My Favorite Albums Of 2011: Part 3

It's New Year's Eve and this is officially the last post of 2011.  I've had a great year of blogging about the twists and turns of my musical life.  There were amazing albums and then there were some less fortunate records.  I had the chance to talk to some of you readers, which is always wonderful.  Many thanks to both the readers and the artists I was able to chat with and write about this year.

This post is also the last part of my "Favorite Albums Of 2011" list.  Just to refresh your mind, this is how the countdown is going so far...

Honorable Mentions

Active Child - You Are All I See

Alexander - Self Titled

Beyoncé - 4

Gotye - Making Mirrors

James Blake - Self Titled

The Joy Formidable - The Big Roar

Nicolas Jaar - Space Is Only Noise

SebastiAn - Total

St. Vincent - Strange Mercy

Zola Jesus - Conatus

Ellie Goulding - Lights

Top 20

Penguin Prison - Self Titled

Cults - Self Titled

Glasvegas - EUPHORIC /// HEARTBREAK \\\

Björk - Biophilia

Girls - Father, Son, Holy Ghost

Kimbra - Vows

CSS - La Liberación

Feist - Metals

Florence + The Machine - Ceremonials

The Black Keys - El Camino

Here's the remainder of the top twenty...

Patrick Wolf - Lupercalia

My summer was filled with Patrick Wolf's optimistic album.  I think this may be the best record he's released.  It focuses heavily on themes of love and friendship, basically the idea of a soulmate.  I absolutely loved this album for it's ability to capture those themes in a mature way.  It sounds real and that's why Lupercalia works so well.

The Kills - Blood Pressures

The Kills are one of the most stylish rock bands currently making music.  When you see or hear them, they're instantly recognizable.  Alison Mosshart is also leading the pack of female performers in rock music.  She fronts multiple bands without fault.  "Heavier" may not be the right word to describe Blood Pressures when comparing it to their last record.  Sure, it's heavy, but it mostly sounds fleshed out and full.  Blood Pressures is complete, ballads and all.

Mr. Dream - Trash Hit

Trash Hit is the debut album from Brooklyn's Mr. Dream.  They're a mix of punk rock and all of its pesky sub-genres.  You may think you've pegged them as one type of music, until they switch it up yet again.  This record has that "garage rock" production sound, and it also has some insanely catchy hooks.  I like to pop it on whenever I'm in the mood for some carefree, and a little crazy, music.

LIGHTS - Siberia

LIGHTS has come a long way since her light and airy debut album.  This time around, her music is heavier with less strictly pop elements and more electronic ventures.  She also tried her hand at the dubstep game, just barely.  Siberia's beats are crunchy and distorted, while the melodies remain as solid as ever.

Le Butcherettes - Sin Sin Sin

This band is one of my most exciting discoveries of 2011.  Le Butcherettes play insane political rock music.  Led by Teri Gender Bender, live shows often involve fake blood and sometimes include raw meat.  But it's not all stage antics.  Sin Sin Sin has raw power and sounds incredibly current.  I expect to see big things from Le Butcherettes in 2012.

M83 - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming

Who hasn't heard "Midnight City" by now?  M83 wins the "catchiest synth melody of the year" award.  What's even better is that Hurry Up, We're Dreaming is just as solid.  I'm tempted to describe the record as "dreamy", but that's too obvious, isn't it?  That's really the first thought that comes to mind, though. The album is nostalgic and blurred, just like a dream.

Foo Fighters - Wasting Light

If you read my review of the Foo Fighters show I went to, then you already know how much I love this album.  The Foo Fighters have somehow managed to consistently release album after album without having a real dud mixed in there.  I can't say that for a decent amount of bands who started in the nineties.  Now the record is up for Album Of The Year at the Grammys.  2011 was a massive year for this band.

The time has arrived for some numerical rankings!  Those make everything more interesting, don't they?  Here are my three favorite albums of 2011...

3. Adele - 21

Yes, Adele.  She sort of dominated the world of music this year, and rightfully so.  21 is a mostly heartbroken collection of songs, all focused on the same guy.  You've probably already heard the record, seeing as it's the best selling album of the year.  If not, then I suggest you join the crowd.  

