Listen to the top 20 albums of 2011
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| "David Comes To Life" by the band F----d Up leads the list of the top albums of 2011. (Courtesy photo) |
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Here are my top 20 albums of 2011. Check out the links below to listen to the albums on Spotify.
1. F----d Up
“David Comes To Life”
Yes, the band’s name contains a naughty word. No, they aren’t just on this list as a way to challenge editors crafting a headline around a swear word.
F----d Up put out the most ambitious album of the year with the hardcore punk opera, “David Comes To Life.” While the album leans toward hardcore punk, there are plenty of other musical elements at play here.
All of the tracks help set the mood for the story of David and how he meets and loses a girl named Veronica.
The album starts with a brief, calm instrumental before the band launches into the powerful “Queen Of Hearts.” This is the track on which David and Veronica meet and listeners are greeted with both gruff male vocals and sweet female vocals. It’s a contrast that holds throughout the entire album as David struggles with love and loss.
The story can be difficult to follow at times when it’s told by way of Damian Abraham’s gravelly voice. But when you have a chance to digest both the lyrics and the accompanying music, this is a fantastic album that’s both imaginative and powerful.
Listen to F----d Up "David Comes To Life" on Spotify.
2. Jay-Z and Kanye West
“Watch The Throne”
Considering the scope of their solo work, the notion of Jay-Z and Kanye West teaming for a full-length album could only result in a bunch of bragging lyrics about being rich, while lamenting the trials of being so famous. That’s exactly what we get on “Watch The Throne.” But their boasting of excess isn’t done to the point where it’s excessive.
Also as expected, the duo samples other artists’ tracks heavily.
They take elements of songs from James Brown, English dubstep guru Flux Pavilion and others. Most work seamlessly, although the Otis Redding clip on “Otis” is a little much. But while that song may be a bit of a clunker, “N----s In Paris” is a standout that somehow manages to include dialogue from the Will Ferrell movie, “Blades of Glory.” The song is the type of anthem that could carry an album.
But it doesn’t have to do the heavy lifting on “Watch The Throne” as there are plenty of other quality hits on this one.
Listen to Jay-Z and Kanye West "Watch The Throne" on Spotify.
3. Adele
“21”
“21” yielded what’s probably the best song of the year in “Rolling In The Deep.”
Adele’s powerful voice makes the rest of the record just as good. But she’s more than just a big voice. Throughout “21,” we learn Adele is a girl with feelings and isn’t afraid to show them, whether it’s yearning for a lost love or gaining strength as she picks herself back up again. How she sings the lyrics only intensifies the spirit of this album. “21” reminds us the voice is an instrument, too.
Listen to Adele "21" at www.myspace.com/adelelondon.
4. Drake
“Take Care”
“Take Care” picks up where Drake’s debut album.“Thank Me Later,” left off. Drake once again weaves raps into songs that are borderline R&B tunes.
As you’re caught up in a smooth beat, Drake comes out of nowhere with a line about being one of the greatest rappers ever.
The way that it’s done, the bragging isn’t over the top and almost seems believable. “Take Care” is a great album chock-full of notable guest appearances.
Drake still makes this release all about him. But he does it in a way that’s so convincing that he doesn’t come off as just another rapper who thinks he is the greatest.
Listen to Drake "Take Care" on Spotify.
5. The Black Keys
“El Camino”
The Black Keys’ latest chugs ahead with plenty of hand clapping and foot stomping fun.
Opening song “Lonely Boy” sets the tone for “El Camino.” It’s the type of song fit for speeding down a lonely desert highway – maybe in an El Camino. The album finishes with “Mind Eraser.” Among the lyrics is the appropriately placed line, “Oh, don’t let it be over.” That’s how I felt as this disc was coming to an end. Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney are talented musicians, and this might be their best album to date.
6. The Weeknd
“House of Balloons”
“House of Balloons” is the middle of Canadian artist The Weeknd’s trilogy of mix-tapes released in 2011. The Weeknd, aka Abel Tesfaye, draws comparisons to his buddy Drake on “House of Balloons,” but this is no copycat performance.
The Weeknd’s lyrics are more evolved than Drake’s, and he’s not afraid to bare his soul for all to see as he typically blends the genre and R&B.
