Bolster Your Holster

The band Daughter has released one of my favourite albums of the year.  If you leave is a slow burner of an album that combines the vibe of The XX and the subtle grandiosity of Sigur Ros together into one understated masterpiece.  It is an album that features a lot of strong tracks, but really stands as a cohesive album.

One of the tracks that really stands out lately is Smother.  So lyrically dark and vocally haunting, this sparse song really gets inside you.

Recently I came across their cover of Bon Iver’s Perth and Hot Chip’s Ready for the Floor (Found on Twentyfourbit) that was recorded on Zane Lowe’s BBC Radio show.  This is one of perfect blends of two covers that just seems like they were written together.  I highly recommend you grab their Debut album, grab a bottle of red wine, kick back and soak it in.

and for further exploration, their single Still Which really features the Sigur Ros sound

I’ve released this way too late. We’re already 44 days into 2013. Let’s get on with it!

50. Tame Impala – Lonerism

Give it time, give it time. Wanted to like it more, it kind of clicked in Australia. Now to just wait until it’s warm again.

49. Anais Mitchell – Young Man in America

Such a unique voice sometimes I love it sometimes I can’t stand it. I won’t deny the songwriting ability.

48. Dirty Projectors – Swing Lo Magellan

‘Gun Has No Trigger’ is my favourite song they’ve written. Not nearly as difficult Bitte Orca, and for that I thank them.

47. Sebastian Tellier – My God is Blue

French cheesy disco dance party.

46. Angus Stone – Broken Brights

Australian folk-rock singer takes you there and back again. Not normally my scene, but it feels like the edge of the outback.

45. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes – Here

Lo-fi and as sparse as you can be in a ten person band. Nothing as catchy as ‘Home’, but definitely more cohesive than the last one.

44. Bat For Lashes – The Haunted Man

Someone really wants to become Kate Bush. Tori Amos did before she got all contemporary pop, let’s hope Bat for Lashes keeps this up.

43. Moonface – With Siinai: Heartbreaking Bravery

Spencer Krug’s descent into darkness. It’s all doom and gloom up in here.

42. The Shins – Port of Morrow

James Mercer fired the whole band and proved that the Shins were basically a one-man band all along. Their most polished record yet, it also has some great music on it too!

41. Various Artists – Lawless (soundtrack)

The Bootleggers (a band which is basically Grinderman and Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds) curate this album which contains some excellent dark and dusty country covers of non-country music. Emmylou Harris joins in.

40. Sharon Van Etten – Tramp

I feel like crying when listening to Sharon sing.

39. Daphni – Jiaolong

A little bit more accessible than the previous works by the man formerly known as Caribou, formerly known as Manitoba (or is it the other way around?). It’s a dance party until the bleep-bloops come around.

38. Florrie – Late

Only 4 songs more from the English pop Goddess, but she’s back on form after her slightly disappointing Experiments EP.

37. Heartless Bastards – Arrow

Laid back rock from a band who was already too laid back. I wish for more rocking out, but i’ll respect the subtlety.

36. Fiona Apple – The Idler Wheel…

Fiona Apple is still angry, but she sounds older and raspier.

35. The Antlers – Undersea

Another EP on the list, this time from the band that had my number 2 album last year. It really does sound like you’re underwater except for the song that sound like Nintendo.

34. Father John Misty – Fear Fun

He left the Fleet Foxes to make some great music. I don’t believe he was the lead singer, but damn, he should of been.

33. Whitehorse – The Fate of the World Depends on the Kiss

Seeing them live really made me appreciate this album even more. I love when I can say that. I also love Melissa McClelland. Now to get Luke Doucet out of the picture…

32. Regina Spektor – What We Saw From the Cheap Seats

It’s been a year where I’ve had way more female singers on the list than usual. Why? Because they’re making the best music! Regina put out a lovely little album here,  probably her most accessible yet.

31. Dum Dum Girls – End of Daze

This is where they take off. This is pure bliss in 5 songs. Beautiful.

30. Niki & The Dove – Instinct

You wanted The Knife to sound like a mainstream band, well maybe Niki is for you. Dancey, a bit experimental, but good ole’ Swedish pop.

29. Grimes – Visions

She had a good year.

28. The Avett Brothers – The Carpenter

Still good, but not as good as the last one. Maybe it sounded too much like the last one. I wonder…

27. Various Artists – Don’t Break My Love: A Collection of Lost Memories from Sunset & Clown

A great introduction to a label which doesn’t have much recognition. Also it’s a metal cube you plug in to your stereo. Talk about accessibility.

26. Killer Mike – R.A.P. Music

It feels like the 90′s again. Sometimes we need that.

25. Bear in Heaven – I Love You, It’s Cool

Is this the 80s or the 90s or just something I don’t understand since I wasn’t 18 in 1986.

24. Perfume Genius – Put Your Back N 2 It

A depressed man can make some very good music.

23. Shearwater – Animal Joy

Solid release, back on track, not as good as Rook though.

22. Schoolboy Q – Habits and Contradictions

This album is too long, which is to say it is the average length of time of a hip-hop album. It could have been gold, I’ll settle for silver, especially when it has two of my favourite songs of the year and a Portishead sample.

21. Olafur Arnalds – Another Happy Day

A little classical for your enjoyment. Shaun can tell you all about him if you ask nicely.

20. DIIV – Oshin

Hazy surfer shoegaze. The more I look at the cover the more it makes me want to listen to this album again.

19. The xx – Coexist

Their first album sounds like a non-stop party compared to this. Talk about a band showing restraint. Minimalism in rock music taken to a whole new level. I just wish it was as good as the last one.

18. Lana Del Ray – Born to Die

Up and down year for poor Lana. Terrible live performances after 2 big singles. I hear she’s gotten better. Her album is pretty good though, catchy, sexy and sultry.

17. Japandroids – Celebration Rock

It seems like I don’t listen to a lot of loud music based on this list. This acted as that angry album for me this year, even though it has a positive message. More Canadiana please.

16. Beach House – Bloom

If you’ve head a Beach House album you pretty much know what you’re in for with this one.

15. Cat Power – Sun

Chan doesn’t sound so sad anymore, i think she’s decided to get angry and take it out on a synthesizer. Is this a one-off or her new direction for the future. I miss her long hair.

14. Wild Nothing – Nocturne

Early 90s indie updated for all the young ones or the nostalgics. Something really catches me with this album, must be the nostalgia.

13. Poliça – Give You the Ghost

Drums and layered female vocals, surprisingly addictive.

12. Electric Guest – Mondo

A little bit electro, a little bit soul and a whole lotta Danger Mouse make this one work.

11. Frank Ocean – Channel orange

He basically made me start to associate the colour orange with music similar to his when really it should be more of an aquamarine. I liked a few songs, then a few more and now it’s all good.

10. Ellie Goulding – Halcyon

She became a dance queen, or shall we say almost. Ellie’s second album shows off her vocal chops once again, but it’s a livelier affair with chipmunk vocals, addictive choruses and some beats here and there. I only remember ‘Lights’ off her last one, I remember most of these. She should keep this up.

9. David Byrne & St. Vincent – Love This Giant

David Byrne is a bonafide hero. The music he created in his career has influenced so many bands that he could be solely responsible for much of New York’s sound in the 2000s. Here he collaborates with one of the indie world’s goddesses to create a new fresh sound. Backed by a large brass section, rather than relying on the typical 4 instrument arrangement, Love This Giant sounds unique and unlike anything either of these artists have done before.

8. First Aid Kit – The Lion’s Roar

Good old fashioned country music straight from the country we most associate with country music, Sweden. Let’s not dismiss Sweden as not having any affiliation with country music as Lee Hazlewood’s ‘A Cowboy in Sweden’ came from there many years ago. Two ladies from Sweden make some of the sweetest country-folk you could imagine and do it in a manner which does not disgrace the fine heritage of the genre, but also pays homage to the greats in a track called ‘Emmylou’.

7. Burial – Kindred EP

It’s only 3 songs and about 30 minutes long, but Burial’s Kindred EP easily deserves it’s place in the top ten album of 2012. There is a lot more going on in these songs, which are more like sonic collages, with the beginning and the end of each track sounding dramatically different from one another, often feeling like a whole different song. The highlight is ‘Loner’ where we are presented with the first Burial track that belongs in a club. It’s still really dark, but the beat just calls for your feet to take over. The other two tracks expand on his atmospheric sound and really set the bar high for anything he releases in the future.

6. Hot Chip – In Our Heads

It’s another Hot Chip album! Seems like every couple years a Hot Chip album ends up in my top ten and I say how great it is and how their next one could be their best yet. I admit now that I don’t think that is going to happen because every Hot Chip album is on that same great level and i’ve come to accept that. A consistently great band is very difficult to find and Hot chip is innovative and smart enough to remain in that category for many years to come. In Our Heads is even more reminiscent of the 1980s than their last album and many of the sounds and effects reinforce that. Whatever, its fun, its dancy and its just geeky enough to make it accessible for everyone.

5. Grizzly Bear – Shields

Grizzly Bear’s Veckatimest was nowhere to be found on my favourite albums list of 2009 as it did not click for me until 2010. Looking back it should of been in the top ten, maybe even the top 5. Shields is nothing like Veckatimest and that turned quite a few people off. Gone are the multi part harmonies, the strings, the gentleness. Instead Grizzly Bear turned into a rock band, a more complex rock band, but a rock band nonetheless. What Shields doesn’t lack though is great songs. At least 5 of the tracks on this album rank with Grizzly Bear’s best work. Sure there isn’t a ‘Two Weeks’ on the record, but the songs get under your skin after multiple listens and just drive to be listened to over and over. Shields was a departure from their previous work and I believe Grizzly Bear will go back to their earlier style on their next album. This will be the one in their catalogue looked back as the ‘different’ record, but some will consider their favourite.

4. Jessie Ware – Devotion

Last year I praised the return of 80s soul with Jamie Woon’s stellar Mirrorwriting. This year Jessie Ware has taken the 80s soul sound and refined it even further. She’s like a modern-day Sadé with smooth silky singing over songs that scream sensuality, but would not be out of place at a dance club. An album that could find its place on the dance floor, on the radio or in the bedroom, it hurts that more people are not aware of Jessie Ware and her revival of a type of music that has been missing for many years.

3. Kendrick Lamar – Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City

One of the few hip-hop albums that can claim correctly that it is consistently great from start to finish. Based on his previous output I didn’t think much would come out of this record, but positive reviews started to flood in, I gave it a listen and after a couple of times I was hooked. It’s rare for me to want to listen to a whole hip-hop album over and over, but Good Kid, m.A.A.d. City has the cohesiveness of a good movie or story. It doesn’t rely on interludes or skits unless they play a part in the autobiographical tale. It is full of great songwriting and smart production decisions. It is an updated story of growing up in Compton, reflecting on many of the same issues that gave rise to one of rap’s iconic groups, N.W.A.

2. Chromatics – Kill For Love

A 90 minute late night drive, windows down, a pack of cigarettes within arms reach and no destination. 80′s throwback, shoegaze, Italian-disco, songs that dissolve into silence, seductive female vocals. The Chromatics create a sexy haze of a record with Kill For Love. Starting with a stark cover of Neil Young’s ‘Hey Hey My My (Into The Black)’ flowing into the danceable title track the album weaves a journey through the darkest streets of night hitting stretches of neon-lidden strips and then back into the darkness. The vinyl version was released in hot pink which only reinforces the 80′s feel.

1. John Talabot – Fin

Being a fan on the sideline of electronic music for years, I’ve only had minor forays into the genre, though others have enlightened me on certain sub-sub genres. I can’t classify this album into one of those sub-genres, but it is house music. Possibly Spanish house since Talabot is from Barcelona. What I can tell you is that it has been my favourite album of 2012 since it was released early in the year. It is a culmination of all that makes electronic music good, this is and will continue to be my go-to album to show people what I like about electronic music.

