Favorite Albums of 2011

[Dkolps]

FUCK YEAH FLEET FOXES OH FUCK MY ASS

[BlackStarKeepShining]

You hella overrate that Death Grips album.

[Goofle11]

@BlackStarKeepShining I think the Death Grips release is fucking great, but I also think people ignore the fact that they weren't the first act to make music like that.

[bdaking2]

you have tons of good choices, but you cant have top cds of 2011 without including some more popular bands that had really good stuff, such as Bon Iver by Bon Iver, El Camino by the Black Keys, 21 by Adele, Wasting Light by Foo Fighters, the King of Limbs by Radiohead, Watch the Throne by Jay-Z and Kanye West, and My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West.

but i do thank you for the list, cause its given me plenty of stuff that i havent heard of to listen to.

[Goofle11]

@bdaking2 Only one of those is really worth making the list, and that's "Wasting Light" (MBDTF is 2010...)

[bdaking2]

@Goofle11 you really think that the black keys and radiohead and bon iver dont even deserve the top? those 3 at least are deserving of top 20 much better than stuff like little dragon

[Goofle11]

@bdaking2 They may well be in your opinion, but in Anthony's they are not. I personally don't like anything Bon Iver has released, and really didn't care for the new Black Keys and Radiohead albums.

[bkd2117]

I love your reviews but I've come to notice that u never do any reviews on Tech N9ne. He came out with two albums in 2011, All 6's and 7's and Welcome to Strangeland which I thought were two really good albums.

[xxMMxKIDxx]

Personally, my favorite album was Wasting Light by Foo Fighters. I get that people have different tastes though, so I'm not gonna bitch and moan....

[altmusic123]

where's metronomy?

[rwaa51]

My favorite album of the year was The Roots - "Undun".

[fdalkjfdsalkj]

as much as i have a problem with the mounds of garbage (especially the metal) you put on this list, i am laughing my balls off at the bon iver snub

[Eziokilla9595]

ARMOR OF GOD IS NUMBER ONE BITCHES!!!!!!

[BillyMKS]

La Dispute <3

[ThePladiator]

I am glad Giles Corey made it on this list

[jabbalofsky]

SBTRKT should be higher



[jridenoure]

Yay! Wildlife at 7!

[KYUBIMATIAS]

I didn't quite like this list and I dealt with it :/

[iffy593]

I think Bonny Bear easily makes it in the top 50 at least, but whatever.

[zpct]

A bit too heavy on the hip hop and metal sides. But hey, I guess it's a personal vlog.

[justkilledit21]

hes gone through 20 so far and i havent heard of a single artist before lol

[justkilledit21]

@jstolesomething yea i have, my bad, i was just so overwhelmed by all the bands i havent heard of

[jstolesomething]

@justkilledit21 You've never heard of either The Roots or The Beastie Boys?  Is that possible?

[thebrade]

LOVE the fact that Battles is in your #3 spot. I think they are innovating in a way most of the big-name music sites are not understanding, so it's great to see due respect given.

Speaking of "respected" sites, I'm curious about a few consensus top 10 albums that are missing from your list: Bon Iver, Girls, and M83. Not that I have a huge problem with their omission (although M83 was my #4), but what were your thoughts on those?

Also, what about Toddla T "Watch Me Dance"? =]

[elliotnicklin]

I'm NOT trolling but I'm so glad there's a best of 2011 list without Bon Iver. Thought I was losing my mind, just wasn't digging his new sound. Great list buddy, granted I've not heard of around 50 percent of your reviews, but I'll definitely be checking some out based on the picks I am aware of. Great!

[bababaraan]

timber timbre should have been higher! great album

[RATMRicky]

I feel "I Wish My Brother Rob Was Here" could've surpassed the #40 spot. And am I the only dude that is not understanding why there is no Nujabes on here? "Spiritual State" was so beautiful. But besides that very awesome list. Glad Kendrick made the top 10 too.

[1CDubCDub1]

Battle too...

[1CDubCDub1]

OH MY FUCKING GOD I LOVE YOU SO MUCH. the #1 spot is AMAZINGLY PICKED

[TOcheesehead]

how do you even conceive of this much music.

[aflsbrng]

i didnt know most of them :(

[shauno5166]

thought kaputt would have been higher.

[FrazzleDazzleVideos]

Kembe X?

[AeroXHunter]

WOOO Glad Kendrick Lamar made your top 10, can't wait for his next album..Lyrical guru.

[ninjafrank1337]

aesthethica was my #8 and black up was my #4 too

you readin' my mind?

[WutangOFWGKTA]

Wasting Light?

[KLCsoofresh]

M83?