“House of Balloons” is equal parts party and dreary lament.
Download The Weeknd "House of Balloons" at www.the-weeknd.com
7. TV On The Radio
“Nine Types of Light”
The fifth studio album from this eclectic band may be its best.
TV On The Radio is known for combining several styles of music with such precision it makes total sense on the finished product.
“Nine Types of Light” follows that formula. However, the sun shines a little brighter on this release. The band trades in its casually used darker tones for a more upbeat approach.
“Keep Your Heart,” for example, would have been a tale of worry and regret on past albums. Here, it’s presented with a positive vibe, steering clear of the darkness. Things really intensify with the beat on “Repetition,” one of the better songs on “Nine Types of Light.” It’s nice to hear these guys really let loose.
Listen to TV On The Radio "Nine Types of Light" on Spotify.
8. Yuck
“Yuck”
The self-titled debut from British indie-rockers Yuck wouldn’t have sounded out of place if it came out in the early ’90s.
The band’s sound is reminiscent of that time. Think a slightly less artsy Sonic Youth. The nostalgia is felt throughout this album. It may be enough to fire-up a revival of music that came with plenty of guitar distortion. If you liked your older brother’s Dinosaur Jr. albums, you’re going to love this one.
Listen to Yuck "Yuck" on Spotify.
9. Foo Fighters
“Wasting Light”
Foo Fighters may be the last great arena rock band, and “Wasting Light” could extend its stay another 10 years.
The album, produced by Butch Vig, was recorded to tape in frontman Dave Grohl’s garage. In an age of slick computer sound-editing programs, the method is almost forgotten. However, the end result has the band sounding as fresh as ever on songs like “Walk” and “These Days.” The effort alone in recording “Wasting Light” is impressive, but the songs are among the best Grohl and company have ever produced.
Listen to Foo Fighters "Wasting Light" on Spotify.
10. The Naked and Famous
“Passive Me, Aggressive You”
The Naked and Famous’ “Passive Me, Aggressive You” is one of those albums that’s just plain fun. Bouncing dance beats accompanied by searing guitars highlight the opening track, “All of This.” It’s done with great balance so it doesn’t come off sounding like a bad Roxette song. This album also produced “Punching In A Dream,” one of the more underrated singles of the summer.
It’s hard not to smile when listening to this one.
Listen to The Naked and Famous "Passive Me, Aggressive You" on Spotify.
11. My Morning Jacket
“Circuital”
“Circuital” is not My Morning Jacket’s best, but it’s good enough to be considered among the top releases of 2011.
The songs on this one, the band’s sixth studio album, alternate from brooding to all-out freakout. Jim James has the perfect voice for such a project as it has the ability to calm and tear you apart at the same. The builds are often slow but worth the payoff. “Victory Dance” kicks off the album and offers a fitting taste for what follows. My Morning Jacket stays concise amid sweeping crescendos of rock.
Listen to My Morning Jacket "Circuital" on Spotify.
12. The Joy Formidable
“The Big Roar”
The full-length debut from Welsh band The Joy Formidable is one of the best rock albums of 2011. While only a trio, the band has a huge rock sound, and they know just the right moments to use it on “The Big Roar.” The way this band builds up and then unleashes its rock power is a thing of beauty. Sometimes they say the heck with the build-up and go all out with the fist-shakers like “Whirring” and “Cradle.”
“The Big Roar” is a fitting introduction to a great rock band that should be around for a while.
Listen to The Joy Formidable "The Big Roar" on Spotify.
13. Girls
“Father, Son, Holy Ghost”
This album is full of nostalgic pop rock sounds. Girls really know how to pack a lot of varied influences into one album. The opener, “Honey Bunny,” has a Beach Boys tinge to it.
There’s a country vibe on some songs. Maybe a little Elvis Costello and Pink Floyd thrown in, too. All those styles mixed together shouldn’t work, but somehow they do. The diverse mix pays off in the form of a solid album.
Listen to Girls "Father, Son, Holy Ghost" on Spotify.