It is full of cathartic payoffs after long build-ups. The songs seem to follow the same pattern buildup/payoff/breakdown/repeat, but the sounds utilized don’t make the album ever seem old or repetitive. It doesn’t sound new, but it sounds fresh and unique. And while it does have its stand-out tracks (see my top songs of 2012) it works much better as a whole, an hour long trip through the mind of one of the best electronic artists today. If I was ever to indulge in creating electronic music this the album I would hope to make, that’s the highest praise I think I can offer.

So it seems that this being a dad means that there is less time for blogging than I would like. It has been a little longer than I had hoped, but here is the top albums of 2012. Finally. I am going to keep this somewhat simple.

These are the top 40 albums that I listened to in 2012. This seemed to be an album based year for me. A time when I would listen to full length albums. This may be due to me listening to a lot more vinyl, or it could be that I was just too busy to change the tracks. Either way, there were a lot of albums that I really connected with. Certain albums I relate to specific moments, moods, and events. I also spent a lot of time listening to albums from 2011, which solidifies the endurance of some of these albums.

Here are the my top 40 albums. Check them out and support the artists in any way possible.  And in case you missed it, here are the top 112 songs of 2012.

40. Imperial Teen – Feel the Sound

This San Francisco band has been around since the mid 90′s, features a member of Faith No More (although they sound absolutely nothing like them), and they managed to release one of those great sumer time albums. This was an album I would play in my car on the way to weddings.

39. Lee Fields and the Expressions – Faithful Man

An album that combines the passion and funk of James Brown with the soul stylings of Sharon Jones. This was an album that brings you back half a century, but doesn’t sound old.

38. Boxes – Stickers

A side project from a member of the great English band Athlete. This is one of those melancholic albums that really doesn’t seem all that sad on the surface. Clean electronics over charming British indie rock.

37. Japandroids – Celebration Rock

I once heard this album described as punk inspired rock for the middle aged man. And as I am slowly approaching that demographic, perhaps that is why I connected with this album. Or it could be the melodies, the sing-along choruses, or the post-punk vibe.

36. Grizzly Bear – Shields

I don’t really know what I was expecting from this album. But this really wasn’t it. And it took me forever to get to the point that I even liked the album. Each listen makes me like it more. Maybe this will be the album I connect with more in 2013 than I do 2012.

35. Bat for Lashes – The Haunted Man

Bat for Lashes has one of those voices that really dives inside your soul. It is hauntingly poetic and seductive at the same time. This may be the best album she has released. For me at least.

34. Homeboy Sandman – First of a Living Breed

Indie conscious hip-hop that is reminiscent of the de la era. This Ivy League graduate left law school to pursue a career in hip-hop and with this fourth album he hits his flow.

33. Glen Hansard – Rhythm and Repose

When you compare this to some of his work with the Frames, this is one of consistently restrained albums. There are moments where you can feel his voice reach that goose bump inducing edge. But the majority of the time, the album remains one of those albums that just feels safe, in a good way. But not too safe.

32. The Shins – Port of Morrow

The Shins return with more Shins sounding music, but with a revised lineup. Nothing too revolutionary or radically different. Thankfully. This is an album that just works on nearly all levels

31. Lemonade – Diver

This album sources a multitude of influences to create its own sound. But overall it gives a great little summer chill vibe. The 80′s influenced synths, combined with the progressive world beats, and the chilled vocals are perfect for a colourful concoction on the patio.

30. Michael Kiwanuka – Home Again

His 2011 EP made my list, and this album expands upon those songs as a base. He possesses a voice that seems so timeless and well beyond his 24 years of age. And he just may be the heir to the thrones of Bill Withers and Otis Redding.

29. Cold Specks – I predict a graceful expulsion

This is one of soul albums, unlike Michael Kiwanuka’s, that just makes you feel sad. There is an inherent beauty in her voice and the compositions. But it is a haunting beauty. It leaves you feeling an ache deep inside. One of those albums you just have to be in the perfect mood to listen to.

28. Macklemore and Ryan Lewis – The Heist

An album that seems to be several years in the making. Featuring several singles that date back to 2010, this collection is a collaboration of two entities that just seems to blend perfectly. Ryan Lewis’ production is the perfect accompaniment to Macklemore’s storytelling.

27. Angus Stone – Broken Brights

Both of the Stone’s (Angus and Julia Stone) released solo albums this year. Angus seems to possess the more universally appealing of the two voices. This album seems to be the perfect hippy folky Australian release. Makes you want to walk out into the outback with a guitar and some friends.

26. A Fine Frenzy – Pines

This is a very conceptual release that differs greatly from her 2 previous releases. Combined, these songs create a story, that culminates in some of her most memorable songs. Seeing these songs performed live brought greater clarity to the vision.

25. fun. – Some Nights

This album exploded and set fun. on a rocket to the top of the charts fueled by the hit “We are young”. The rest of the album carries on in the over the top melodrama that Nate Ruess is know for.

24. Alabama Shakes – Boys and Girls

A great collection of garage soul that just doesn’t change gears enough. There is a sense of restraint that holds this album back at times, but it was an album that I kept coming back to all year.

23. Perfume Genius – Put your back N 2 it

I feel sad just thinking about this album. Another Beautifully sad album that haunts you to your core.

22. Jake Bugg – Jake Bugg

I expect this album to become even more popular in 2013. This young English singer turns 19 at the end of the month, but his voice sounds like he has been drinking and smoking since he was 2. And maybe he has, because his lyrics and storytelling give the impression of a much older, and experienced, individual.

21. The XX – Coexist

I wanted to love this album more than I do. But to compare it to its predecessor is a great disservice. I am looking forward to seeing them live this year, and still find myself throwing this album on the turntable and grabbing a book.

20. Ellie Goulding – Halcyon

Her follow-up album comes on the heels of the belated success of her 2010 single “Lights” which is also included on this release. This album is a lot more electronic sounding and subsequently more poppy and danceable. And perhaps more accessible.

19. Efterklang – Piramida

Piramida sources several unique and historical instruments that the band discovered/created. These instruments, and collaborations with artists such as Nils Frahm and Peter Broderick take these songs beyond the standard Efterklang collection. This is an album, not a mere collection of singles. There is depth throughout that will have you searching and questioning what you here.

18. Whitehorse – The fate of the world depends on this kiss

This Canadian duo have some of the best collaborative energy that I have seen in awhile. A varying album that feels cohesive and has too many standouts to standout. There is an inherent rawness in these recordings that nearly captures the exuberance of the live performance.

17. Valgeir Sigurdsson – Architecture of Loss

This score to a Ballet by Stephen Petronio is a showcase of Valgeir’s ability to take neo-classical music and create soundscapes of emotion. Featuring Nico Muhly on Piano and Nadia Sirota on viola, this album runs the gamut of emotions.

16. Joseph Arthur – Redemtion City

This freely released double album features some of the more soberly ambitious compositions of Joseph Arthur’s career. Lyrically, Redemption city borders on spoken word/beat poetry at times, signalling a new direction. A strong addition to his discography.

15. John Talabot – ƒin

One of the best electronic albums of the year. I am not sure I could describe this album in a way to give it justice. Just listen to it. It is fantastic.

14. Nico Muhly – Drones

Nico describes this albums as harmonic ideas over static structure and likens it to singing along with your vacuum cleaner. I found it to be a brilliant album that I listen at work when I want my brain to function at a higher level.

13. Frank Ocean – Channel ORANGE

Originally this album didn’t live up to its expectations. But the more I listened to it, the more the individual songs stood out. The more I realized that Pyramids wasn’t the only genius in the tracklisting.

12. Hot Chip – In Our Heads

Another album that grew on me. An evolution on the Hot Chip sound, that really isn’t an evolution. Consistently great.

11. Kendrick Lamar – Good Kid M.A.A.D City

A hip-hop concept album that reaches beyond it’s hit singles. The story goes from borrowing a van to find a girl, to the death of a friend in a shoot-out. One of the few hip-hop albums that the skits don’t detract from the album.

10. Chromatics – Kill for Love

An album that blends genres so well that you just can’t define it. It starts off with a Neil Young cover, so really, you know its great.

09. First Aid Kit – The Lion’s Roar

This Swedish folk duo released the best countrified album of the year. Not much more to say. Amazing harmonies. Great songwriting. Fantastic Album.

08. Poliça – Give you the Ghost

Electro pop album that sounded like nothing else this year. This is one of those albums that i tried to fit into everything.

07. Nick Waterhouse – Time’s All Gone

Retro Sounds. Great Songs. Chances are you have heard his songs on a show or commercial and just didn’t know it. Or if you haven’t, the sound is so reminiscent of the early days of rock, you just might think you have.

06. Nicolas Jaar (and Various Artists) – Don’t Break My Love

This collection of Nicolas Jaar and some fellow Clown and Sunset label mates was originally released on a proprietary prism. As a collection it represents some of the best chill music I have heard in a long time. It also features 2 amazing Jaar singles and several collaborations.

05. Jessie Ware – Devotion

This isn’t an album that wows you up front. This is an album that envelopes you. It hugs you with its bass. It rubs your back with it’s synths and beats. And then it caresses your neck with her voice. This is no one night stand.

04. Anais Mitchell – Young Man in America

A genre bending assault on the modern recession. This is an album that encapsulates all that makes a great album. I think that I may see myself growing old with this album.

03. Sigur Ros – Valtari

Far from the best Sigur Ros album. But this is an album that you cozy up on the couch with. One that you throw your big headphones on and lay down on the grass with. This is cozy Sigur Ros.

02. Cat Power – Sun

This album surprised me. I didn’t expect this from her. This album grabbed me at the beginning, and held me til the end. Such a departure, and such a strong outing.

01. Niki and the Dove – Instinct

Yup, no. 1 song. no. 1 album. How predictable. But as I mentioned earlier. This album defines 2012 for me. And seeing this album performed live really added to the whole experience. Swedish electro pop that is mainstream enough to be accessible, and experimental enough that it isn’t boring. Instinct is the that I will look back upon and remember the year that my first daughter Neko was born. And for that I will be forever grateful.

Thank you for your attention, and have 2013 that you simply can’t forget.

Another year and always more music.

This year’s list was much more difficult than last year’s was. I’m normally an albums person, but this year I found myself listening to individual songs much more than whole albums. A bunch of tracks didn’t make the list including songs from the Dirty Projectors, Meg Myers, Death Grips, Diplo, Niki and the Dove and so on and so on. I hope you enjoy this list and feel free to listen to my Top 50 (in order) on 8tracks:

50. M.I.A. – Bad Girls

M.I.A. returned for this one-off in 2012. A great song, better than anything off her last album and one of the best videos of the year.

49. Beach House – Lazuli

Synth arpeggios combined with the Beach House haze bring the music. Layered vocal lines of ‘Like no other, you can’t be replaced’ over top really make this song stand out in their catalogue.

48. Ab-Soul – Black Lip Bastard (Remix) (Featuring Black Hippy)

A bonus track featuring all of Black Hippy, the hip-hop collective that includes Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q, Jay Rock and Ab-Soul. Dark, lo-fi hip-hop goodness.

47. Yes Nice – Hot River

Locals make well with a perfectly produced pop song. Eagerly anticipating the release of their new album.

46. Psy – Gangnam Style

I’m sick of it now, but I really did like this song when it was just starting up. Korean Pop channeling LMFAO, a dance song with a message about the absurdity of class in Seoul. An equally absurd video and dance made it catch on fire.

45. Lee Fields – Faithful Man

Fields’ ‘Faithful Man’ harkens back to the day of Al Green and Sam Cooke with this slinky soul number.

44. Die Antwood – I Fink U Freeky

South African dance/rap music with lazers, beats and innocent sounding yet malicious female vocals.

43. Bear in Heaven – Sinful Nature

Sounds like chill wave in a standard song structure. The 1980′s through a piece of cellophane.

42. Japandroids – The House that Heaven Built

Loud, abrasive and earnest. The Japandroids sound like they are putting everything in to each song, ‘The House that Heaven Built’ is the cumulative pinnacle of Celebration Rock.

41. John Talabot – So Will Be Now (Featuring Pional)

The closing track on John Talabot’s amazing ⨏in. An end of the night, time to chill out song.

40. Lana Del Ray – Off to the Races

The best songs from Lana Del Ray’s Born to Die were released last year, see Top 50 songs of 2011, but this track proved that she still saved some good ones for her debut album.

