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Your Album of the Year 2011
- Thread starter Toma
- Start date
- Status
I probably should have included The Dear Hunter - The Color Spectrum: The Complete Collection in my runners-up. It's really impressive in terms of scope and ambition. It's primarily a rock album, but it delves into all kinds of subgenres, and a bit into other genres entirely. And it's two hours long - it's composed of 9 EPs each named after the different colors of the visible spectrum, and the color reflects the mood and style of the music on each EP.
Here's a playlist I found on Youtube. It's missing a track from the Blue EP for some reason, but the rest is all there.
Here's a playlist I found on Youtube. It's missing a track from the Blue EP for some reason, but the rest is all there.
Yeah, it's an incredible release - probably the only non-metal CD that would crack my top 5 for the year.
Im_So_Pringles
Member
I have been into the Videogame cover community for as long as I can remember, and Danimal Cannon is in arguably 2 of the most popular videogame cover bands of all time -Metroid Metal and Armcannon- so I follow him on Twitter/Facebook etc. He's a freakin' AWESOME guitarist too, and I'm a sucker for great solo guitarists. He's been making chiptune music for awhile, but this is his first ever album release, and it's freaking awesome haha. His album actually hit like #3 on Bandcamp.
That's where I know Danimal from. Here he is playing in Metroid Metal, he's the bald one haha : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsolhxDlfms
Heh my tastes are too, I already listen to 6 or 7 of those artists so I'm sure I'll enjoy the restIt's a great record
Be warned though, my list is all over the place...
the more surprising thing about blake has been his constant output. Dude never stops. One year was a full album, a smallish EP and a small single, and a full-sized ep. And he's not slowing down at all. Same with the weeknd.
I'd like that second thread. off the top of my head two old albums that have been huge for me this year are The Velvet Underground s/t and Frightened Rabbit's Sing The Greys (which was their only album I hadn't heard and is likely their best).
All three are fantastic.
I agree. My Kanye-standom won't let me put em above Ye tho.
Steven Wilson - Grace for Drowning - This was not only my album of the year but really one of the best progressive rock albums to come out in decades. It has tons of amazing playing on every instrument. It has beautiful parts, and it has creepy parts. It's one of the best produced albums out there, too. Everything is crystal clear and every instrument has its place. And to top that off the thing's 2 discs long! It's basically two albums! I was smiling ear to ear after only the first few songs when I first heard this. I knew it was special almost right away. I knew it would take a place in my top albums of all time right from the very beginning.
Sample: Deform to Form a Star
The rest of my top 10:
2. Pain of Salvation - Road Salt Two
3. Devin Townsend - Deconstruction
4. The Decemberists - The King is Dead
5. Dream Theater - A Dramatic Turn of Events
6. Opeth - Heritage
7. The Dear Hunter - The Color Spectrum Complete Collection
8. Puscifer - Conditions of My Parole
9. Memories of Machines - Warm Winter
10. Mastodon - The Hunter
It's been an absolutely excellent year for music. My album of the year list has 80+ albums!
My first thread EVER has been completed. It's beautiful if I do say so myself.
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?p=33478016#post33478016
I haven't really been keeping up with new music this year, but here are my favorites from what I have listened to (no particular order):
Dum Dum Girls - Only in Dreams
Radiohead - The King of Limbs
Real Estate - Days
Smith Westerns - Dye It Blonde
Thurston Moore - Demolished Thoughts
Best tracks go to The Joy Formidable's Whirring and M83's Midnight City.
Dum Dum Girls - Only in Dreams
Radiohead - The King of Limbs
Real Estate - Days
Smith Westerns - Dye It Blonde
Thurston Moore - Demolished Thoughts
Best tracks go to The Joy Formidable's Whirring and M83's Midnight City.
Oh hey, Dye it Blonde was 2011! That's on my list too then.
