Now that we're a few days into 2012, and I've had a chance to cross-check this list with the cool kids at pitchfork or whatever to make sure I'm not totally showing my dorkitude, it's the perfect time to let you know what my favorite albums of 2011 were.
I feel the need to offer two important facts about my musical tastes. Consider these before you make the mistake of possibly giving this list any credence.
- Wussified Folk Rock is my default genre. When I was a kid, my dad had a sweet reel-to-reel stereo setup, but only a few albums. Thus, my formative years were spent listening almost exclusively to Simon & Garfunkel and The Beach Boys . Thus, I'm kind of programmed to be drawn to soaring melodies, killer harmonies, and a little cheesy pop from time to time.
- I don't care about lyrics. Like, at all. I may be paid to write stuff. I'm obviously a big fan of my own words. (Hell, I'm four paragraphs into this list and haven't even gotten to the first album.) But, when it comes to determining how much I like a song, good lyrics are simply a nice bonus. How it's sung is way more important to me than what's being sung. How little do I care about lyrics? You know Rebecca Black's, Friday? The lyrics don't phase me. I think it's a pretty catchy pop song.
OK, hopefully you just skipped all that crap above. But I wanted to get it out there. Here's my favorite 11 for 2011 (I'm really setting myself up for a hell of a time when I have to crank out my list of the best 99 albums of 2099):
Kind of a sleepy album, but has a number very pretty songs. I can't say that any of the songs immediately leaped out, grabbed me and wouldn't let go. But several crept up on me while I wasn't paying attention and put a hammerlock on my ears. Or maybe my headphones are just too tight, I don't know. Soaringnest melody: the second half of We Were Wealth.
In 2002, I went to see Doves. My Morning Jacket opened up. I didn't have a clue who they were, but they certainly rocked it. In 2003, they released It Still Moves. I was on board. Then, for reasons I can't really articulate (or remember) I didn't connect with any of their albums that have followed. But I'm back on board, bb! This album isn't a huge departure from their earlier stuff, but it does have a few of their catchiest tunes to date. (Freakin' Sellouts.) Toe tappin'est tracks: the title track and Wonderful (The Way I Feel).
#9: Kiss Each Other Clean by Iron & Wine (★★★★)
I think a lot of people still see Iron & Wine as Sam Beam, Sam Beam's beard, Sam Beam's quiet falsetto, and Sam Beam's acoustic guitar. But his last album The Shepherd's Dog blew me away with its full array of instruments and incredible orchestration. He adds a little digital texture to the mix in this one. I admit that the album is kind of hit and miss. But the songs I like, I really like. Beardiest track: Walking Far From Home.
What can I say? It's another Black Keys' album. It doesn't sound new. It just sounds cool. Most bitchin' tracks: Lonely Boy and Gold on the Ceiling.
Devotchka is right up my alley. The lead singer has a crooning style that just lends itself to interesting melodies. Plus they have a kind of old-world folk music vibe and unconventional instrumentation that makes me feel like I'm all cultured 'n' stuff when I'm listening to it. Their strengths are in full force on this album, my favorite of theirs so far. Most whistle-alongy track: Exhaustible
I don't believe in guilty pleasures. If you like it, don't apologize. But, at times this album treads into territories that are a bit cheesy and poppy for even my cheesy and poppy tastes. But it makes up for it with a few songs that are simply too cool for school. There are just so many really solid and/or hooky songs on this album, I keep going back to it. Unguiltiest pleasure: Somebody I Used to Know, and Smoke and Mirrors
This is what happens when soul meets white-bread college rock meets funk meets folk. Impressive debut by this group out of Seattle. When the track Seer comes on, even I almost feel cool. Other songs trying to make me cool through musical osmosis: June and Euphoria.
I'm pretty sure there are about 13 guitarists in this band. (Checks Google). Holy crap, these are four guys from Austin. Four guys that spit righteous, guitar-driven, (dare-I-say) classic rock. I don't know what to label it. I just know that this music is fun to listen to. Most air-guitary tracks: At the Farm and Anvil Everything
As the kings of Wussified Folk Rock, it's probably not surprising to know that R.E.M. is my all-time favorite band. Even in their trio years, when everyone (in the U.S.) disowned them I was still literally a member of their fan club. Their last two albums may not have the untouchable cool factor of their early stuff. But they contain just as much energy. There was maybe one clunker. (The fact that I don't like the song much to begin with, saved the title/chorus of Me, Marlon Brando,... actually being a rare occurrence of lyrics ruining a song for me.) But it's definitely the best of the trio years. I'm just bummed I don't have another R.E.M. album to look forward to. Most wussified folk rocky tracks: Alligator_Aviator_Autopilot_Antimatter, Walk It Back, and the cascade of harmonies on It Happened Today.
The 12-year-old girls liked it. The top-40 crowd liked it. The hipsters liked it. I'm not sure, but I even think the snarling dude behind the counter at the Heavy Metal Shop thought it was alright. Classic R&B songs. (A critic could say derivative, but I won't.) And having been lucky enough to see her live this summer I can say that her voice is puuuuuuuure. Of all the albums that came out this year, this one is a lock to stand the test of time. I really could have done without the cover of Lovesong though. I used to be a totally mopy fan of The Cure, but never cared for that tune. Most kickassy with a vengence songs: Rolling in the Deep and Rumor Has It.
I have to admit that, objectively, Adele had the album of the year. But my personal favorite of the year is by the group poised to take the crown as the new kings of Wussified Folk Rock. I don't know if it's because it was self-released on the band's new label. But there's just a fresh, bold feel throughout the album.This album is just so damn well crafted. (Not that Wilco albums are exactly known for being sloppy.) Even my least favorite track, Capitol City, is still impeccable. It probably doesn't break any new ground, but it's Wilco being the best damn Wilco they can be. Most favoritey of the year tracks: Art of Almost, Born Alone, I Might, and Whole Love.
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