2. Lykke Li - Wounded Rhymes

Each of my top three records have one thing in common, I never get tired of them.  No matter how many times I listened to Wounded Rhymes, I kept coming back for more.  I'm even guilty of multiple listens back to back.  That's a real feat.  Lykke Li's voice is just as demanding as the glare in her eyes.  No really, check out the music video for "Get Some".  Those eyes.

1. Lady Gaga - Born This Way

If you're a regular reader of the blog, this probably came as no surprise.  Otherwise, you may be shaking your head.  When it comes to current pop music, I place Lady Gaga above all.  I really do think she's ten steps ahead of the other pop stars and divas, just look at the cultural impact.  Born This Way's production is outrageous and the music is campy.  There's an overwhelming theme of self-impowerment mixed with feminism, sexuality, and equality.  Both Brian May and Clarence Clemons perform on the album.  At seventeen songs long, Born This Way is a wild ride on the back of that half-Gaga motorcycle, and that's why it's my favorite album of 2011.

As always, I love hearing what you think.  Did I forget any amazing records?  What are your favorite albums of 2011? Leave a comment and let me know!

My Favorite Albums Of 2011: Part 2

It's time for part two of my "Favorite Albums Of 2011" list.  The last post featured ten (plus one bonus) albums that didn't quite make it into my top twenty.  My top twenty is mostly unranked, aside from the final three records.  The way I see it, is there really that big of a difference between my twelfth and eleventh favorite albums of the year?  For that reason, I've kept specific numbers out of the game until three, two, and one.  Let's get into it... 

Penguin Prison - Self Titled

After collecting a variety of Chris Glover's singles and remixes over the past two years, I anticipated this album for months.  Penguin Prison's self-titled debut is one of the most upbeat and fun records I heard all year.  It's pop, but not your usual club bangers.  There's just this sound that he has, and you can hear it on his remixes too.  The "Penguin Prison" sound.  I love it.

Cults - Self Titled

I was initially attracted to this album purely for aesthetic reasons.  While browsing new through some new releases, I stumbled upon Cults' debut.  It just looked like something I would be into.  As randomly predicted, I found it to be an amazing album.  "You Know What I Mean" is the album's centerpiece.  That song perfectly demonstrates Cults' ability to mix the old with the new.

Glasvegas - EUPHORIC /// HEARTBREAK \\\

I feel like the order of songs on EUPHORIC /// HEARTBREAK \\\ could be reversed and you would have a completely different album.  Instead of a decline, the album would progress from the lows of "Change" and "I Feel Wrong (Homosexuality Pt. 1)", finally ending with their anthem of a single, "The World Is Yours".  This record couldn't have a more appropriate name.  It pulls at you with oddly comforting themes of longing and loneliness, but the production is so massive and truly euphoric.

Björk - Biophilia

My feelings on Biophilia are constantly changing.  It seems to have a polarizing effect.  The majority of the album consists of harps, bells, and any other twinkling instrument.  Sure, there are some beat driven moments, such as "Mutual Core".  But for the most part, Björk is howling about her extraterrestrial days of collecting minerals on Venus.  It's a strange concept that had me wondering what goes on in this Icelandic singer's mind.

Girls - Father, Son, Holy Ghost

I'm actually late to the Girls party.  Around the release of Father, Son, Holy Ghost, I also started listening to their debut.  "Lust For Life" is on my regular playlist and I blast it more than one would like to admit.  With that said, they quickly became one of my most listened to acts of 2011.  If I were to make a list that combined the concept of NME's "Cool" list and Barbara Walters' "Most Fascinating People" list, Christopher Owens would most definitely be a headliner.

Kimbra - Vows

After the "Kimbra weekend" feature earlier this year, this singer from New Zealand is a common sight on The Soundtrack Of My Life.  Her debut album hasn't been released in the US yet, but I predict good things for Kimbra when that day arrives.  Vows manages to create a pop sound without giving into any of today's gimmicks or trends.  Add in her jazzy stylings and a vocal range to kill for, and you have an outstanding record.