Smith-Westerns - All Die Young
Smith-Westerns - All Die Young
FantasticMrFoxdie
Mumber
Runner Up:
This album's Live version In The Basement which includes bonus songs:
Iceage - New Brigade
Maybe the best punk record in a decade. The element of surprise is strong on every track. Several songs like the opener White Rune tap into the essence of Scandinavian metal, but manage to stay firmly within the post-punk, Joy-Division-at-their-rockingest frame.
Oneohtrix Point Never - Replica
Replica fits into a brilliant groove between heady, conceptual electronic composition, and more club-oriented DJ production. There's a nice pacing of drone, beats, and noise. I love how big thematic changes gradually float above a broken-sounding loop or simple synth drone.
Sleep Dealer
Maybe the best punk record in a decade. The element of surprise is strong on every track. Several songs like the opener White Rune tap into the essence of Scandinavian metal, but manage to stay firmly within the post-punk, Joy-Division-at-their-rockingest frame.
Oneohtrix Point Never - Replica
Replica fits into a brilliant groove between heady, conceptual electronic composition, and more club-oriented DJ production. There's a nice pacing of drone, beats, and noise. I love how big thematic changes gradually float above a broken-sounding loop or simple synth drone.
Sleep Dealer
Nappuccino
Member
By far "A Dramatic Turn of Events" by Dream Theater:
Here's the opening track: "On The Backs of Angles"
My favorite track off of the album is "Breaking All Illusions"
So, I have to admit that musically that opening track is the best DT have been in years.
But god their lyrics just kill everything for me.
Minks - By the Hedge
Great choices. Both of those are high up for me. Never heard Oneohtrix before listening to Replica last week, but I love it. Certain parts of it always remind me of Blade Runner and it's soudntrack for some reason.
Didn't even know they had a new album out. Been sooo long since I've listened to them so I've gotta check this out.
mysticwhip
Banned
no way
1. Grouper-A I A
2. Iceage-New Brigade
3. Alvarius B.-Baroque Primitiva
3. Raspberry Bulbs-Nature Tries Again
4. Krallice-Diotima
5. Cass McCombs-Wit's End/Humor Risk
6. Sandwell District-Feed Forward
7. Circle of Ouroboros-Eleven Fingers
8. Peaking Lights-936
9. Bill Orcutt-How the Thing Sings
10. Jim O'Rourke-All Types of People Love Burt Bacharach
I didn't listen to much new stuff this year and this is off the top of my head.
2. Iceage-New Brigade
3. Alvarius B.-Baroque Primitiva
3. Raspberry Bulbs-Nature Tries Again
4. Krallice-Diotima
5. Cass McCombs-Wit's End/Humor Risk
6. Sandwell District-Feed Forward
7. Circle of Ouroboros-Eleven Fingers
8. Peaking Lights-936
9. Bill Orcutt-How the Thing Sings
10. Jim O'Rourke-All Types of People Love Burt Bacharach
I didn't listen to much new stuff this year and this is off the top of my head.
Big ol' list comin, yo.
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5. Destroyer - Kaputt
What makes this album so good?
Dan Bejar took this project in a weird direction, and it pays in how catchy it is.
What makes this top 5 material?
Tracks like Chinatown, Kaputt, and Savage Night at the Opera are rich with moments that you'll be unknowingly humming a year from now in some department store, I know I am now. This some toe tappin' shit.
Why not #1?
I honestly don't know, it's by far my most consistent listen, but that's only because It came out so long ago.
4. Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues
What makes this album so good?
Fleet Foxes attempt to make an improvement on the sparse instrumentation of their first album and pass with flying colors, though from discussions I've had, that last part is debatable from fan to fan.
What makes it top 5 material?
It's just so damn romantic. I can't deny that this album is the most endearing release this year. Songs like Grown Ocean, Sim Sala Bim, and The Shrine / An Argument create more vivid imagery than any other album could boast this year.
Why not #1?
Despite being such a good listen, it's nothing all that new.
3. SBTRKT - SBTRKT
Why is it so damn sexy?
