I've been slowly seeing all these lists of the top albums of the year from these "all knowledgeable" music engines and bloggy blogers. And as music savvy as I feel I am, I haven't even heard of some of these bands, and I'm pretty up to date on newbies and new releases. So I started to look at what I consider, for me personally, what would be my favorite albums of 2011.
I started with a top ten, and then realized that, like my stuffed animal collection, I couldn't just choose 10. So here it is, my top 25 albums of 2011.
25. Weatherbox- Follow the Rattle of the Afghan Guitar
Weatherbox - Secret Muslim
Weatherbox - Broken Glowsticks
Weatherbox is my favorite San Diego band right now. Maybe not for everyone, but if you like bands like Say Anything, Brand New, and Manchester Orchestra (All my personal favs) , you will totally dig this record. Frontman Brian Warren is Weatherbox. From his deep metaphorical lyrics to the smooth guitar riffs, this album is ambitious yet natural. Even though I just received this record, it squeezes into my top of the year.
24.Bear Hands- Burning Bush Supper Club
can't stick 'em - bear hands
100 - Bear Hands - Tablasaurus
NEW DISCOVERY: Bear Hands
There is no way you could hate on this band...unless they tweet back at you some rude comment (personal experience). But that aside, this Brooklyn based band produced an album that has been one of my favorites of the year. Every song is killer, I just wanted to post the whole album on here for everyone to have. They are experimental in their up-beat dance punk vibes along with their indie-pop hooks and kind of out there poetic lyrics. They remind me of the Foals even some MGMT action in there. I was even taken aback when I heard their song "Crime Pays" during the credits for the show Hung on HBO. All I have to say is at least take a listen and give them a try.
23.The Belle Brigade- The Belle Brigade
This brother and sister duo kill it on every song, and there is such a promising future for this band. They also made a stellar song for The Breaking Dawn soundtrack (shameless plug). Here is on of my favorite songs off the album, "Were Not To Look For Freedom" performed live at SXSW this year
22. Lykke Li- Wounded Rhymes
This song brought a whole lot of remixes along with it this year
Come on, it's Lykke Li. I love every song on this record, but "I Follow Rivers" has a deeper meaning to me and will always stand out. And this record is just brilliant.
21. tUnE- YarDs- who kill
This video for "Bizness" is also one of my favorite videos of the year. They are weird and eccentric and not everyone's cup of tea, but I dig it. I really dig it. I have yet to see them live, but I'm dying to see her loop in person and dance shoeless.
This is probably my favorite human on my list. He is a must see live act that will just blow you away with his entertaining skills. Love this man. Also, if you tweet, follow him on twitter...it's amazing what comes out of his mouth @TheophilusL
Nothing is Wrong came to me at a time when everything was wrong. It was probably my lowest point in 2011 when I was in the down and out. This album will always hold a special place in my heart for all the emotions and feelings I was going though at the time. I was very lucky to see them during the summer on the beach in Santa Monica. "Million Dollar Bill" hits that memory spot for me where I can feel the way I felt during this time. Reminds me why music is such a beautiful thing.
I mean come on, the two top MC's in the game right now, combine to create an album, where the cover is gold??? That Sh*t Cray...
Check out this video of their show in Montreal, Canada. It looks like the best party anyone could ever go to. Even those these two constantly rap about how much money and Rolex's they own, I still think they are the Strawberry Smuckers jam. ;)
I was lucky enough to see this band multiple times this year. When I first saw them at The Troubadour in March, I knew they were going to blow up. I recently heard one of their songs on an Apple commercial and they are all over the radio. Congrats to this awesome LA band! Excited for their future.
16. The Rapture- In The Grace of Your Love
The Rapture - In The Grace of Your Love
All I have to say is Dance Party! One of the best shows I saw all year. This band was one of the first indie-rock/post punk bands to start really mixing this genre with electro dance pop. And now look where the scene is at. Most of the bands on this list fit in that category for me. With their first album since 2006, produced by Phoenix producer, Philippe Zdar, it got me up and going for work almost every morning this year.
Official pump of jam of 2011! How could you hate this lady? She's talented, gorgeous, creative, and down right dirty on this new record. I love RiRi and this video for "We Found Love" with Calvin Harris is so well done it should be made into a movie. If you listen closely, she even samples an XX song :)
14. Adele- 21
This is a no brainer. Adele has the most intoxicating voice that can stop an entire stadium in their tracks. This album is so raw and strong and got her several Grammy noms. I just hope she stops smoking and recovers from surgery because I need to see this lady live!
