2011 was one of the greatest years for the alternative music scene… at least, I think so! And if others disagree, then I will gladly re-word to: 2011 was one of the greatest years for my personal music library. The following will be my own chart for the top ten alternative albums that I’ve listened to in 2011. Though it is not comprehensive and lacks a lot of great albums, it is what I’ve discovered for myself. That’s my disclaimer. However, don’t even think about counting my chart out, I’m sure there’s an optimistically high chance that at least one album on this list will interest you enough that you’d say “I can’t believe I didn’t hear this for an entire year!” Unless your entire playlist consists of heavy metal and/or country and/or hip hop and/or techno and/or dubstep, then my sincere apologies, this isn’t the right list!
So without further ado, I present:
Bill’s Top Ten Alternative Albums of 2011
10. Iron& Wine – Kiss Each Other Clean
You may have discovered Iron & Wine through The Twilight Saga movies… or not. What’s important is that you’ve discovered Samuel Beam‘s wondrous vocals and his amazing folk tunes. What’s captivating about Beam’s latest album is that it paints pictures of both happy and sad. With his musical experimentation, Beam incorporates many different sounds from electric synthesizers to horns all combining to create a coherent picture of pop, the kind you find in the 60s or 70s. A very full and encompassing atmosphere is created with the multiple instruments found on this track. The final product is a one of a kind portrait of emotions, unique down to the core.
9. Foo Fighters – Wasting Light
Dave Grohl, along with his fun-loving cohorts, produced one of their “heaviest albums yet” as described by Grohl himself. What I personally got out of it? It’s a track of pure rock. Keeping the sound of the Foo Fighters alive, the band delved into the depths of their rock & roll potential, and produced this beauty of a rock album. It’s one of those albums where you know the band did only what they wanted to do without caring about reception. Charged with unprecedented vocals, pummelling drums and chords shred to pieces, yet at the same time incorporating melodies that get you singing along, Wasting Light can definitely appeal to the masses.
8. Foster the People – Torches
Foster the People: indie band turned mainstream. I must throw it out there that I listened to Foster the People before they were mainstream, but the fact of the matter is: good music is good music, whether mainstream or not. Debuting their first album, Foster the People reached amazing success. Mark Foster’s falsettos and the band’s cunning ability to make your heartbeat match their rhythms combine to create a formula of pure magic. I can’t name a single song that isn’t catchy on this album. From songs that make the dancer come out of you to songs that allow you to reminisce on the innocence of summer, Foster the People captivated many with their debut. Don’t bother hiding the fact that you’ve whistled along to their songs, cause there’s absolutely no shame in that. In fact, it would be a shame if you were ashamed.
7. Beirut – The Rip Tide
Beirut’s distinct sound never fails to mesmerise. Zachary Condon’s unique voice matches his band’s instrumentation perfectly. The harmony of vocals, accordions, brass instruments, and more all elude from generic songs found playing on your local radio stations. Instead, a truly internal feeling arises with the sound of Beirut; one where you wouldn’t mind being alone for a few hours, where you get to embrace to comforts of being alone. No fancy beats, no bass drops, nothing that you can recall hearing on MTV– only tracks that lead to the purest and most intimate feelings of bliss. Don’t be surprised if you find your body releasing an excess of oxytocin.
6. City & Colour – Little Hell
Canada’s very own Dallas Green, with his angelic voice, delivers yet another spine-chilling album. The combination of Green’s unmistakable ability to access the entire spectrum of his voice, from high to low and soft to loud, as well as his acoustics really add up to an unforgettable album. Painting the portrait of love, the album explores the beauties of being in love, both the happiness and ecstasy and consequently the misery and bitterness. In fact, that’s where the album title comes from: the “little heavens” and “little hells” of a relationship. With such beautiful numbers, Little Hell identifies with just about anybody. Green gorgeously transforms his emotions into song, effortlessly plucking on heartstrings with surgical precision.
5. Florence + The Machine – Ceremonials
The phenomenal Florence Welch returns with her band to present an amazing album, filled with emotion and a formula to leave the listener distraught, wondering what just hit their ears with such force and tremor. Welch powerfully uses her vocals to produce bold and confident tracks, accompanied with reverberating percussions and soulful choirs. The album title is fitting, as it celebrates the art of music, the type that can intimately invoke emotions. The unequivocal organic sound of Florence + The Machine creates the image of an erupting volcano of affection and disturbance. Welch’s prodigious voice performs with such a captivating presence that shockwaves echo through the room with haunting chills.
4. The Black Keys – El Camino
The duo of Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney released their masterpiece very late in the year. But December’s finest album prevailed as instantly one of the best albums of the year. What makes that possible is the transformation of the Black Keys’ sound. Brothers, as soulful as it was, was replaced with an intensified rock and roll, all the while keeping the roots of The Black Keys intact. Frivolous and irresistible, El Camino was downright dirty. And dirty comes with all the positive connotations. Released just 25 days before the year was over, the album really tugged at the patience of die-hard fans, but upon its arrival, Christmas came early for all.
3. Adele – 21
Extraordinary and unparalled, 21 was a focal point of 2011. Adele quickly found her home in the hearts of many. With heavy rhythms that seem minuscule when compared to her vocals, Adele’s raspy and powerful voice explicitly steals the crown for her as a singer with prowess and one of today’s finest. As a “break-up” album, Adele pours her heart out, leaving no room for any excess emotion in the atmosphere. Even those happily in love would surely feel the sorrows of heart-shattering losses. The first great album of the year came with such force and vigor that even now, nearly one year later, people are still feeling the aftershock of Adele’s dramatic album.
2. Coldplay – Mylo Xyloto
Colouring the world in bright hues of happiness and bliss, Mylo Xyloto came upon us as a meteor shower of school-boy rock; exactly what Chris Martin is about. Embracing who they are, Coldplay played this album with a starry essence. No, not the flamboyant type, but rather one where summer nights are all you yearn for and in very precise moments you find out what it means to be alive. Though bashed on by many critics for being generic and non-innovative, Coldplay conversely captivates their listeners. Quite frankly, it isn’t about the five-star rating, it’s about winning over hearts, and that’s exactly what Coldplay has done. The picturesque album awakens the childhood feelings that we’ve long forgotten.
1. Bon Iver – Bon Iver
Justin Vernon’s absolutely sensational voice, check. Justin Vernon’s amazing riffs, check. Justin Vernon’s ability to create masterful compositions, check. Bon Iver’s second studio album is truly one of the best I’ve ever listened to. Vernon draws his inspiration from the rawest feelings anyone could feel. Being someone who went alone to a cabin to write songs after being heartbroken, it’s clear that Vernon has experienced a lot more sorrows than many of us. And without a doubt his outlook on life must be incredibly fragile. However, he knows he wants to create music. Not aiming to be playing plain folk music, Vernon strayed away from finding inspiration by sitting down with guitar in hand for this album, instead he wanted to make music from scratch, almost like reliving the first moments of the big bang. The sounds present during the first few moments after the bang, that’s what I feel this album encompasses. The awareness of the surroundings yet not knowing what they are at all. It’s in that most raw nature that Vernon knew exactly what he wanted this album to be. And Bon Iver, Bon Iver turned out to be exactly that: a creation. Using bare elements, Vernon created from silence a sound so powerful and emotions so real that no one actually knew they could feel. Ten tracks was all it took. From beginning to end, Bon Iver, Bon Iver has solidified its status as the epitome of all albums, and for it to be released in 2011 is actually a blessing to the year 2011.
Thanks for reading, I leave you with slightly cramped fingers but very indulged ears.