Favorite albums of 2011

Not as strong as 2010 but the top music was still GREAT!

1.  Cloud Nothings- "Cloud Nothings"
Imagine being on an intense, hook-filled, pop/punk sugar rush for 28 minutes! You will play it again and again and again and again...

2.  Lykke Li - "Wounded Rhymes"
Phil Spector meets Swedish ice queen and sparks fly! From the pounding "Get Some" to the melancholy of "Sadness is a Blessing" it's a glorious trip!

3.  The Joy Formidable - "The Big Roar"
Never has there been a more aptly named album. Guitarist/singer/ human dynamo Ritzy Bryan and co. create a crushingly melodic wall of noise!

4. The Black Keys - "El Camino"
Test drive this van and throw those Grammys out the window! This is the most rockin' Black Keys album in years!

5.  Pains of Being Pure at Heart - "Belong"

Their second album is full of more fuzzed-out melodic pop. Just gets better and better with repeated listening (uh-oh, I may have to move it up a place).

6.  Cults - "Cults"
There's enough beautifully souped up retro girl group music here to hold you over until the next "Best Coast" album. Nice!

7.  Yuck - "Yuck"
England's latest indie-rock darlings debut is heavily influenced by Dinosaur Jr. and their 90s like but in the best way with strong songs and buzzing guitar.

8.  R.E.M. - "Collapse Into Now"
My favorite band has never disappointed me and they bow out in style. Thanks for the incredible musical ride guys!

9.  Fleet Foxes - "Helplessness Blues"
Robin Pecknold crafts another set of heartmeltingly beautiful songs in the vein of Crosby, Stills & Nash.

10.  Real Estate - "Days" 
Strong sophomore effort has Real Estate spinning dreamy 6-string pop.


Honorable Mention - Dum Dum Girls - "Only In Dreams", Atlas Sound - "Parallax", Decemberists - "The King is Dead", Death Cab For Cutie - "Codes & Keys", Fountains of Wayne - "Sky Full of Holes", TV on the Radio - "Nine Types of Light"

Something old...something new (#14)

"Rock 'n' Roll Animal" by Lou Reed (released 1974 - remastered 2000)

"Lou Reed sucks, but 'Rock' n 'Roll Animal' rules" - customer review on Amazon.com

   Following the demise of "The Velvet Underground" Lou Reed embarked on a solo career which for the most part has been highly forgettable save for "Rock 'n' Roll Animal" and "Lou Reed Live" which sit like shimmering twin diamonds on a mountain of garbage. Lou hit the road in 1973 with a red hot band (Guitar - Dick Wagner & Steve Hunter, Bass - Prakash John, Drums - Pentti Glan, Keyboards - Ray Colcord) and the result was one of the finest live albums ever released! Reed wisely stays with his Velvet Underground work whose seminal songs were originally recorded in a very minimalist fashion but hold up and even blossom under the savage 6-string work of Hunter and Wagner. Their twining guitars are staggering right from the get go with a blistering intro that leads into the classic "Sweet Jane". The amazing and haunting autobiographical "Heroin" follows which even at thirteen minutes suffers not a dull moment. Lou is in fine form throughout and is obviously energized by his powerful band. "White Heat/White Light" and "Rock 'n' Roll" are two other searing guitarfests separated by the lovely "Lady Day". It is worth buying the 2000 remaster for the two bonus tracks, "How Do You Think it Feels" and "Caroline Says" (between these two tracks Lou pricelessly speaks his only recorded word as fans yell out requests -"Shaddup") For more of this concert search out "Lou Reed Live" which features six more songs including "Vicious" and "I'm Waiting for the Man". This album full of supercharged Velvet Underground music took FM radio by storm in 1974 and remains one of my favorites today!

"Lucky" by Nada Surf (released 2008)

   Nada Surf is a trio from New York that have been quietly producing outstanding music appropriate for sunny summer days or cold winter nights for the past 15 years. The band continues to gently refine it's sound with each release culminating with the gorgeous "Lucky". Their sound is an irresistible mix of catchy guitar driven pop, smooth harmonies and choruses you will be humming long after the songs are over. On the opener "See These Bones" vocals soar over a shimmering bed of guitars and set you up for an album full of equally memorable and brilliantly produced songs. The perfectly named "Beautiful Beat" is my favorite, with it's uplifting sound and message that music has the power to help you through despair. "Whose Authority", "Weightless", "Ice on the Wing" and "From Now On" continue the parade of chiming rockers that are found on most of the CD. "Here Goes Something" is a charming acoustic tune that will have you smiling and longing for another verse. "The Fox" captivates with a mesmerizing tremelo guitar figure that is complimented by violin and a stunning bridge. Ending with the quietly beautiful "The Film Did Not Go 'Round" this is an album that makes an impact on first listen and gets better after each play. Their previous release"Weight is a Gift" is also highly recommended and I am anxiously awaiting their new release January 24!