[KLCsoofresh]

Bon iver?

[Necrometer]

Your top ten were all rated 8/10 or 9/10 ... ever consider using the entire scale?

[16mockingbirds]

I didn't like Bon Ivers second album as much anyway, haha.

[habitatts]

hmmmm.... Bon Iver must have been number 51.

[kerrybtone]

I have to say this is your best list by far...I loved every album on here

[p3t3rVL12]

Wow I haven't heard of any of these...I've got some researchin' to do :)

[FrequentFly3r]

@JBaena11 lol... David Guetta's music is nothing but laughable.

[JBaena11]

@FrequentFly3r Well that may be what you think but I think he's music is awesome!

But its just my opinion...

[cxnxi]

DEATH GRIPS FUCK YEAH

p.s. thank you for exposing me to death grips

[ImScreamms]

How many songs do you have on your ipod?? lol

[rutherfordmarshsears]

1. Replica- Oneohtrix Point Never

2. Space Is Only Noise- Nicolas Jaar

3. Black Up- Shabazz Palaces

4. Paralax- Atlas Sound

5. Ravedeath, 1972- Tim Hecker

6. Bon Iver, Bon Iver- Bon Iver

7. WHOKILL- tUnE-yArDs

8. Looping State of Mind- The Field

9. King of Limbs- Radiohead

10. Kaputt- Destroyer

[JBaena11]

What About.!?!

Drake With "Take Care"

And

David Guetta With "Nothing But The Beat"

[TheM3talH3ad1]

@JBaena11 lol, that might be a bit too mainstream for his liking. Seems totally hipster, but if you open your music choice, you'll notice that so many albums from indie artists blow most mainstream albums out of the water.

[JBaena11]

@TheM3talH3ad1 yeah true

[BlackStarKeepShining]

@JBaena11 LOL... Smh. Just smh... 

[JBaena11]

@BlackStarKeepShining HAHAHA!

[philgecko]

Fuck bon iver. DEATH GRIPS!!!

[bastardmaster]

your should check out Sorne - House of Stone, they have this crazy tribal indie sound and kind of capture the feeling of humanity past present and future in it, it's just such a haunting record. And most of the instruments are homemade

[bastardmaster]

yes, la dispute!

[dramaticpickles]

I'm surprised you didn't put Radiohead in at all. Ah, well.

[alexd765]

no foo fighters?

[Rap456100]

Exmilitary. Awsome

[Mr11MUSICMAN]

Helpnessless Blues, oyeh

[bojanks15]

primus - green naugayde

[ryanmurphy2611]

What? Bon Iver? Come On.

[cxnxi]

@ryanmurphy2611

deal with it

[cxnxi]

@ryanmurphy2611

deal with it

[cxnxi]

@ryanmurphy2611

deal with it

[DevastatorJr]

Also, I wasn't big on the new St. Vincent though I loved her previous one, Actor. I feel like she sacrificed the song-writing for experimentation and not in a good way. And Little Dragon were great live.

[DevastatorJr]

Shabazz Palaces was pretty much my favorite album of the year followed by PJ Harvey, so you're pretty much on target. But I really didn't think 2011 was all that hot otherwise. Good list though.

[CarEdy23]

no strokes, radiohead, arctic monkeys or rhcp? im sad

[TheRepublicOfUngeria]

Music has very little to be objective about. No one can be objective about the sounds, you like em or you hate them, there is nothing that defines a good instrumental. You can be a little more objective about the lyrics because that's the thing that's going to convey the message, and the only people who I think have actually committed a wrong doing is someone who promoted a song with a despicable message (Look At Me Now pops into the head for me) especially when they don't even try to process...

[TheRepublicOfUngeria]

@TheRepublicOfUngeria ...what the message means. Other than that music is completely subjective and we all love and hate a range of shit, the best thing you can do is be honest to yourself and to people you talk to about your taste in music.

[buckleygeneration]

@theneedledrop 25. David Lynch 24. The War On Drugs 23. Timber Timbre 22. Africa Hitech 21. Milo 20. The Log.Os 19. Zombi 18. Holy Ghost! 17. Pains of Being Pure at Heart 16. Little Dragon 15. Radiohead 14. British Sea Power 13. Lykke Li 12. PJ Harvey 11. Crystal Stilts 10. Chelsea Wolfe 9. Vaccines 8. Battles 7. Tom Waits 6. St. Vincent 5. Giles Corey 4. Nicolas Jaar 3. Destroyer 2. Fleet Foxes 1. Josh T Pearson. I wouldn't have heard most of these without you, so thank you, ever so much.

