Top 10 Albums of 2011

Posted on December 3, 2011

I can’t believe that the last time I updated this blog was for my top 10 of 2010. There’s got to be a New Year’s resolution in there somewhere!

Unlike last year, this year I really put a lot of time into this list. In the last few weeks I have revisited each of these albums, and others, multiple times so that I could actually put them in order from one to ten. So, here we go:

#10 – Kaskade “Fire & Ice”

Ryan Raddon’s latest amazing dance record is a massive collaboration with many other talented artists (Mindy Gledhill, Rebecca & Fiona, Neon Trees, Skrillex, Haley, Marcus Bently, Quadron, Dada Life with Dan Black, Inpetto with Late Night Alumni, Skylar Grey). And there are two versions of each song on the album, as the second half is made up of the “Ice Mixes” of each song from the first half.

My Favorite Track: “Ice (Kaskade’s Ice Mix)”

#9 – The Brandt Brauer Frick Ensemble “Mr. Machine”

Upon first listen, I would not have predicted this album would end up in my top 10 for the year. But I kept going back to it and letting it play in the background while I was working. It’s sort of a minimalist arrangement of electronic elements meeting jazz and classical influences. I really grew to love this record as a whole and can’t pick a favorite track.

#8 – Blood Orange “Coastal Grooves”

Blood Orange is Dev Hynes – known for his work writing with Florence & The Machine and The Chemical Brothers. I just saw him do a poolside session at The Skybar at The Mondrian Hotel in Hollywood. Coastal Grooves is a really fun album that might, at times, make you think you’re listening to an obscure Prince song.

My Favorite Track: “Forget It”

#7 – Peter Bjorn and John “Gimme Some”

This album is so deep in influences, you could almost turn it into a drinking game. I hear The Kinks, The Cure, The Police, Peter Case and The Plimsouls, The Hollies, Bow Wow Wow, Queens Of The Stone Age, Squeeze, The Jesus & Mary Chain, Adam And The Ants, Liars, The Pretenders, Echo & The Bunnymen, House of Love, and The Muppets, just to name a few!

My Favorite Track: “(Don’t Let Them) Cool Off”

#6 – Washed Out “Within and Without”

This guy’s story is one of my favorites in recent times. Ernest Greene graduated with a Library Sciences degree, couldn’t get a job as a librarian, and started making music at home. All I can say is Thank God he didn’t get a job! A friend gave me the “Life Of Leisure” EP last year, which became one of my favorite chill soundtracks. Washed out got signed to Sub Pop, and released “Within and Without” this year. It’s gorgeous.

Favorite Track: “Amor Fati”

#5 – Bombay Bicycle Club “A Different Kind Of Fix”

I am a nostalgia freak. I love when a song or smell or experience just transports you back in time. This album has that effect on me. Although not a dead ringer, there are so many things about it that remind me of the first Stone Roses album. I am going to say that this record probably should be a little lower on my list, as there actually are a couple tracks in the second half that I could do without. But the nostalgia factor and the genius of the really amazing songs on this record blindsided me. So we’ll consider that variable to be the flaw in the Persian rug.

Favorite Song: “Your Eyes”

#4 – Treefight For Sunlight “A Collection of Vibrations For Your Skull”

I’m pretty sure this band is the Danish lovechild of Brian Wilson from The Beach Boys and Kevin Barnes from Of Montreal. And they probably asked The Mamas & The Papas to be the Godparents. That’s a beautiful thing.

My Favorite Track: uh…. it keeps changing, but probably “Rain Air” or “You and the New World”

#3 – Adele “21″

This is one of the most emotive bodies of music that I have ever heard. It’s perfect. I can’t pick a favorite track.

#2 – The Drums “Portamento”

I love everything about this record. It’s so poppy, but kinda dark, and a little schizophrenic. My biggest musical bummer of the year is that I missed seeing them. Hopefully when they’re done overseas, there will be some more U.S. shows.

My Favorite Track: “Money”

#1 – Foster The People “Torches”

Man, what a year for these guys. “Pumped Up Kicks” started getting played on the radio over a year ago, and it doesn’t seem like it’s going anywhere anytime soon. Personally, I don’t think I’ll ever get sick of that song. That is the kind of song that radio programmers dream of. But this whole album – it’s a pop masterpiece.

When I first met these guys, it was at the 91X broadcast house at Coachella. They stopped by for an on-air interview and live performance at the tale end of my show that morning. When I finished up, I jumped in the van with them and we proceeded to hit up parties all afternoon before we headed to the venue for the evening. That night was the first of many times I saw them perform as a full band this year.

Since Coachella, they released their album, toured extensively, have had music featured in TV shows and commercials. It’s obvious that this is only the beginning for this band. I love seeing great things happen to nice people.

I can’t pick one favorite track, as it has changed so many times. The contenders are “Pumped Up Kicks,” “Helena Beat,” “I Would Do Anything For You” and “Don’t Stop (Color On The Walls).”

Bring on 2012!!!

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Top 10 Albums and Songs for 2010

Posted on December 22, 2010

Top 10s

I did this in about 10 minutes, but wanted to throw together a couple top 10 lists for the year. If I did it tomorrow, it might be slightly different. They’re not necessarily in order, but this is the music that I found myself listening to most this year. And I know a couple of them actually came out towards the end of 2009, but 2010 was when they were in heavy rotation for me.

If you took the time to compile your own lists, please point me towards them.

Albums

Graffiti6 “Colours”