There's a lot I haven't listened to this year, but I've liked just about everything I've heard (Huge exception being
Ssss by
VCMG, that was just terrible)
This is kind of in order of favorite to least favorite, but I love all these albums and it's pretty hard to compare most of them. Order would probably change on a day-to-day basis.
1. Killer Mike - R.A.P. Music
Honestly what could I say that hasn't already been said? Stellar album.
2.
Big K.R.I.T. - 4eva N a Day
I'm surprised I haven't seen more people mention this one. I have yet to listen to
Live From the Underground, but this is definitely one of the best hip-hop albums this year. And is it just me or is this a great year for hip-hop?
3.
The Flaming Lips - The Flaming Lips and Heady Fwends
It seems like The Flaming Lips have gotten a lot of flack for the various EP's and whatnot they released in 2011, but it came together really well in this album. I wasn't a huge fan of a lot of the stuff from last year, but I liked most of the collaborations. This alubm definitely grows on you.
3.
Perfume Genius - Put Your Back N 2 It
The first time I heard this album I found it to be pretty boring. Something about the way it was presented to me made me want to be automatically dismissive of it, and I just wasn't in the right mood (I'd be lying if I said the name of the album/artist and the hype didn't contribute to this, as petty and shallow as that is). One of my favorite reviewers (ozzystylez on RYM) wrote a great review about it, so I gave it a second chance while in a more... contemplative mood I guess? Whatever it was, it just clicked.
4.
Jack White - Blunderbuss
This album doesn't really sound all that different from every White Stripes album, but it's a sound I love. I think the hype for this album may have ruined it for people, but if Jack White keeps on making quality garage-rock album like this I don't think I'll ever get tired of them.
5.
Leonard Cohen - Old Ideas
Most of the time I wish artists would just stop making music after a certain point. Usually whatever made them so great in their prime just fades over time, and it's embarrassing to watch people try to recapture that feeling. But sometimes artists improve or change in an interesting way when they age, and Leonard Cohen is a great example of that. I wouldn't exactly say that Leonard Cohen's voice has improved with age, but it's definitely changed in a way that I like. Live in London was one of my favorite albums of 2009, so I had to give this one a shot. It could never compare to his earliest albums, but he made those decades ago so it shouldn't have to.
6.
Sleigh Bells - Reign of Terror
Sleigh Bells debut Treats was one of my favorite albums of 2010, and their sophomore album does not dissapoint. It's a really simple and harsh style of noise pop but I love it.
7.
BADBADNOTGOOD - BBNG2
It looks a lot of you guys liked this one. if you haven't heard it you should really check it out, it's free. The four non-cover songs they did on this one fit right in with the covers, I'm excited to see what they do next.
8.
Mitchmatic - It's Probably Raining
This didn't get much press. The only reason I heard it was because one of the songs was featured on All Songs Considered. Why Don't You Know? is one of the most original hip-hop songs I've heard in recent history, and you should at least give the song a shot. The rest of the album isn't really on the same level as this song, but it's solid and Mitchmatic deserves more attention than he's received.
9.
Andrew Bird - Break It Yourself
I love Andrew Bird and I love this album. I've been trying to think of an explanation for why I love this album for and nothing comes to mind. No one can whistle like this and while that's only a small part of the appeal, but it's enough of a justification for me.
10.
The Magnetic Fields - Love at the Bottom of the Sea
Post 69 Love Songs Magnetic Fields albums don't get a lot of love. Personally Distortion is probably my favorite Magnetic Fields album, but I thought Realism was pretty bad, and I can't deny that i can't really compare to their previous ones. The Magnetic Fields are my favorite band, and when Realism came out it was depressing. It was the first time that they had truly made something disappointing. Luckily this album was a big improvement. It's not a great album, but it's solid and Quick! is up there with my favorite Magnetic Fields songs. I might not be listening to all of these songs in a few years, but Stephin Merritt can still write a song that makes me tear up a little and that's enough
Honorable Mentions: Dry the River - Shallow Bed and
Alabama Shakes - Boys & Girls
I liked both of these album but they haven't really grown on me the same way the other ones have. I'll listen to them again for sure.
Non-album Tracks
Oh Village - Headlights / Red Death
This one is a demo I guess (with the internet the distinction is getting more and more meaningless, but whatever), but as far as I can tell this has gotten basically zero press. Someone posted it on a forum and I fell in love with it. Really beautiful stuff, you should check it out.
Oh Village Bandcamp
St. Vincent - Krokodil / Grot
I love St. Vincent, and I'll always love her usual sound, but I'd love to hear her go as harsh and intense on her next album as she does on this single. I don't usually pay much attention to Free Record Store Day releases so this came this was huge shock when I first heard it.