Looking back, I actually listened to more music this year than I thought I did, but I am proud to say I still haven’t listened to any Lana Del Ray. Having a Spotify account certainly makes it easier to check things out but it’s also harder for me to keep track of what I listen to. That said, here are the albums I listened to the most on 2011.
1) Kurt Vile - Smoke Ring For My Halo
Definitely the album I listened to the most over the course of 2011. More stripped down than his last effort, this album really surprised me and would not get out of my head all year.
2) We Are Augustines - Rise Ye Sunken Ships
Pela was one of my favorite bands in the last few years and I was so sure they were due for big, big things, so it’s nice to see half of the band regroup and put out a record like this. Honestly, this album isn’t very different from pela, but that’s a good thing. All the love the band got from Chase Jarvis this year certainly didn’t hurt.
3) Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds - S/T
I made my thoughts known about this album when it came out and I still stand by it. But man, seeing him in Boston was incredible and put this album back in heavy rotation.
4) Those Dancing Days - Daydreams and Nightmares
Just the latest in a never ending line of awesome female Swedish pop/punk bands. Still gutted they weren’t allowed to come over for SXSW.
5) High Highs - S/T
Technically this is a 4-song EP, but song-for-song, this might be the single best thing I heard all year.
6) My Morning Jacket - Circuital
This album totally clicked for me after MMJ’s absolutely monster show at Merriweather. A return to form that grows on you.
7) Jay-Z & Kanye West - Watch The Throne
Obvs.
8) Jessica Lea Mayfield - Tell Me
One of the best things about shooting shows for the Post is getting introduced to artists I would never know about otherwise. That certainly happened when I shot Jessica Lea Mayfield at Iota this year. She was AMAZING and I couldn’t wait to listen to this album when I got home. A keeper.
9) Hayes Carll - KMAG YOYO
Another such case. Caught him playing a great show at the RnR Hotel and immediately was hooked on this album when I listened to it.
10) The Strokes - Angles
Half of this album is great. The other half I just don’t listen to.
Honorable mention:
Elbow - build a rocket boys! (Great but I like them better when they rock)
Beady Eye - Different Gear, Still Speeding (Fine debut but I got burnt out on it)
Radiohead - The King of Limbs (Had its moments, but otherwise, pretty boring)
Beastie Boys - Hot Sauce Committee (MUCH better than To The 5 Boroughs)
Buffalo Tom - Skins (Not a true return to form, but any new music from them is a wonderful)
