If you know me well enough (or, really, barely at all – haha), you know my great affinity for good books and good music. For the past four years (which, that is hard to believe!), I’ve put together a year-end list of my favorite albums. Because they’re fun to look back on, here’s my picks from 2008, 2009 and 2010. And follow ‘em back long enough and you’ll see a few of the same artists make reappearances…what can I say, I’m loyal to the bands I love.
Which, speaking of, 2011? BANNER YEAR for amazing music. So much good stuff it felt nearly impossible to narrow it down but below are my Top 10 Faves. In the end, these made the cut because truly, I felt each album—start to finish—was pretty amazing. And in a day and age where the single rules, it feels good to play a record straight through, the way an artist intends it to be heard. So happy listening — can’t wait to hear what’s in store for this year! And let me know some of your fave music in the comments!
10) Death Cab for Cutie—”Codes and Keys”: Going back through my list of 2011 music, this one almost slipped by me but I can’t forget how many times I listened to this album all the way through last year. One of my favorite memories of the tunes on this latest collection from Mr. Gibbard and crew was a sunny fall afternoon, Nick and I driving back roads for a hike with this song blaring. Of course I was doing that “hand-wave-in-the-wind” while singing along, windows down. You HAVE to do that. Perfect road trip track, this one:
9) Beirut — “The Riptide”: This album is synonymous with my August 2011 trip to California. I’d just gotten it when I left for the airport, so I’m guessing I listened to it half-dozen times over the course of that week, never once tiring of it. Zach Condon’s voice is just so unique. Throw in the sound that Beirut has made their own — with those horns and that accordion — and well, any new material of theirs is A-OK in my book:
Black Keys’ — “Nova Baby”: Oh these boys! The whole album, start to finish, is amazing in that gritty mash-up that’s become their trademark sound. I’m seeing them in March and I’ll buy myself a black leather jacket before I do so I can look cool while I sing along to this favorite track:
7) Adele — “21″: When I first listened to this album all the way through last winter, I wanted to wrap myself up in Adele’s voice. Like it was a physical thing I could somehow cloak myself in. Come July, when you couldn’t escape “Rollin’ in the Deep” on the airwaves, I’d wished to never hear it again. But putting it away for a while and rediscovering it toward year’s end, I’m reminded again of just how brilliant Adele is. Or maybe what did it was this video (which inspired this HILARIOUS Emma Stone SNL skit). Crimney, she’s amazing:
6) Florence and the Machine—”Ceremonials”: This wasn’t as strong as “Lungs” (her debut album), but man alive, few can put an album out like Florence can, am I right? I listened to this album a lot this fall with all the driving I did for shoots and each time it grew on me. It also had my favorite song of the year on it, too. Yep, if I had to pick one song to have been stuck on a deserted island with in 2011, you best believe this was it:
5) The Civil Wars—”Barton Hollow”: If you didn’t hear of Joy Williams and John Paul White in 2011, you must have been living under a rock. I kid, I kid, but truth be told, if you haven’t already, you owe it to yourself to purchase this album. These two can harmonize like nobody’s business. One listen and it’s no wonder why they became one of the biggest “It” bands of the year. And this video? STILL gives me goosebumps:
4) The Head and the Heart: “The Head and the Heart”: Each year it seems like there’s one band that goes from obscurity to mega-fandom seemingly overnight. Last year, I’d say it was Mumford & Sons. This year, my vote goes for this Seattle crew. One of those albums that, upon listening to it first way through, I immediately went back and started all over. Clearly they’ve been put on this Earth to sing together like this (that harmony 2:00 in? Brillz.):
3) Ryan Adams: “Ashes and Fire”: There will always always always be a soft spot in my heart for this prolific crooner and one of my favorite songwriters. His music was the soundtrack of my college years and this new album of his (his first in some time) put me right back into that sweet spot in my life (when I first met Nick and was living cozy with my best friend in our tiny dorm). My favorite track on the album is the title track. Sometimes I’d find myself just randomly singing a lyric from it (that has henceforth become one of my favorite lyrics ever), “Her eyes were indigo and the cats was all calico.” It just, it comes at the perfect spot in the song and..will you purdy please listen? (it’s at 2:30):
2) Coldplay—”Mylo Xyloto”: There are so many people I know who are quick to sh*t on Coldplay. How they’ve become too popular, how they’ve sold out, blah blah blah. Haters can hate ’cause for me? They are the one band for which I own every album. Know every song. And have a major crush on the lead singer. 
No exaggeration, I probably listened to Mylo Xyloto straight through no fewer than 20 times this year (and the album came out in October!) If you’ve ever seen them live, you know the passion they bring to the stage. Oh, and no matter how many times I’ve heard this song, I can’t keep my foot from tapping along to it. Hope to see them again in 2012!!!:
1) Bon Iver— “Bon Iver”: Because this was the album that, every time I listened to it, I loved more. Because it played softly on the laptop too many nights to remember as I cooked dozens of meals for my husband. Because Justin Vernon put me in a trance as we watched him perform live last summer. Because any way you look at it, Bon Iver’s sounds pervaded so many memories of my 2011 there was no way it couldn’t be my favorite album of the year. This track was not only my favorite off it, but, in my opinion, Justin’s best effort yet:
And because I couldn’t end without a few runner-ups, here were the handful of other bands that put out new music so good it gave my Top 10 a run for its money. If you’re looking to use up some holiday iTune cards, any of the tunes from this post would be well spent!
The Belle Brigade—”The Belle Brigade”
Bombay Bicycle Club—”A Different Kind of Fix”
Dale Earnhart Jr. Jr.—”It’s a Corporate World”
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by Gail Werner
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