Here are my Top 10 Albums of 2011.
10.
James Blake -
Enough Thunder (EP) &
James Blake
Two extraordinary works by electro prodigy Blake featuring his swoony, not-of-this-earth vocals.
9.
Adele -
21
The unlikely pop smash of the year. A breath of fresh air: well-written ballads, gorgeous, emotional vocals; a smoky version of The Cure's "Lovesong."
8.
Austra -
Feel It Break
A throwback to Kate Bush's
Hounds of Love: a moody mix of electronic pop and classical (lead singer Katie Stelmanis was a trained opera singer).
7.
Holy Ghost! -
Holy Ghost!
Insanely catchy (and fun) electronica album.
6.
Toro Y Moi -
Freaking Out (EP) &
Underneath the Pine
Bubbling hot lava nu-disco beats from the creative beat producer and chillwaver.
5.
Feist -
Metals
Didn't make as big of a splash as her last album (and radio friendly single "1234" did) but Feist has crafted some magnificent, intimate tunes here.
4.
The Roots -
Undun
The haunting tracks on this album makes a remarkable statement while tracing the life and death of a fictional character in reverse chronological order.
3.
Jay-Z &
Kanye West -
Watch the Throne
Two rap pioneers making good music.
2.
PJ Harvey -
Let England Shake
A truly unique album with its percussive hits and horns and Harvey's intense vocals--harboring a global perspective (including testimonials of troops in Afghanistan) of passion, anger and fragility. Definitely her best in years.
1.
Bon Iver -
Bon Iver
A swath of lush, melancholy indie rock and a great closer that's a melodic (and unexpected) throwback to mellow 80s pop in a major key.