13. Mutemath- Odd Soul
Probably one of my all time favorite bands. And one of THE BEST bands I've ever seen live. I scored tickets to their sold out opening tour show for this Odd Soul Album. It's a bit different then their previous two, and they lost a member. It's bluesy, it's dirty rock, and most importantly, it's Mutemath. Their creativity always blows me away.
12.The Head and the Heart- The Head and the Heart
I had to post two...they are just so good to me...
Talk about a good looking group of people! Yowzzza! But really, I found this first video in 2010 and for me, this was my most anticipated album of the year. And to be quite honest, hasn't left my 6 CD changer in my car since I got it. They are just purely infectious and even better live. Their harmonies and energy just work perfect together and I really hope they continue to produce music. LOVE this album! Get it now if you don't have it already.
11. Radiohead- King of Limbs
MMMMM Thom Yorke dancing... No explanation needed for this solid album from the Gods of Radiohead, except for the hope and wish and dream and prayers for them to headline at Coachella this year.
AND NOW THE TOP 10...
10. Cut Copy- Zonoscope
This video and song take me back to night one of Coachella this year. I remember the group I was with all wanted to see The Black Keys, who of course are in a class all their own, and even show up lower on my list, but for me, not a festival band. I knew I had to check out Cut Copy. After much convincing, we headed over to have the most unbelievably fun time! I remember even telling my friend that they will be the next LCD Soundsystem.
Their second album, In Ghost Colours has been on my party mix for almost three years now, and when I got Zonoscope this last February, jams like "Take Me Over" and "Blink And You'll Miss A Revolution" are still in rotation. I can listen to this album on repeat over and over again and when DJ's sample it, it's always a hit. Every song puts me in such a good mood, and for me, one of the best of the year.
9.The Drums- Portamento
No major label, no flashy lights, no annoying tweets, just purely great sounding music. You got your catchy rifts and that sweet surf pop sound to make for a great teen angsty drive through the canyon. Some compare them to The Smiths, some think Jonathan Pierce is just a complaining sad kid, but for me, he supply's The Drums with one of my favorite albums of the year. And CAUTION...these songs will get stuck in your head, if they haven't already.
8. M83- Hurry Up We're Dreaming
It's hard to put into words how much I love this album. I started listening to M83 not too long ago when a friend sent me the "We Own the Sky" video. I got hooked. When they released "Midnight City" in July of this year, I was addicted, and still am. And then the double disc album dropped in October and blew me away. I sit and listen to this "story" I like to call it from Into to Outro and get caught up in this beautiful world they have created. From dance melodic jams like "Steve McQueen" and "Echoes of Mine" to the what seems like an epic ballad like "My Tears Are Becoming a Sea", it's almost a perfectly told opera that takes you from a hurry up state, to those peaceful dreams you end up in once you get to where you're going. It also doesn't hurt to have a good looking French man as your lead vocals. Oui Oui! Stoked to be seeing them live for the first time at Club Nokia in January!
7. The Black Keys- El Camino
Another solid album from these dirty rockers who recorded in Nashville, produced by Danger Mouse as well as the band themselves. It must be hard to follow up such an acclaimed album like 2010's Brothers, but when you just go back to the basics of Rock and Roll, and do it as well as these two, there is no way you can fail. You can sit here and compare this band this album to hundreds of bands (The Beatles, The White Stripes, even the Ramones) but really, The Black Keys have a sound all their own and a way with words and rifts that define popular Rock for this generation. The album is ready for any one of your TV/Commercial/Movie needs and will indeed be on the top of the charts well into 2012.
6. Manchester Orchestra- Simple Math
There is no other band out there that I rock out to more then Manchester Orchestra. This album probably won't make many peoples tops of the year, but god damn it's so fucking good, they are so fucking good (it's my blog, I can cuss if I want to). If you listen to at least one song here, listen to "Leave It Alone", its haunting and sad yet thought provoking at the same time. The lead singer Andy Hull sings about his near divorce with his wife. Both painful and confessional, it will strike you.
Leave it alone
We finished this up like an hour ago
So leave me alone
I planted it once, just assumed it would grow
Even though, when I think
Its replicated fear throws me off for years
So take me or don't
A three hour drive but we got nowhere close
You read what I wrote
But you tuned the sound out to make sure I know
Even though I can't see, I feel it's always haunting me
Kicking out my feet
Ruining everything
So take me alone
Cause if it's not with you, I've got no place to go
Your brags turn to boasts
And into fights lasting hours about your dad's ghost
Although you can't say it yet
It's never been the same
And it looks to stay that way
It feels like you're okay
When I was a fire I turned into ice
Melting off my last feverish highs
And I leapt through the sunshine and into the night
Singing songs of my healthiest fears
Cause if it's not with you, I've got no place to go
Your brags turn to boasts
And into fights lasting hours about your dad's ghost
Although you can't say it yet
It's never been the same
And it looks to stay that way
It feels like you're okay
When I was a fire I turned into ice
Melting off my last feverish highs
And I leapt through the sunshine and into the night
Singing songs of my healthiest fears
So take me or don't
I've built up this kingdom you'd hopefully loathe
If we end up alone
A plague on my head and a curse in my home
I've built up this kingdom you'd hopefully loathe
If we end up alone
A plague on my head and a curse in my home
You either love them or hate them, but for me, I don't know what I would do without them. I got to see them twice this year, once in the pouring rain, half my legs in mud, under a tree covering what it could of me with thousands of others jumping and singing along with me at Lollapalooza. It's such a rush and a release to see them live along with others who feel the same way as you about them.
5. Foster the People- Torches
I use this video for "Houdini" solely for the fact it was filmed at The Belly Up with some celebrity friend appearances. Oh, and I like the song.
And this video for "Call It What You Want" because its just such a cool video!
Dogboarding from DANIELS on Vimeo.
I first got hooked on this band early last year when my boyfriend "Small Hands Rowley" shared this awesome video with me. (I thought they really used real doggys sadly )
This band, far and away, KILLED it in 2011. I remember trying to see them at the Soda Bar in San Diego in 2010 I think, which maybe holds at most 100 people. And now, they have been selling out every show consistently through out the US and the world. With obvious help from KROQ and radio play, these boys have by far had the best year of their young lives. I've been very lucky to have seen them many times this year, including up close and intimate private acoustic sessions. It's the kind of album where you really can't choose a favorite track cause they are all that good. I'm excited to see what the future brings to this newbie band.
4. Little Dragon- Ritual Union
Ritual Union by Little Dragon
Little Dragon - Nightlight
I know I'm posting a lot for this band, but I just couldn't choose what to share. This album blew me away when I first heard it this summer. And after seeing them live at The Avalon in LA this year, their live act just puts them on another level. They are doing what others right now are trying really hard to achieve, but by not over doing it, Little Dragon does it so much better, and with a more mature, purposeful way.
Hailing from Sweeden, the combo of Yukimi Nagano's intoxicating vocals and dance moves mixed with Erik Bodin's masterful drumming and the glowing ambiance of their elctro vibes mixed with some R&B, yes R&B, create for me at least, the sexiest album of the year. You heard me... sexy.
3. Portugal. the Man- In the Mountain in the Cloud
Video by my boyfriend Andrew Rowley <3
With their first major label release by Atlantic, Portugal. the Man has captured me again. This is another album that has not left my CD changer since I put it in. The always experimental and risky, John Gourley not only woes me with his utterly good looks and charm, but his piercing falsetto mixed with the bands almost psychedelic rock sucks you into this world of imagery and revelations. Not really staying with one type of sound through out, they test the limits of themselves as well as their audience.
2. City and Colour- Little Hell
City and Colour - Weightless [Official Video]
1. Friendly Fires- Pala
Watch them Explain each track on the album here
And if you look close enough, you might be able to see me dancing my booty off with Ed in this video from their show at Club Nokia this year
And for those who have time, Please watch this video of their show from Glastonbury this year! It's insane
Friendly Fires @ Glastonbury 2011
OK, so really, it's obvious by the amount of photos and video's I've posted here how much I fucking love this band. It's hard to even write the words of how addicted I got to this album this year. No joke, I've listened to it every single day since the second it started streaming online. And listening to them through your headphones doesn't do it. YOU NEED TO SEE THEM LIVE! If you take anything away from reading this, it's that. You will not be disappointed. Anyone who has ever seen them live can account for this. Ed Macfarlane is by far, in my mind, the most entertaining front man in the industry right now. He is truly something else. From his eccentric dance moves to his bursts of powerful vocal tones, he holds this band down. And make no mistake, Jack Savidge is one hell of a drummer and Edd Gibson can play the guitar as well and with more energy and huts pah (lol) then most in the game right now. Pala gives you Rock, Punk, Funk, 80's, 90's Pop, Dance...Their live show makes you feel like you're in a euphoric drugged state of ecstasy without even knowing what being on drugs feels like. It's exhilarating, it's fun, it's THE feel good dance album of the year. It's the modern day disco you just can't get enough of. And my favorite album of 2011!
***I'm not a writer, I'm not a studied music reviewer, and I'm not anywhere close to being the most knowledgeable about the industry...but I'm a music geek who is extremely passionate and has an undying love for the creation, the performance, and the result of music.
