Top Albums of 2011

This was a good year for music. I enjoyed several albums, and so I have put them into a list for you to read. First is the top albums of 2011 with my boring commentary on all of them. Following that is top non-traditional releases of 2011 (EP's, re-issues, singles, Christmas albums, soundtracks...anything that isn't a traditional, new, full-length release from an artist). Here we go.

Albums:

1. Bon Iver, Bon Iver — It's been about six months and I still haven't gotten over this album. It is a bit of a sonic story from birth to death (to rebirth?), in which the sounds of the words are much more important than trying to figure out what words Justin Vernon is singing and what they mean. I saw this band twice this year, and it was among the best concerts I have ever seen. They also just released video companions to go along with all the songs (also very good).
2. Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues — When asked to describe this album, the only word I could think that was broad enough to describe it was "more." The songs are richer, more diverse, and more connected than the band's self-titled debut, which was great in its own right.
3. Gotye - Making Mirrors — "Somebody That I Used To Know" is one of the best songs of the year. "I Feel Better" inspired me to make a whole "Get Glad" playlist of happy songs. And how many artists devote an entire song to singing about an organ? Awesome. I don't even know how to pronounce this guy's name, but it doesn't matter.
4. M83 - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming — I know the Internet has really made us overuse the word "epic," but this album is epic. Some of it will make you feel like you're in Tron. Some of it will make you want to go on a long night drive. And if that doesn't persuade you, "Raconte-Moi Une Histoire" is a track of a child telling a magical story about "this frog, it's a very tiny frog, but it's also very special." Who wouldn't want that?!
5. Tom Waits - Bad As Me — When you first hear Tom Waits' gravely voice and bombastic, theatrical music, it's a bit disorienting. I once described Tom Waits as a bit like coffee: Some people like it the first try, but a lot of people have to acquire a taste for it first. He is one of the greatest living songwriters, and this album proves that even in his 60's, he can make an incredible album. (Oh, and here is an informative chart that explains his voice.)
6. My Morning Jacket - Circuital — It's no Z, but it is still a great combination of folk/southern-inspired rock that's still got me holdin on to black metal. Jim James' songwriting is top-notch.
7. Seryn - This Is Where We Are — I would like to lump this album and a live Seryn show in together. This album's only limitation is that it doesn't quite capture all the dynamics and intensity of their live show. Think a bit of an organic Anathallo? But more than that, just go see these guys live. (I would also like to note: They're pretty good at Super Smash Brothers!)
8. The Decemberists - The King Is Dead — After the massive rock opera The Hazards of Love, I wasn't sure how The Decemberists would follow it up. Thankfully, they didn't try to top it. They did something different entirely. Ten simple, solid folk songs (only one exceeding 5 minutes, wow!) with tons of Gillian Welch. Golden.
9. Wilco - The Whole Love — If I hadn't heard it on their website, I would have thought the first track, "Art of Almost," was some fan-made mash-up of Wilco vocals and Radiohead demos. Even if that had been the case, it would be among the ranks of best mash-ups ever.
10. James Blake - James Blake — Arguing over what is and isn't dubstep is the new arguing over who and what is and isn't hipster. Some call James Blake dubstep. Whatever. Get it.
11. The Black Keys - El Camino — This just came out a couple of weeks ago, but I'm hooked. A bit more straight-forward rock than their previous album Brothers, and really good. Plus, Danger Mouse produced/sort of co-wrote it, so it is already intrinsically good, more or less.
12. Sigur Rós - Inni — A Sigur Rós concert experience is a very special thing. This live double album captures it as well as one can capture it without actually being there. (But if you get the chance, go to one of their concerts. And also bring me with you.)
13. Adele - 21 — The worst part about Adele is that a lot of people seem to spend more time listening to countless half-baked covers of her songs than her actual songs. Her songs are pretty much all sad, but as SNL demonstrates, we all need a good cry. (Dear the Internet: PLEASE STOP ALL THE ADELE COVERS.)
14. Gillian Welch - The Harrow & The Harvest — Proof that when you're an incredibly competent songwriter with an incredibly competent bandmate, you don't need any other instruments to make an incredibly competent album.
15. Cœur de pirate - Blonde — I don't even speak French, but hey guess what, that doesn't matter. This album is still quite enjoyable. A bit like Regina Spektor, minus the weird grunts.
16. Feist - Metals — A bit darker and heavier than her other albums, this is the only album that I have, as a whole, kept in rotation. I could probably listen to "The Bad in Each Other" all the day long.
17. The Kernal - Farewellhello — This album is only available via a download code sealed inside a bottle, which you have to break (say farewell to the bottle) to get (say hello to the music). Very much informed by classic country music (read: NOT Rascal Flatts or The Band Perry), with hints of modern influences? The latest chapter in the ongoing saga of "Awesome Music Made By Joe Garner."
18. Katie Herzig - The Waking Sleep — Nashville has an (over)abundance of music artists. Katie Herzig is one of the best there is. This is a really great (indie) pop album. Her song "Lost and Found" is the best Coldplay song to come out this year.
19. Alison Krauss & Paper Airplane — Out of all the singers I have heard, Alison Krauss might have my absolute favorite voice. Angelic.
20. Laura Marling - A Creature I Don't Know — Laura Marling is 21 years old and has now put out three full-length albums that rival many albums written by people double or triple her age. There is a certain delicacy and intentionality to the songs. She has a high value of both lyrics and music and makes an effort not to waste either.
21. Blitzen Trapper - American Goldwing — We're at the point where we can compare other artists to Bob Dylan without being chastised, right? This album is a folk and rock and fun album, and a few songs sound pretty Dylan-escue, if you want my opinion (and if anyone is still reading by #21 on this list, apparently you do).
22. The Civil Wars - Barton Hollow — This year was the year for The Civil Wars. Opening for Adele, garnering fans like Taylor Swift, and being featured on Later With Jools Holland alongside acts such as Laura Marling—they're everywhere now. This is a great album. Also, as an aside, and to toot my own horn just a bit, I'd like to invite you to visit my Civil Wars history museum...
23. Childish Gambino - Camp — Donald Glover used to write for 30 Rock (one of my favorite shows) and currently plays Troy on Community (my favorite show on TV right now [Save Community!]), and his alter-ego Childish Gambino has now put out my favorite rap/hip-hop/genre-blending album of 2011. Where else are you going to find raps that reference Arcade Fire, Mumford and Sons, and Sufjan?
24. Explosions in the Sky - Take Care, Take Care, Take Care — Explosions in the Sky: Not as violent as it sounds.
25. The Belle Brigade - The Belle Brigade — Who would've guessed that John Williams would have two grandchildren—brother and sister—who form a folk/pop/rock band that puts out a really diverse and enjoyable album?
26. St. Vincent - Strange Mercy — Annie Clark is a badass.
27. White Lies - Ritual — It's a little like if Tears For Fears had more upbeat songs, a few more synths and better production, but not in a The National way.
28. Over the Rhine - The Long Surrender — This is, what, like their 40th album or something? Something like that. The best they've put out in years.
29. Iron & Wine - Kiss Each Other Clean — Taking cues from Sufjan(?) to leave the acoustic guitar picking behind a bit in favor of some synth, Sam Beam makes a very good electro-folk(?) album with a mildly trippy album cover.
30. Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi (feat. Jack White & Norah Jones) - ROME — You probably weren't thinking this, but I thought to myself, "How can an album featuring Danger Mouse and Jack White and also Norah Jones and some guy who I haven't heard of Daniele Luppi be all the way back at spot #30?" Well, Stephen/reader, this is only because there have been very many other good albums that have come out this year, and also don't you remember how Danger Mouse helped a lot with The Black Keys album, so this is actually his second occurrence on ths list? "Oh, yes, well, I guess that's a pretty good point." Well, thanks. Also, this album is a little down the list mainly because it is not very long. It plays like a soundtrack (as is its intention) to a pretty short spaghetti western film.
31. Ryan Adams - Ashes & Fire — When Ryan Adams put out that "fully realized sci-fi metal concept album" a couple of years ago (yeah, I'm not even going to link to it), I got pretty worried that any good music from this guy was in the past. Thankfully, this album heartily puts those worries to rest.
32. Trent Dabbs - Southerner — Trent is another Nashville singer-songwriter who also heads up the Ten Out of Tenn tour every year, which is always a treat. This is his new album, which differs a fair amount from generic Nashville singer-songwriter full-length album. A bit of rock, a bit of blues, a lot of good music...
33. James Vincent McMorrow - Early In The Morning — If you read past #1, I assume you do not have a strong aversion to music with a guy singing in a falsetto.
34. Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three - Middle of Everywhere — This album will transport you back to the early-mid part of the 20th century, where washboards and harmonicas co-existed peacefully.
35. Panda Bear - Tomboy — Tomboy is a bit like going on a tour of what might manifest if computers and keyboard synthesizers had dreams. Sound weird? You betcha.
36. Jay-Z and Kanye West - Watch the Throne — If you are expecting this to be like My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy or The Blueprint 3, I'm sorry. This is neither. But still great. "Otis" is worth the price of the album alone.
37. Givers - In Light — If this album doesn't make you giddy, you're probably six feet under.
38. The Low Anthem - Smart Flesh — Because not all albums are meant to make you giddy.
39. This Will Destroy You - Tunnel Blanket — This Will Destroy You: Not as violent as it sounds.
40. Seasick Steve - You Can't Teach an Old Dog New Tricks — Son House, is that you with an electric guitar?