CSS - La Liberación

After two albums, it finally seems like CSS found an appropriate balance between the danceable sound of their debut and the more rock oriented sound of Donkey.  You may still have trouble taking them seriously, but that's the best part.  Plus, any album with a Mike Garson piano solo automatically gets bonus points in my book.

Feist - Metals

I love "1234" just as much as the next person, but I feel like Feist thrives the most when she slows down the tempo a bit.  She did just that on Metals.  It's still a powerful album, just not in the big band sing-along way.  The closing track, "Get It Wrong, Get It Right", is possibly one of the best songs in her catalog.

Florence + The Machine - Ceremonials

From the first song to the final note, Ceremonials is a bellowing album with enough hooks to satisfy the most restless of listeners.  Florence Welch kept her winning formula of Lungs and expanded it to twice the size.  She sounds like a choir and remains one of the biggest voices in pop music. 

The Black Keys - El Camino

Can we just take a moment to appreciate the genius that is the "Lonely Boy" music video?  If that doesn't convince you to give the album a listen, then I'm not sure what will do the trick.  There are tributes to Led Zeppelin on "Little Black Submarines" and I hear Bowie on "Sister".  I bet you'll never be able to listen to "Lonely Boy" without having a mental image of that dancing man.

Check back soon for the third and final installment including my top three albums of 2011.

My Favorite Albums Of 2011: Part 1 - Honorable Mentions

Here it is!  This is part one of my "Favorite Albums Of 2011" list.  The next three posts, part two and three of which will be up after a Christmas break, contain my thirty favorite records of the past year.  I spent many hours deliberating over which albums to include.  Finally, I selected the albums that made 2011 an amazing year of music.  These records were the soundtrack to my life (bonus points for the reference?) this year.  Some of them stayed in my stereo for months at a time.  This post contains ten albums that I enjoyed, but didn't quite make it into my top twenty.  Although they're out of the top twenty, I still loved each and every one of them.  In alphabetical order, here are the honorable mentions...

Active Child - You Are All I See

Active Child's Pat Grossi has a voice that fills the room like a choir.  You Are All I See took me by surprise earlier this year.  I listened to a copy of the album only knowing that it would involve a harp and lots of falsetto.  We've all heard that with female vocalists, including Florence Welch and Joanna Newsom, and it works just as well with a guy.  I went back to "Hanging On" again and again.  The entire album has a great atmosphere and is perfect for all of your zen-like activities.

Alexander - Self Titled

Ima Robot's Another Man's Treasure was on my list last year.  Alexander Ebert once again finds a spot on my playlist with his first solo effort.  He's gone from Ima Robot's dance-punk, to Edward Sharpe And The Magnetic Zeros' folk-rock, and most recently this self-titled collection of songs.  "Truth" is the faux-rap lead single, while "Glimpses" evokes Bob Dylan.

Beyoncé - 4

"Me and my boo, and my boo, boo, ridin'"  That line becomes engraved within your brain after listening to "Countdown".  Beyoncé's latest album is a mix of modern day pop and the throwback sounds of Prince and the Jacksons.  "1 + 1" is the ballad that should've been a hit.  "Love On Top" had way too many key changes for a single track, but it sounds so good.

Gotye - Making Mirrors

"Somebody That I Used To Know", a duet with Kimbra, never gets old.  The chart topping single from Gotye's third album will draw you in and then you get to witness the rest of this record.  Think of a modern equivalent to The Police with an eclectic spin.  The album may be a bit random at times and "State Of The Art" still confuses me, but I feel like Gotye filled a gap that was missing.

James Blake - Self Titled

The first time I listened to James Blake's cover of "Limit To Your Love", I made the mistake of using laptop speakers.  If you've heard the song, you can imagine what I was missing.  After getting around to a real set of speakers I found out what all the fuss was about.  James Blake is a mix of classical piano and auto-tuned electronic music.  The production on this record is precise with the perfect amount of space to breathe.  Some people call him post-dubstep, but what does that really mean?  Sometimes I find this album to be obnoxiously annoying and other days I love it.  In the end, this album deserves to be recognized.

