2011's Rash EPs
2011. EPs. And one split. I wasn't compromising the integrity of my title to include splits though. Do you find that splits are always messing with your formatting and stuff? I mean, it makes sorting by artist on itunes rather annoying. Yeah... Enjoy the list. |
| 15 |  | Cynic
Carbon-Based Anatomy
Cynic's new sound progression was hit and miss for me, but overall this was a very enjoyable EP. |
| 14 |  | Frightened Rabbit
A Frightened Rabbit EP
A very charming couple of songs. It was great to hear something from Frightened Rabbit this year. |
| 13 |  | Empire! Empire! (I Was a Lonely Estate)
Home After Three Months Away
Beautiful lyrics. That's pretty much all that needs to be said. "This was not the time or place to address the emptiness that hung around us, or how the end of this trip burnt us with uncertainty of what to do next." |
| 12 |  | La Dispute/Koji
Never Come Undone
This is here more for Koji's songs than La Dispute's. Although I expected more from this split, it was still very fun to listen to. |
| 11 |  | Daytrader
Last Days of Rome
A very solid pop punk EP. I'm very much looking forward to future releases by these guys. |
| 10 |  | Armistice
Armistice
I love the dual vocals and the folky feel of this EP. Pretty much the most adorable songs I've heard in a while, which probably says a lot more about my descriptive abilities than the actual EP itself. |
| 9 |  | Hourvari
EP
Very very good stuff here with a lot of potential. Not a whole lot of re-playability, otherwise it would be much higher. However, I am definitely looking for these guys to come out with something excellent in the future. |
| 8 |  | My Epic
Broken Voice
I found My Epic last year and haven't stopped listening since. This EP did not disappoint. This EP finds them at their most catchy along with showing off a softer side to their sound, and oddly enough, I actually think it's an improvement. |
| 7 |  | Glassjaw
Our Color Green (The Singles)
The return of Glassjaw! I've missed them, and Our Color Green was a return to Daryl's frantic screams and Glassjaw's chaotic sound. I missed my chance to see them live this year though, which makes me immensely unhappy. |
| 6 |  | Circle Takes The Square
Rites of Initiation
Speaking of returns... I've been a big supporter of CTTS despite the recent backlash here on Sputnik and their heavier sound has made me very excited for what's to come with these guys. |
| 5 |  | CityCop
Seasons
This came out late in the year, but I had been very behind this year anyway, so I actually heard this before their LP. I actually prefer the LP, but Bluebird showed a side to this band that I really enjoyed and I'm again finding myself very much looking forward to what this band has to offer in the future. |
| 4 |  | Glassjaw
Coloring Book
Oh my, it's Glassjaw again. Not only that, but it's Glassjaw changing the way I perceive Glassjaw as a band. This is a totally different take on their sound and I don't think I'm the only one who was blown away by the quality of this EP. |
| 3 |  | Trophy Scars
Never Born, Never Dead
You know, I actually actively disliked Darkness, Oh Hell last year. The vocals bothered me, the feel of it bothered me, and I just did not like listening to it. The problem was that I hadn't given it enough of a chance. So when this came out I was determined to find out what it was that people liked about this sound. Then I payed attention to the lyrics and all of a sudden, the sound and the vocals and everything clicked. Had to go back and change last years rating. Stupid band. |
| 2 |  | Olafur Arnalds
Living Room Songs
My God do I love this. Beautifully composed and immensely atmospheric. The piano is perfect and the cellos! Oh, the cellos. There honestly isn't much I can say about this other than the fact that it's obviously the most beautiful thing to come out this year and that's an objective fact. You know, so long as you have my taste in music. But seriously, check this out. |
| 1 |  | Hawkboy
Hawkboy
Despite my love for Mr. Arnalds, the remnants of As Cities Burn went and made the most listenable thing to come out this year. Hawkboy's EP was easily my most played of the year, not because it was necessarily the best, but because it's just so damn easy to listen to. Two Bit and Scoundrel are just incredibly catchy songs, and despite the disappointing follow-up EP, I'm still excited for what this band has to offer in the future. |
|
