Top Albums of 2011
Yeah, fuck me for making a “Top ____ of 2011” list, right? Just read on, chief…
Just like my “Top Albums of 2010” list, the albums I pick to make the cut are not listed in any specific ascending/descending order. This is simply a list of albums that did the job of keeping me interested/tuned-in for a whole album.
Prometheus Brown & Bambu, Walk Into A Bar
Okay, there’s no formal ordering of this “Best Of” list… except for this album. This is my favorite album of 2011. Hip-hop, I never lost faith in you for one second. Everything on this album is amazing: the politically/socially conscious lyrics, the production, the use of samples, the background vocals and ad-libs, the island-feel and overall theme. It feels like I’m on Kauai or something. Win win win, all over. Standout tracks: The Bar, Nowhere, Mahalo.
Blue Scholars, Cinémetropolis
Ah yes, the triumphant return. Blue Scholars, now in a new and improved electronic flavor. This album is a definite departure from their old sound, but I totally dig it. Heavier electronic and synth production makes for a good album landscape. Add in a loose concept album that’s based around cinema, film stars, political/social commentary (notice I like P/S commentary in a lot of my album pickings), and you’ve got yourself one helluva album. Good shit, Seattle. Standout tracks: Cinémetropolis, Lalo Schifirin, Rani Mukerji.
Foster The People, Torches
Definitely smitten with this album, just because every song makes me wanna dance and skip and hold hands with someone as we twirl and twirl in infinite summer sunshine. No really, listen to this album. It’s ridiculously uplifting and catchy. Thanks for providing the feel-good soundtrack to my 2011 summer, Foster The People. Standout tracks: Helena Beat, I Would Do Anything For You, Houdini.
Beyoncé, 4 (Deluxe Edition)
Ah, Beyoncé. I never bothered to listen to any of her previous albums, but I was intrigued with this one, mainly because of its mysterious allure of simplicity. Actually, the thing that stands out the most with this album is its duality of being both sonically rich (production wise) and simple at the same. Plus, it also helps that Beyoncé sounds like a freakin’ angel. Standout tracks: I Miss You, Party, Lay Up Under Me.
Toro Y Moi, Underneath The Pine
Ahh Toro, toro, toro. You had me at Causers. I’ll be honest, when I first listened to this album I was like, “This sounds… NOTHING like what I wanted it to sound like.” I expected the typical chillwave, sample-heavy sound from Toro, but this was more of a live-instrumentation album, which I didn’t really appreciate until a couple listens of the album. This album has a lot of soul and autumn-time appeal if you just give it a thorough listen-to. Standout tracks: New Beat, Go With You, Divina.
Cults, Cults
Who would’ve thunk it that two NYC kids can make a happy-go-lucky oldies/pop album in 2011? I have no idea how this album was able to thrive in today’s music scene, but it certainly is an amazing LP. I can listen to this whole album start to finish with no pausing. It’s THAT poppy, it’s THAT catchy, it’s THAT good. Sigh, Madeline Follin. You and your cute-ass voice. Standout tracks: Walk At Night, You Know What I Mean, Abducted.
Big Sean, Finally Famous (Deluxe Edition)
Regardless of whether or not Big Sean is actually riding on the coattails of ‘Ye, Finally Famous is just one of those mainstream hip-hop albums where you find yourself saying, “Hey, this is actually decent. There’s more to this album than just the singles!” In between the witty lines and easy delivery, Big Sean is able to provide some insight to his life, fame, and other issues rappers have to sweep under a rug in order to perpetuate the typical rapper image. And even with all that, I still dig his sleazebag lyrics. Shit’s CLEVER, mang! Standout tracks: Celebrity, Marvin Gaye & Chardonnay, Live This Life.
Gil Scott-Heron and Jamie xx, We’re New Here
Whoa. Just… whoa. Old blood and new blood dancing together in an infinite swirl and dialogue about life, falls, mistakes, and coming to a road’s end. This album makes me pretty speechless sometimes. GSH’s haunting lyrics chopped up to muted-bass electronic and dance tracks by Jamie xx. Please do yourself a favor and listen to this album. And sorry if it totally tears you up inside, btw. Standout tracks: I’m New Here, Running, I’ll Take Care Of You.
Lykke Li, Wounded Rhymes
Speaking of depressing… For a stylish, attractive, and young woman like Lykke Li to be making such a somber album as this, you start to wonder what kind of shit she’s gotten herself into in all her 20-something years. It’s not a long time to live, but her lyrics reveal the words and trying-times of an old soul forced to relive painful memories in a reincarnated form. Sad times, right? Exactly. She sings with such sincerity and so earnestly, if you don’t end up sympathizing with her, you at least up feeling sorry as heck for the young dame. Poor Lykke. Thanks for the nighttime jams, though. Standout tracks: I Follow Rivers, Love Out Of Lust, I Know Places.
Honorable mentions:
- Washed Out, Within and Without
- Tyler, The Creator, Goblin
- Sabzi, Parthenia & Beatballs
- Balam Acab, Wander / Wonder
- Little Dragon, Ritual Union
- Kanye & Jay-Z, Watch The Throne
Thanks for all the music, 2011. Just a small personal sidenote: I realized that I acquired nearly a third of my music library in 2011. Good job, world of music/me.
