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2011 - My Fave Records

the following are my favorite records that twosyllable records didn’t put out this year. I’m not a music writer…at all.  So cut me some slack on these write-ups.

Top Ten of 2011:

10) Prayer Breakfast - Family Business

This actually never even was “released” i don’t think, as they disbanded, but this record sounds like Indiana to me. I just enjoy listening to this record; plain and simple.

9) Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues

The musical palette is a little broader on this record, but all-in-all it’s just another example of impeccable songwriting and beautiful arrangements. 

8) Cloud Nothings - Cloud Nothings

This album is so addictive. It’s like Sprite. 

7) Twin Sister - In Heaven

Not the record that everyone wanted them to make, but I really think that with repeat listens this album pays off.  Call me crazy, but I prefer Eric’s honest voice to Andrea’s sometimes over-the-top delivery. And it’s Eric’s perfect delivery on “Stop” that makes it comes off as one of the best songs they’ve written.  Plus, they just KILL it live.

6) Smithwesterns - Dye it Blonde

Simply a good rock and roll record.

5) Julian Lynch - Terra

This is probably my most listened-to record of the year. With each trip back you find another layer to these beautiful arrangements. It just feels warm.

4) Real Estate - Days

The did the same thing that they did last time, only better.

3) Destroyer - Kapput

This is the best sounding record of the year in my opinion. I was never a huge Destroyer fan, but he toned down the weird-for-the-sake-of-being-weird on this one and we’re all indebted to him for that. There are moments of this record that make me honest to god GIDDY.

2) Frank Ocean - Nostalgia, Ultra

Frank Ocean is a gifted story teller and can write one hell of a melody. No other album made me laugh and broke my heart (read: emo). Saw him at Bowery Ballroom earlier this month.  He’s going to be a superstar, not a doubt in my mind.

1) Bon Iver - Bon Iver

As I said before, this is the right answer. There were other albums that I listened to more, but none that were better.  It’s a moving piece of art that honestly still gives me goosebumps on my 20th listen.