list

Working in the trenches of the music industry, there is a lot of talk and guffaw around the warehouse this time of year about lists. Specifically "best albums of the year lists". By "talk" I mean we all gather 'round the computer to make fun and spit venom at things like the Urban Outfitters Best Albums Of 2011 list and whatnot. We're snobs. But really, Washed Out 'Within And Without' is the most boring, unoriginal piece of college radio bullshit I've heard all year and it's miraculously making almost every top 10 list this year. Whatever, as much as I like to make fun of things, I'm making a list of the albums I actually enjoyed this year, not the contrary.

10. Dirty Beaches 'Badlands'

Sure, he blatantly rips off Suicide and I've heard he's horrible live, but the song 'Lord Knows Best' makes up for it all.

9.Cat's Eyes S/T

I don't know what it is about this album. It's weird and unique. I think it's also the contrast of Faris Badwan from The Horrors and opera soprano Rachel Zeffira's voices together that really hit the spot for me.
Thanks, Lana, for recommending this.

8. Kurt Vile 'Smoke Ring For My Halo'

Despite what everyone else thinks, I will argue that 'Childish Prodigy' (2009) was K.V's masterpiece and not this, but I'm used to disagreeing with a lot of people. This album is great and K.V can do no wrong so it still made my list.

7. The War On Drugs 'Slave Ambient'

I'm going to be completely honest here. This is the #1 album on the Urban Outfitters Best Of list and I hadn't heard it before that. My coworker, Andy, after reviewing that shit fucking list recommended it. Fine. It's great. The singer's voice has a bit of a Tom Petty thing going on and I can get into that. Pop rock...every year needs that.

6. Lil' Wayne 'Tha Carter IV'

If you don't like this then I know for a fact that you have absolutely no concept of fun. You can go back to your Odd Future mp3's now.

5. Pure X 'Pleasure'

It's saying a lot if a (excuse this term) chill wave album makes my list. Most I find incredibly boring and exactly the same as the last. Not sure if this album is different because of the circumstances in which I first heard it (on my back) or because it's just that good. Either way, the soft, fuzzy sounds made it my album of the summer.

4. Milk Music 'Beyond Living'

Short. Sweet. Fucking. Punk. Rock. Party. In. The. Basement. Also look at that cover.
Thanks, Chris Swimms, for posting this on Niall's wall so I could steal it.


3. Bad Vibrations 'Black Train'

The east coast of Canada is back to what it does best and nothing could possibly make me happier.

2. Chelsea Wolfe 'Apocalypsis'

Dark Princess Of The Sabbath-y Riffs.

1. Amen Dunes 'Through Donkey Jaw'

I grabbed this off the shelf to play at work because I thought the album art looked promising. I've listened to it almost every day since. Favorite album of 2011.


Mentionables:

Yuck S/T- I thought this came out in 2010 so I didn't add it to my list. Apparently I was wrong. Either way, I can't get sick of it. Sounds like getting driven around in your older sister's friend's car in 1996 and feeling really cool because of it.

Mothers Of Gut 'The Inanimate Sermon'- Perfect blend of chills, waves, harmonies, strings, instruments I can't name, and the odd prog-y moments.


What made your list?