Every year I look forward to reflecting on the best in music (and sometimes film) that I've encountered. In no way is this an exhaustive list and their are plenty of other lists out there that will tout the benefits of listening to Adele (I seem to be about the only person that thinks 21 was overrated). And I could have added a number of other obvious choices like Bon Iver or Wilco. But here are a few recordings from a stellar year in music. Quite an amazing range of my favorite artists put out worthy additions to their catalogs this year. And, it is worth noting, that I finally got to see one the single greatest artists of our times in concert. Leonard Cohen wrapped up his world tour with a couple of shows in Vegas and played a three hour set that I would have been happy to see go longer. So here is to 2011, may 2012 be as amazing musically in its own way.
In no particular order:
Charlatans at the Garden Gate - Tristen
If there was a better pop record released in 2011 I didn't hear it. Tristen, an Illinois native transplanted herself to Nashville, and spent the last few years writing and performing, performing and writing, until she came up with just the right concoction of hook-laden pop gems. The time and attention to detail paid off. From the opening track, Eager For Your Love, to the final song, Save Raina, Tristen demonstrates an uncanny ability to weave clever and memorable melodies throughout. It seems that when listening to her songs just when you think you're noticing one catchy melody she throws in yet another dazzling hook. All this could be too musically syrupy if not for her ability to write biting lyrics that cut to heart of the emotional intricacies of human relationships. Whether she is writing about the enabling girlfriend of a drug user boyfriend in Baby Drugs, or of keeping "her thin and hungry" in the aforementioned, Eager For Your Love. When critics review a debut record this strong there is an annoying tendency to be implicitly dismissive by calling an artist someone to "watch in the future." Tristen is certainly someone to watch. But in a year full of great albums, right here and right now, Tristen released one for the ages.
FOMO - Liam Finn
Neither as raw or exuberant as Finn's, I'll Be Lightening, Fomo still showcased some great songwriting. The production was lush and verged on Finn's elder statesman father's territory of hooky and subtle pop song writing. From the XTCish, Reckless, to the swoony guitars in Chase the Seasons, this was a great 2nd outing from Liam.
Bad As Me - Tom Waits
Another solid collection from Mr. Waits that leaves most other artists in the dust. Yet the album feels somehow a lesser work than Real Gone, his last masterpiece, and certainly not as great as Bone Machine. But one can hardly complain. It is still better than 99% of what other artists are putting out. I guess that makes Waits one of the 1%. His songs however, capture the assorted tales of the least in our society better than anybody.
Pajama Club - Pajama Club
Unlike most people who think of Neil Finn as "that guy from Crowded House," I look at him as one of the great songwriters of the past 30+ years who has had various side projects along the way from Split Enz, CH (mark 1 and 2), to the new Pajama Club album. His solo record, Try Whistling This, is still one of the best crafted pop albums of the last 15 years. Where does Pajama Club fall in his body of work? Certainly it's an amusing detour but I hesitate to call it a trifle simply because he definitely pushed himself out of his comfort zone. That it isn't as riveting as some of his more notable records doesn't discount the merit of him trying something new.
50 Words For Snow - Kate Bush
I'm waiting to play this song cycle from Kate when it actually is snowing outside. Judging from the extended forecast I may be waiting awhile. 50 Words is one of the most gripping things she has done in years. Is it up par with any of her first five albums? Probably not. But it's a welcome addition to her canon and it proved that she still is an artist worth paying attention to.
Collapse Into Now - REM
2011 marked the end of an era for many people of my age with the disbanding of REM. I'll always remember driving around listening to Reckoning in high school and being dismayed that New Adventures in HiFi never seemed to get the credit it deserved as one of the best albums in an impressive career of classics. Collapse is a worthy way to end their run and showcases the range of songwriting they could achieve when they put their minds to it. They went out on their own terms with a quality record and not many of the great bands can say that.
Zonoscope - Cut Copy
This is a late addition to my list. Sounding somewhere between OMD, Thompson Twins, and New Order (I realize this will likely not sell you on the record) it is a great, playful album that elevates itself beyond just an 80s homage. I can't seem to stop playing this and every time I pick up something interesting that I hadn't noticed before.
