingo Boingo
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