My favorite albums of 2011

 

1.  Outside by Tapes 'n Tapes
(Out: 1/1/11) 
Outstanding album. Standout tracks, for me, are two uptempo, fun songs - "Badaboom" & "Freak Out" -- and also the hauntingly beautiful, "On and On.""

2.  The King Is Dead by The Decemberists
(Out: 1/18/11)
Wonderful range of tunes, from the Springsteen-esque  "Down by the Water" to the Irish rocker "Rox in the Box." As always clever lyrics loaded with all sorts of allusions, historical references.

3.  Kaputt by Destroyer
(Out: 1/25/11)
Dan Bejar has such an interesting, unique voice. Here his whispery, half-talking, half singing style is set into some beautiful jazz arrangments with lots of intersting sax, trumpet flourishes (and even a pan flute prominently played in  1 song). A great female lead back-up vocalist provides a perfect complement to him. Faves: The title track and "Savage Night at the Opera.

4.  Middle Brother by Middle Brother
 (Out: 3/1/11) 
Great songs from the "supergroup" of Taylor Goldsmith (of Dawes), Matt Vasquez (Delta Spirit), and John McCauley (Deer Tick). All great tunes, I esp. like "Middle Brother," "Million Dollar Bill," and "Me, Me, Me.

5.  Departing by The Rural Alberta Advantage
 (Out: 3/1/11) 
Great 2nd album, following up the outstanding "Hometowns." Standout tracks are the uptemp rockers, "Stamp," "Tornado '87," "Muscle Relaxants" and "Barnes Yard," but the slower tempo stuff, "Two Lovers" and "Goodnight" are equally good. Nils Edenloff has a very cool voice, and Amy Cole provides great back-up and occasional counterpoint."

6.  Angles by The Strokes
(Out: 3/22/11)
Music critics weren't entirely kind, but it's a good return to form. "Under Cover of Darkness" and "Taken for a Fool" and "Gratisfaction" sound like classic Strokes tunes. Julian still a very cool singer.

7.  Loverboy by Brett Dennen
 (Out: 4/12/11) 
Okay more folk than alt, but a great album. Fantastic voice that he modulates in lots of interesting ways, clever lyrics, lots of interesting tempo shifts. Faves: "Make you fall in love with me" & "Little Cosmic Girl," but all tracks standouts."

8.  Helplessness Blues by Fleet Foxes
 (Out: 5/3/11)
Beautiful folk music. Robin Pecknold has a fabulous high-pitched voice. It's supported by gorgeous harmonizing and guitar, mandolin & violin work, delivered in that Appalachian style with some contemporary production flourishes. Fave: "Tbe Shrine/An Argument," which keeps shifting mood and tempo to brilliant effect."

9.  Smother by Wild Beasts
(Out: 5/3/11) 
Baritone Tom Fleming and tenor, but mostly falsetto-singing Hayden Thorpe, have two of the most interesting voices you could listen to. Bold lyrics and daring love songs are built with lush, synthesizer, guitar and piano accompaniment. Faves: "Reach a Bit Further" that juxtaposes Tom & Hayden's singing in a marvelous way, and "Loop the Loop" about the difficulties of forgiving.

10.  Suck It and See by Arctic Monkeys
 (Out: 6/7/2011)
Not the hard-rushing, punk-edged tunes of their early days getting disrepected at Manchester night clubs, nor the grating, tempo-shifting stuff of Humbug. Just some great love songs with Alex's typical clever lyrics. Faves include: "Hellcat Spangled Shalala," "Reckless Serenade" and "That's Where You're Wrong.

11.  lenses alien by Cymbals Eat Guitars
 (Out: 8/30/11) 
Very different style -- no chorus with hook then verse song structure. Densely packed lyrics like Craig Finn of Hold Steady. Just amazing, mind-bending stuff when you're in the mood for something different. Joseph D'Agostino has a cool voice."

12.  American Goldwing by Blitzen Trapper
(Out: 9/13/11)
From country to hard-rocker, such a a mix of styles. Eric Earley is such a talent, and his bandmates back him expertly. Like the others here, they are a great live show show, too. Just sample "Love the Way You Walk Away" and you'll be eager for more."

13.  Hysterical by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
 (Out: 9/20/11) 
One great song after the next. Love the upbeat stuff like "Maniac" and "Hysterical" but the slower tempo tunes like "In a Motel" are great and the 7-plus minute "Adam's Plane" is a mini-epic. (Just wished they'd offer lyrics, Alec's vocals often hard to understand!)"

14.  In the Pit of the Stomach by We Were Promised Jetpacks
 (Out: 10/4/11) 
A great album from this Scottish post-punk band. Great hard-rocking tunes, like "Circles and Squares," "Through the Dirt and the Gravel" with insightful, literate lyrics, and then some great work when they slow things down a bit, like "Pear Tree." Adam Thompson has a great voice, and not so heavily accented that it would be hard (for an American like me) to make out the lyrics."

15.  Great Escape of Leslie Magnafuzz by Radio Moscow
(Out: 10/11/11)
Much as I admire Hendrix, heavy blues guitar in the 70s psychedlic style isn't normally my top preference but there's some very infectious about the sound these guys put out. It'll get your adrenaline pumping.

16.  Divine Providence by Deer Tick
(Out: 10/24/11)
Band tries to create the raucous atmosphere of their live shows and they do with songs like "Let's All Go to the Bar" and "Mr. Bump," but there are also a few, sweet slower songs like "Miss K" and "Love is a Funny Word." Big surprise is how great drummer Dennis sounds on "Clownin' Around" and Ian's 2 songs are nice & bluesy.

17.  Long Live the King by The Decemberists
(Out: 11/1/11)
Great follow-up EP to the King Is Dead

18.  El Camino by The Black Keys
(Out: 12/6/11)
 Different from Brothers -- a little less bluesy, less falsetto singing from Dan (which I liked), but a great album in its own right. Standout tracks for me: "Dead and Gone," "Run Right Back," "Hell of a Season" and "Nova Baby," but they're all good!