39. Kanye West – Clique (Featuring Jay-Z & Big Sean)

Kanye’s GOOD MUSIC crew really came together on a few tracks this year. While Cruel Summer was more miss than hit, some tracks really showed how good Kanye is at music production.

38. Mother Mother – Let’s Fall in Love

Canadian alt-pop group release one of the catchiest tracks of 2012. A thankful return from Mother Mother after their disappointing 2011 album Eureka.

37. Matt & Kim – Let’s Go

Matt & Kim returned with their infectious upbeat music. A great track to sing a long to at the top of your lungs.

36. Kendrick Lamar – Swimming Pools (Drank)

So many great songs from Kendrick this year, but I picked this as the first out of two on the list. A slow burn of a hip-hop song with a glorious chorus.

35. Purity Ring – Obedear

Robotic electronic Cocteau Twins. Purity Ring takes you to a beautiful sinister place in this track.

34. Frank Ocean – Lost

The most singable sing-a-long song on Frank Ocean’s excellent channel ORANGE.

33. Andy Stott – Numb

I like to think of this as operatic techno. It’s not really opera at all, but there is something about the female vocals in this track that really make it unique.

32. Angus Stone – It was Blue

A driving dirge that was unexpected from Angus Stone. I like when singer/songwriters add some depth to their work.

31. Jessie Ware – Still Love Me

Jessie Ware’s music is updated 80′s soul. Imagine dancing really slowly in a club under the disco ball.

30. The Shins – The Rifle’s Spiral

The Shins return! Well really James Mercer and the new Shins as he fired the rest of the band. Same sound, a bit more oomph and this opener, which could be the best Shins song yet.

29. Bat For Lashes – Laura

Bat for Lashes is becoming more theatrical as her career progresses. I see her taking the reins from Tori Amos as the next Kate Bush. ‘Laura’ is a grower that really shows Natasha Khan’s vocal chops.

28. Poliça – Dark Star

This band reminds me of Sleigh Bells, not because they sound the same, which they don’t, but because they’re trying something different with a female vocalist. This is the ‘Rill Rill’ of their debut album.

27. Schoolboy Q – Hands on the Wheel (Featuring A$ap Rocky)

Built around a sample from Lissie’s live version of Kid Cudi’s ‘Pursuit of Happiness’ Schoolboy Q and A$ap Rocky rap about weed and booze. Trite lyrics but catchy as hell.

26. The Raveonettes – Curse the Night

My new favourite Raveonettes song. Could listen to on repeat for hours.

25. Rihanna – Diamonds

Not the best Rihanna song, but I haven’t been able to get it out of my head for the last 2 months. It became the theme of a trip i was recently on and it will always remind me of that.

24. Electric Guest – Troubleman

Eight minute epic that grooves along nicely. Soul pop from this young LA band.

23. Yeasayer – Henrietta

I’m so very sad that Yeasayer’s 2012 album was nowhere near as good as 2010′s Odd Blood. At least there were a couple good tracks on it, ‘Henrietta’ showing the great love song writing of this band.

22. Carly Rae Jepsen – Call Me Maybe

Pretty sure this was released in 2011, but officially released in 2012. Super addictive song that was everywhere at the beginning of the year. Beiber made it popular and for that I thank him.

21. Twin Shadow – Five Seconds

When making this list I totally forgot about this song and how i listened to it all the time in the Spring and Summer. It is a great track that really reminds me of music that was realized in the mid 2000s. Your indie dance track of the year.

20. Grizzly Bear – Yet Again

Difficult to pick a favourite from Shields, but i find this one stuck in my head most often.

19. Doe Paoro – Born Whole

It doesn’t do much, but what is there is perfect. The simplicity of this track is what makes it great.

18. Killer Mike – Untitled (Featuring Scar)

Reminiscent of early 1990′s rap, Killer Mike has a style that seems retro yet modern at the same time. This track and ‘Reagan’ are the standouts from his 2012 release.

17. Ellie Goulding  – Only You

The danciest track on her album Halcyon finds Goulding using vocal manipulation, heavy beats and an incredibly addictive chorus. This is the farthest she’s travelled from her ealier music, and i really like it.

16. Dum Dum Girls – Lord Knows

First song by any Frankie Rose / Dum Dum Girls project that really stuck with me.

15. The xx – Chained

Most songs on Coexist feel incomplete, missing that final part that would make them great. ‘Chained’ is fantastic, but just misses the mark. If it had that extra push it would easily make the top ten.

14. Hot Chip – Motion Sickness

Consistently getting better album after album, the opener on In Our Heads is an example of a perfectly constructed dance song.

13. First Aid Kid – Emmylou

A great country song that relies on the influence of so many greats before it. You’d swear they were from Nashville, but these two girls are from Sweden.

12. Alabama Shakes – Hold On

Just some good old modern rock with a dash of the South, a dash of soul and roughness around the edges. I hear this has to be heard live to really be appreciated.

11. Jessie Ware – Wildest Moments

Another track from Jessie Ware, the Sadé of 2012.

10. Cat Power – Ruin

Lead off single from Cat Power’s first album of original material since The Greatest. Built around a piano riff, it is one of the fastest paced and rocky tracks Chan Marshall has ever done. A bleak look at the world today.

9. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – Thrift Shop

Holy crap, turn on the radio for the last couple months and this is on ALL THE TIME. It’s getting a bit old now sadly. 4 or 5 months ago Shaun posted this on the blog and based on it’s catchiness and a wicked video it became a hit. Now it’s huge. If you haven’t watched the video yet, make sure you check it out.

8. Chromatics – Lady 

Part of a soundtrack for the world between waking and sleeping. This shoegaze, Italian disco, whatever you want to call it, track demands late night listening, preferably while driving at 3am.

7. Burial – Loner

A Burial song that you can actually dance to, at least for a couple minutes. Over the 8 minutes of ‘Loner’ you’re transported from horror film to dance club to rave to empty streets in the middle of the night to a freaky children’s show.

6. Schoolboy Q – There He Go

I feel like I have to apologize for the lyrics in this song. This isn’t for sensitive ears. This is just an amazing introduction song on Schoolboy’s Habits and Contradictions. It really sets the tone for the rest of the album and shows what you’re in store for the next hour. Dirty with an amazing flow and a great backing sample.

5. Kendrick Lamar – Backstreet Freestyle

When I first heard ‘Backstreet Freestyle’ it reminded me of Lil’ Wayne’s ‘A Milli’, but after many listens this is world’s above that track. The beat is perfect and there is a lot going on (especially if you listen to it on a 5.1 system) that you don’t pick up on first listen. The vocal build-up shows that Kendrick can do mean rap just as well as his usual laid back style.

4. John Talabot – Destiny (Featuring Pional)

If I was to create an electronic song I would likely make something like this. This song is very similar to the rest of the album, but Pional’s vocals add that extra je ne sais quoi. An excellent track for dancing, relaxing or driving.

3. Frank Ocean – Pyramids

I don’t think anyone thought that Frank Ocean was going to release a 10 minute track as a single preceding the release of channel ORANGE. Really two songs sequed together one an upbeat dance track, the second a slow jam, ‘Pyramids’ is the epic of the year.

2. Kanye West – Mercy (Featuring Big Sean, Pusha-T & 2 Chainz)

It starts off with a sample of what I though was Indian music (it’s actually dancehall), adds some bass, a sample about lamborgini’s and an eerie piano line that sounds slightly like steel drums. Then get some guys to rap over it. On first listen it didn’t really make sense to me, but it quickly grew to me my favourite hip hop song of 2012.

1. Chairlift – I Belong in Your Arms

Maybe I’m just a sucker for a cheesy 1980′s love song. This could have been in The Breakfast Club or Say Anything back then. It just makes me want to spin around in circles in the middle of the dance floor. I’m surprised it is my #1, but it just snuck up there and makes me smile.

What a year.  As you can see from our post history the last few months, 2012 became a very busy affair.  August – December were likely the busiest 5 months of my life.  Hopefully 2013 will yield what I as a child yearned for in my Career.  Leisure Time.

While going through some schoolwork from my childhood, I discovered an “essay” from my elementary days.  It was basically about what I wanted to be when I grow up, and why.  It all came down to “Leisure Time”.  It would seem that I do have a fair amount of this fine commodity, but I also seem to be working my butt off to get it.  Everything that is worth something comes with a cost.  This year I started a second full-time job.  I am now an instructor of Photographic Technology.  And on 12/12/12 my amazing wife and I welcomed our first child into the family.  Neko Anne.  She has been an amazing journey, and it has only begun.  I hope to write a little post about her and music in the New Year.  2012 also welcomed the return of our siblings.  All 4 of our sisters have moved back, and having so much family around has been a blessing.

With all that has happened, there have been so many moments and gatherings soundtracked by what I might call an extra special year for music.  It is also a year that I became obsessed with music from Nordic countries.  Sweden especially.  There is a seemingly disproportionate number of Nordic songs on this list.  And I like it.

So, here in its entirety is the list of tracks that soundtracked 2012.  I have embedded a playlist on 8tracks so that you can listen to the playlist during your leisure time on your computer or your mobile.

Enjoy!

- Shaun

112 – Next Year – Two Door Cinema Club
It seems rather apropos to begin the list with an electro-rock track entitled Next Year.

A rousing retro rocker from this Norwegian that is heavily inspired by some of the American greats. Another great dancer.  I Spy with my little, to fall is connected to try

99 – Gangnam Style – PSY
For this song to not be on a 2012 list would be insane.  This is the song that represents 2012.  It touched everyone.  It isn’t necessarily a great song.  But it was a song, and video, that wove itself into nearly every aspect of life.

The obvious single from a sleepy album from an artist that tends to be sleepy.  Sometimes the place that you fear, is where you need to go.

Oh if tomorrow comes, I wanna waste my love on you like a pearl merchant, I’m ready to learn what it takes to burn, I’m gonna let you show me what it means to breathe fire 

interesting tidbits of the above list
avg song length – 4.3 minutes
Track 1s – 38
songs placed track 6 or later on the album – 21
Songs from Nordic Countries – 15
Songs from the UK – 20
Songs from Australia – 6
Songs from Canada – 6

Images by Erik Hornung

As you may have noticed, I have been a little absent as of late. Life seems to get in the way of what we deem extraneous activities. On top of this being the busiest 2 months of the year, I happened to start a new career move in mid August, and maintain the small business we run. This was something I wasn’t anticipating, and was somewhat unprepared for. Add into that, the fact that my wife and I are expecting a new baby in December, and you have one highly busy guy. I have several posts to make in the coming days/weeks/whenever i can find a spare 30 minutes. Posts about new local releases, symphonic performances, Fall playlists, new songs, and playlists for the coming baby.

However, today it is once again about Swedish Pop. I have fallen for the Nordic bands/girls this year. The sound coming from those beautiful countries just seems to grab me as of late. There is a blog that features only awesome music from the Nordic Countries called Ja Ja Ja, and I have been introduced to so many of these new artist’s from this site. This new track by Swedish Sister Duo, Saint Lou Lou, is of no exception. This isn’t a flashy Robyn or Niki and the Dove track. This is a slow and seductive track that teases itself into your ears with its whispery vocals and sensual slow mo Black and White video. Check out the video below, and the fantastic remix by Montauk directly below the video.

And if you can’t get enough Music from the Nordic Region, I am really enjoying the new Sandra Kolstad album and I highly expect it to be one of my top albums of the year. It tends to lean more towards the dark electronic side of the spectrum, borrowing from influences of Fever Ray, Kate Bush, and Bjork. This Norwegian artist is making waves over in Europe, and hopefully will reach a little crossover here in North America. Her new video is below. Enjoy!

And if you needed some more of my favs from this region, here are few more recent videos for your perusal.

More Dark Electronic Swedish/Norwegian Pop – Karin Park

Norwegian Retro Pop – Michael Paskalev

I may even post a playlist of my favourite Nordic Music sometime soon.

- Shaun

This is intended to be a new and recurring feature to be presented at the end of each month.  A small list of things that I listened to every month, new or old.  I have been creating monthly playlists for the last 5 years now, and it is always interesting to go back in time to important landmarks to hear the music that you were listening to at the time.  To see your tendencies and trends.  To see how your life events effect your listening, or vice versa.

