TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2011

As 2011 draws to a close, it's that time of year to look back at the music from this past year and highlight the true standouts. As I mentioned half way through the year, and still holds true today, I have been excited by the diversity of great music this past year...music that takes me places. And that really is the magic and gift of music and the artists that create it.

10. Nick Lowe, The Old Magic

Over the past few albums, Nick Lowe, has completed a transformation from punk and new wave rocker, that defined not only him, but a generation of British artists in the '70's, to a crooner with a subtle and refined way about him. With his last album, At My Age, Lowe found a voice and a groove that seemed so natural, it made it almost impossible to listen to the younger Lowe and believe that it was the same person. On The Old Magic, Lowe not only matches what he accomplished on that album, he surpasses himself. Once again, drawing inspiration from '50's country-tinged standards and ballads and easy-going rockabilly songs, Lowe sings and moves with grace and warmth through this collection of eight original songs and three covers. Every song on The Old Magic sounds and feels classic, timeless, and familiar, which makes listening to this album so completely satisfying. I absolutely love this album.

9.  The Antlers, Burst Apart

Burst Apart is another spectacular album by Peter Silberman and The Antlers. Relationships don’t seem to come easy to Silberman. Being loved and/or not being loved haunts him and he struggles through these songs to make sense of what he wants or needs. Carrying and conveying the weight of his words and feelings is Silberman's dynamic and emotional voice (especially when he goes up into his falsetto range), and his gorgeous and lush guitar work. Burst Apart is an album that stick in your mind long after you stop listening. You can read a more in-depth review of the album here

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8. Angus & Julia Stone, Down The Way

Brother and sister, Angus and Julia Stone's sophomore album, Down The Way, was huge hit in their home country of Australia, ultimately capturing the Album of the Year award and Single of the Year award at the Australian Record Industry Awards in 2010 and rightfully so. Down The Way is a charming album with beautiful and subtle vocals and music. This is an album that has remained on high rotation for me with their song Yellow Brick Road being a highlight.  

7. My Morning Jacket, Circuital

My Morning Jacket has played with the sound of their music and the space in which they have been creating it for the past decade. While I am a huge fan of the band, I have felt at times the music, and especially Jim James' vocals, were set just too far back with too much reverb. For their sixth studio album, the band took up shop and recorded in a church gym. The result is a sound that is naturally open and airy and sounds just great. The collection of songs on Circuital is also more cohesive and focused than the musically ambitious and diverse last album, Evil Urges. Getting back to their southern rock roots, this is the album that I wanted back in 2008.     

6. Bon Iver, Bon Iver

Bon Iver's self-titled album was one of most amazing listening experience that I have had this year. Justin Vernon, the mastermind behind Bon Iver, delivers a breathtaking album that is bigger, bolder, and significantly more ambitious than his debut album, For Emma, Forever Ago. With a newly installed, expansive sound, Bon Iver creates a musical landscape that is sonically rich and beautifully textured. This is an album that can and should be explored over and over again. With each listen there is more to discover, making for a special and unique listening experience each time. Plug yourself into this album with some good headphones and allow yourself to be taken away by this one.

5. Noah & The Whale, Last Night On Earth

Last Night On Earth is not only one of my favorite albums of the year, but probably the most played in my house. Noah & The Whale's third studio album is loose concept album about....the Last Night On Earth, or not. But as far as concept albums go, this one succeeds by not trying to do too much with the concept. There is a great mid-'80's rock-anthem feel to these songs without the band every pressing hard to create bigger-than-life songs. Honestly, one song is better than the next and singing along becomes an automatic reflex when the music starts.

4. Jonathan Wilson, Gentle Spirit

Gentle Spirit is an album that completely exudes the groove and warmth that reflects what Wilson described as “that golden late ‘60s, early ‘70s period when rural and urban sensibilities colluded in producing some of rock’s most imperishable recordings.” As a longtime student of Los Angles’ Laurel Canyon, its musical heritage, and its Canyon Culture, Wilson wanted his musical ideas to “echo many of an earlier generation.” Slow burning, mellow, and laidback, 

3. Metronomy,  The English Riviera

British synth-pop band Metronomy has evolved nicely over three albums and musically takes a great step forward on The English Riviera. Less electronics and more live instruments bring warmth to these songs that was missing on earlier albums. Laid back rhythms and bass lines also create a nice, relaxed overall feel to the album. While a few songs revert back to a more angular sound that can be heard on earlier albums, they still fit in with the overall feel of the album. This one will be in my listening rotation for a while.

2. King Creosote & Jon Hopkins, Diamond Mine

Scottish singer-songwriter, Kenny Anderson, who records under the moniker  King Creosote, has a long and impressive body of work that has spanned over forty albums since 1998. Add Diamond Mine, Anderson's phenomenal new collaboration with English electronic composer and producer Jon Hopkins, to his special collection. 

A heartfelt reflection on the town and landscape of Fife, where Anderson lives, this absolutely beautiful and stunning album exemplifies what is possible when two artists can marry two very different musical reference points in a cohesive and near perfect way. Together Anderson and Hopkins have created a magnificent and timeless musical space where Anderson's quiet and soulful songs radiate earth and warmth and richness and perfectly capture his fondness and love for life in this small town. This is a very  special album.

1. Destroyer, Kaputt

The 9th album from Vancouver, BC native, Daniel Bejar, who records under the name Destroyer, is simply irresistible. Uncompromising, Bejar is one of those artists that seems to change musical direction with each new release. On Kaputt, Bejar creates dreamy-ambient pop songs that pay tribute to the sounds and sensibilities of the Brian Eno and Bryan Ferry at their best. The songs here are chalk-full of wonderful musical elements. I love the inclusion of the trumpet, sax, and flute on many of these songs. This album was an immediate favorite of mine and has stayed at the top of the heap all year.