It's a future jazz dubstep soul dramatic reading of some teenager's diary in space. It's filled with drama, great beats, and beautiful vocals from guest artist Sampha.
What makes it top 5?
Songs like Hold On, Never Never and Something Goes Right simply exude emotion, and are quite addicting. It makes for difficult car music when someone is with me because after a certain point, I'll be attempting to sing with it.
Why not #1?
Wildfire
2. Atlas Sound - Parallax
What makes this album so good?
It's Bradford Cox of Deerhunter, making a rock album, then injecting his patented oddities into it. It's lonely, thoughtful, infinitely replayable, and it's just a joy to experience his eccentric songwriting on this LP.
What makes this top 5 material?
Songs like Praying Man, Mona Lisa, and Lightworks are good head bobbers.
Why not #1?
The album art.
1. The Log.Os - λ ό γ ο ς
What makes this album so good?
It's the one album that took the whole "Minimalist Dubstep + Soul" and did it the way I actually wanted it to turn out. It's electronic soul, much like SBTRKT, but much more emergent, experimental, and sexy like Flying Lotus (which is funny, because Cosmogramma was my 2010 AOTY). It shows itself more on the strength of the songs rather than the production, even though its not lacking in that department either.
Why #1?
Songs like Blades, Nascent, Antikythera, and Tingy put me in some sort of space zen that I wish would last forever.
Oh it's also free and you can get it from here!
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I had a lot of trouble with the list this year, so many good releases that fell out of my the top 5. With Kendrick Lamar, The Roots, Big Krit, and Death Grips, it was an amazing year for hip-hop as well. Next year is looking ill as shit with expected releases from Animal Collective, Grizzly Bear, and all of those 2009 AOTY bands.
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5. Destroyer - Kaputt
What makes this album so good?
Dan Bejar took this project in a weird direction, and it pays in how catchy it is.
What makes this top 5 material?
Tracks like Chinatown, Kaputt, and Savage Night at the Opera are rich with moments that you'll be unknowingly humming a year from now in some department store, I know I am now. This some toe tappin' shit.
Why not #1?
I honestly don't know, it's by far my most consistent listen, but that's only because It came out so long ago.
4. Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues
What makes this album so good?
Fleet Foxes attempt to make an improvement on the sparse instrumentation of their first album and pass with flying colors, though from discussions I've had, that last part is debatable from fan to fan.
What makes it top 5 material?
It's just so damn romantic. I can't deny that this album is the most endearing release this year. Songs like Grown Ocean, Sim Sala Bim, and The Shrine / An Argument create more vivid imagery than any other album could boast this year.
Why not #1?
Despite being such a good listen, it's nothing all that new.
3. SBTRKT - SBTRKT
Why is it so damn sexy?
It's a future jazz dubstep soul dramatic reading of some teenager's diary in space. It's filled with drama, great beats, and beautiful vocals from guest artist Sampha.
What makes it top 5?
Songs like Hold On, Never Never and Something Goes Right simply exude emotion, and are quite addicting. It makes for difficult car music when someone is with me because after a certain point, I'll be attempting to sing with it.
Why not #1?
Wildfire
2. Atlas Sound - Parallax
What makes this album so good?
It's Bradford Cox of Deerhunter, making a rock album, then injecting his patented oddities into it. It's lonely, thoughtful, infinitely replayable, and it's just a joy to experience his eccentric songwriting on this LP.
What makes this top 5 material?
Songs like Praying Man, Mona Lisa, and Lightworks are good head bobbers.
Why not #1?
The album art.
1. The Log.Os - λ ό γ ο ς
What makes this album so good?
It's the one album that took the whole "Minimalist Dubstep + Soul" and did it the way I actually wanted it to turn out. It's electronic soul, much like SBTRKT, but much more emergent, experimental, and sexy like Flying Lotus (which is funny, because Cosmogramma was my 2010 AOTY). It shows itself more on the strength of the songs rather than the production, even though its not lacking in that department either.
Why #1?