The Joy Formidable - The Big Roar

I saw The Joy Formidable live earlier this year as they opened for the Foo Fighters.  The Welsh trio put on a massive show.  Their extended instrumentals get bigger and bigger until they explode.  The Big Roar is a mix of shoegaze and pop music.  It's also an amazing debut album.

Nicolas Jaar - Space Is Only Noise

You could say that Nicolas Jaar is in the same realm as James Blake.  They both take electronic elements and mix it up a little.  Nicolas adds in tastes of jazz and world music, growing up in Chile himself.  Space Is Only Noise sounds like a film.  It's moody and dramatic.  At only 21, he has the world dancing to his odd beat.

SebastiAn - Total

French electro artist, SebastiAn is the only DJ on my list.  You can hear the similar sound of his Ed Banger label mates on Total, but this record is packed from front to back.  Appearances from Mayer Hawthorne and M.I.A only sweeten the deal.  "Total" and "Tetra" are some of my favorite cuts, as they show the span of styles in his work.  This stuff is heavy.

St. Vincent - Strange Mercy

Apart from the occasional single, St. Vincent's previous albums never caught my attention.  The music was fine, but nothing stood out from the crowd, it was just there.  Strange Mercy caught my attention.  It was the vulnerability of "Cheerleader". It was the beautiful La Vie En Rose melody of "Surgeon".  Nothing about this album is over the top.  Every element knows its place and performs eloquently.

Zola Jesus - Conatus

Conatus completely stopped me in my tracks.  It's been out for months, but I only recently gave this record a listen.  That voice.  She's like a darker and less accessible Florence Welch, mix in some Fever Ray-esque sounds for good measure.  The entire album is just captivating.

But wait! Before I end this post, I want to include one more record...

Ellie Goulding - Lights

When making my list, I wasn't sure where to put this album.  While the US had to wait until this year to hear the record, it was released around the world in 2010.  There are few albums that will be included later on the list that are still waiting for American releases, but they had 2011 release dates around the world.  As a result of this technicality, I consider Lights to be an album of 2010.  However, it only seems right to give it a special spot in this feature.  Ellie's voice isn't typical for pop music.  It's smoky and has more human qualities when compared to her other contemporaries.  Lights is an amazingly catchy debut that put her on the radar.

Check back after Christmas for the rest of my favorite albums, including my top three.

Sleigh Bells - Born To Lose

Sleigh Bells' sophomore album, Reign Of Terror, doesn't come out until next year, but the Brooklyn band has unveiled the first taste of their new material.  "Born To Lose" premiered today, courtesy of SPIN, and it's a blast.  The song takes the duo's heavy hitting noise-rock to a new level.  Alexis Krauss' vocals aren't as distorted as they were on their ear shattering debut.  Instead, she takes center spotlight adding a dream pop twist.  It's more "Treats" and less "Kids".  Check it out below.  Reign Of Terror is out February 14 on Mom+Pop Records.

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Buy A Shirt, Make A Difference

An overwhelming percentage of my wardrobe consists of band t-shirts.  I'm addicted to wearing my favorite group's logo.  It's even better when the design include some sarcastic or witty lyrics.  My most recent haul included a Jessie J shirt.  I don't even own her album.  It's just that her grinning face and Cleopatra hair looks amazing on the front of a shirt.  Anyways, the only thing better than a band shirt is when all of your hard earned money goes to a good cause.  Not only does a shirt for charity help make the world a better place, it also makes you feel good about yourself.

fun. recently unveiled a new shirt in their merch store.  Their LGBTQ design features the bold line, "It’s all fun. and gay ’til someone loses their rights.".  All, not just thirty or fifty percent, but all proceeds made from purchases of this shirt are donated to Revel And Riot.  Revel And Riot is an organization that works towards LGBTQ equality.  So you get to help a cause and you get an awesome band tee from fun..  Just in time for the holidays.  So don we now our gay apparel, stocking stuffers for everyone!

You can grab one for yourself over at fun.'s online store for $15.00.  While you're there, you may want to add "We Are Young", the band's new single, to your cart.  It features Janelle Monáe and just might get stuck in your head all day.