January tends to be one of those months that has you looking back at what you have accomplished, and has you planning for the future.  This January was a lot busier than anticipated.  I ended up working on a feature film (including my acting debut (in an extremely small role)), which took up a lot of time.  And the Best of 2011 lists proved to be a large undertaking.  But this allowed me to go back and look at the year in music in more depth, which also yields new finds and develops new connections to older pieces.  January also tends to be a cold month that usually lends to colder music.  Maybe not so much this year as it was unseasonably warm.  Alright, so here we go.

5.  Hit the ground (Superman) – The Big Pink

After their fantastic album “a brief history of love” was released in 2009, their follow-up was a heavily anticipated album for me.  Unfortunately it doesn’t seem to live up to the expectations quite as much as I hoped.  It is a good album, but it is a safe album.  One that doesn’t push things forward.  But the first single “Hit the Ground (Superman)” is a great little pop gem that I have been listening to all month.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9_xniHg8pc&w=560&h=315]

4.  Young Blood – The Naked and Famous

So this track goes back to 2010.  I had heard it a number of times, and likely thought it was a Passion Pit track.  But I recently watched “The Art of Flight”.  A brilliant snowboarding film with an equally great soundtrack.  This song simply stood out, and I just can’t get enough of it.  It also appears in a remixed form on the new Underworld Film soundtrack.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lcJlTQgdoc&w=560&h=315]

3.  Montreal – The Weeknd

In Late December the 3rd album from The Weeknd was released.  And it was an instant hit for me.  The lead off Michael Jackson cover of Dirty Diana (which happens to be a top 5 fav of his) is extremely good, but Montreal is the original that I have been listening to nearly every day.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MrPN5pXRI8&w=560&h=315]

2.  Somebody that I used to know – Gotye

I had been listening to Gotye for a few years, but never really got into them.  But all of a sudden Facebook was all abuzz with Gotye.  Which I thought to be weird.  But I decided to check out what all the hype was about.  It centered around a song that was very Peter Gabrielish, the accompanying body paint stop-motion/hybrid video, and a subsequent 5-person on 1 guitar cover video.  But ultimately it is a hugely infectious song that just doesn’t go away. “Now you’re just somebody that I used to know”

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UVNT4wvIGY&w=560&h=315]

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9NF2edxy-M&w=560&h=315]

1.  Travel as Equals – Joseph Arthur

As I pointed out a couple weeks ago Joseph Arthur released a new double album for free on his website.  The following day he was on David Letterman with a fantastic performance with full band accompaniment. He performed the lead off track “Travel as Equals” which is definitely one of the standout tracks on the album.  ”The only way we can survive, is travel as equals or not at all”  This is an album that will likely stand as his some of his best work ever.  A true return to form and a step forward.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOwK7nCGZD0&w=560&h=315]

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhYU1NOH4Co&w=560&h=315]

In retrospect this year seemed to be a track kind of a year for me. A year in which I would listen to certain songs from an album, more than I would put an album on straight through, or repeat it over and over. But that isn’t to say that I didn’t, or that there weren’t that many great albums. Just one of those years. However the last couple weeks I have been spending a lot of time listening to albums thoroughly again. Once again, I feel that there may be little in the way of surprises here on this list, but there are some gooders for sure. So less ramble, and more albums. Here they are. In particular order.

50. Wiley – 100% Publishing

This was my introductory album to Wiley. I had heard of him, but never heard him. One day I thought to myself that I really need to check out more of the UK urban scene and Tinie Tempah and Wiley came up. Wiley was the more interesting artist, and the album that i connected with the most. Sonically it is very intriguing, and his delivery is at times unique and i like the style of his cadence. It was an album that was great for summer driving.

Noteworthy Tracks: Numbers in Action, Wise Man and his Words, 100% Publishing

49. Little Dragon – Ritual Union

When it comes down to it, this is an album that has a very sexy sound to it, and her vocals are rather distinct. Not too much more to elaborate on it. A great late night mix.

Noteworthy Tracks: Little Man, Shuffle a Dream, Ritual Union

48. Jessica Jalbert – Brother Loyola

A local talent that seems to be making bigger waves outside of Edmonton than within. The more I listen to her album, the more it appeals to me. It reminds me of a more feminine version of Yuck’s album. Which is a great thing. Nearly every track is great, and the rest are really good. I expect a lot more from this great young singer and her band.

Noteworthy Tracks: Paris Green, Lack of a Lake, Whatever Whoever

47. SBTRKT – SBTRKT

This was a year that UK Bass Music had a few artists branch out and do something a little bit different. A lot of these artists evolved out of the dubstep sound and took what seems to be the likely next step and added an R&B/Soul component. SBTRKT tapped some great vocalists for support on this album including Yukimi Nagano, but its his fellow collaborator Sampha that shines throughout the majority of the album.

Noteworthy Tracks: Hold On, Wildfire, Right Thing to Do

46. TuNe-YaRdS – W H O K I L L

Trying to describe this album is liking trying to explain what something tastes like, without having something to compare it to. Loop upon loop upon loop with a voice that contorts and wails and shifts all over the place. But it sounds great. Just listen to it.

Noteworthy Tracks: My Country, Gangsta, Bizness

45. Real Estate – Days

My top albums list suggests that there was a lot of relaxation and chilling to calm and pleasant sounding music. For some reason, I don’t get that impression by reflecting upon the year, but I must have had some good calm times. Days is an album that just sounds like a quiet evening outside. It also seems to celebrate the little things in life, and it just feels sunny.

Noteworthy Tracks: Easy, It’s Real, Wonder Years

44. Cut Copy – Zonoscope

Another album of Cut Copy doing what they do best. Indie-dance music.

Noteworthy tracks: need you now, where I’m going, pharaohs and pyramids

43. Girls – Father, Sun, Holy Ghost

An album that I just couldn’t get into for so long. But I gave a few other chances in December, and then it clicked. A slight departure from their fantastic debut, but it holds it’s own. This has even more of a psychedelic retro sound to it, especially “die”, which sounds like a “Black Mountain” song.

Noteworthy Tracks: Honey Bunny, Die, Vomit

42. Gramatik – Beatz & Pieces vol. 1

A collection of sample based music that has an overall cinematic quality. Some great compositions that flow together into a larger piece. Perfect background music when you don’t want background music.

Noteworthy pieces: On the Boardwalk, So much for Love, Break Loose

41. Cults – Cults

Simply put, this is an album for the lazy days of summer. Chilling on the patio, with some steaks and avocados on the grill.

Noteworthy tracks: Go Outside, Most Wanted, Bad Things

40. The Features – Wilderness

Their 3rd LP takes things up a notch and rocks a bit harder than the last couple albums. But it still has that signature sound that makes The Features so much fun to listen to. Just a little rougher.

Noteworthy tracks: How it Starts, Rambo, Golden Comb

39. The Black Keys – El Camino

Having been a fan of The Black Keys since the beginning, I have witnessed their transition from garage rock duo, to the hit making band they are today. To listen to this album and one of their earlier albums together, one might question the authenticity of their new recording. It is definitely an album that has been fleshed out, but their roots are still showing. To be honest, if they didn’t grow with each album, their sound may have become irrelevant, whereas this is some of the best pop music on the radio these days.

Noteworthy tracks: Lonely Boy, Gold on the Ceiling, Sister

38. Ben Howard – Every Kingdom

There is a lot of acoustic based music out there, and what generally sets artists in this genre apart is their voice. Ben Howard has a couple other attributes helping him out. His uniquely raspy voice sounds like he has been pulled straight out of the forest. His song structure borrows heavily from the new folk folk movement and has layers and textures throughout. And his songs have a unique pull to them. They Rise above the standard fare in this genre, making Every Kingdom an album that warrants repeated listens.

Noteworthy tracks: Old Pine, The Wolves, Keep your head up

37. Kurt Vile – Smoke Ring for my Halo

Another one of those albums that speaks to you without screaming. There is charm in this recording that I just can’t explain, and I just won’t try. Its simply a fantastic album and I Will leave it at that.

Noteworthy Tracks: Baby’s Arms, Runner Ups, In My Time

36. Hanni El Khatib – Will the Guns Come Out

Pure garage rock bliss. Rough and raw and angry. Sounds like jay reatard and early Black Keys. But he has a sound all his own. And then the second half of the album calms down significantly before taking it back up to finish it.

Noteworthy tracks: build. Destroy. Rebuild., Fuck it. You win. Heartbreak hotel.

35. Felix Reibl – Into the Rain

A classic sounding album reminiscent of James Taylor or acoustic Springsteen. This was an album I found myself putting on during work, or when I was reading.

Noteworthy tracks: Wide Open Rivers, Helen/I’m on fire, They Don’t Know You Like I Do.

34. Jay Z & Kanye West – Watch the Throne

How over the top and extravagant can a hip hop album get before you hate it? This gets close, but somehow finds a balance that pulls it off. Two legends together bragging about their goods. But it works.

Noteworthy Tracks: No Church in the Wild, Niggas in Paris, Welcome to the Jungle

33. Other Lives – Tamer Animals

Any album that starts out with horns and clarinet has me in its hands. This is an album that sounds full. It has interesting instruments layered over top of each other. It has melody and structure. It sounds like a symphony swallowed an indie band and spit out awesomeness. And their live shows are amazing as well.

Noteworthy Tracks: Dark Horse, For 12, Old Statues

32. Thao & Mirah – Thao & Mirah

Thao Nguyen, Mirah, (with the production help of Tune Yards) masterfully combine to create a collection of songs that sound like a band as opposed to two separate artists together. There are songs that seem to be led by one of the respective artists, but they still sound unique to this collaboration as opposed to having the other guest on each other’s songs. A surprisingly great combination.

Noteworthy Tracks: Eleven, Folks, Hallelujah

31. The Antlers – Burst Apart

Does it really get any more depressing than The Antlers? Despite its melancholy, I really enjoyed this album. Especially in the winter months. For me it wasn’t an album for the summer, and had to revisit it in the bleaker months.

Noteworthy Tracks: I Don’t Want Love, Parentheses, Rolling Together

30. Jamie Woon – Mirrorwriting

This is an album that borrows heavily from several genres and therefor has no genre. But that doesn’t matter. It’s an album that oozes soul over top some great melodies and beats. Mirrorwriting is a an album that just sounds great. This is an album I listened to on late night drives.

Noteworthy tracks: Night Air, Lady Luck, Spirits

29. Vandaveer – Dig Down Deep

An ambitious and large sounding album that embraces the organic folk sound. Dig Down Deep features Americana and folk story telling that is easy to relate to and somewhat timeless.

Noteworthy Tracks: Dig Down Deep, The Great Gray, Concerning Past Future Conquest

28. Pickwick – Myths EP

A promising hybrid of indie-folk and blue-eyed soul. I anticipate their LP debut to be one 2012′s best albums. But, until then, this collection of 6 tracks originally released on 45′s will have to hold me over.

Noteworthy Tracks: Hacienda Motel, The Round, Blackout

27. Ryan Adams – Ashes & Fire

This year 2 of my favourite artists released very understated albums. Like Joseph Arthur’s release, Ashes and Fire is an exercise in restraint. The large majority of this album is on the mellow/ballad side of the Ryan Adams spectrum (which is one of the wider spectrums of any artist). Taken as a whole, this is an album to chill and relax to. And it sets a great tone for a quiet Sunday afternoon.

Noteworthy Tracks: Dirty Rain, Chains of Love, Lucky Now

26. Joseph Arthur – The Graduation Ceremony

While this is isn’t the best album he has released, it is a consistently great album. The Graduation Ceremony excels at subtlety. It is seemingly simple and sparse, but their is a lot of unassuming production throughout that really elevates the songs above the acoustic sound.

Noteworthy Tracks: Out on a Limb, Over the Sun, Gypsy Faded

25. Grouplove – Never Trust a Happy Song

After last years promising debut EP (a lot of which is featured here on the LP) I expected great things this year from this band. What we got was even better than I expected. We got an album that took the best parts of their EP and evolved on it different directions creating an album that excels in more than one sound.