Songs like Blades, Nascent, Antikythera, and Tingy put me in some sort of space zen that I wish would last forever.
Oh it's also free and you can get it from here!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I had a lot of trouble with the list this year, so many good releases that fell out of my the top 5. With Kendrick Lamar, The Roots, Big Krit, and Death Grips, it was an amazing year for hip-hop as well. Next year is looking ill as shit with expected releases from Animal Collective, Grizzly Bear, and all of those 2009 AOTY bands.
JordanLMiller
Member
Its been on repeat for quite some time
Same. Listen to it a couple times a day when I'm commuting.
I'm gonna have to give this one a go. I really liked Rifts, but Returnal kind of lost me.
RebornYeti
Member
Battles - Gloss Drop
This is, by far, my favorite album of the year. Heck, maybe even the decade. Battles is definitely innovative when it comes to music, and that's just what I love looking for in a band. It's really hard to pick out a favorite song, because I really love them all, but if I REALLY have to choose one, it would have to be Wall Street. It's off-beat, catchy, and just all around damn good.
Please check out this awesome live performance of Wall Street - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-o5TRmiDIo
Oh yeah, and thanks to the unknown Gaffer for posting about Gloss Drop in the What, are you listening, too? thread awhile back. You introduced me to one of my all-time favorite bands!
EDIT: On second thought, I think it may have been a post by Green Scar! I think I love you. <3
Love this album.
Big ol' list comin, yo.
1. The Log.Os - λ ό γ ο ς
What makes this album so good?
It's the one album that took the whole "Minimalist Dubstep + Soul" and did it the way I actually wanted it to turn out. It's electronic soul, much like SBTRKT, but much more emergent, experimental, and sexy like Flying Lotus (which is funny, because Cosmogramma was my 2010 AOTY). It shows itself more on the strength of the songs rather than the production, even though its not lacking in that department either.
Why #1?
Songs like Blades, Nascent, Antikythera, and Tingy put me in some sort of space zen that I wish would last forever.
Oh it's also free and you can get it from here!
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Yesssssssssssssssssss! This album is absolutely phenomenal. Nascent & Levels Log.Os in all experimental brilliance are easy contenders for songs of the year. Great pick.
Oneirology - Cunninlynguists
So good
This. I usually consider albums with more than 12 tracks on them as too long but not here. There is no filler and the interludes are some of the best I've ever heard.
Hot Coldman
Banned
Funny how my 1 and 2 are both free mixtapes. Free music is best music!
1. Cities Aviv - Digital Lows
This guy came out of nowhere and dropped my favorite album of the year. He is Hip Hop, as far as I'm concerned.
2. The Weeknd - House of Balloons
Proud to have talent like this coming out of Toronto. Top to bottom, all the tracks are bangers. These guys are going to be huge.
3. Raphael Saadiq - Stone Rollin'
Raw. Can't put it any better than that.
Honorable Mention:
- Watch the Throne
- Nine Types of Light
- Audio, Video Disco
- Take Care
- 21
1. Cities Aviv - Digital Lows
This guy came out of nowhere and dropped my favorite album of the year. He is Hip Hop, as far as I'm concerned.
2. The Weeknd - House of Balloons
Proud to have talent like this coming out of Toronto. Top to bottom, all the tracks are bangers. These guys are going to be huge.
3. Raphael Saadiq - Stone Rollin'
Raw. Can't put it any better than that.
Honorable Mention:
- Watch the Throne
- Nine Types of Light
- Audio, Video Disco
- Take Care
- 21
Ended up just going by plays, probably could go different but whatever.
Clams Casino - Instrumentals
Tycho - Dive
Sepalcure - Sepalcure
The Field - Looping State of Mind
ASAP Rocky - LiveLoveA$AP
Main Attrakionz - 808s and Dark Grapes II
Oneohtrix Point Never - Replica
Araabmuzik - Electronic Dream
Small Black - Moon Killer
Grouper - AIA
Oh and obviously Lil B's 2011 releases....
