12/23/11

Favorite Albums and EPs of 2011


"There was time now..."


It seems as though what once was a weekly (or bi-weekly) posting schedule is now an annual event. Life moves fast but music moves faster. I haven't lost touch yet!

These are my favorite albums and EPs that came out this year. In no particular order:

Favorite Albums (Yes, a Top 11):

Smith Westerns - Dye it Blond
- These guys are young but they made one hell of an album. Saw them at FYF Fest and they were fantastic live as well.

Male Bonding - Endless Now
- If Blink-182 understood that growing up doesn't mean making boring music, it just means understanding the science of power pop. I probably listened to this album the most.

400 Blows - Sickness and Health
- Makes you want to throw Molotov cocktails at strollers.

Future Islands - On the Water
- Lush synth landscapes

Atlas Sound - Parallax
- Whether it's with Deerhunter or as Atlas Sound, Bradford's genius always makes him a fixture on most end-of-year lists.

Wilco - The Whole Love
- It's Wilco.

Yuck - self-titled
- If you love 90's indie, this is a must have.

The Kills - Blood Pressures
- Aside from The Black Keys, maybe the best duo in rock.

Girls - Father, Son, Holy Ghost
- Girls continue to put out melodic records that are a joy to listen to. with a retooled line-up, I was looking forward to the next album as soon as I was done listening to this one.

My Morning Jacket - Circuital
- The best live band touring right now.

The Rapture - In the Grace of Your Love
- Dance your ass off then dance some more.

Favorite EPS:

DOM - Family of Love EP
- I think this was the best under-the-radar album this year. Extremely melodic and completely blissed-out.

Wavves - Life Sux EP
- While the beachy-rock imposters continue to fall to the wayside, Wavves gets better.

Radiohead - King of Limbs EP
- Despite what several people have said, this was a great EP. Watch their 'From the Basement' special if you are not convinced.


Biggest Disappointment:

Mastodon - The Hunter ('dad metal' - see 'Blasteroid')