It is (past) time for end-of-the-year lists.
Now that I have been perusing other people's Best of 2011 lists, it is clear that I have been seriously "out of the loop" of good, current music. I feel that I am still discovering fantastic music from 2011, so I am not proposing this as a "Best of 2011" list.
It is pretty much what I have listened to the most this year. I do however feel that there are many very good albums here that I would love to share, so you should listen to them right now!
If you click the Artist or Album text, it will take you to the corresponding Last.fm page with all kind of additional information. Clicking the album art will automatically play the album in Spotify! In parenthesis are the top 3 tags from Last.fm so you can get a general genre.
My Recommended Albums of 2011
(electronic, shoegaze, post-rock)
A masterpiece! For my full review of this album see my previous post.
(folk, indie, folk rock)
A fantastic album. Just like ALL previous Fleet Foxes albums; perfect harmonies that are done far to well, for an almost completely beautiful album.
(indie, indie rock, indie pop)
Another great album by The Rosebuds.
This one has some fantastic violin work to add to an already great sound.
(indie folk, indie, alternative)
They have a kind of folksy sound combined with backing beautiful grand orchestral expansiveness.And they got their song writing figured out as well.
Side Note: This band is blowing up! I saw this band open for The Rosebuds, knowing nothing about them, but immediately loved them. They then went on to open for (and ride the coattails of) Bon Iver as he exploded into mainstream famousness. This year they will be opening for Radiohead! From The Rosebuds to Radiohead...in less than a year... folks that is either insane... or this band has a fantastic sound going for them. Check 'em out and decide for yourself.
(female vocalists, singer-songwriter, indie)
I have a crush on Annie Clark, who makes up St. Vincent. She is adorable, and she has great vocal chords. But she also writes great, witty, music. If you dig this, check out her previous 2 albums.
(alternative, alternative rock, rock)
So yes, I feel this album is less than most Radiohead albums, so in that regard it was a tiny bit disappointing. HOWEVER, Radiohead is greater than most bands, so this album is still great.
(indie, indie rock, experimental)
Another great album showcasing TV on the Radio's unique sound. Maybe a little more somber than previous albums, but great nonetheless. Check out "Killer Crane".
(math rock, experimental, post-rock)
Another fantastic album from Explosions. How can a band so consistently make epic albums?
(lo-fi, indie, indie pop)
I saw this band open for Deer Tick, and they blew me away. They have a really cool sound featuring an omnichord! I think we will be hearing more about this band in the near future.
(experimental, psychedelic, freak folk)
Just as the 3 tags above hint at, you will probably think it is "weird", but what do you expect from a member of Animal Collective? It may take a few listens, but if you give it a chance you may find that there is something interesting here.
(indie, indie rock, slowcore)
The Antlers are the masters of beautifully depressing music and this is just another installment of a perfectly depressing album. This falls into the 'not for everyone category.' but I love it.
