Timbo's Top 20 Albums Of 2011
Hey Sputnik! Been forever since I've written anything substantial here. Life's been so busy I haven't had time to comment, let alone write album reviews, as much as I want to get back to writing. Anyways, no year's end would be complete without a Best-of list, so here's mine. I'm still digesting the Weeknd's latest mixtape and I've included an EP on the list, but overall I'm still content with the rankings. Not much thought given to the descriptions, instead I'm letting the list do most of the talking. Enjoy! |
| 20 |  | The Decemberists
Long Live the King
Awesome EP of songs that would of fit great on "The King is Dead". In fact, I probably would have made a substitution or two if I had to. |
| 19 |  | Clams Casino
Instrumental Mixtape
A late addition to the list, Clams Casino's atmospheric hip hop remixes make for a serious sleep soundtrack. |
| 18 |  | Washed Out
Within and Without
Beautiful and sprawling. |
| 17 |  | Ford & Lopatin
Channel Pressure
Really underrated album. These guys totally nailed the '80s, Vice City vibe. |
| 16 |  | tUnE-yArDs
w h o k i l l
Guess I didn't enjoy this as much as a lot of people did, but still a really cool album. A great listen when you're needing something from left field. Plus that part in "Riotriot" is awesome...you know what I'm talking bout. |
| 15 |  | Radiohead
The King of Limbs
More solid Radiohead. |
| 14 |  | Neon Indian
Era Extrana
More solid Neon Indian. |
| 13 |  | Smith Westerns
Dye It Blonde
It seems everyone forgot how rockin this album is! |
| 12 |  | The Decemberists
The King Is Dead
The Decemberists get all American-folksie and a bit more down to earth, at least melodically. They're a versatile band: It's a great look for them. |
| 11 |  | The Weeknd
Thursday
"Thursday" may not be as focused as "House of Balloons", but hey, it's still the Weeknd. |
| 10 |  | Iron & Wine
Kiss Each Other Clean
Another gorgeous album from Sam Beam. |
| 9 |  | Girls
Father, Son, Holy Ghost
Yet another 2011 sophomore album that tops the band's debut. The last two tracks floor me every time. |
| 8 |  | Toro Y Moi
Underneath the Pine
Chilllll! Put this on when your just hanging with some close friends and it just...works. |
| 7 |  | Bon Iver
Bon Iver, Bon Iver
Beautiful, especially "Beth/Rest". |
| 6 |  | James Blake
James Blake
An unexpected gem. Approachable and melodic, yet bizarre and avant-garde. Obtuse electronics that pluck heartstrings. |
| 5 |  | Cults
Cults
Catchy, efficient indie pop, with some intriguing mystery under the surface. |
| 4 |  | Fleet Foxes
Helplessness Blues
Another brilliant Fleet Foxes album. They expand their sonic horizons but don't loose the graceful, earthy folk feel. YES! |
| 3 |  | Real Estate
Days
One of my favorite bands right now. I aspire to be as chill and relaxed as these guys. I just love how easy this music is to love. |
| 2 |  | Yuck
Yuck
Sure, I know these guys have a mission to sound like '90s indie rock in the vein of Sebadoh and Sonic Youth, but DAMN do they do an amazing job of it. I like to think that Yuck could still exist today without those other bands, but maybe not. Instead I imagine that if this came out in '92, it would be a CLASSIC album. |
| 1 |  | The Weeknd
House of Balloons
Had to be this. So dark, so mysterious, so dramatic, and all from a corner of the music world (R&B) that I don't regularly listen to and from an artist that totally came out of nowhere. The year's greatest surprise is also the best, and by far the coolest, album of the year. |
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