The 20 Best ALBUMS of 2011

We all know I hate Best of Lists that come out before the year is over so nearly 4 weeks into 2012 I finally present my best albums of 2011! (Still a day faster than last year!) Below are the top 10 albums from my 2011 followed by 10 honorable mentions. The list was compiled by weighing total play counts along with longevity. Not only did I listen to it a lot, but was I still reaching for it months after the honeymoon phase. These are those albums.

Since I can’t be bothered to rank these bad boys I went for alphabetical. Enjoy, and of course, drop your thoughts in the comments. Hearing your agreements/disagreements is always the most fun part of these lists!

♫ = Click to play & right-click to download

Click album titles to see original review

Das Racist – Relax

♫ Das Racist – Rainbow in the Dark

When they want to these guys can be amazing. Unlike anything else out there.

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Drake – Take Care

♫  Drake – Take Care (Feat. Rihanna)

This album is still growing on me more and more.  The man in onto something special here.

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Frank Ocean – Nostalgia, Ultra

♫ Frank Ocean – Songs for Women

Heart and soul. And damn catchy hooks.

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Holy Ghost! – Holy Ghost!

♫ Holy Ghost! – Wait & See

This one just kept getting better and better. Each listen uncovers a new favorite.

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Hooded Fang – Album

♫ Hooded Fang – Straight Up The Dial

I don’t care that it came out in 2010. It made my 2011. An insanely delightful album that any sane person should love.

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Jhameel – The Human Condition

♫ Jhameel – Bernal Heights

The sound on an amazing artist getting even better.

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Motopony – Motopony

♫ Motopony – Wait For Me

Tender hearts never sounded this good.

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Penguin Prison – Penguin Prison

♫ Penguin Prison – The Worse It Gets

The long wait could have turned out sour but instead  we got an album that blew away all my expectations.

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Walk The Moon – I Want! I Want!

♫ Walk The Moon – Lisa Baby

From an awesome single to an awesome live shot to an awesome album, 2011 the year of Walk The Moon. Every song is perfect.

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Wildlife – Strike Hard Young Diamond

♫ Wildlife – Stand in the Water

Is anyone else out there loving this as much as me!? This album has it all! Stellar.

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HONORABLE MENTION

ANR – Stay Kids / ♫ ANR – Stay Kids

Civil Civic - Rules / ♫ Civil Civic – Street Trap

Gotye – Making Mirrors / ♫ Gotye – Eyes Wide Open

James Blake – James Blake / ♫ James Blake – The Wilhelm Scream

Jay Z & Kanye West – Watch The Throne / ♫ Jay Z & Kanye West – Niggas In Paris

Generationals – Actor-Caster / ♫ Generationals – Ten-Twenty-Ten

Monarchy – Monarchy / ♫ Monarchy – Gold In The Fire

Peter Bjorn & John – Gimme Some / ♫ Peter Bjorn and John – May Seem Macabre

The Weeknd – House of Balloons / ♫ The Weeknd – House Of Balloons/Glass Table Girls

When Saints Go Machine – Konkylie / ♫ When Saints Go Machine – Kelly

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Artwork by Jacob Youngblood Ziegler

Be sure to catch all the 2011 “BEST OF” lists!

18 replies
  1. Music Man
    Music Man says:

    Cool list… Certainly some bands I’ve never heard of. I’m guessing you haven’t heard Youth Lagoon’s 2011 album, The Year of Hibernation… It’s literally in my top 10 of all time, and it’s his very first album.

  2. Brandon @ TBE
    Brandon @ TBE says:

    I caught it after new years so there are few posts up on TBE but not in time for a best of list. Jams that mellow rarely make my top of the year lists anyway, although it is a great album!

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