[CoreyParody]

Wow ive never heard of any of this stuff (before you go on hatin', im fully aware that im a noob, or whatever). More of an older music (classic rock) guy. Might need to change that now

[NiteRaveCO]

You do what you do brah

[MorbidEvil6]

To add , to my other post. Primordial- Redemption at the puritan's hand.Has a Manowar sounding vocals mixed with black metal /classic metal. Metal /Rock n roll: Trap them - Darker handcraft.Sound very much like the earlier Entombed with the black n roll of Satyricon.Auptopsy -Macabre eternal, this albums proves that these guys still have it .For the best album of 2011 ...Disma - Toward the megalith , but that's being bias . My unbiased pick has to be a tie between Blut Aus Nord and Primordial .

[MorbidEvil6]

Death metal: Disma -Toward the megalith . Metalcore: Trivium - In Waves , I'm not a fan of metalcore but they somehow made metalcore that didn't suck. Black metal:Tombs - Path of totality and Blut Aus Nord - The Desanctification .Classic metal: In solitude - The world , the flesh , the devil. Has a really old school metal sound , mixed with mercyful fate. The self titled track just makes you put up the horns. 

[WoozeeBandit]

y u no put were new here

[jsn883]

yeee loving fleet foxes. but id like to add panda bear, metronomy and florence + machines new albums

[808RockNRoll]

Anthrax - Worship Music, Megadeth -Th1rt3en, Asking Alexandria - Reckless and Relentless, Foo Fighters -Wasting Light, Sepultura - Kairos

[Sadsic]

Bibio - Mind Bokeh? that one was a grower for me

[Mrliquidbabies]

Did you ever listen to Dedication by Zomby? One of my favorites of the year!

[nich225]

Totally agree with you're No. 1 pick, that album is ahh-mazing

[MrSchulze04]

what about the foo fighters?

[22mjsoccer]

good picks. but what about radiohead, coldplay, foo fighters, chili pepers, decemberists, black keys, the boxer rebellion, u.s. royalty, the strokes, snowmine...................

[liverawkstar]

it came out late in 2011, but none the less came out: you seem to just not like the Mars Volta tribe: Zechs Marquise Getting Paid , most eclectic artistic MODERN prog rock, better than Mars Volta

[Bassbait]

Sorry, it looks like you missed reviews for Obscura's "Omnivium" and Devin Townsend's "Deconstruction" or "Ghost". Think you could review those albums? Because Devin is a very versatile musician and many are calling Obscura's "Omnivium" the metal album of the year.

[Bassbait]

My top 5 is ridiculously different.

5.Vektor - Outer Isolation

4.Opeth - Heritage

3.Macabre - Grim Scary Tales

2.Obscura - Omnivium

1.Devin Townsend Project - Deconstruction.

Surprised Obscura or DTP aren't even on here. Then again, I don't know if you reviewed them or not and what you might think of them. What do you think of those albums (minus Outer Isolation, I already know that)?

[PawelKosinsky]

@Bassbait Maybe something non-metal?

[Bassbait]

@PawelKosinsky Ok, Devin Townsend's Ghost and Opeth's Heritage, neither of which are metal influenced even slightly.

[PawelKosinsky]

@Bassbait OK, you got the point with Devin, but I think "Heritage" is stylistically 85% "Damnation" and 15% their heavier stuff. Songs like "The Devil's Orchard" and "Slither" are purely metal-oriented. Even "Famine" bears a trace of some heavy metal.

[Bassbait]

@PawelKosinsky If you really listen to those songs, it's really not metal oriented, it's Prog Rock oriented. It's just that since it's based after 70's Prog Rock (which is a pre-lude to metal), it bears similarities. It's like saying a 2011 Blues album has Rock influence - it doesn't, but it bears similarities because they are already similar genres. At least you accept that Opeth are a largely metal group, some people call them "flower metal" or "not metal".

[PawelKosinsky]

@Bassbait I have a HUGE respect to Opeth taking into account they were black metal at the very beginning, fortunately they ain't anymore :D I can see their style has smoothened over last couple years ("Coil" & stuff), but to me it's still "metal" music in some context. You see: regardless of who invented it, distored guitars still are a kind of "feather in the cap" of heavy music to me. Just an opinion of mine.

[Bassbait]

@PawelKosinsky Well that's good, but I don't think they were ever Black Metal. Sure, they had the influence, but other than the Morningrise album cover and a folk-oriented style, they were always Prog Death. Morningrise is one of my favorite albums by them but it's nothing like a release by Black Metal bands of the time.

[thehtify]

Kanye didn't even get a spot. BS

[buckleygeneration]

@thehtify Maybe if he'd done anything good this year.