14. Cage The Elephant
“Thank You, Happy Birthday”
Blending elements of punk and grunge, Cage The Elephant offers the type of album made by kids who smoke too much pot and listen to too much Nirvana. It’s heard throughout the songs on “Thank You, Happy Birthday.” On “Sabertooth Tiger,” singer Matthew Shultz tells us to “run away from the beast” while pounding drums and whirring guitars spin the song out of control. It’s the type of chaos this Kentucky band has learned to control and incorporate into their music in a way that doesn’t make it seem like another Nirvana ripoff.
Listen to Cage The Elephant "Thank You, Happy Birthday" on Spotify.
15. Bon Iver
“Bon Iver”
Saying the self-titled sophomore effort from Bon Iver is brooding would be an understatement.
Often, albums that are heard as being “brooding” means they are sad, sappy and downright boring. Bon Iver avoids that here by leaning toward folk music with a few electronic beats thrown in to keep things exciting enough without loosing that chill feeling.
Songs such as “Minnesota, WI” and “Hinnom, TX” show excellent musicianship as the band adds to its layers of sound. On other tracks they are just as comfortable being stripped down to the basics without much electronic assistance.
Listen to Bon Iver "Bon Iver" on Spotify.
16. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds
“Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds”
Even though the self-titled debut from Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds isn’t too far off from sounding like an Oasis album, it still proves to be a great alt-rock album.
You’ll hear several traits that lead to Oasis comparisons. Gallagher sticks with what he knows while pushing the boundaries of what he’s capable of as a musician, but not too far that it will alienate long-time fans of his former project.
Listen to Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds "Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds" on Spotify.
17. Chris Cornell
“Songbook”
On “Songbook,” Soundgarden and Audioslave singer Chris Cornell goes solo and acoustic while playing his bands’ songs in concert.
The collection of songs, also including some of Cornell’s solo work, was recorded at several tour stops. What’s great about this album is hearing the music stripped down to an acoustic guitar and Cornell’s raspy, slurred voice.
I’ve always thought he’s had one of the better voices in rock. “Songbook” only helps my case.
Listen to Chris Cornell "Songbook" on Spotify.
18. Florence + The Machine
“Ceremonials”
The latest from Florence + The Machine is 16 stirring tracks of sound that rock just enough to keep things moving.
On “Shake It Out,” we’re given time to enjoy Flo’s voice at the beginning before the song erupts with bombastic drums.
The formula is used several times on this album, but it works without being too tiring.
“Ceremonials” proves to be a fitting followup to the band’s 2009 debut album.
Listen to Florence + The Machine "Ceremonials" on Spotify.
19. Das Racist
“Relax”
It may be hard to believe a rap group who gained notoriety for a song called “Combination Pizza Hut and Taco Bell” could have one of the best albums in their genre in 2011, but here is Das Racist with “Relax.”
The tracks on the group’s latest effort are more evolved than their ode to the fast-food combination restaurant.
While there are plenty of pop culture references and eye rolling plays on words, there are smart raps in there that offer a fresh take on race and other societal issues.
The cleverness on “Relax” far outweighs its sophomoric humor.
Listen to Das Racist "Relax" on Spotify.
20. Red Hot Chili Peppers
“I’m With You”
“I’m With You” is the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ first album since the departure, for a second time, of guitarist John Frusciante.
Sure, his mesmerizing guitar solos are great tools to add to a band’s collection, but now it’s time to give some of the other elements in the band room to breathe.
The Chili Peppers’ rhythm section, bassist Flea and drummer Chad Smith, get more of a chance to showcase their talents on “I’m With You” as new guitarist Josh Klinghoffer gets pushed a little farther toward the back.
The effort has the band filling the album with fresh summer grooves fit for the California sun.
Honorable Mentions: M83, "Hurry Up We're Dreaming"; Thrice, "Major/Minor"; Patrick Stump, "Soul Punk"; Foster The People, "Torches"; She & Him "A Very She & Him Christmas"; Wilco, "The Whole Love; The Roots, "undun"; Ryan Adams, "Ashes & Fire"; Cymbals Eat Guitar, "Lenses Alien."
Rob Carroll writes about pop culture and entertainment for the Northwest Herald. He can be reached at rcarroll@shawmedia.com.