Clams Casino - Instrumentals
Tycho - Dive
Sepalcure - Sepalcure
The Field - Looping State of Mind
ASAP Rocky - LiveLoveA$AP
Main Attrakionz - 808s and Dark Grapes II
Oneohtrix Point Never - Replica
Araabmuzik - Electronic Dream
Small Black - Moon Killer
Grouper - AIA
Oh and obviously Lil B's 2011 releases....
Fallout-NL
Member
I can't really pick one, but I can sort of narrow it down.
Destroyer - Kaputt
Favourite song: Suicide Demo for Kara Walker
Disma - Towards the Megalith
Favourite song: Vault of Membros
Washed Out - Within and Without
Favourite song: Echoes
WU LYF - Go Tell Fire to the Mountain
Favourite song: We Bros
Honorable mentions:
SBTRKT - SBTRKT
Kendrick Lamar - Section 80
Mastodon - The Hunter
Tim Hecker - Ravedeath, 1972
Vektor - Outer Isolation
Curren$y - Covert Coup
Destroyer - Kaputt
Favourite song: Suicide Demo for Kara Walker
Disma - Towards the Megalith
Favourite song: Vault of Membros
Washed Out - Within and Without
Favourite song: Echoes
WU LYF - Go Tell Fire to the Mountain
Favourite song: We Bros
Honorable mentions:
SBTRKT - SBTRKT
Kendrick Lamar - Section 80
Mastodon - The Hunter
Tim Hecker - Ravedeath, 1972
Vektor - Outer Isolation
Curren$y - Covert Coup
Corwood Rep
Member
Tom Waits - Bad As Me.
Instant classic. His best in two decades. 10/10.
Instant classic. His best in two decades. 10/10.
Patrick Bateman
Member
In no order:
TV on the Radio - Nine types of Light
Metronomy - The English Riviera
Kakkmaddafakka - Hest
TV on the Radio - Nine types of Light
Metronomy - The English Riviera
Kakkmaddafakka - Hest
Shit, I completely forgot about this. I was already having enough trouble placing the recent Cormorant LP. Oh well post is already done.
1. oneohtrix point never - replica.
2. asap rocky - livelovea$ap.
3. iceage - new brigade.
4. gang gang dance - eye contact.
5. ema - past life, martyred saints.
6. the men - leave home
7. main attrakionz - 808s & dark grapes II.
8. john maus - we must become the pitiless censors of ourselves.
9. htrk - work (work, work).
10. matana roberts - coin, coin - chapter 1.
2. asap rocky - livelovea$ap.
3. iceage - new brigade.
4. gang gang dance - eye contact.
5. ema - past life, martyred saints.
6. the men - leave home
7. main attrakionz - 808s & dark grapes II.
8. john maus - we must become the pitiless censors of ourselves.
9. htrk - work (work, work).
10. matana roberts - coin, coin - chapter 1.
Yeah, that happened to my list last year, so I went fuckit and just posted some album art.
AzureSkies
Member
#1:
Stratovarius' Elysium, an incredibly surprising album, nothing has really topped this since it came out in January and it's the successor to one of the greatest comeback albums I've listened to (Polaris).
If you don't like Stratovarius, I'd recommend giving this a listen. Ever since guitarist Timo Tolkki left the band and (legally) stole their 2008 work in progress comeback album (Revolution Renaissance) they ended up completely making a U-Turn with Polaris, possibly one of the greatest albums to be released by the band. And this successor completely blows away all expectations. It's hard to say that getting close to their 30th Anniversary and now with a completely different lineup Stratovarius are possibly the strongest they have ever been.
Favorite Tracks: Darkest Hours, Elysium, Infernal Maze and Under Flaming Skies
#2:
Journey's Eclipse:
Eclipse was a surprise to me, I haven't listened to Journey in YEARS and I picked this up back when I wanted more music to listen to while I was working on my coursework in the sixth form block. I ended up listening to one of my favorite albums of all time, Arnel Pineda's amazing vocals completely make me forget about Steve Perry.