[MrTomDees]

@thehtify lol

[Thepatoexperience2]

feet foxes got best single and best album? 2011 must have been a dark year for music fair dinkum.

[BlackStarKeepShining]

@Thepatoexperience2 Haha, Feet Foxes.... Sorry, I know it is probably a typo, but it's a pretty funny one.

[santashelpa]

i remember when fantanamo's videos would hit 10,000 views and i thought that was a big deal.

will theneedledrop hit 100,000 views?

[buckleygeneration]

@santashelpa Yes.

[adsbegone]

@santashelpa It did! Look at the views!

[layze555]

Asap rocky k dot

[LePititLu]

@theneedledrop sorry didn't mean it that way. Scores are often a distraction, plus why should every music enthusiast and critic give out grades? I won't go to the extend of saying they bother me, I'm just at my happiest with video reviews and no marks. About 10/10 happy ;)

[starchaser4182]

lol I thought that Wild Flag would be at some place jajaja still, is a great album :3

[APBAND0]

i think that andrew jackson jihad knife man should have been higher

[caaalebbb]

a grin cracked over my face when you started talking about helplessness blues

[VatsABingo]

Would the latest The Weeknd album been on this list if you had reviewed it before-hand?

[NeutralWeezy]

does he pin that vinyl cover up or is it edited it?

[Pims1eur]

@NeutralWeezy its a green square that he chroma keys out

[danlikesmusicalot]

@NeutralWeezy the fever ray lp? that's pinned up

[anesthetize91]

hahaha, you have the best uploads. keep rockin'!

[loudlestvoice]

OFWGKTA? nicolas jaar shouldve been #1!

[tdeeez09]

Ex-Military should have been #1. That album broke so many boundaries, both in the music world and for my personal music experience.

[podayoda]

D: no Phonte?

[billhicks8]

Sooo...pretty shit year for music then...

[lespaulnasty31]

@billhicks8 not at all this year was amazing

[billhicks8]

@lespaulnasty31

For hip-hop it was alright, everything else seemed to be tired old indie or bland electronica. I was really disappointed, spent half the time looking for any good new music rather than listening to any.

[DaanOFF321]

The Roots on 33??? Say whuuuut?

[urstruly8987]

Would've liked to see Frank Ocean - Nostalgia Ultra in the mix but you've definitely got the rap albums right in Returnof4eva and Section .80. Although, I would've had em flip flopped.

[navalverde12]

My faves:

Martyn - Ghost People (Ditched dubstep for a more House sound to great effect)

Legowelt - The Teac Life (Orignally a free download that is now on vinyl from the Dutch master)

Drexciya - Journey Of The Deep Sea Dweller 1 (Technically a compilation, but still a must have from the underwater aquatic electro masters who created many timeless records and the most bizarre mythology I've ever come across)

drexciyaresearchlab.blogspot.c­om

[navalverde12]

Sepalcure - Sepalcure (An American duo's take on British two step)

Machinedrum - Rooms (An American from said duo's first take)

Locussolus - Locussolus (Great disco house from DJ Harvey)

Robag Wruhme - Thora Vukk (Everybody's favorite ex-Wighnomy Brotha!)

Cosmin TRG - Simulat (The marriage of Techno & UK Bass via Romania)

Clams Casino - Instrumentals (Hip hop sampling Imogen Heap whats not to like?)

Zomby Dedication (The songs were short, but it really made me worry about this guy)

[navalverde12]

Omar S - It Can Be Done But Only I Can Do It. (The horrible cover art caused shit-storms in many Techno circles)

Perc - Wicker & Steel (Heavy Industrial Techno

Xhin - Sword (IDM & deep Techno)

Kangding Ray - Or (Some next level shit)

Sandwell District - Feed Forward

I like this list and enjoyed seeing more electronic stuff creeps its way in. Furthermore I am super stoked to see Tyler the Creator's Goblin nowhere in sight. I am shamelessly biased towards Techno and other electronic variants.

[tommytriggers]

ppl who say they havent heard any of the artist for real beastie boys ever one should no who they are and if u claim to no what good rap is you should of heard of reks

[tommytriggers]

i like reks the song 25th hour kinda reminds me of wu-tang

[kh7955]

personally i think touche amore's new album blew la dispute out of the water, but thats my opinion. wouldve liked to have seen more hardcore/punk.

[lemonator406]

HEY, WHERE IS CULTS D;

[Bradlee310]

Is it weird that I haven't heard of anyone he mentioned...?

[TheNateBarton]

Dude. Finally a legitimate best of the year list . . . Spin magazine, pitchfork, both disappointing. Thanks for coming through. And hellz yes for the Death Grips! They don't get enough love. But don't forget not to be so much of a nonconformist that you don't recognize Bon Iver for what it is- an awesome album. Not necessarily top twenty material, but phenomenal nevertheless. And don't give in to the calls for Radiohead- you called it right on this one. Very well done

[liptakinator]

Loved a lot of these albums, hated some of them too, all together excellent list

[GOfingerboard]

Dude, I really wish you liked the new Animals as Leaders Album, that was on my top favorite this year. Also, you forgot fucking Sepalcure bro.

[drjohnso41]

As soon as you started describing your #1 I knew who it was going to be. Gotta say, I'm a little disappoint. Helplessness Blues is enjoyable and sweet, but for me there's just something about Fleet Foxes that gets boring really quickly. They almost make themselves trite. But, y'know, that's just my opinion.

[TheAntiKira]

Absolutely none of my favourite groups made your list but Fleet Foxes! Which is well deserved, because Helplessness Blues was beautiful.

LCD Soundsystem's This Is Happening made a slight appearance as well, though... Close enough.

[Wyndhamhp]

no girls, bon iver, drake, m83, metronomy, the weeknd, lykke li and frank ocean

[RyWagner2]

Props to St.Vincent for making this list and now I've got to some serious listening to do. Plus, good choice for Fleet Foxes!

[etejuanete3]

where're Foo Fighters, Radiohead, REM, RHCP, Other Lives, Bon Iver, etc???

[adamgergich96]

@etejuanete3 Foo fighters, chili peppers??? you're on the wrong channel mate..

[etejuanete3]

where's RHCP, Bon Iver, Foo Fighters, Radiohead, etc???

[kurt23407]

@etejuanete3 Those guys did okay.. RHCP flopped lets be honest.. foo fighters was okay nothang original, radiohead kings of limbs was a lil inconsistant, and bon iver isn't for him.. although i do think he deserves a spot up there

[DeansterTheSnow]

Totes agree!

[pieromod]

@theneedledrop i do not like you. in fact, i love you

[SteMail926]

@theneedledrop Y U SO MODEST?! haha seriously, most people couldnt do what you do

[beautifulbabygirl93]

No J. Cole? Idk about anybody else but his album seemed honest and fresh to me....

[kwoffy]

yes, shabazz palaces. must be higher than that. it is genius.

[Tannz0rz]

IT GOES IT GOES IT GOES IT GOES IT GOES IT GOES IT GOES IT GOES GUILLOTINEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE­EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

[technolust14]

@Tannz0rz YAH!

[tehhammersofhope]

how come you never reviewed Julianna Barwick's The Magic Place? Back in 09 you seemed to love her first EP.....

[darkwolftheavenger]

needs more new wolves in the throne room! :P

[flaminhotcheetoz]

The whole time watching this i was waiting for la dispute to show up. Glad they made it into your top 10.

[sonictrasher]

You forgot: Grouper - A I A and Belong - Common Era

[TryndaGore]

Ghost Opus Eponymous? No?

[FredNTheGreatPerhaps]

you should make playlists, they would be the best.

[Jonathansernel1]

Im guessing you hate mainstream. But is there any mainstream artist you like? just asking

[Jonathansernel1]

Thanks for introducing me to some new music bro. Appreciate it.

[ajsledzep]

haha, I knew it was gonna be Fleet Foxes, YES!!!!!

[liltunechi4eva]

what's cal's favorite album of the year?

[PorroFirst]

I wonder if you would like Chad VanGaalen? He put out an album this year.. kinda related to Fleet Foxes but not that much.. Seeing as you like Fleet Foxes so much (which I do too), I think you might like him. Diaper Island, excellent album.

[habilshah]

I have a suggestion for you Mr Fantano sir.

Why not for the lists next year, you segregate your lists of albums according (eg:Top 5 Metal/Rap/Indie albums of 2012) to their respective genres (doesn't have to be strict though).

Just my opinion. :)

[ultraviolence6655321]

@habilshah Good idea listen to him/her fantano

[Macdogg91]

Y U NO LIST EVRYTHING??? Why didn't you just list every album that came out in 2011 and organize them from great to greatest?! I expect the most from you Anthony!

[CamPhraser]

Radiohead?

Kurt Vile?

Girls?

Feist?

Explosions in the Sky?

Bjork?

Beirut?

Laura Marling?

[Aisle3Comedy]

Wow, no Black Lips?

[majorlanky]

Helplessness Blues is my number 1 favorite album this year too!

@theneedledrop Just because I respect something doesn't mean I like it.