Noteworthy Tracks: Tongue Tied, Colors, Naked Kids

24. M83 – Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming

This album seems to have it all. It has one of the best tracks of the year. It has anthems. It has mellow burners. It has dancers and rockers. This is simply a great album that has a song for every purpose and flows as a whole.

Noteworthy Tracks: Intro, Midnight City, Wait

23. Tim Hecker – Ravedeath, 1972/Dropped Pianos

This isn’t an album that you throw on at a party. This is something you put on for solo purposes. Unlike the other 2 piano based albums on this list, this is not an album of beautiful and intimate keys. This is an album that explores the piano and deconstructs and destroys with the help of electronics. Somehow it manages to become more than just interesting. But captivating in the ideas and constructs that are presented. Dropped Pianos, a companion piece album, is less about the deconstruction, and more so about the sketches that inspired Ravedeath. A unique insight into the process of creation. And whereas the Ravedeath material was done on a pipe Organ in Iceland, these sketches were all done on a piano. Two very disparate albums, that truly support each other.

Noteworthy Tracks: The Piano Drop, Analog Paralysis, 1978., Sketch 5

22. Washed Out – Within and Without

Exactly what Chill-Wave should sound like. This is very much a bedroom sounding album that works outside the bedroom as well.

Noteworthy Tracks: Amor Fati, Far Away, You and I

21. Handsome Furs – Sound Kapital

Sound Kapital took the Handsome Furs even more into Depeche Mode territory than ever before. More synths, bigger sound, and a killer knack for melody.

Noteworthy Tracks: Serve the People, When I Get Back, What About Us

20. Tinariwen – Tassili

One of the best guitar based albums of the year. Tassili, unlike their previous recordings, was recorded in the desert, and is therefore more acoustic sounding. This Mali band has a very unique sound that is also very traditional. It is exotic and foreign sounding, which is what I look for in music from other regions. It also features a couple Western guests attaching some familiarity.

Noteworthy Tracks: Tenere Taqqim Tossam, ya Messinagh, Temeyawt

19. Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues

Another wonderful album of wilderness sounding tracks with lovely harmonies. This time around the are a few extra surprises and a bit more of a progression in sound. Not as revelatory as their debut, but just as good.

Noteworthy Tracks: Montezuma, sim sala him, Helplessness Blues

18. Lockerbie – Ólgusjór

These young Icelanders have released a fantastic debut album, and given their age, I cannot wait to see what else is coming. One of my favourite performances of 2010 was by this great band in a small pub in Iceland. This recording captures the feel of their live show quite well.

Noteworthy Tracks: Laut, Reyklykt, Ólgusjór

17. Gem Club – Breakers

A very beautiful and melancholic album. A reverb drenched piano that sounds like it was mic’d in a living room, accompanied by a mournful cello. The addition of fragile hushed vocals lend to the intimacy and delicateness of the songs.

Noteworthy Tracks: Twins, Breakers, Black Ships

16. Beirut – The Rip Tide

This was the first Beirut album that really resonated with me. Its chock full of brass and ethnic elements, which has a lot to do with it. But that really isn’t all that new for Beirut. Ultimately, it won me over.

Noteworthy tracks: A Candle’s Fire, Goshen, East Harlem

15. Foster the People – Torches

This newish band picks up where MGMT left off with straight forward poppy dance rock tracks. Nearly every song will get you moving and singing along, which makes for a great party.

Noteworthy tracks: Helena beat, Houdini, Pumped Up Kicks

14. Olafur Arnalds – Living Room Songs EP

Sometimes the simplest of concepts make for some of the best outcomes. This collection of 7 songs was created 1 track per day for one week, and recorded in his living room. Piano, strings, and the occasional electronics. Variations upon themes, these 7 pieces somehow stand on their own, yet feel cohesive. This is an album that I keep coming back to. And every time I hear a song, it instantly traps me, stealing all of my attention. I had this album lower on the list because of its shortness, but I had to move it further up with each listen. The intimacy of the songs and the recordings just make it feel so fragile and compelling. There are videos of each of the living room songs from the album being recorded live in his living room with a little story about each song.

Noteworthy Tracks: Fyrsta, Near Light, Tomorrow’s Song

13. Kassidy – Hope St.

This Scottish released their Debut LP in May this year. It is full of catchy rock songs that get you moving and singing along. Every song is different than the previous, and all merit multiple listens. Their sound also seems to borrow from American 90′s 00′s rock, but with a distinct sound.

Noteworthy Tracks: Stray Cat, I Don’t Know, Oh My God

12. Radiohead – The King of Limbs

What hasn’t been said about this album yet? A hugely anticipated album that seemed to split the fan base. More electronic and stuttering than previous releases, this album stands on its own, yet touches on their previous albums. My favourite part of the album is tracks 3 through 5. Little by Little is very much an update classic Radiohead song that is followed by Feral, which to me is the most interesting song on the album with its samples and skittery drum loop. And then it almost blends the two tracks and becomes Lotus Flower, a mid-tempo floater with a grounding bass line, a slowed down drum loop, and some haunting Thom Yorke.

Noteworthy Tracks: Little by Little, Feral, Lotus Flower

11. Laura Marling – A Creature I Don’t Know

Maybe it was because I was anticipating this album so much, but when this was released, I was initially disappointed. This disappointment lasted a while. Until it finally clicked. This is very much a Laura Marling album. But it feels different than here previous two. It could be the band approach. It could be the more complex arrangements and the non-traditional song structure. But either way, it turns out to be an album that rewards the attention given.

Noteworthy Tracks: Sophia, The Beast, All my Rage

10. Black Lips – Arabia Mountain

I can’t help but feel nostalgic for the 60′s when I listen to this album. Heavily leaning on several of the sounds prevalent in that decade, it comes off as a tribute album to that era, with a new twist of course.

Noteworthy Tracks: Family Tree, Time, New Direction

09. Yuck – Yuck

Tastes like High School. This youthful UK Band delivers a standout album of 90′s sounding retro rock that is the perfect balance of raw vs. production to give it that authentic feel. Despite the obvious nostalgia effect, it also stands as a great album in this decade.

Noteworthy Tracks: Get Away, Shook Down, Georgia

08. Of Monsters and Men – My Head is an Animal

Another Icelandic Band on the list. Surprise, Surprise. This Icelandic band is oft-compared to Arcade Fire, Mumford and Sons, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes. However, that isn’t to say they don’t have their own unique sound. More than just a collection of their influences, My head is an Animal is full of animal imagery, clever lyrics, and extremely addictive songs.

Noteworthy Tracks: Dirty Paws, Little Talks, Sloom

07. The Weeknd – House of Balloons/Thursday/Echoes of Silence

Yes, I am a cheater. I stuck all 3 of The Weeknd’s great 2011 releases into one spot. This Torontonian, released the 3 best R&B albums of the year. All for free. But I will likely get them all remastered on Vinyl in 2012. Each of these albums in unique from the other, and they have a cohesive feel true to each release. House of Balloons is the strongest album, with the other 2 following close behind. To fully experience this album pull out the glass table, get the drugs and booze, and fill the house with women. It’s that kind of an album.

Noteworthy Tracks: House of Ballons/Glas Table Girls, High for This, Wicked Games, Thursday, The Birds, D.D., Montreal

06. Typhoon – A New Kind of House EP

I almost have an issue with putting a 5-track EP at number 6. But this EP features 2 of the most listened to tracks of the year for me. This EP set the tone of the year for me. It sparked my love of large bands with tons of instruments. It heralded me into a new folk era. Their performance at Sasquatch was one of the top 10 performances of the year. It was an EP for the house, the car, the yard, camping, roadtripping, iPhoneing. Looking forward to their next full length album, hopefully this year.

Noteworthy Tracks: The Honest Truth, Summer Home, Claws Pt. 1

05. The Kills – Blood Pressures

I have been a slight fan of the Kills before, but never before had I connected to one of their releases like I did with Blood Pressures. Blood Pressures sets the tone early with Future Starts Slow and its guitar-drum combo. The album has a dirty and sexy feel to it. It drips. It grinds. Its an album that begs to be felt. Alison Mosshart’s vocals are perfectly suited to the guitar work by Jamie Hince. A stellar rock album.

Noteworthy Tracks: Future Starts Slow, Heart is a Beating Drum, The Last Goodbye, Pots and Pans

04. Blind Pilot – We are the Tide

Sometimes you don’t to do anything different to standout. Blind Pilot excels at what they do. It isn’t groundbreaking, or genre-creating. It’s simply great. An album of gems. Songs that are warm and pleasant. Songs that make you smile inside. It’s feel good music. Done near perfectly.

Noteworthy Tracks: Half moon, Keep you Right, We are the Tide, New York

03. Noah and the Whale – Last Night on Earth

It is no secret that I am a big Noah and the Whale fan. All 3 of their albums have been completely different. Last Night on Earth finds the band tapping 80′s Americana for inspiration, specifically Tom Petty. This is by far the most accessible album they have released, and every song is single worthy. It is also their most straight forward album, so there are few surprises or unconventional moments. It is a great pop album. An album that is suited for road trips, or hanging with friends. So grab a drink and some friends and sing along.

Noteworthy Tracks: Life is Life, Tonights the Kind of Night, L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N, Waiting for my Chance to Come

02. James Blake – James Blake

This album came as a surprise to me. Having heard his EPs I wouldn’t have expected this from him. The album has a couple great singles, but it works best as a singular piece. It isn’t party music, it’s reflection music. Its what you put on when you want to feel something. When you want to get lost. Which I happen to do a lot.

Noteworthy Tracks: Wilhelm Scream, I Never Learnt to Share, Why Don’t you Call me.

01. Bon Iver – Bon Iver

I have been referencing this album and artist for awhile now, so it is no surprise that it pops up at number one on this list. Easily the most listened to album of the year for me, it breaks new ground, it is a logical progression of sorts, and it stands on its own. It’s an album, that like its predecessor LP, will remain relevant and stand the test of time. I foresee this album being a classic of this generation, and I see Justin Vernon and Bon Iver becoming one of the seminal artists of this decade. Or maybe I’m just a huge fanboy. Either way, I think it’s the best album of the year, and look forward to discovering the nuances throughout 2012.

Noteworthy Tracks: Perth, Holocene, Beth/Rest

Bolster Your Holster presents the Best Albums of 2011 (according to Kris)! This year I decided to go with 50 albums instead of the regular 40 and included comments on as many as I was inspired to. Hope you enjoy the list and please share your comments below.

50. Charles Bradley – No Time For Dreaming

“The Screaming Eagle of Soul” soars again! Technically, this is his debut album, but Bradley has been around for a few years releasing singles on the Daptone label. This is his debut album released at the tender age of 63, but he sounds like he’s been doing this his whole life. Like most stuff on the Daptone album it is classic soul that sounds like it could have been recorded anytime in the last 50 years. Also the fantastic cover contributes to that as well. I’m pretty sure there is always time for dreaming Charles, maybe while listening to some of your sweet soul music.

49. Adele – 21

48. Eleanor Friedberger – Last Summer

47. Little Dragon – Ritual Union

46. Wild Beasts – Smother

45. Braids – Native Speaker

44. Beirut – The Rip Tide

43. James Blake – James Blake

I am being drawn to it yet not being able to love it as it feels like glass. James Blake is so fragile and delicate that it feels like it could break at any time. The times it does allow it to crack, the bass drop in ‘Limit to Your Love’, the build-up in ‘The Wilhelm Scream’, we can see what Blake would be capable if he just let go. Yet, the album has a way to work it’s way under your skin and even though I couldn’t embrace the album I wanted to listen to it again to understand where Blake is at in making his music and how it will change over time as it already has in his very short career. I expect much from him over the next few years, I’m sure he will deliver.

