2011 #1: January
This is probably the first year I started listening to new music from begin with. Thus, I think I haven't missed anything too crucial. Well, these are my favourite albums released in January 2011. This year is already shaping up to be a great one and there's so much more to come. Feel free to recommend me more stuff. |
| 1 |  | Iceage
New Brigade
This is brilliant music. It's post-punk/art punk with amazing pop sensibilities. Every song on New Brigade sounds slightly avant-gardish and artistic, while also being simple and catchy. The fact that these guys are so young (in their seventeens or idk) is even more impressive. |
| 2 |  | DeWolff
Orchards / Lupine
Fantastic blues rock/pschedelic rock album that should remind you of The Black Keys. From the trippy opener "Diamonds" to the last chords of "Poison", Orchards / Lupine offers you catchy melodies and great songwriting. |
| 3 |  | Blaerg
Everything Was Altered
Drill and Bass can get fucking annoying, because of some artists literally overwhelming you with the exaggerating amound of snare rushes. Fortunately, this one doesn't. It's atmospheric, yet still intense. |
| 4 |  | Maths
Ascent
A short yet really emotional screamo album with delectable guitar playing. The closer in particular is one of the best screamo songs I've heard for a longer time. |
| 5 |  | The Joy Formiable
The Big Roar
Indie rock isn't supposed to sound this intense. Their sound is really unique and they make full use of that on here. Opener "The Everchanging Spectrum of a Lie" is one of the best songs of 2011 so far. |
| 6 |  | Metric
iTunes Session
Not really original material, but I believe this deserves a spot on here. The new song arrangements are brilliant and Emily Haines sounds fresher and sexier than ever. A really outstanding session. |
| 7 |  | Destroyer
Kaputt
Destroyer is definitely one of the more consistent indie bands out there. Kaputt is another exceptional effort, this time including more electronic bits that mix well with their previous sound. |
| 8 |  | Spokes
Everyone I Ever Met
An endlessly stronger effort than People Like People Like You, this time emulating Arcade Fire. It's a great indie rock/post-rock album with intriguing melodies (that piano!) and great songwriting. The piano
in "Happy Needs Colour" is amazing. |
| 9 |  | The Aquabats
Hi-Five Soup!
I've never thought I would enjoy this as much as I do. Their ska-influenced punk is nearly completely gone. Instead, they take their already-established sound from Charge!! and add more electronic parts. It's incredibly fun to listen to and that's all this is made for, I guess. |
| 10 |  | Merciful Nuns
Hypogeum II
Initially, the "gothic rock" tag made me think that this is going to be some awful female-fronted clichéd mess. But this, surprisingly, turns out to be great. The vocalist is a carbon copy of Nick Cave and the simple music is a plus. This actually gets better as it goes, with the last two tracks being the definite highlights. |
| 11 |  | The Material
What We Are
Great poppy rock a la Paramore with a distinguishable style, thanks to their beautiful vocalist Colleen D'Agostino. It could have more variety, though. |
| 12 |  | Adele
21
This is how pop music should always sound like: lots of charme, a fitting voice, and great melodies. "Rolling in the Deep" and "Rumour Has It" are some brilliant pop tunes. |
| 13 |  | Decoder
Decoder
Unlike alot (and alot) of their contemporaries, Decoder actually sounds fresh. It's not really innovative or anything, but they make it work and prove that the this type of post-hardcore doesn't have to suck. |
| 14 |  | Teenage Panterkorps
German Reggea
This is some pretty rad militaresque post-punk - the intense bass playing and drumming really convey that certain atmosphere. The vocalist, in the meantime, is ranting in German, perfectly complementing the instruments. It is really bizarre and unique. |
| 15 |  | Rauelsson & Peter Broderick
Replica
A really really engaging chamber folk album, consisting of only two longer tracks. The atmospheric and tempo changes within the songs work extremely well. |
| 16 |  | Cold War Kids
Mine Is Yours
Mine Is Yours seems to get a lot of hate for its mainstream approach (when compared to their first two full lengths) and I can see why. This is totally fine with me, though. The "arena rock" songs are actually the finest cuts on here and the whole album is just pleasant to listen to. Lyrically, the band is sometimes ridiculous on here and it is not as good as their debut, but it is still great. |
| 17 |  | White Lies
Ritual
I agree that this is totally unoriginal and a few songs are obvious, bad filler. However, the music on here (for the most part) is undeniably catchy. |
| 18 |  | Verdena
WOW
Some great Italian alternative rock with psychedelic influences and a varied and diverse sound. Unfortunately, this is 27 songs long, so it can easily drag. |
| 19 |  | Shpongle
The God Particle
This is actually kind of disappointing when compared to the awesome material on their full lengths just because of the short duration (Shpongle always seemed to be an album band to me). The songs are awesome, but it's just too short and not as cohesive in the end. |
| 20 |  | Lil B
Angels Exodus
I always thought that this guy was some kind of gimmick. But with Angels Exodus, he proves that he is an actually talented rapper who can tell nice stories. Thank (based) God! |
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