My Favorite Albums of 2011
This would be a perfect time for me to get all bitter or sappy, or maybe some odd combination of the two, but I hope I don’t. 2011 was a year of mixed emotions for me. I was finally writing semi-professionally. I loved it. But suddenly that wasn’t there for me anymore, and it hurt. It really did. And it ruined writing for me for some time. Writing is something I do for fun, because I like having the ability to spin words around and make these really nice little paragraphs of phrases that I agonize over for way too long. I usually have no idea where I’m going, but the journey is a blast and I’m usually pretty happy with where I end up. Now, I’m finally getting paid to do what I love. Wait, money? I know right, it’s a trip, actually getting paid for the work you do.
Anyways, here are my favorite albums of this past year just because. I’m not saying they’re the best or anything, but each one was really special to me this year. Thanks for reading.
30. Lil Wayne – Tha Carter IV
29. Big Sean – Finally Famous: The Album
28. Childish Gambino – Camp
27. The Decemberists – The King is Dead
26. The Weeknd – House of Balloons
25. The Throne – Watch the Throne
24. Saigon – The Greatest Story Never Told
23. Drake – Take Care
22. The Weeknd – Thursday
21. The Insane Warrior – We Are the Doorways
20. Clams Casino – Instrumentals
19. The Roots – undun
18. Black Milk and Danny Brown – Black & Brown
17. Araab Muzik – Electronic Dream
16. SBTRKT – SBTRKT
15. Bon Iver – Bon Iver, Bon Iver
14. Tyler, the Creator – Goblin
13. The Mountain Goats – All Eternals Deck
12. Death Grips – Exmilitary
11. Frank Ocean – Nostalgia, Ultra
10. Danny Brown – XXX
When an artist goes by a moniker like The Adderall Admiral, you know you’re in for one hell of an experience. Slipping smoothly from rambunctious to serious, Brown offers an incredible look at his strengths throughout the whole of XXX. It may be easy to write him off because of his odd-ball style, but sleeping on this MC may be one of the stupidest things a person could do.
9. The Weeknd – Echoes of Silence
House of Balloons was a masterpiece of emotion and soul. Thursday was a melancholic step-forward, a criminally underrated follow-up that continued the trilogy’s excellence. Echoes of Silence may be the latest of Abel Tesfaye’s releases, but it’s without a doubt the best. Opening with a Michael Jackson cover was the riskiest thing this Canadian artist could have done, but he pulls it off with his signature emotion and grace.
8. Manchester Orchestra – Simple Math
Manchester Orchestra have always been more than just a rock band, but their ambitions definitely come to fruition in a more spectacular way on Simple Math. While at times the multiple layers found on each track create a bit of an aural mess, the beauty that rises from the friction is truly an eye-opening experience.
7. Beyonce – 4
Another year, another Beyonce album. 4 continues Beyonce’s storied career in a major way, throwing hit after hit at the listener until they’re left in a stupefied state of bliss. No one does pop as well as this woman, and she backs up the lackluster lyrics with heartfelt emotion and powerful delivery.
6. Shabazz Palaces – Black Up
Jazz and electronics meet Arabian Nights in the latest release from Shabazz Palaces. A rolling trip throughout, Black Up is an intense look inside the mind’s of the genre’s most forward-thinking artists. They are the epitome of avant-garde hip-hop at this point in time, and show no signs of stopping.
5. Theophilus London – Timez Are Weird These Days
In my original review, I dubbed London as the finest purveyor of “synth pastel magnificence.” A ridiculous descriptor, without a doubt, but one I blindly stand by to this day. Timez Are Weird These Days continues a career full of deeply meaningful and completely unique music, stylish as well as accomplished, that should definitely stand the test of time.
4. Mr. Muthafuckin Exquire – Lost in Translation
This album is so fucking gritty and nasty, I feel compelled to shower after each listen. From blowjobs to fried chicken, eXquire uses Lost in Translation as his own personal soapbox, expressing every natural and unnatural thought to pop into his head with his typical devil-may-care attitude.
3. A$AP Rocky – LiveLoveA$AP
Yes, I’ve included mixtapes and EPs in this list. I’m not really worried, so you shouldn’t be either. Though he hails from Harlem, Rocky epitomizes Houston hip-hop more than any artist in the game today. Thanks to a variety of Clams Casino produced jams, LiveLoveA$AP bounces from one song to the next with a surprising amount of alacrity and, more importantly, charm.
2. Adele – 21
After 21 was released in January, I couldn’t go anywhere without hearing another single from Adele’s sophomore album. I work retail, and I swear to god we played the entire album at one point. But the thing is, I wasn’t annoyed by it. I can’t think of any other artist on this list I could listen to for that amount of time and want to quit.
1. Lil B – I’m Gay
Lil B’s extensive discography is a litany of unique delivery and presentation, but I’m Gay proves this polarizing artist can craft a more coherent album with little effort. Each track is a mash-up of superb production and B’s signature lyrical style, forming an enthralling trip from beginning to end.