42. The Weeknd – Echoes of Silence

41. Rainbow Arabia – Boys and Diamonds

40. Tim Hecker – Ravendeath, 1972

39. Iron & Wine – Kiss Each Other Clean

38. Frank Ocean – Nostalgia,ULTRA.

37. The Rural Alberta Advantage – Departing

36. Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues

35. Panda Bear – Tomboy

With my attempted hate towards Animal Collective I really shouldn’t have this album on the list. Merriweather Post Pavilion got to me though, so I though I’d give Panda Bear a second chance. Sometimes I think this album is a piece of crap, but most of the time I think it is a credible mix of drone, reverb vocals and strange noises which combine into something like a high day at the beach. Being released on clear vinyl also got me as well. The singles weren’t representative of the album either, it’s those “other” tracks that show what it is really about.

34. EMA – Past Life Martyred Saints

33. Raphael Saadiq – Stone Rollin’

32. M83 – Hurry Up, I’m Dreaming

As I write this, I technically have not listened to the whole album yet. I have to include it on the list because I know how much I am going to like it and how much it will be listened to it over the next few months. The first half is wave upon wave of electronic shoegaze bliss. I never felt a connection to M83′s previous work, but this album finally grabbed a hold of me, especially the amazing standout ‘Midnight City’, which I wish I had been listening to in the Summer when it came out, instead of the last few weeks. This is one that definitely would have been higher if I had listened to it earlier, but for now it will settle in this position, content and dreaming.

31. Erkin Koray – Meçhul: Singles & Rarities

Erkin Koray is the father of Turkish rock music and was one of the first Turkish musicians to adopt western rock music and add its elements to Turkish folk, thus creating a huge psychedelic scene in the 60s and 70s, especially in Istanbul. This is the only compilation on the list this year which features non-album tracks recorded by Koray between 1968 – 1976. Technically it doesn’t include anything from 2011 (besides the artwork), but I have to put it here because it is such fine release from Sublime Frequencies, and if only one other person decides to listen to this then it was all worth it.

30. Death Cab for Cutie – Codes and Keys

I’m sure a lot of people look back on Death Cab and reminisce for the time before The OC helped bring these guys to the mainstream. My favourite Death Cab album, Transatlanticism, found them on the verge of popularity, but with their next album being featured on that soap opera for teens really pushed them into the limelight. The thing is that they’ve kept making solid albums since then that really shouldn’t be dismissed because of their popularity. St. Peter’s Cathedral, Doors Unlocked and Open and Underneath the Sycamore are just three prime examples of why you should listen to this album if you haven’t given Death Cab a chance since the early 2000s.

29. The Twilight Singers – Dynamite Steps

28. The Black Keys – El Camino

27. Sigur Ros – Inni

I’ve been off Sigur Ros for a while now. But they’ve just come back from a hiatus with the live film/album Inni a look at their live 2008 tour. Listening to the album I’ve come to a realization that I should have seen them live some time ago. I love Sigur Ros live, the guitars are louder and have more feedback, the drums are way more powerful and Jonsi’s vocals are almost on par with the recorded album versions. Inni contains some of their best songs and makes a cohesive whole of their last four albums. I’m not one to put live albums on a Best of list, but this one really deserves to be here.

26. tUnE-yArDs – WhoKill

25. Jay-Z & Kanye West – Watch The Throne

24. Zola Jesus – Conatus

23. The Weeknd – Thursday

22. Devotchka – 100 Lovers

21. Laura Marling – A Creature I Don’t Know

20. Elbow – Build a Rocket Boys!

A little bit disappointing after the greatness of The Seldom Seen Kid, Build a Rocket Boys!  found Elbow at their most minimal with only a few tracks featuring the bombast stadium melodies that they were slowly getting known for (Outside North America of course). Still it was a great album that had some standout tracks including the 8 minute opener ‘The Birds’, ‘Dear Friends’ heartwarming reflection on life and ‘With Love”s loud and quiet dynamics. It plays out like an old man reminiscing about youth, an album of reflection and memories.

19. Bill Callahan – Apocalypse

Bill Callahan’s a hell of a guy, or at least I’d like to think so. He’s made some great music over the years and is one of the most consistent artists. His albums are always a slow burn and take some time to get in to. I’d often find myself putting on Apocalypse in the background and take in little parts of it each listen. It’s finally coming together and I wouldn’t call it revolutionary, but it is another excellent edition to his catalogue. Callahan shows his confidence and his ability as a songwriter on Apocalypse more than he’s ever done before.

18. Theophilus London – Lover’s Holiday

London released a full length album this year, but for me it was this EP that defined him as an artist. 5 songs, each of a different genre, that all had the ability to be hit singles. He channeled Prince on ‘Strange Love’, made a TV on the Radio song better than any TV on the Radio song from the last 5 years, made a robotic freakout dance anthem and bookended the EP with two great R&B numbers featuring some killer female vocal lines. This might be all I need from Theophilus, his album was good, but this EP condensed everything we need to know about him in five songs clocking in at about twenty minutes.

17. Okkervil River – I Am Very Far

The best song released by Okkervil River this year was not on their new album. If they had gone in that direction for I Am Very Far it would have made me so very happy, while making me so very sad. Instead they released this, which most critics said was a wall of sound and too crowded. I was just happy it showed Okkervil going in a new direction and not making the same old crap we’ve been hearing since 2007. I know, I know it wasn’t crap, but Black Sheep Boy was so good that it pales in comparison. I Am Very Far doesn’t bring them back to that greatness, but showed something missing from the last couple albums, passion.

16. The War on Drugs – Slave Ambient

The War on Drugs are a rock band that fittingly titled their newest release Slave Ambient. The album flows just like a wave of ambient sound. You can be listening to the first song and then turn around and you’re already on track eight. The thing is it is not at all samey. Each song can be taken on its own as well. Come to The City, Your Love is Calling my Name and Baby Missiles are three great anthemic rock songs, like something you’d find on a U2 or Springsteen record.

It’s in the haze.

15. Cut Copy – Zonoscope

14. Tom Waits – Bad as Me

As with every Tom Waits album before, you’re looking at a solid release full of genre bending dynamics and some very interesting vocal arrangements. Bad As Me  is the most accessible thing he’s released, but don’t worry it is a Tom Waits record so that doesn’t mean much. It has a few more ballads than previous Waits release I can remember, but they all have their charm like Keith Richards guesting on ‘Last Leaf’, the gramophone feel of ‘Kiss Me’ and the excerpt from ‘Auld Lang Syne’ on ‘New Year’s Eve’. There are some barn burners here as well though like the scathing war track ‘Hell Broke Luce’ and the chugging ‘Chicago’.

13. Wye Oak – Civilian

12. Lykke Li – Wounded Rhymes

You ever have someone you call babe? Sometimes it can sound pretentious, but often it just fits. I’ve always thought of it as a term of endearment, something for someone you love, something for only one other. I’ve liked Wounded Rhymes since it came out, but only recently have I wanted to revisit it. A track, ‘I Know Places’, slipped through the cracks on initial listens and is now finally capturing me. A beautiful acoustic number showcasing Li’s sultry vocals and featuring the afformentioned “babe”. And then it turns into two minutes of Mazzy Starish reverie. Oh yeah, the rest of the album is awesome too.

11. Lia Ices – Grown Unknown

10. Yacht – Shangri-La

9. Jamie Woon – Mirrorwriting

I want it to be one am. I want it to be raining. I want to be pouring out of some club and this playing as I hop on a bus for somewhere, anywhere. Call it soul, call it post-dubstep, call it pop, call it whatever the hell you want. Jamie Woon had a tragically underrated year with his debut not appearing often on any Top 50 lists. Originally grouped together with James Blake because of their great voices and links to dubstep, Woon is a completely different creature that creates an early morning atmosphere that can take you on a journey in any direction.

8. Noah and The Whale – Last Night on Earth

An album of change. Optimism after the devastating The First Day of Spring. This is a different Noah and the Whale as obvious by the first song’s refrain: “And it feels like his new life can start, And if feels like heaven”. Utilizing a heavy dose of 80s rock American influence including Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen, Last Night on Earth is full of glorious sing-a-long pop anthems with lyrics about growing up, getting over love and playing music. ‘Give it all Back’ is the next ‘Summer of ’69′, just listen to it and tell me not.

7. Radiohead – The King of Limbs

After almost a year and the initial hype has settled, The King of Limbs, sits safely as my second bottom Radiohead album. This does not mean this album is bad by any means, but rather to the high standard of excellence that one has come to expect from a Radiohead release. Maybe it was too short. Maybe it didn’t have enough hooks. Maybe it just felt like we deserved more. Oddly enough The King of Limbs has been followed up by four songs that are as good as the best parts of this album. Those songs could have been on this album. They could have made this album better. Nevermind, nevermatter, The King of Limbs is an excellent experiment that shows Radiohead reinventing themselves while still trying to make music that is different and that matters at the same time.

6. Washed Out – Within and Without

I’m sitting on a beach waiting for my heart to break again. Float off into the sea and let the music take hold. ‘You and I’ is the centerpiece of this album, but it is so much better when taken as a whole. This is one of those albums that I may never know the titles of all the songs, but still love each one, even if it feels like one long single song. This is how chillwave should sound. It needs structure, melodies, haunting echo vocals and waves of emotion. This was a year of some beautiful albums, this could easily be the best.

5. Bon Iver – Bon Iver

Justin Vernon mentioned that the next Bon Iver album was made up of soundscapes rather than songs. After listening to this album many, many times I would agree. Bon Iver is full of many places, times and moments that fit together so well. The lyrics fit with the music as well, even if they don’t make any sense or are often unintelligible. There are hints of the 2009 acoustic Justin Vernon, serious influence from the Gayngs side project and just a hint of some of the swagger he received from Kanye. Impossible to classify, the record plays more like something from Sigur Ros than a man known as a singer/songwriter.

4. PJ Harvey – Let England Shake

Earlier in the year I wrote a review of this album on Bolster Your Holster. In my opinion it was the best album of the year at the time it was released. It hasn’t dropped far, but I just haven’t been giving it the same attention that it received earlier in the year. I can’t decide if it is my favourite PJ album, but it is the one I’ve dedicated the most time to and the one that has made me want to revisit her first couple albums, which I’ve never managed to listen to. This is an album about war that is relevant today, but seems to focus more on the World Wars or at least it just feels that way. It feels modern and 1940ish in the same way. I think this album can cross generations and will end up being PJ’s masterpiece once all is said and done.

3. Timber Timbre – Creep On Creepin’ On

I admit I didn’t like the title when I first heard it. Concerned would be a better word. After first listen though, Timber Timbre just made another great album. An expansion of sound and soundscapes would be the best way to describe their evolution on this album. 3 instrumentals and 7 songs and it doesn’t feel like it is missing anything. The last track also sounds like an instrumental outtake from Dark Side of the Moon, which doesn’t hurt the cause any. Timber Timbre is dark swamp folk, but I feel a hidden sexuality behind the music. Sure they’re singing about murder and other dark secrets, but hidden in the music is a sexual tension that reverberates in the air. Or maybe it’s just me.

2. The Antlers - Burst Apart

“You wanna climb up the stairs, I wanna push you back down. But I let you inside,
So you can push me around. If I leave before you, And I walk out alone, Keep your hands to yourself When you follow me home. I don’t want love.” It’s a break-up album. It’s pledging love and waiting for it to come back. It’s begging to be wanted. Burst Apart may not be as devastating as Hospice, but it certainly carries the melancholy in its own way. You can interpret it any way you want, more freedom means more connection. All I know is that it continues to grow on me with each listen and begs me to come back for more.

1. The Weeknd – House of Balloons

This is an album that completely reinvented modern R&B that reached a whole new audience while making it accessible, or at least accepted, by a completely different demographic than before. It made me want to listen to only modern R&B (The Weeknd obliged there with 3 mixtapes in one year). I have found no one that compares to the production. Drake has tried, The-Dream is close, but Abe Tesafaye’s debut to the world grasped the late-night, dirty world of hip-hop/R&B so darkly beautiful that nothing else needs to be written on the subject. This is pure sex on record.