For some more musical t-shirts that benefit a variety of charity organizations, including the Little Boots pattern pictured above, head over to the Yellow Bird Project.  They have shirts from Beach House, Metric, and tons more.  Each artist chooses their favorite charity and all profits go straight to the group. They have a shirt for just about anyone, and plenty of the styles will fit right in with your hipster ensemble.

If you know of any cool band tees that you think the world should see, let me know!  The comment section is your friend.  What's your favorite musical merchandise that goes towards the bigger picture?

Porcelain Raft - Put Me To Sleep

Porcelain Raft's debut album, Strange Weekend, is slated for a release date of January 24th.  Mauro Remiddi, the man behind the name, has released a spectrum of songs under Porcelain Raft over the last year or two.  His newest release also serves as the lead single to Strange Weekend.  "Put Me To Sleep" is a warped sound tunnel that only gets better with its milky music video.  Porcelain Raft has always been a project that evokes multiple senses and it's evident in the clip, which was directed by Remiddi himself. 

After you watch the video, head over to Porcelain Raft's Facebook page for a free download of "Put Me To Sleep".  Mark your calendar, because you won't want to miss out on this album.

If I Could Turn Back Time... To 2010

Calm down, I'm not going all Cher on you, but it's that time of year again.  "Best Of" lists are swarming the internet as every website, blog, or magazine declares their favorite music of 2011.  Before I get to my favorite albums of this year, I wanted to take a step back into the yesteryear of 2010.  At the end of last year, I wrote a pair of posts ranking my twelve favorite records.  For the most part I still love every album included on the list, but countless album are released in the span of a year and opinions change.  Records slip the mind, and you don't realize how crucial of a mistake you've made until almost a year later.  That's exactly what happened to me as I looked back on my 2010 list.  I'd like to dedicate this post the the albums of 2010 that I overlooked and truly deserve to be called some of the best.

First up is Volume Two by She & Him.  While Zooey and M. Ward are currently spreading the Christmas spirit with their latest release, Volume Two is a quirky collection of pop songs.  Zooey Deschanel is the definition of "quirky" and M. Ward is the perfect balance.  This album is something that you could play and somehow manage to satisfy every generation.  Grandma loves the retro vibe, while the kids sing along to the incredibly infectious melodies.

Next would be Special Affections by Diamond Rings.  I found this gem a little late.  Canada's John O'Regan crafted an album that really changes the classification of genres and genders.  The music is minimal, yet fills the room better than your average dance beat.  Is it pop or rock?  His voice certainly isn't one of your usual high-pitched wailer and his flamboyant image says the opposite.  I love this record and can't wait to hear what he does next.

The third album is Swanlights by Antony And The Johnsons.  Every single time I've played one of Antony Hegarty's songs for a listener who has never heard him before, they've always had an instant reaction.  Sometimes the reaction is less than welcoming, but Antony always makes an impact.  His vibrato is unforgettable and his music is haunting.  His debut album contains some of the most honest lyrics I've ever heard, and Swanlights doesn't disappoint.

As I take a final reflection on my 2010 list, I wonder to myself how this album isn't on it.  Brothers by The Black Keys.  I really can't find a flaw with Brothers.  It's about as soulful as rock music will ever be.  The duo just released their follow-up album, El Camino, this week.  After listening to it, I wanted to go back and hear Brothers once again.  If you haven't given this record a spin, I highly recommend you make time for it.

Check back later this month for a list of my favorite albums from 2011.

Lana Del Rey - Born To Die

After a string of live performances, Lana Del Rey has revealed the studio version of her new track "Born To Die".  Lana's recent explosion within the internet world has brought her endless praise, and as always, accusations of a "gimmick" act.  Either way, I've had "Video Games" and "Blue Jeans" on repeat for months.

The new single shares the name of her debut album which is out in the US on January 31 of next year.  "Born To Die" resembles the similar sound of her previous singles, lush strings and her throwback melodies.  While the official music video isn't out until December 16, which I hear involves a tiger, you can listen to the song along with a promo video below.  It's fairly simple with Lana glaring down the camera as she embraces a tattooed man, both presumably naked.  Check it out...

The single officially hits airwaves and will be available for download on January 23, one week before her debut album, "Born To Die".