My top 10 of 2011:
- Easter Island – Frightened (Self-released)
A band out of Athens which employs shimmering shoegaze, playful pianos and thunderous drums, Easter Island’s debut album Frightened delivers in smart and satisfying ways. There are several songs of merit, the best of which is “You Don’t Have A Choice,” a bold effort which moves from ethereal guitar chimes to an calvacade of drums. It’s varied and roams with purpose achieving the result every band wants for its songs – to be heard again and again without fading interest. - Screaming Females – Ugly (Don Giovanni)
There’s plenty of good indie-punk stylings about in this Internet age, but none can boast the distinct delivery of Marissa Paternoster, a singular voice who turns Ugly into a pretty good time. Produced by Steve Albini (who was behind the scenes in two of my top 10 this year), Ugly is a triumph of pop hooks, gothic tinges and Paternoster’s squealing turns of phrase. My God is it fun. - Jack White – Blunderbuss (Columbia/Third Man)
When Jack White writes a song, he is unparalleled – whether he’s fronting The White Stripes, The Raconteurs or The Dead Weather. With Blunderbuss, the first album White has fronted as himself, this run of stellar work continues and to some extent excels. A revelation of rock, blues, pop and country, Blunderbuss showcases a supreme songwriter at the top of his game. As good as his previous work is, there’s a sense White defers to the musicians around him, giving them space to create. But he’s in charge here. After listening to “Sixteen Saltines” this fact leaves the listener feeling a bit cheated – do you mean all White Stripes songs could have sounded this good? W.T.F. - Godspeed You! Black Emperor – Allelujah! Don’t Bend! Ascend! (Constellation)
It’s been 10 years since the Canadian post-rockers have released an album, but Allelujah! proves the decade was worth the wait. Sure two of the four songs have been part of Godspeed sets for years, but to hear these menacing pieces of sonic eruptions alone in your living room brings forth a certain joy that’s hard to explain. - Dan Deacon, America (Domino)
With America, Dan Deacon shows a range as varied as the country he chooses to name the album after. Poppy with sterling rhythms at one point, America can summon an explosion of sound a second later, leaving the listener bewildered and buoyant. Deacon tugs at extremes for surprises that pile upon surprises, he’s become a maestro of the unexpected. - Frank Ocean – Channel Orange (Def Jam)
To say this is a grand opus is an understatement: what Ocean has created is a patchwork of unmatched acumen, mixing pop and soul, funk and electronics, all shaped in mind-bending arrangements with themes of love, loss and desperation. It also benefits from being under-produced – a slicker sound would not give Channel Orange its gritty realism. Each listen finds a new level of engagement, and as a storyteller Ocean is one the best. This is special stuff. - Sigur Ros, Valtari (XL)
The Icelandic band which excels in resplendent revelry has taken it down a notch with Valtari, a record that deals in the band’s usual atmospherics in a tempered but splendid manner. “Ekki Múkk” captures this best – it’s simple, subtle and mesmerizing, as Jonsi croons high amid the clamor of strings about him. Such confidence this band has. - The xx, Coexist (XL)
The xx’s Oliver Sim and Romy Madley-Croft have developed an identity pure and lasting, and Coexist proves their dynamic breakthrough XX was no fluke. The xx is electronic church music – gentle and stalwart, it offers a firm meditation while staying true to its message. Call it pew rock, the latest opiate to the masses. Coexist is keenly personal and stunning despite its sedate nature. - Japandroids, Celebration Rock (Polyvinyl)
Garage rock with a sense of earnest passion, the Vancouver duo of Brian King and David Prowse have created a memorable album with a constant pulsing energy. It doesn’t hurt that “The House That Heaven Built” is one of the best anthemic songs I’ve heard in more than a decade. “Tell them all to go hell,” King yells. We’re with you Brian. - Cloud Nothings – Attack on Memory (Carpark)
Cleveland’s Cloud Nothings hire producer Steve Albini and a furious hell breaks loose, propelling Attack on Memory into one of the most intriguing albums of the year. With a full band in tow, frontman Dylan Baldi has propelled well past his band’s debut album for a sophomore effort that is great from start to finish – with plenty of pop hooks served amid a slate of acerbic dissonance. It shouldn’t work, but it does so deliciously.
