Moment for Music - 2011

In an alternate universe somewhere I listen to and review new music for a living.  In this universe, however, I do it once a year on this blog (for free!)  So here we go: Rob's top albums of the year 2011 version, better late than never.

Quick note, instead of providing website links or audio files this year I have one link, found below.  Clicking on it will take you to a Spotify playlist where you can listen to every single song that I am going to mention here (plus the rest of my 2011 playlist) in their entirety, completely free.  If you don't have Spotify the link will take you to a download page.  Download it now, it's free and awesome.

The full playlist can be found here------> Best Of 2011

Honorable Mention- The Antlers- Burst Apart

I came to this album pretty late.  So late in fact that I stumbled across it while reading an actual music blogger's "best albums of 2011" post back in mid December.  Since then however, I have been almost completely helpless to get this music off of my iPod and out of my brain.  I just can't stop listening- which led me to feel equally unable to leave this one off of any "year end" list of my own.  The last time I remember feeling this obsessive (and compulsive) about an album was The National's "Boxer" in 2007.  And just like "Boxer" "Burst Apart" is a long, slow, simmering burn of a record.  Despite being handicapped by a short listening period, this album has made a lasting impression- and had it been a little bit longer since we first met "Burst Apart" could have landed much (much) higher up on this list.  It's that good.  Favorite songs: I Don't Want Love, Hounds.

#5 M83- Hurry Up, Were Dreaming

M83 is all over the map.  In a good way.  At times throughout "Hurry Up, We're Dreaming" you'll think you are listening to a Ferris Bueller era 1980s mix tape, other times to a previously unheard musical genre beamed directly into your brain from outer space.  Try and keep up.  The "songs" here often feel more like sound vignettes, starting small, swelling to epic levels before quickly fading- leaving behind a space where you can't help but want more.  Ultimately, the best way that I can describe this album is to say that it sounds like a yet-to-be-written science fiction, outer space, rock-opera.  If that sounds like your kind of thing give this a listen, if not -try it anyway (you'll probably like it.) Favorite Songs: Midnight City, Year One, One UFO.

#4- Bon Iver- Bon Iver

It's no big surprise to find a Bon Iver recording amongst my favorites of the year.  If anything, it may be a surprise that this album is not my runaway number one. Sorry Justin V,  there was just too much other really exceptional music this year.  In this recording Bon Iver retains the trademark hushed falsetto, while adding a richer, lusher "full band" sound.  The result is something that is both clearly within the distinct Bon Iver style while deliberately moving away from the low-fi, stripped down vibe that they've used to such great effect in past recordings. "For Emma Forever Ago: Part 2" this is not, which to my ear may always limit how much I can truly fall for this (or any future Bon Iver) record.  "For Emma," was so exquisite, that anything else that comes along may always pale just a little bit in comparison.  Favorite Songs: Washington, Holocene.

#3 The Decemberists- The King is Dead

The Decemberists have been around for a while, making some mighty fine music all the while.  It wasn't until this year, and this album however, that any of their songs really grabbed me by the shoulders and shook.  I fell hard for this album, enough that when I was listening to it back in January it was pretty much a sure thing that it would be in my end-of-the-year top five albums.  This particular bunch of songs has a loose, plucky, rambling-storyteller vibe that makes you imagine the album being pieced together in some run-down Oregon barn (it was).  The lyrics here are particularly crisp and compelling, and (perhaps most tellingly) the songs still sound just as good to me now as they did twelve months ago.  Favorite songs: January Hymn, June Hymn.

#2 James Blake- James Blake

When it comes to James Blake I can say for certain that I have never heard a musician do so much with so little.  Spare to the point of being nearly minimal, Blake's simple electronic beats and haunting vocals merge together to become something much more powerful than the sum of their individual parts.  Songs are ruthlessly stripped down too their most essential pieces (some consisting of a single phrase uttered in repetition) but you hardly notice, and certainly don't mind.  Getting lost in the gentle drone, song after song, is almost an inevitability-but one that I certainly wish would go on and on.  Favorite Songs: Limit to Your Love, Lindisfarne 1 & 2.

#1 Adele -21

                          

There may be some "pop" music whose popularity is derived from the fact that it casts the widest possible net, appealing to the lowest common denominator.  It is slick and manufactured- catchy, but ultimately forgettable. This is not that pop music.  During this year Adele's 21 has dominated the radio airwaves, the album sales charts, and (soon) every single music award show.  The reason? This music is just crazy good.  That's basically all there is to it, and why bother complicating something that is pretty darn simple.  The songs? Soaring and soulful, without ever approaching melodramatic. The voice? Absolutely electric, and completely unforgettable.  I can say with complete honesty and very little hyperbole that I think that "21" will be remembered as a classic of it's time, and when people look back and think about music in the year 2011- they'll think of Adele.  Favorite Songs: Rolling in the Deep, Someone Like You.

 Songs of the Year: 
5- Limit to Your Love- James Blake
4- Cruel- St. Vincent
3- Midnight City- M83
2- Hounds -The Antlers
1- Someone Like You- Adele