This list may fly in the face of most “best of” lists for 2011. Excluded are the overrated Bon Iver, James Blake, and the array of wince-inducing rap projects that have been embraced by particular hipster circles. Included are some albums that have been relentlessly bashed by the indie blogosphere, but ones we loved, such as The Strokes, Radiohead, and White Lies, as well as some that were completely ignored this year (Feersum Ennjin and Saul Williams).
We don’t call ‘em the best, just our favorites. These are the records that got the most plays on our iPods this year, our favorite albums of 2011:
1. Modeselektor – Monkeytown
2. Tapes ‘n Tapes – Outside
3. The Strokes – Angles
4. Radiohead – The King of Limbs
5. Feersum Ennjin – Feersum Ennjin
6. The Antlers – Burst Apart
7. Panda Bear – Tomboy
8. Wilco – The Whole Love
9. Saul Williams – Volcanic Sunlight
10. Atlas Sound – Parallax
11. TV On The Radio – Nine Types of Light
12. Puscifer – Conditions of My Parole
13. SONOIO – RED
14. Battles – Glass Drop
15. Beastie Boys – Hot Sauce Committee Pt. 2
16. M83 – Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming
17. REM – Collapse Into Now
18. PJ Harvey – Let England Shake
19. White Lies – Ritual
20. The Decemberists – The King Is Dead
Most Disappointing Albums of 2011:
Dredg – Chuckles and Mr. Squeezy
Ladytron – Gravity the Seducer