Once again it is time for the requisite best of lists. As always, I have issues narrowing things down as I tend to like everything. So to start things off, I have the 111 songs that soundtracked 2011 for me. Not necessarily the best songs of the year, but rather the songs that occupied my earballs throughout the year. It seems that there was a lot of garage rock, mellow music, bands with a lot of members, post-dubstep, and bands that sound like old bands. And since I chose a rather large selection of songs, it takes forever to write about and post them, so I will be very brief with most songs, and may even just quote some lyrics for some. I’m lazy like that. – Shaun

111. Ode to Janice Melt – Army Navy
Just can’t get enough of that bouncy piano. A catchy little ditty.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89W1iF0eLVc&w=560&h=315]

110. Too Much Midi (Please Forgive me) – Ford and Lopatin
This retro 80’s synth number apologizes for its awesomeness.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHYyazhBXcw&w=420&h=315]

109. No Church in the Wild – Jay Z, Kanye West, and Frank Ocean
The opener from the most extravagant album of the year. It also happens to be one of the most restrained songs on the album, and it benefits heavily from the presence of Frank Ocean.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJ4qVeLMybo&w=560&h=315]
108. Can See Miles – I’m From Barcelona

This 27 member band from Sweden always brings a small to my face. My favourite track from a strong 4th album.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UeBPtSM7K0&w=420&h=315]

107. St. Peter’s Cathedral – Death Cab for Cutie
The way all Death Cab for Cutie songs should be.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r73MxE3d6wQ&w=420&h=315]

106. Morning Thought – Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.
Scattered electronic intro opens into a layered rock track that slowly textures as it progresses. Fantastic song from a great debut.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QTdg7Hj9wY&w=560&h=315]

105. Bizness – Tune-Yards
One of the most unique voices in the bizness. My Standout track from a breakout album.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQ1LI-NTa2s&w=560&h=315]

104. Sweet – Common
Common is BACK!!! His new album was released just as this list was being made, and it is most definitely a return to form. Also, one of Common’s angriest tracks in awhile

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAo6s94X2sk&w=560&h=315]

103. Tornado ’87 – The Rural Alberta Advantage
The RRA excel at turning Albertan tragedies into love stories.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8hdSF7OzEY&w=560&h=315]

102. Shoulders and Turns – The Belle Game
A simple and pretty song. Harmonies and lots of instruments. What else do you need?

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVNmwZ7ul6g&w=560&h=315]

101. Windows are Rolled Down – Amos Lee
Blue Eyed acoustic Soul Americana at its best.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4xY__FoDzY&w=560&h=315]

100. Little Talks – Of Monsters and Men
My favorite new band out of Iceland! Multi-instrumental New Folk that takes a lot of cues from Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes. One of the happiest sounding songs of the year.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Dw8qdmT_aY&w=560&h=315]

99. Baby Missiles – The War on Drugs
Having become a fan of Bruce Springsteen in the last 5 years, I have become attracted to bands that are heavily influenced by The Boss. Baby Missiles is an E-Street rocker that brings you right back.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oTxcBElAxo&w=420&h=315]

98. Heart Attack – Raphael Saadiq
Mr. New Jack Swing is a huge part of the great new-soul movement. Just enough old soul and new soul to keep it fresh.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfJe_Cl6CpU&w=560&h=315]

97. Bust-Out Brigade – The Go! Team
The perfect soundtrack to any sports medley. Just enough over-the-top Marching Bandness to be awesome.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCyzdsyDl-E&w=560&h=315]

96. How it Starts – The Features
I could listen to the Features all day. There is a certain energy to their songs, and this song is no different.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oh96CaVE2_4&w=420&h=315]

95. I Mind – James Blake
On an album full of non-singles, certain tracks stand out at different times. This is a song that I played over and over on vinyl for a few days in a row. This one is all about the layers of samples that build and overlap and separate and then rebuild and the fracture and then attack with a glitchy drum loop that draws you in deeper.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iyb9LNLIJd0&w=560&h=315]

94. Feeding Line – Boy & Bear
This Australian band picks up the space that Mumford and Sons and the Avett Brothers left by not releasing an album this year. This infectious new folk song builds perfectly.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AeKD2oHrFg&w=560&h=315]

93. The Birds (Part 1) – The Weeknd
One of the biggest surprise debuts of the year was the Weeknd. Releasing 3 freely released albums (Mixtapes) that dominated the year. The Birds was part of the second mixtape, which may be the least exciting of the three. However, The Birds was the perfect centerpiece to the album, focused around a dirty martial drum beat that develops and crescendos in just the right parts.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2_YyRBYZjM&w=560&h=315]

92. No Harm – The Boxer Rebellion
A haunting slow burner. ‘Nuff said.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlxiOGTIV0A&w=420&h=315]

91. Jessica Jalbert – Paris Green
A Local Edmonton Artist that I recently discovered that embraces the lazy female led rock of the 60’s and 90’s.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2qDwSPSE_8&w=560&h=315]

90. Fuck it. You Win. – Hanni El Khatib
Garage blues rock that sounds like the Black Keys first albums. It also reminds me of what Kris might sound like if he sung some garage rock.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2qDwSPSE_8&w=560&h=315]

89. Baby’s Arms – Kurt Vile
Kurt Vile’s gorgeous opener sets the pace for his brilliantly understated album. His interesting delivery and flourishes set him apart from the standard acoustic fare.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63KB-EJKdyI&w=560&h=315]

88. The Valley – Okkervil River
One of my favorite Okkervil River songs in a very long time. It has an intensity that I didn’t think that they were capable of.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCAAceeWA_Q&w=420&h=315]

87. Black Leaf – The Cave Singers
Another intense burner that sounds like the guitar was routed through a carboard box. Rough and Raw.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJPoPkoKRGc&w=560&h=315]

86. Helen/I’m on Fire – Felix Riebl
Another Springsteen influence that touches on his more acoustic phase. The delicate beauty of Helen segues so perfectly into the subdued cover of I’m on Fire.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MxzuYCMx_c&w=420&h=315]
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHS8RKAos80&w=420&h=315]

85. Love the way you walk away – Blitzen Trapper
This song soundtracked a small moment in the TV series Chuck, and it stuck out enough to be played over and over and over. The best track on a varied album.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Go8yeUSV4g&w=420&h=315]

84. The Round – Pickwick
Pickwick is just one of those artist’s that I can’t get enough of. Unfortunately, there are only 6 tracks that they released this year. This is a perfect hybrid of classic soul and the new folk sound.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5xN3_OWuZc&w=560&h=315]

83. Graveyard – Feist
What all Feist songs need is mournful horns. I just can’t get enough of the last half of this song, it could have fit on Bon Iver’s new album.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-xJ-2DHgFA&w=420&h=315]

82. This is Why We Fight – The Decemberists
My Dad likes to listen to the Satellite Radio upstairs while I work downstairs and listen to my music and movies. I would always pause my stuff to hear this song.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLSOzcEQjiE&w=560&h=315]

81. Trust Me – The Streets
The second last song on Mike Skinner’s final album as The Streets. A nicely paced cadence overtop a sampled 80’s soul groove. Exiting on a high note.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsW8J_vuAko&w=560&h=315]

80. Rumour has it – Adele
Adele’s sophomore debut was riddled with hits, and this one is one of the more lively ones.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgJyoKUHzpQ&w=560&h=315]

79. Without You – Rainbow Arabia
Mix tribal rhythms with the Knife-style vocals and you have the potential for greatness. Kris introduced me to this fantastic band.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1U7M6DHKpY&w=420&h=315]

78. Cinema – Benny Benassi
Pure pop with a dubstep influence. Very guilty, and very addictive.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8k01lcSB0-g&w=560&h=315]

77. As Bright as Your Night Light – Nerves Junior
This Kentucky band relies on it’s rock and electronic influences to create a sound that is heavily in sync with today’s scene, yet still sounds original. An all around mid-tempo rocker.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_adFQMZrG0]

76. My Body – Young Giant
“My Body tells me no, But I won’t quit, Because I want more”. A huge dance number at the Sasquatch festival.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQYpF2pCkLI&w=560&h=315]

75. Move On – Bing Ji Ling
This member of the Phenomenal Handclap Band, releases a fantastic retro sounding soul album under the moniker Bing Ji Ling (Mandarin for Ice Cream). This one sounds like it is straight out of the Motown era.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oGto1uiB50&w=420&h=315]

74. 2 Hearts – Digitalism
This German Electro-house Duo released this catchy track that borrows heavily from the dance-punk scene of the last few years.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppRQEXhNC-o&w=560&h=315]

73. Truth – Alexander
Whistling makes music fun. The dude from Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes whistles his way into our heads on his solo release.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9yibUR5KNI&w=560&h=315]

72. Shuffle a Dream – Little Dragon
If we had to pick our favourite non-North American country to source music from it would be a close call for me between Iceland and Sweden. This band from Sweden features the always-intriguing vocal affectations of lead singer Yukimi Nagano. This song was also featured on Gossip Girl, which I of course overheard as my wife was watching.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dD65vfuNhI8&w=560&h=315]

71. Ya Messinagh – Tinariwen (Feat. Dirty Dozen Brass Band)
This track comes from an album recorded in a desert in Algeria. The raw and acoustic Tuareg sounds features a brilliant horn accompaniment from the great dirty dozen brass band. Some of the best sounds out of Africa in a long time, or from anywhere for that matter.

70. Eleven – Thao and Mirah (Feat. Tune-Yards)
A collaboration between Thao (and the Get Down Stay Down) and Mirah. This album was produced by Merrill of Tune-Yards and this track features her contributions quite obviously. Three multi-talented female voices combined in one kickass track.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4m0IEC6Q4QM&w=420&h=315]

69. Think You Can Wait – The National (Feat. Sharon Van Etten)
From the disheartening movie Win Win, The National do what they do best. Melancholy. Sharon Van Etten’s contributions add to the melancholy and beautify this simple track.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rx3PW1mqadA&w=560&h=315]

68. Perth – Bon Iver
This track sets the stage for Bon Iver’s transitory album. A song that builds upon Bon Iver’s past and explodes with a fervor that only his live shows hinted at. Martial drums hint at what is to come. And then it arrives. A clear standout on the album, and in his live show.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3GN9CqxKAY&w=560&h=315]

67. Gathering Stories – Jonsi
This year saw Jonsi relatively quiet. His band Sigur Ros released a live film and accompanying album, and he scored/soundtracked the movie “We Bought a Zoo”. This song co-written with Film Master Cameron Crowe somehow manages to make Jonsi even more cinematic.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyKK55SUqDk&w=560&h=315]

66. For 12 – Other Lives
This song is almost like a cross between post-rock and classic country road songs. Maybe its just that one rolling guitar lick, and the jangly acoustic, and the rambling feel of the track. And those ambient string swells overtop. Or its all in my mind. Either way. A song I enjoyed all year, and loved live.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWMqgeIDJs8&w=560&h=315]

65. The Sound – jesh de rox
I first heard this song live and acoustic in my Dad’s living room. It was one of those experiences that is hard to explain. Then came this updated studio version that sounds like it was produced by Coldplay. Its over-the-top production transforms the song completely, and somewhat appropriately. There will always be two versions to me, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

[bandcamp track=807628007 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=venti]

64. Shuffle – Bombay Bicycle Club
I love me some piano, and this partially shattered piano loop has me hooked. I like this new direction they are headed on.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDuif301F-8&w=560&h=315]

63. Half Moon – Blind Pilot
On an album full of songs I became enchanted by, it’s hard to select favorites. The deluxe edition came with a t-shirt with “Hold high how faint your reason” taken from this song. A classic Blind Pilot track that makes me feel good inside. Also featured in a Chuck Episode this season.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68EIBy9Z-ew&w=420&h=315]

62. Life is Life – Noah and The Whale
As with Blind Pilot, I had trouble choosing favorites from this album as well. This song resonated with me on several levels. A song about reinvention. About moving forward.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HKdXbTI49U&w=560&h=315]

61. Wildfire – SBTRKT
The UK Bass Dj featured different vocalists on his breakout album. This track features Yukimi from Little Dragon. This is Bass music for the masses.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-LEiOzXHWM&w=560&h=315]

60. 1 + 1 – Beyonce
Never been a huge Beyonce fan, but when you combine The Dream and have him rip off Purple Rain, you got gold, err, purple.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaasJ44O5lI&w=560&h=315]

59. Go Outside – Cults
The perfect summer anthem.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAM9diyVRiM&w=560&h=315]

