My Favorites of 2011

These are my favorite posts to write because I actually have time to write them out and think about them.

So here are some of my favorite things of 2011.  I’m not doing movies this year, because let’s face it, movies sucked this year.  If you must know, I really liked Super 8, Harry Potter 7 Part 2, and Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.  But that’s about it.

Top 10 Albums 

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#10

The Rip Tide by Beirut

Favorite Track - "Santa Fe"

While not Beirut’s best effort, it wasn’t their worst either.  We got some great tracks from this album like “Santa Fe” and “Vagabond” as well as a solid group of Beirut songs that fit right in with their other foreign sounding indie rock albums.

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#9

James Blake by James Blake

Favorite Track - "Limit To Your Love"

Dubstep? R&B/Soul? Prolific Pitchfork posterchild?  James Blake seems to encapsulate all of these.  Avoiding the everpresent “brostep” that has invaded frat houses and dorm rooms everywhere, James Blake has come out of his hidey hole in Britain and given us a lot of great music with a variety of influences creating a unique and original sound.

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#8

Watch the Throne by Jay-Z & Kanye West

Favorite Track - "Otis"

After last years powerhouse that was My Dark, Beautiful, Twisted Fantasy, I was interested to see where Kanye would go next.  Teaming up with Jay-Z, the two released a mediocre album… For them.  The production and craftsmanship that went into this album is still miles away from a lot of rap out there today.

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#7

Bon Iver by Bon Iver

Favorite Track - "Calgary"

Bon Iver.  You can’t help but like this guy.  After 2008′s For Emma, Forever Ago, we get a more honest, more adventurous  album from Justin Vernon.

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#6

Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming by M83

Favorite Track - "Raconte-Moi Une Histoire"

Amazing electronic double album.  Can’t get over Midnight City and Raconte-Moi Une Histoire.

*****

#5

Cinemetropolis by Blue Scholars

Favorite Track - "Seijun Suzuki"

Sabzi may be my favorite producer in rap.  The music on this album pump me up like metal can.  Cinemetropolis? Seijun Suzuki? Slick Watts? Oskar Barnack ∞ Oscar Grant? Fin? PERFECT.  A lot of people wanted another Bayani, but this evolution made perfect sense to me.

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#4

Barton Hollow by The Civil Wars

Favorite Track - "Barton Hollow"

This is how modern pop folk should be done.  They were also incredible live, so go see them if you get the chance.

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#3

Leveler by August Burns Red

Favorite Track - "Salt and Light"

I never though a metal album would breach my top 10, not mentioning my top 3, but I love Leveler.  I started running this year, and after going through all of my metal and hardcore I always found myself coming back to ABR.  This album in particular got into my system like no other.  The talent and passion of these guys hits me like no other group, Christian or not can.  While it wasn’t my favorite album, my favorite song of the year did come from this album and I feel like I need an entire post just for it.  So look forward to my short post on “Salt and Light” by August Burns Red.

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#2

King of Limbs by Radiohead

Favorite Track - "Giving Up the Ghost"

It’s their shortest album.  It’s lyrically, and melodically weak compared to 2007′s In Rainbows, and songs like “Butcher” and “Supercollider” were better… And not included on this album.  So why is it number 2?  Because it’s Radiohead.  Despite it being one of their weaker albums, it’s still better, more original, and more provocative than the majority of music today.  This album has definitely grown on me like a tumor as well.  Earlier this year, I would have put it above Jay-Z and Kanye, but the more I listen, the more it clicks with me.

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#1

Last Night on Earth by Noah and the Whale

Favorite Track - "Give It All Back"

While they get lambasted by the critics, I’ve stuck with these British boys from the beginning.  I thought that Peaceful, the World Lays Me Down was delightful and joyous, something not oft desired in our apathetic world of today.  The First Days of Spring was a drastic change, but they kept their knack for catchy hooks and an overall sense of fun.  And now they drop this gold on us.  Forget the haters, this album is brilliant from start to finish.  The mix of indie pop/rock and ’80s synthesizers and a running theme about the end of the world is a real treat.

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