My Uncle Nate who lives out East sent me his top 2011 list. I feel like it needs to be posted because along with my buddy Isaac whose list was posted last month, Nate a.ka. "Early Peaches" is probably the only other person whose musical opinion I actually respect. I have to give him a special shout out for being probably my main influences early on in life as far as searching out and discovering decent music and not settling for the easy to find pop stuff (although that stuff is still really good). Thanks Early Peaches!
1. Amos Lee – Mission Bell
Sorry for being over sentimental, but Amos Lee just makes life better. I think the more or less new folk rock scene is the bees’ knees, and I’m a big fan of all of Amos Lee’s stuff. His new album adds a pop sensibility unexpressed on prior albums (and pulled off with much more subtlety and success than Iron & Wine’s latest). The tunes also have an emotional power I haven’t felt in his other work. His live performance of “Violin” on Letterman literally brought me to tears, and he probably has the best back-up singers ever.
2. Elbow – Build a Rocket Boys!
The single “Lippy Kids” makes song of the year for me. I’ve never understood why these guys don’t get any play time on US alt rock radio stations, because their sound is amazing (it certainly transcends the usual Coldplay comparisons).
3. Bon Iver – Bon Iver
How can anyone go negative on Bon Iver? I’ve admired the single “Alberta” all year, but was totally blown away when I sat down to listen to this album several times a few months ago. The cuts simply possess an emotional tone that won’t let me go and echo around in my mind for days. Beyond that, for my admittedly unsophisticated ear, the arrangements on this release are layered and provocative. Even better is their live performance of these tunes (see Jools Holland).
4. Givers – In Light
Man, these guys can just perform. I heard them first on a video from their SXSW performance and soon thereafter bought their album (one of the few that I actually paid money for all year). Their mix of alt rock, zydeco, reggae, and electronic dance groves, suggests kinship to Vampire Weekend, but their musicianship (especially the percussion work on the album) greatly surpasses VW’s abilities. I missed them live in NYC last month because the show sold out on the day I tried to buy a ticket. I’m still kicking myself!
5. Jamie Woon – Mirrorwriting
For my money, Woon is the best of the English techno, soul, dubstep (whatever) artists of the last couple of years. His soulful compositions are much more polished and enjoyable than those found on the James Blake album that everyone is raving about (he’s a better singer too), and the xx’s album of the previous year.
6. Foo Fighters – Wasting Light
Whoa – dissin’ the Foo Fighters! You’re gonna hate this, but I say Wasting Light is their best album. I love their previous albums, but half the songs on any given FF’s album were throwaways. Wasting Light is different – every song is appealing and memorable (they also performed each song from the album live when I saw them live in Newark). It also offers my number two song of the year "Walk". Grohl screaming “I never wanna die!” at the end of the song totally pumps me up. I’ve never really listened to Nickelback, but if they sound anything like Wasting Light, sign me up!
7. The Naked and Famous – Passive Me, Aggressive You
This is technically a 2010 release, since it was released in New Zealand and Europe then. But it was released in the US in 2011, so I’ll count it. Besides I love everything about the album and the band. Although no one is saying it, I detect major M83 influences on this record. Alisa Xayalith’s voice might grate on some ears, but I think it’s perfectly suited for this group’s electronic sound – and her New Zealand accent is adorable. I have tickets to see these guys in April – can’t wait!
8. The Decembrists – The King is Dead
2011 seemed to be a year when a few major folk rock acts took some big chances. Iron and Wine’s foray into electronica is probably the most explicit example. The Decembrists make a well-timed departure from their folksy, Americana-styled progressive rock with this serving of folk pop tunes. I know it’s formulaic and repetitive, but “Why We Fight” is my third favorite song of the year (the music video for the song is stunning, and is my favorite vid of the year), and the rest of the songs are awesome.
9. Young the Giant – Young the Giant
I didn’t care much for this band upon hearing their first single, “My Body.” I couldn’t bring myself to listen to their album until I heard the aforementioned song on a Letterman performance, and somehow the energy of the band drove me to give them a serious listen. I love the song “Cough Syrup,” which is my 5th favorite cut of the year.
10. Radiohead – King of Limbs
I like Radiohead, I respect Radiohead, but I’m not a huge Radiohead fan. However, every time a cut of this album arises from my iPod playlist (set on random), I smile. “Lotus Flower” is also my 4th favorite song of the year.
* Honorable mention (not annotated)
11. Destroyer – Kaputt
12. M83 – Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming
13. Company of Thieves – Ordinary Riches
14. The Airborne Toxic Event – All At Once
15. TV on the Radio – Nine Types of Light
16. Danger Mouse – Rome
17. Dawes – Nothing is Wrong
18. Cut Copy – Zenoscope
19. Devotchka – 100 Lovers
20. 311 – Universal Pulse
21. Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues
22. Foster the People – Torches
23. Low – C’mon
24. The Belle Brigade – The Belle Brigade
25. Wilco – The Whole Love
26. Death Cab for Cutie – Codes and Keys
27. The Go! Team – Rolling Blackouts
28. The Kooks – Junk of the Heart
29. Rise Against – Endgame
30. Allison Krause and Union Station – Paper Airplane
Nathan P. Jones
There you have it. Yet again a strong and diverse list. Apparently Nate disagrees with a few of my hated albums of the year (I am starting to re-think my stance on Bon Iver). Other than that, there is a bunch of stuff included here that I haven't heard. Now I have a new musical mission to accomplish. The tune consuming is never done...
1. Amos Lee – Mission Bell
Sorry for being over sentimental, but Amos Lee just makes life better. I think the more or less new folk rock scene is the bees’ knees, and I’m a big fan of all of Amos Lee’s stuff. His new album adds a pop sensibility unexpressed on prior albums (and pulled off with much more subtlety and success than Iron & Wine’s latest). The tunes also have an emotional power I haven’t felt in his other work. His live performance of “Violin” on Letterman literally brought me to tears, and he probably has the best back-up singers ever.
2. Elbow – Build a Rocket Boys!
The single “Lippy Kids” makes song of the year for me. I’ve never understood why these guys don’t get any play time on US alt rock radio stations, because their sound is amazing (it certainly transcends the usual Coldplay comparisons).
3. Bon Iver – Bon Iver
How can anyone go negative on Bon Iver? I’ve admired the single “Alberta” all year, but was totally blown away when I sat down to listen to this album several times a few months ago. The cuts simply possess an emotional tone that won’t let me go and echo around in my mind for days. Beyond that, for my admittedly unsophisticated ear, the arrangements on this release are layered and provocative. Even better is their live performance of these tunes (see Jools Holland).
4. Givers – In Light
Man, these guys can just perform. I heard them first on a video from their SXSW performance and soon thereafter bought their album (one of the few that I actually paid money for all year). Their mix of alt rock, zydeco, reggae, and electronic dance groves, suggests kinship to Vampire Weekend, but their musicianship (especially the percussion work on the album) greatly surpasses VW’s abilities. I missed them live in NYC last month because the show sold out on the day I tried to buy a ticket. I’m still kicking myself!
5. Jamie Woon – Mirrorwriting
For my money, Woon is the best of the English techno, soul, dubstep (whatever) artists of the last couple of years. His soulful compositions are much more polished and enjoyable than those found on the James Blake album that everyone is raving about (he’s a better singer too), and the xx’s album of the previous year.
6. Foo Fighters – Wasting Light
Whoa – dissin’ the Foo Fighters! You’re gonna hate this, but I say Wasting Light is their best album. I love their previous albums, but half the songs on any given FF’s album were throwaways. Wasting Light is different – every song is appealing and memorable (they also performed each song from the album live when I saw them live in Newark). It also offers my number two song of the year "Walk". Grohl screaming “I never wanna die!” at the end of the song totally pumps me up. I’ve never really listened to Nickelback, but if they sound anything like Wasting Light, sign me up!
7. The Naked and Famous – Passive Me, Aggressive You
This is technically a 2010 release, since it was released in New Zealand and Europe then. But it was released in the US in 2011, so I’ll count it. Besides I love everything about the album and the band. Although no one is saying it, I detect major M83 influences on this record. Alisa Xayalith’s voice might grate on some ears, but I think it’s perfectly suited for this group’s electronic sound – and her New Zealand accent is adorable. I have tickets to see these guys in April – can’t wait!
8. The Decembrists – The King is Dead
2011 seemed to be a year when a few major folk rock acts took some big chances. Iron and Wine’s foray into electronica is probably the most explicit example. The Decembrists make a well-timed departure from their folksy, Americana-styled progressive rock with this serving of folk pop tunes. I know it’s formulaic and repetitive, but “Why We Fight” is my third favorite song of the year (the music video for the song is stunning, and is my favorite vid of the year), and the rest of the songs are awesome.
9. Young the Giant – Young the Giant
I didn’t care much for this band upon hearing their first single, “My Body.” I couldn’t bring myself to listen to their album until I heard the aforementioned song on a Letterman performance, and somehow the energy of the band drove me to give them a serious listen. I love the song “Cough Syrup,” which is my 5th favorite cut of the year.
10. Radiohead – King of Limbs
I like Radiohead, I respect Radiohead, but I’m not a huge Radiohead fan. However, every time a cut of this album arises from my iPod playlist (set on random), I smile. “Lotus Flower” is also my 4th favorite song of the year.
* Honorable mention (not annotated)
11. Destroyer – Kaputt
12. M83 – Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming
13. Company of Thieves – Ordinary Riches
14. The Airborne Toxic Event – All At Once
15. TV on the Radio – Nine Types of Light
16. Danger Mouse – Rome
17. Dawes – Nothing is Wrong
18. Cut Copy – Zenoscope
19. Devotchka – 100 Lovers
20. 311 – Universal Pulse
21. Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues
22. Foster the People – Torches
23. Low – C’mon
24. The Belle Brigade – The Belle Brigade
25. Wilco – The Whole Love
26. Death Cab for Cutie – Codes and Keys
27. The Go! Team – Rolling Blackouts
28. The Kooks – Junk of the Heart
29. Rise Against – Endgame
30. Allison Krause and Union Station – Paper Airplane
Nathan P. Jones
There you have it. Yet again a strong and diverse list. Apparently Nate disagrees with a few of my hated albums of the year (I am starting to re-think my stance on Bon Iver). Other than that, there is a bunch of stuff included here that I haven't heard. Now I have a new musical mission to accomplish. The tune consuming is never done...
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