58. Future Starts Slow – The Kills
This album is killer. Loaded with great songs. This one stands out because of the pounding drums, the simple guitar riffs, and the competing vocals.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiLjuRG3hoE&w=560&h=315]

57. Original Don – Major Lazer
This single released ahead of the album due in 2012 is a very promising sign. The dance anthem of December!!! Run the Track!!!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKKdJoXF7PI&w=560&h=315]

56. Summer Home – Typhoon
A close second to “Honest Truth”, Summer Home is pure large band heaven. Horns, strings, keys, guitars, multiple drums. This band has it all. A camping favorite for me.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IrsZ65TacE&w=560&h=315]

55. She Will – Lil Wayne feat. Drake
Lil Wayne and Drake together will almost always work out perfectly. They seem to be made for each other. By far my favorite track on IV.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7nYuyfkjCk&w=560&h=315]

54. Serve the People – Handsome Furs
Clearly an 80’s inspired synth-rocker. But, clearly more than that as well. A very anthemic song that soundtracked the last half of the year. Parts of it sound like it was recorded on Bebot.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIKeQTjeo0M&w=560&h=315]

53. Near Light – Ólafur Arnalds
Ólafur Arnalds decided to record a song each day in his living room. The result is a short EP that exudes beauty at every turn. What makes Near Light stand out from the rest is the burst of electronics and beats that migrate into the last half of the song. It’s the perfect song for a late night in the living room.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHVh_L_kv1Q&w=560&h=315]

52. Helplessness Blues – Fleet Foxes
Helplessness Blues is obviously Fleet Foxes. But something about it feels different.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyP0DACgdgc&w=560&h=315]

51. Video Games – Lana Del Rey
Could there be any more hype around this girl? She seems to polarize listeners, but her sultry voice and her nouveau retro sound are striking. “I hear that you like the bad girls honey, is that true?”.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HO1OV5B_JDw&w=560&h=315]

50. Atlas Hands – Benjamin Francis Leftwich
“I will remember your face, because I am still in love with that place”. A gorgeous single from a strong debut album.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pyue2N1XZ0M&w=560&h=315]

49. Can’t Hold Us – Macklemore and Ryan Lewis (feat. Ray Dalton)
Just let the rhythm grab you. This song is so sonically captivating you just can’t help but move.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KngfGA9oenI&w=560&h=315]

48. Out on a Limb – Joseph Arthur
“Hanging out on a limb in plain sight.” A plaintively beautiful acoustic track with subtle string accompaniment.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtVRQjGXzOg&w=560&h=315]

47. What the Water Gave Me – Florence and The Machine
From an album that shows no restraint, this is a song that doesn’t apologize for its bombast. It begins with hints, and like all great Florence songs, it builds until it wraps you whole and then squashes you.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=am6rArVPip8&w=560&h=315]

46. You and I – Washed Away
Washed Away’s album is one you put on from start to finish and just relish in its simplicity. But You and I is one of the tracks that stands on its own. A playlister so to speak. At times it sounds like the record just isn’t keeping up, but that is part of its charm.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoN2IvLlK8w&w=420&h=315]

45. Time – Black Lips
Every time this song comes on I am reminded of the early Beatles recordings.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JGydfoQcRQ&w=420&h=315]

44. Dig Down Deep – Vandaveer
Vandaveer are one of the best bands in the new folk movement. Their sound is traditional and bold. Forward thinking, but strongly rooted in the past. Dig Down Deep is laden with harmonies. It rises and falls, swells and recedes.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kLylyZciMg&w=560&h=315]

43. Lucky Now – Ryan Adams
A song about the passing of his former band mate. Heartbreaking Ryan Adams at his best. “And the night will break your heart, but only if you’re lucky now.”

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp064T7rQSk&w=560&h=315]

42. How Deep is Your Love? – The Rapture
This 6.5 minute dance anthem captivates. The religious overtones never overpower the groove.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTIKffFPFv0&w=560&h=315]

41. Rolling in the Deep (XX Remix) – Adele (feat. Childish Gambino)
Rolling in the Deep was everywhere this year. A song you just couldn’t escape. Jamie from the XX remixed it into a dancey claptastic affair, and then Childish Gambino added his own touches with a verse at the end. After getting sick of the original, this version brought back my love.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkTMj0McIvc&w=420&h=315]

40. The Wolves – Ben Howard
This is the song that introduced me to Ben Howard, and it remains the one I just can’t get enough of. It has a shuffle feel that reminds me of a train rolling through the countryside, and the vocal inflections in the howls and when he pushes his voice to the edge elevate the song to a new height.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLQaGEI5D2Q&w=560&h=315]

39. Buckjump – Trombone Shorty
I have always been a fan of horns, and this track is an exercise in mostly instrumental horn-based hip-hop. Funky fun.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSD8iFtkE1Q&w=560&h=315]

38. Freaks and Geeks – Childish Gambino
Donald Glover returns to the list only 3 tracks later. This comedian/actor/writer/rapper released an EP and an LP this year. The LP was too much of the same, but the earlier released EP featured this great track. A very explicit track like all of his, but this one features some of the best pop-culture based rhymes in a very long time.

37. East Harlem – Beirut
A beautiful track from a beautiful album. “Another rose wilts in East Harlem, and uptown, downtown, a thousand miles between us.”

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzORRh6lzg4&w=420&h=315]

36. So Much for Love – Gramatik
Sample-based instrumental electronic glory.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C56h08hMLnM&w=560&h=315]

35. Sophia – Laura Marling
A different approach for Laura Marling on this album, and this song showcases her new sound. A progression from her last album into a more band oriented feel, this song builds throughout the first half into a country-folk jam when the band joins in.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-TMl5oCRjk&w=560&h=315]

34. County Line – Cass McCombs
Cass McCombs released a very quiet album this year. County Line is not only one of the best songs on that album, but one of the best of the year. It borrows heavily from 80’s Hall and Oates era instrumentation, but sounds like a song that could’ve been written in the 70’s, yet not feeling out of place in 2011. It is a song that latches onto your soul, pulling it in and down. “You never really tried to love me, whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa”

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOcnITphyjk&w=560&h=315]

33. Lady Luck – Jamie Woon
More UK Bass music up on the list. Jamie Woon’s brand features his silky smooth soul/R&B vocals overtop a polished sampled beat.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvsfGhEqnXE&w=560&h=315]

32. Tongue Tied – Grouplove
Grouplove released a killer EP last year that hinted at what was to come this year. Tongue Tied perfectly embodies their sound. Upbeat, fun, interesting indie-pop. Also featured in a iPod touch commercial later in the year. “Don’t take me tongue tied, Don’t wave no goodbye”

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1x1wjGKHjBI&w=560&h=315]

31. Rolled Together – The Antlers
The Antlers returned this year with more sad songs. “Rolled together with a burning paper heart” is repeated throughout overtop a bed of Sigur Ros sounding layers.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utLtAU9uCNk&w=560&h=315]

30. Numbers in Action – Wiley
One of the catchiest tracks by Wiley off his great LP. After a few listens, you will be singing the hook nearly every time someone says numbers. “I wanna see numbers in action”.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkYJuv82ME0&w=560&h=315]

29. Losers – The Belle Brigade
An anthem for accepting yourself, even if you are a loser. “Don’t care about being a winner, Or being smooth with women, Or going out on Fridays, Being the life of parties, no, no more, no.”

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0-HLG7Dxec&w=560&h=315]

28. We Lay in Caves – Campfire OK
I find it hard to pinpoint what it is exactly that really draws me into this song. It has all of my favorite elements in it, but I think it is the way that they all mix together. A song I found myself playing a lot as I drove alone.

[bandcamp track=649571538 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=venti]

27. Houdini – Foster the People
After the huge success of last years “Pumped up Kicks”, Foster the People became a household name. This was a song that my wife and I would dance to in the kitchen in the summer when we were BBQing up some dinner.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DHXXZP2L7w&w=420&h=315]

26. I’m Getting Ready – Michael Kiwanuka
This is a lazy soulful number that reminds me of Otis Redding and Bill Withers with a hint of James Taylor. It takes you back a few decades, and puts a smile on your face.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFXKb491QcQ&w=560&h=315]

25. Twins – Gem Club
My roommate came home to me laying on the couch in the dark listening to this track. She then proclaimed it to be the most depressing song she has ever heard. But I just hear the beauty of the song. It sounds like it is being performed right in your living room. The echoey piano and foot pedals are accompanied by mournful cello and horns and then there is that Dexter-ish fill that gives you chills. Best heard in the dark.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hn7vYoZcKxw&w=560&h=315]

24. Novacane – Frank Ocean
Frank Ocean is going to be big in 2012. The best R&B of the year was all released free online, and this picks up on a similar sound to The Weeknd. Sexually explicit and drugged up R&B for the masses. “Cocaine for breakfast, yikes”

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMfPJT4XjAI&w=560&h=315]

23. Lonely Boy – The Black Keys
The Black Keys are back with what may be the catchiest song they have ever done. Watch the video, and try not to dance along.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_426RiwST8&w=560&h=315]

22. Need you Now – Cut Copy
Need you Now is classic Cut Copy. And that is a great thing.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2xovJyBo-0&w=560&h=315]

21. Rivers and Roads – The Head and the Heart
A live staple for the Head and the Heart that got released on the 2011 SubPop rerelease of one of my favorite albums of 2010. A great addition.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AclhwQKlgfw&w=560&h=315]

20. Get Some – Lykke Li
Lykke Li’s sound changed significantly this year. Get Some is the anthem of the new sound. A little more grown up. A lot more sultry, sexy and dirty. I like it.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TTPGAy5H_E&w=560&h=315]

19. Little by Little – Radiohead
I listened to “The King of Limbs” a lot this year. And this was the song I always came back to. It wouldn’t seem out of place on any of their last 5 releases.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDpiJ7cyWz4&w=560&h=315]

18. Crystalline (Omar Souleyman Remix) – Bjork and Omar Souleyman
Iceland meets Syria. Bjork’s Biophilia album felt flat. It was unique, but it felt cold and calculated. Omar Souleyman remixed 3 of the tracks from the album. The remix of Crystalline elevates it to something that has energy and even picks up the uniqueness quotient. Best Bjork track in awhile.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPXZ-NPEjvk&w=420&h=315]

17. It’s Real – Real Estate
This one of those songs that you just like and don’t know why. It has a hidden charm.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HWcViTXdYc&w=560&h=315]

16. We are Young – fun. (Feat Janelle Monae)
Somehow fun. have become popular. They toured with Janelle Monae, get played on the radio, and were covered on Glee. This is the song that changed things for them. An advance single from their album due to be released on my birthday in February. As mentioned earlier it features some of my favorite storytelling set to song this year, and they just released a new video for it.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sv6dMFF_yts&w=560&h=315]

15. Laut – Lockerbie
Icelandic post-rock bliss.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdlwdCC4ff0&w=560&h=315]

14. Dirty Paws – Of Monsters and Men
3 of the last 5 songs are from Iceland. Of Monsters and Men released a fantastic debut album this year that borrows heavily from American sounds. I just can’t get enough of Dirty Paws and its animal story.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KP4DAlKocIY&w=420&h=315]

13. Niggas in Paris – Jay Z and Kanye West
Best hip hop track of the year. That Shit Kray!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXMJ-V6MCzw&w=560&h=315]

12. Blue Jeans – Lana Del Rey
Taken from her upcoming album to be released January 31st, another slow burner that sounds fresh and timeless. “I will love you til the end of time”.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8t-I-Lqy06g&w=560&h=315]

11. I Don’t Know – Kassidy
A classic premise. The getting over you song. But really, can you stop singing along to this? I don’t know. Harmonies, claps, and sing-alongs.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3L0Xlr3bAS4&w=560&h=315]

10. Hacienda Motel – Pickwick
A soulful number about the death of Soul legend Sam Cooke. Live versions are fuelled by bring your own tambourine moments and jazz hands.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRpo2zWZ6lc&w=560&h=315]

09. Wicked Games – The Weeknd
Rough and Raw R&B fuelled by more sex and drugs. