Best Albums of 2011

The one thing I take pride in as a music lover is that I have a wide variety of tastes. After looking at Paste and Pitchfork’s Best of 2011 lists, I realize I hadn’t listened to the majority of their choices. The music I listened to and loved over the year is 1) mainstream (Adele’s “21″ is a phenomenal album, in case you didn’t already know), 2) so obscure or foreign that no one’s ever heard of it, 3) very local (hence the name RICHMOND Playlist) and 4) released in the past 3-5 years (I get late to the party sometimes).

However, there have been so many great releases this year that is was very difficult to narrow it down to a Top 10 (there are actually more in this list). I give you the best albums of 2011 for your enjoyment. The Best Richmond ones will come later.

10. FOSTER THE PEOPLE – TORCHES
Yes, “Pumped Up Kicks” was quite possibly the most overplayed song this year and many people dismissed this album solely on their annoyance over its heavily played first single. However, if you take a listen to the rest of the tracks, you’ll realize that “Torches” is in fact quite a good album. It’s upbeat, poppy and definitely danceable. I find myself skipping over that one song that I’m getting tired of hearing. Skipping over Track 2 makes this an incredible album.

Foster the People – Helena Beat

9. TOM GOSS – TURN IT AROUND
DC-based singer-songwriter Tom Goss has always been the master of creating fun pop songs. After thoroughly covering heavy topics like love and politics in his previous releases, he decides to just have some fun with “Turn It Around.” It’s a well-crafted collection of songs ranging from childhood, love and heartbreak that just make you feel good. From the upbeat “It’s All Over” to the somber and melodic “You Know That I Love You,” Goss works with a lot more sounds this time around, which offers a richer feeling to the album. You’ll be instantly singing along to songs like “All I Ever Wanted” and “Make Believe” before you know it.

Tom Goss – It’s All Over

8. MICHAEL EDWARDS – GENETIC ENGINES
This was a nice little surprise back in January. Denver-based musician Michael Edwards released a collection of tunes under the title Genetic Engines (which is now his band’s name) and the album quickly became a favorite of mine for the next few months. Traces of bands like Radiohead and Arcade Fire can definitely be heard, but there’s a style that’s definitely his own through the music. Hopefully more people will learn of this album and enjoy it as much as I did.

7. DOOMTREE – NO KINGS
I have been listening to James from Appetite for Distraction go on and on about this album, saying it was the best thing he had ever heard (And yes, it did make his Best of 2011 list like I knew it would). Turns out, I should have been listening to him to the whole time because, holy crap, this album is amazing. Elements of old school hip-hop and sensual R&B pack this album into a one-stop listening experience that doesn’t disappoint.

Doomtree – Beacon

6. OKKERVIL RIVER – I AM VERY FAR
I first heard Okkervil River’s latest album when Tricia of I Sing in the Kitchen (one of my new favorite food/music blogs) submitted a track for the Contrast Podcast’s Best of 2011 Episode. I fell in love with the track and instantly took a liking to the entire album. And as my luck would have it, I fall in love with their music days after they played at the National (which I kicked myself for missing). “I Am Very Far” delves deeper into the band’s ever-impressive talents and leaves the listeners wanting more.

Okkervil River – Wake and Be Fine

5. FAREWELL FLIGHT – OUT FOR BLOOD
Farewell Flight’s 2008 album “Sound. Color. Motion.” was without a doubt my favorite album of the year. The group’s follow-up album “Out for Blood” isn’t necessarily a follow-up since most of the tracks from “Sound. Color. Motion.” appear on it, but these tracks are re-recorded and reworked, which make them even better than in their original states. It also, however, features new tracks “Rope” and “Out for Blood,” which definitely make the release worthwhile in itself.

Farewell Flight – Out For Blood

4. YELLOWCARD – WHEN YOU’RE THROUGH THINKING, SAY YES
I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for pop punk. I listened to it throughout my college years before branching out to other different types of music. I was in love with Yellowcard since their “Ocean Avenue” days and was very excited to hear about the group’s new release. Yellowcard doesn’t really do anything new with “When You’re Through Thinking, Say Yes,” but it doesn’t matter. It’s some damned good pop punk that explodes from the speakers.

Yellowcard – For You and Your Denial

3. THE ROSEBUDS – LOUD PLANES FLY LOW
After getting the chance to see the Rosebuds play twice this year (once, opening for Bon Iver and the other, headlining their own show), I immediately fell for their incredibly somber yet catchy songs. And their studio release held just as much passion and energy as their live shows did. The album is just one amazingly put together song after another. You’d have to be insane for not liking this.

The Rosebuds – Go Ahead

2. THE DECEMBERISTS – THE KING IS DEAD
This one almost didn’t make the list simply because it was released in January, and by doing so, it runs the risk of people forgetting about it as the year progress. Luckily, the Decemberists made a simply stellar album that was able to keep my interest throughout the year. While I enjoyed “The Hazards of Love,” it didn’t really do anything for me. “The King is Dead” takes me back to the days of “Picaresque” and “The Crane Wife” and reminded me why I like this band so much to begin with.

The Decemberists – Rox in the Box

1. ELLIE GOULDING – LIGHTS
Quite possibly my favorite album of the whole year. While UK singer Ellie Goulding released “Lights” in early 2010, it didn’t come over to the States until this year. I remember first listening to this album and actually saying “wow” out loud when I heard each track play – a feat very few albums have been able to accomplish. This is album I haven’t been able to put down all year and is still in my rotation of releases. Synth pop has never sounded so good.

Ellie Goulding – Lights

0. BON IVER – BON IVER, BON IVER
This is mainly here to avoid being lynched by indie music nerds and other music bloggers since it appeared on EVERYONE’s list. So yeah, what they said.

Bon Iver – Calgary

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