Best of 2011: Albums

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This year, for the first time in many years, seemed insignificant. One day bled into the next until this year felt like last. Stretching within my own confines proved to be a fruitless task, this year was doomed to be nothing special, static, and forgettable. Understand, this is not a bad thing; quite possibly, it is something to celebrate. No news is good news. My life, for the first time in years, was dramaless and boring. Dramaless and boring, is great for one thing. Losing oneself in those true inner passions. Rediscovering exactly how discovering something feels. This was my year in music. A year of discovery. And it was bountiful.

This was a helluva year for music, not really for albums as a whole, but for music in general. I know that sounds contradictory, but, stick with me. Out of the 217 albums/EP's/singles that I picked up this year, very few felt complete. But, so many had something spectacular to share. A song here, a lyric there, something unique. This is definitely more so the year of the song, rather than the album. However, with that said, I still scoured through the 217 records in my 2011 collection, and there are about 20 standouts which I have narrowed down to my favorite 13. 

So, it's that time. It's the list I work on all year. My favorite list to write. I hope you enjoy. 

1. The Rural Alberta Advantage - Departing 

 Listening to this record is like forgetting. The RAA allows you to lose yourself within yourself. Allows you to forgive and redeem yourself in 16 bars.

It shocks me to no end that The RAA is not the biggest band in the world. They can craft a song like it's a habit. They can haunt, enthrall, engage, and epic from one song to the next. Listening to this record is like forgetting. The RAA allows you to lose yourself within yourself. Allows you to forgive and redeem yourself in 16 bars. This is my go to album. This is the record that ten years from now will define 2011 for me. That is why it is number 1.
"Two Lovers"

Songs that Hit: Every Single One.
Songs that Miss: Nil.
Songs that I will listen to forever: Goodnight, Two Lovers, Coldest Days, Tornado '87, Stamp, Muscle Relaxants

2. Lissie - Catching A Tiger
Lissie sings with a reckless abandon that can only be celebrated.

First things first, this record was released in the latter stages of 2010. But, it was too good to pass up, and as you loyal readers will remember, I often count anything released after September of the as part of next year, for musical purposes. How am I to develop a relationship with a record in so few months? So, this is included. I hope you can deal.
There are some voices that sing you. And there are some voices that move you. Lissie sings with a reckless abandon that can only be celebrated. She is so distinct, so unique and powerful, that I often think it will work against her in the long run. But for now, and as long as she is putting out music, I'll champion it the best I can.
Lissie came so close to being the number one record of the year, that I would not be surprised, if when I do my annual review, she does not pop up there.
"Worried About"

Songs that Hit: Nearly All.
Songs that Miss: Stranger
Songs that I will listen to forever: When I'm Alone, Everywhere I Go, Worried About, Oh Mississippi, Record Collector

3. Middle Brother - Middle Brother 
Because each member of Middle Brother is so immeasurably talented, it is like the band has multiple personality disorder. From one song to a next, you never know what you are going to get, and yet it never fails to disappoint. 

Super groups are commonplace these days. With the way the music industry is, and how bands starting out seem to be built on a support system of other bands, it's understandable that they would often find kinship in their likemindedness and passions. Most of those bands fail *cough*monsters of folk*cough* but every now and then, one will show up and far outshine the bands they came from. One of those bands is Middle Brother. Comprised of the frontmen of Deer Tick, Delta Spirit and Dawes (appearing later on this list) this band has found something within eachother that is lacking from each individual part. Because each member of Middle Brother is so immeasurably talented, it is like the band has multiple personality disorder. From one song to a next, you never know what you are going to get, and yet it never fails to disappoint.
"Someday"

Songs that Hit: All.
Songs that Miss: None.
Songs that I will listen to forever: Someday, Million Dollar Bill, Wilderness, Portland, Thanks For Nothing, Bloods and Guts, Mom and Dad.

4. The Belle Brigade - The Belle Brigade
This is the kind of record that will ninja your world.

This brother and sister duo takes me back to my childhood. Not that they have been around that long, hell, this is their debut, but their sound is so classic, it feels like they are displaced in this era. And I am grateful. Their harmonies and song structures bleed their influences. Simon & Funkel and Fleetwood Mac most notably.
This is the kind of record that will ninja your world. As I go through the year, any song that I really feel, I give 5 stars on my iPod. When all was said and done, I had gathered 286 songs that garnered that rating. When I reviewed my list, I was utterly shocked to find that The Belle Brigade were the most starred band, getting 8 songs on that list. This albums slowly took over my life.
"Sweet Louise"

Songs that Hit: Nearly all work yet again. And those that don't, just barely fail.
Songs that Miss: Rusted Wheel
Songs that I will listen to forever: Sweet Louise, Losers, Where Not To Look For Freedom, Fasten You To Me, Lucky Guy,

5. Noah Gundersen - Family
Everytime Noah Gundersen plays, it is like he is cutting out his own heart and putting it on a platter for all of us to see. There is not a more honest voice in the game right now.