Favorite Tracks: Ritual, Human Feel, City of Hope and To Whom it May Concern + Venus (Outro)
#3
Edguy's Age of the Joker:
I've absolutely loved Edguy through the times where they pretty much changed style to a Rock Band with Rocket Ride and Tinnitus Sanctus (still amazing albums, screw the haters) but this album pretty much sums up the bands career amazingly. It's probably one of the best in their discography since Rocket Ride or Hellfire Club.
The album seems to successfully blend together many different kinds of genre per song (think Helloween's Chameleon but with greater fan reaction and not THAT different from the original stuff) if you don't like Edguy already, this isn't going to change your views but for fans this is a treat.
Favorite Tracks: Robin Hood, Rock of Cashel, The Arcane Guild, Two out of Seven and Behind the Gates of the Midnight World
Honorable Mention:
Dream Theater's A Dramatic Turn of Events:
I honestly thought Awake or Black Clouds and Silver Linings was my favorite Dream Theater album. But honestly, this album keeps blowing me away. Not kidding. I can't really give a space as I haven't listened to it enough (only heard it on YouTube) and I *really* need to get around to buying it.
Favorite Tracks: On the Backs of Angels, Bridges in the Sky, Outcry and Breaking all Illusions
Stratovarius' Elysium, an incredibly surprising album, nothing has really topped this since it came out in January and it's the successor to one of the greatest comeback albums I've listened to (Polaris).
If you don't like Stratovarius, I'd recommend giving this a listen. Ever since guitarist Timo Tolkki left the band and (legally) stole their 2008 work in progress comeback album (Revolution Renaissance) they ended up completely making a U-Turn with Polaris, possibly one of the greatest albums to be released by the band. And this successor completely blows away all expectations. It's hard to say that getting close to their 30th Anniversary and now with a completely different lineup Stratovarius are possibly the strongest they have ever been.
Favorite Tracks: Darkest Hours, Elysium, Infernal Maze and Under Flaming Skies
#2:
Journey's Eclipse:
Eclipse was a surprise to me, I haven't listened to Journey in YEARS and I picked this up back when I wanted more music to listen to while I was working on my coursework in the sixth form block. I ended up listening to one of my favorite albums of all time, Arnel Pineda's amazing vocals completely make me forget about Steve Perry.
Favorite Tracks: Ritual, Human Feel, City of Hope and To Whom it May Concern + Venus (Outro)
#3
Edguy's Age of the Joker:
I've absolutely loved Edguy through the times where they pretty much changed style to a Rock Band with Rocket Ride and Tinnitus Sanctus (still amazing albums, screw the haters) but this album pretty much sums up the bands career amazingly. It's probably one of the best in their discography since Rocket Ride or Hellfire Club.
The album seems to successfully blend together many different kinds of genre per song (think Helloween's Chameleon but with greater fan reaction and not THAT different from the original stuff) if you don't like Edguy already, this isn't going to change your views but for fans this is a treat.
Favorite Tracks: Robin Hood, Rock of Cashel, The Arcane Guild, Two out of Seven and Behind the Gates of the Midnight World
Honorable Mention:
Dream Theater's A Dramatic Turn of Events:
I honestly thought Awake or Black Clouds and Silver Linings was my favorite Dream Theater album. But honestly, this album keeps blowing me away. Not kidding. I can't really give a space as I haven't listened to it enough (only heard it on YouTube) and I *really* need to get around to buying it.
Favorite Tracks: On the Backs of Angels, Bridges in the Sky, Outcry and Breaking all Illusions
This:
And This:
Haven't properly listened to Undun by The Roots. Could be Top 3 material.
Oneirology - Cunninlynguists
So good
And This:
Haven't properly listened to Undun by The Roots. Could be Top 3 material.
I haven't even had time to listen to Cormorant's new stuff. Backlog++
You won't regret either purchase. Both are so good.
- Status