Neither as raw or exuberant as Finn's, I'll Be Lightening, Fomo still showcased some great songwriting. The production was lush and verged on Finn's elder statesman father's territory of hooky and subtle pop song writing. From the XTCish, Reckless, to the swoony guitars in Chase the Seasons, this was a great 2nd outing from Liam.
Let England Shake - PJ Harvey
Shake is on a lot of best of lists and for good reason. The two-time Mercury Prize winner put out one of her best collections in a career full of amazing records. Thematic, raw, riveting, are all words I would use to describe this album. It's one of those records that reveals itself over repeated listenings. I'm not sure Harvey has written anything as haunting as the beautiful, On Battleship Hill.
King of Limbs - Radiohead
Underestimate Radiohead at your own peril. The band keeps putting out unexpected collections taking a strange turn with each new work. The hypnotic, electronic, rhythms of Limbs were quite a surprise after In Rainbows. But again an album that could be dismissed if the band wasn't so formidable in the complexity of their songwriting. This is a band that is so far removed from The Bends at this point that I'm at a loss when I hear people complain about the lack of guitars and anthems on their records. They, and we, are far better for having followed them as they evolve. Bonus points for their wonderful stopover on the Colbert Report.
Move Like This - The Cars
The Cars will never get their critical due but this collection is as fine an example of pop new wave songs as you are likely to hear. Ocasek and company are masters and maybe few people missed them being on the music scene but I for one felt like they make songwriting look easy.
All You Need Is Now - Duran Duran
I know, I know, this is looking like a list of 80s throwbacks but DD returned with a near great record that made folks who remember how fun they were realize what a void in pop for this splashy new wave sound. Don't expect Simon Lebon's lyrics to be any better but do expect the album to confirm suspicions that John Taylor really is one of the most interesting bassists out there and Nick Rhodes still has a knack for swirling, atmospheric synth sounds.
Hot Sauce Committee Part Two - Beastie Boys
At some point this last year it occurred to me that out of all of the concerts I've been to I've never seen anybody as much as the Beasties (3 Times!). It's almost inadvertent since I caught them at a couple of festivals along the way but I still consider the crowd reaction to their performance of Sabotage to be one of the most incredible concert experiences I've ever had. Who would have known that after seeing them on the License to Ill tour that three decades later they would be putting out such great, fun, and important albums. Sidenote: is Elijah Wood the coolest actor working today or what?
Bad As Me - Tom Waits
Another solid collection from Mr. Waits that leaves most other artists in the dust. Yet the album feels somehow a lesser work than Real Gone, his last masterpiece, and certainly not as great as Bone Machine. But one can hardly complain. It is still better than 99% of what other artists are putting out. I guess that makes Waits one of the 1%. His songs however, capture the assorted tales of the least in our society better than anybody.
Pajama Club - Pajama Club
Unlike most people who think of Neil Finn as "that guy from Crowded House," I look at him as one of the great songwriters of the past 30+ years who has had various side projects along the way from Split Enz, CH (mark 1 and 2), to the new Pajama Club album. His solo record, Try Whistling This, is still one of the best crafted pop albums of the last 15 years. Where does Pajama Club fall in his body of work? Certainly it's an amusing detour but I hesitate to call it a trifle simply because he definitely pushed himself out of his comfort zone. That it isn't as riveting as some of his more notable records doesn't discount the merit of him trying something new.
50 Words For Snow - Kate Bush
I'm waiting to play this song cycle from Kate when it actually is snowing outside. Judging from the extended forecast I may be waiting awhile. 50 Words is one of the most gripping things she has done in years. Is it up par with any of her first five albums? Probably not. But it's a welcome addition to her canon and it proved that she still is an artist worth paying attention to.
Collapse Into Now - REM
2011 marked the end of an era for many people of my age with the disbanding of REM. I'll always remember driving around listening to Reckoning in high school and being dismayed that New Adventures in HiFi never seemed to get the credit it deserved as one of the best albums in an impressive career of classics. Collapse is a worthy way to end their run and showcases the range of songwriting they could achieve when they put their minds to it. They went out on their own terms with a quality record and not many of the great bands can say that.
Zonoscope - Cut Copy
This is a late addition to my list. Sounding somewhere between OMD, Thompson Twins, and New Order (I realize this will likely not sell you on the record) it is a great, playful album that elevates itself beyond just an 80s homage. I can't seem to stop playing this and every time I pick up something interesting that I hadn't noticed before.
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