If this record was longer, it would be number one. I cannot justify putting a 7 track album at the top. I know that is a little close minded, but if this was one song shorter, I'd have to consider it an EP. Releasing a record with only 7 tracks is a gamble, if one song fails, the album is like 15% failure. Luckily, Noah, does not not have that concern, as he does not fail. Everytime Noah Gundersen plays, it is like he is cutting out his own heart and putting it on a platter for all of us to see. There is not a more honest voice in the game right now. I say that with so much reverence, so many of us try to hide behind ourselves that we often get lost in the facade of who we want to be, rather then who we are. Noah Gundersen is who he is, and he sings it outright, and it's f'n grand.
"David"

Songs that Hit: All
Songs that Miss: None.
Songs that I will listen to forever: Family, Garden, David, Nashville

6. Campfire OK - Strange Like We Are
I think, if not the shadow of the Head and the Heart's hustle, this would be considered the best band in Seattle right now. Easily.

So, if you read my Best Of The Northwest blog a few days ago, you would have notice this band was number, one, and Noah Gundersen sat firmly at number 2. I do not want this to shine any negative light on Campfire OK. This album is fanfuckingtastic. It's just that I could write this list, or the NW one, for that matter, 100 times and Noah and CFOK would filpflop 50 times.

Campfire OK's debut album is one of the more complete records I have heard in many many years. There is not a throw away track among the bunch. In today's digital music industry, when albums are pushed out so fast, this is one hell of an accomplishment.

I think, if not the shadow of the Head and the Heart's hustle, this would be considered the best band in Seattle right now. Easily. And, I am sure, soon enough, the rest of the country is going to catch on as well. And that is in no way a slight to THATH, you all know how much I love them, but Campfire OK, is wow
"Strange Like We Are"

Songs that Hit: All.
Songs that Miss: Nada.
Songs that I will listen to forever: Complimenting Parts, Strange Like We Are, Not Young Not Old, Brass, Mexico N-O

7. The Civil Wars - Barton Hollow
On quiet days, when alone starts to veer into lonely, sometimes all you need is the right album. This is the right album. 

This is the first album I feel in love with this year. Like really fell in love with. And it's staying power is remarkable. When you are me, and you sift through 217 albums in a year, its easy to forget the old as the new shuffles in. And for the most part, there is a record or two that I lose along the way each year due to this plight. But not The Civil Wars. On quiet days, when alone starts to veer into lonely, sometimes all you need is the right album. This is the right album. Thank you The Civil Wars.
"Barton Hollow"

Songs that Hit: C'est La Mort, Barton Hollow, The Violet Hour, Falling, Forget Me Not, Dance Me TO The End Of Love, Dance Me To The End Of Love, To Whom It May Concern,  and of course Poison and Wine
Songs that Miss: My Father's Father
Songs that I will listen to forever: C'est La Mort, Barton Hollow, The Violet Hour, Poison and Wine

8. Dawes - Nothing Is Wrong
This record came out of nowhere and choked me out of my self induced stupor.

It's funny to me that I have this album ranked ahead of the one that follows. Dawes is a band that snuck right up on me. I was going to a concert for Brett Dennen, and for Brett Dennen only, but, being the audiophile I am, I opted, as I always opt, to make sure I was early enough to catch the opening act. This band that my friend who sold me her tickets to the show, was very excited to see. A band that I had never heard of. This little band called Dawes. A little band the blew me away. A little band, who's album I purchased based on that set alone, is now sitting pretty at number 8 in 2011. This record came out of nowhere and choked me out of my self induced stupor. It ruined my game of listening and not hearing, and I could not be more grateful. It is a pleasure to find that Harry Chapin-esque song writing like this still exists.
"So Well"

Songs that Hit: Time Spent In Los Angeles, Coming Back To A Man, So Well, How Far We've Come, Fire Away, Million Dollar Bill, A Little Bit Of Everything
Songs that Miss: Moon In The Water
Songs that I will listen to forever: So Well, How Far We've Come, Million Dollar Bill, A Little Bit Of Everything