Other releases:

1. The Beach Boys - The SMiLE Sessions — These sessions are far from new, but I am very glad they have finally be released. The deluxe edition is like peeking into the band's brains as they're writing all the songs on it. Over 30 versions of "Heroes and Villians"?!
2. Leagues - Leagues [EP] — I'm pretty sure I listened to this album at least once a day for the whole duration of the summer.
3. The Alabama Shakes - Alabama Shakes [EP] — This band is on the rise, y'all. Follow 'em before you're a follower. I'm anxiously awaiting more music from this band.
4. Broken Bells - Meyrin Fields [EP] — Hey there again, Danger Mouse! Oh, and you have James Mercer with you this time. Cool!
5. Chris Thile and Michael Daves - Man in the Middle [Single] — These guys recorded a full-length in Mr. Jack White's recording studio (that barely did not make the cut on albums of the year), and he also got this out of 'em. Mm, good.
6. Drive [Soundtrack] — Ryan Gosling is the man, and every movie in which I have seen him (I do not count The Notebook, because I am certain it was just a lapse of judgment that he wishes he could take back) he is great. This movie was great. But rivaling the movie itself is the soundtrack.
7. fun. - We Are Young / One Foot — Glee covered "We Are Young" and it was awful and I don't want to talk about it but this song is really good, the real version, not the Glee version, so listen to it, not the Glee version.
8. Sleeping At Last - Yearbook — Starting last October, this guy put out an EP a month for 12 months. Pretty impressive.
9. Seryn and Friends - Seryn and Friends Christmas — Seryn and Friends Christmas.
10. Timbre - Silent Night — Christmas album from one of the best alternative harpists around that's also pay-what-you-want—even free!

See you in 2012?