You can say whatever you want about Portugal. The Man but don't ever call them lazy. Since their debut album Waiter: You Vultures! was released in 2006, they've recorded and released at least one full length album every year and have spent all of the rest of their time touring. To their credit, each album has been unique and their most recent effort is the most complete album they've made.
It's hard to imagine writing and recording any album at age 21. But to have that album go on to become a crossover hit with positive critical reception and become the best selling album of the year is unfathomable. That's exactly what Adele did with her sophomore effort 21 which is one of only a few times in recent memory when massive critical success has been warranted. I'd be shocked if she didn't sweep the Grammys in February.
One of the more interesting albums of the year. I fell madly in love with this album when it was released a couple months ago but somehow forgot about it. I revisited Dogs to make sure my infatuation wasn't baseless and I'm happy to report it's a solid album worthy of making my top ten list. The second full length album under the moniker The Parlor Mob is tough to describe or classify. It straddles the line of sappy and overproduced but is sincere enough to get a pass.
Interestingly enough I had planned on making room on this list for EP but when the first full length album from Donald Glover was released in November it made me change my plans. For the uninitiated Childish Gambino is the alter-ego of actor and comedian Donald Glover who got the name from the Wu Tang name generator. Besides being very good on the NBC serires Commmunity, he is an excellent writer who put the best hip-hop album of the year.
After a hiatus of more than four years following her breakout album The Reminder, Leslie Feist came back stronger than ever with Metals. During the break between records Feist collaborated with several artists including a few performances with her former band Broken Social Scene. It appears the time away from her solo work gave her some perspective because Metals has a sound and production value lacking from her previous work.
When I first heard the song 'Elephant Gun' a few years back I realized that Zach Condon of Beirut was a unique talent but he hadn't realized an entire album to showcase his potential. After spending a long time on the road, Condon went the Bon Iver route and wrote The Rip Tide while spending six months in an isolated winter cabin. The result is the best and most accessible album Beirut has released.
If you've watched The Wire, then you might not think of Baltimore as a thriving indie rock music scene but between Beach House, Cass McCombs, Future Islands, Animal Collective and Wye Oak it has quickly become a hot bed for great music. Wye Oak is the talented duo of Jenn Wasner and Andy Stack who released a fantastic record that was one of the most soothing and raw albums in recent memory. In a great year for female fronted bands, Civilian stood out as my favorite.
As an enormous fan of Explosions in the Sky, I'd be lying to you if I told you that I was instantly in love with their most recent effort. I enjoyed the album the first few times I listened to it but something happened possibly around the time I saw them play live in September that each listen gave me a little different perspective. Like all great music it has the ability to amplify your emotions.
If there's one thing that I really owe to Gary Lightbody from Snow Patrol, it's turning me onto M83 in early 2005 after Before the Dawn Heals Us was released. I eagerly anticipated Saturdays = Youth which was near the top of my list for the best albums in 2008 and Anthony Gonzalez has delivered the goods again. I cannot wait to see the songs from this sprawling opus performed live next month at Club Nokia then again at Coachella in April.
Many were stunned by the four Grammy nominations recently received for Bon Iver but I couldn't have been less surprised and was only disappointed that it missed out on an album of the year nomination. This was the best album released in 2011 and it's not up for debate. For the beautiful opener 'Perth' to the finale 'Beth/Rest' the album never once hits the wrong note and in many instances is awe inspiring.
Albums that just missed the cut:
Friendly Fires - Pala
The Antlers - Burst Apart
Manchester Orchestra - Simple Math
TV on the Radio - Nine Types of Light
Moving Mountains - Waves
Cold Cave - Cherish The Light Years
The Drums - Portamento
This Will Destroy You - Tunnel Blanket
Foster The People - Torches
The Joy Formidable - The Big Roar
The Black Keys - El Camino