9. Brett Dennen - Loverboy
This is my summertimegoodfundrivingwiththewindowsdown album.

This is my summertimegoodfundrivingwiththewindowsdown album. There is just something about that man that sings out to the ugly kid inside of me. It just works. Brett Dennen has long been a mixtape staple of mine, but this record goes beyond the occasional fantastic track, and delves into something more. This singer songwriter has found that special thing that only the rarest of the singer songwriters latch onto, something where he can make you dance on one track, and break your heart on the next, and it always feels genuine. Honest.
"Comeback Kid (That's My Dog)"

Songs that Hit: Dancing At A Funeral, Comeback Kid (That's My Dog), Sydney (I'll Come Running), Make You Fall In Love With Me, Can't Stop Thinking About You, Song For Leaving, Alone Again
Songs that Miss: Little Cosmic Girl, Queen Of The Westside
Songs that I will listen to forever: Dancing At A Funeral, Comeback Kid (That's My Dog), Sydney (I'll Come Running), Make You Fall In Love With Me, Alone Again

10. Jessica Lea Mayfield - Tell Me
Her coy demeanor, and her aloof voice draws you in, and washes over you in cloud of stillness.

I didn't know apathetic could be sexy. But somehow, Jessica Lea Mayfield makes it happen. Her voice has an "I have feelings, but I don't give a shit" vibe to it that is impossible to describe until you hear it. Now, does that voice make this a good record? I think it might. Her coy demeanor, and her aloof voice draws you in, and washes over you in cloud of stillness. This album makes you stop, dead in your tracks and take stock of your life.

"Sometimes At Night"

Songs that Hit: I'll Be The One You Want Some Day, Our Hearts Are Wrong, Somewhere In Your Heart, Grown Man, Sometimes At Night, Tell Me, Sleepless
Songs that Miss: Run Myself Into The Ground
Songs that I will listen to forever: I'll Be The One You Want Some Day, Our Hearts Are Wrong, Somewhere In Your Heart, Grown Man, Sometimes At Night, Tell Me, Sleepless

11. Slow Club - Paradise
The band has found it maturity without losing its gleeful edge.

I was so blindly enamored with Slow Club that even before their record came out, I wrote on a song of the day for The Belle Brigade that I was reserving the top spot for album of the year for this record. And even as I wrote this today, I had to honestly look at my rankings, and drop them from #4, down to #11, where they actually belong. I have a blindspot for this English pop duo, but this record is not Yeah, So, and I cannot pretend that it is. But, that said, this record is still very good. I mean, 11 out of 217, that's 95% better than anything else out there. That's something. The band has found it maturity without losing its gleeful edge. Sadly, I do not think this record will win new fans, namely my co-blogger Stevie, but, for a guy with a Slow Club blindspot, it's special.
"Hackney Marsh"

Songs that Hit: Two Cousins, Hackney Marsh, Never Look Back (Acoustic), Palms, Half Drunk, Where I'm Waking, Beginners, The Dog, Horses Jumping, You Earth or Ash
Songs that Miss: Gold Mountain
Songs that I will listen to forever: Two Cousins, Hackney Marsh, Never Look Back (Acoustic), You Earth or Ash

12. Wye Oak - Civilian
Wye Oak's dark album pulsates with such raw energy that is palpable.

Another boy/girl duo. Huh. I didn't realize how many of those "acts" would end up in the top 13.
Wye Oak's dark album pulsates with such raw energy that is palpable. This is the kind of record that I am at a loss of words for, yet cannot stop talking about. I am just gonna let the music tell you the story.
"Fish"

Songs that Hit: All.
Songs that Miss: Nope, none.
Songs that I will listen to forever: Fish, Holy Holy, Civilian

13. Atmosphere - The Family Sign
It is everything a hip-hop album should be. It is complete, rare and a masterclass.  

The songs within The Family Sign are unlike anyother hip-hop record I have laid my ears on. It is intelligent without being preachy. It is dramatic without being exaggerated. It is moving without being soft. It is honest and open without being weak and exposed. It is everything a hip-hop album should be. It is complete, rare and a masterclass.
"My Notes"

Songs that Hit: My Key, My Notes, Your Name Here, I Don't Need Brighter Days, Became, Last To Say, Something So
Songs that Miss: Bad Bad Daddy
Songs that I will listen to forever: Became, Last To Say, Something So, My Notes

Honorable Mention
Adele - 21
Cults - Cults
James Vincent McMorrow - Early In The Morning
Lykee Li - Wounded Rhymes
Manchester Orchestra - Simple Math