I Suppose It's About That Time.

I figured I had better finish my best albums of 2011 before Q1 of 2012 was over...

5. Modeslektor - Monkeytown

This album is why I enjoy electronica. It's big, beefy, obnoxious (in a good way, not in the way Skrillex is..), and full of awesome beats. Monkeytown (and Modeelektor in general) isn't an album built on the subtle intricacies found in a band like The Field, or batshit crazy and out there like a Flying Lotus track; rather, this album goes to the heart of what makes a beat a great beat. Each track has it's own flavor and there are hints of IDM and breakbeat sprinkled throughout, but what defines this album is how incredibly enjoyable the album is from start to close. Monkeytown runs the gamut between slow burners like the Thom Yorke graced, "Shipwreck", to the big beat "Evil Twin" (both of which are featured for your listening/viewing pleasure.

"Shipwreck"


"Evil Twin"


4.The Black Keys - El Camino

The thing about The Black Keys is that I've known about them for the better part of 5 years and aside from recognizing that they made music that worked quite well in commercials, I had never paid them any attention. Yeah, that was a mistake. El Camino is not The Black Keys of the past. Previous albums have put far more emphasis on soul and grittiness whereas El Camino puts an emphasis on fun and sleaziness and if we'll all be honest, that's where it's at. Danger Mouse produced and co-wrote all the tracks on this album and his fingerprint is immediately apparent, much the same way it was apparent with Beck's 2008 album, Modern Guilt (which is also a fantastic listen by the way). Not a single riff in this album is reinventing the wheel or will be remembered in 30 years, but not a single riff is wasted. This is an album to party with. This is an album to listen to while driving down the highway just a little too fast. This is El Camino.

"Run Right Back"


"Little Black Submarines"



3. Bon Iver - Bon Iver, Bon Iver

It's kind of hard to put this album on a best of 2011 list after all the success they had for the simple fact that before this album came out, Bon Iver was every indie fan's darling. The songs are more robust and feature more instruments and are a far cry from the man in a cabin story. Initially I was hesitant and almost resistant to the thought of my Bon Iver trying to change and after a single listen I realized how full of bullshit I was. This is a natural progression for not only Bon Iver, but for Justin Vernon. I mean how the hell do you expect anybody to be featured in a Kanye West song and make the same album over again. Why would you want anybody to? The tracks have a certain bravado to them and dare I say hopefulness intermingled with the lyrics and melodies where For Emma, Forever Ago was filled with despair and loneliness. When Calgary opens up at the 2:28 mark (the 2:30 mark in the video below) it sounds like Justin Vernon is embracing his confidence and just letting it rip. It would be easy to say that this album isn't as great as For Emma, Forever Ago because it lacks the intimacy of that album, but I really couldn't say which album I prefer and that's a really great thing.

"Calgary"


"Towers"


2. Red Fang - Murder The Mountains

I just sort of lucked into finding out about this band while at a bar early in the year. Near the restroom there was a poster for an upcoming show featuring Red Fang. Who the f was Red Fang? I had no idea, but the poster intrigued me and when I made it home I gave them a listen and good god I am so glad I gave them a shot. It's tough to put my finger on their exact genre, but I would say they straddle stoner-metal with sludge and if that sounds kind of scary, don't worry, it's entirely palatable and they never get to be too heavy for their own good. They're something of a throwback to metal that is focused on being just a little bad ass and here to have a good time. This is the sort of album you bring home to head bang to and not have to worry about accidentally summoning a Pagan god on accident. This is straightforward feel good hard rock/metal. The drumming is never anything more than a time keeper and the riffs probably didn't require an abacus or calculus to devise, but each song is so full of bad ass and groove that the songs bleed together. Now that I think about it the best word I can use to describe Murder The Mountains is groove. There are solos and they are awesome, but it's the underlying groove of each song that make this album so spectacular. Also, the video for "Wires" wins best video of the year hands down.

"Number Thirteen"


"Wires"


I'll put #1 up in a day or two.

Where Do They Fly?

Anybody who knows me knows that I really really like The Tallest Man on Earth. Whenever I listen to him, my mind would always be taken to a calmer, more beautiful place. This is exactly the way I've imagined it. Kristian Mattson playing near a lake during a sunset. wow.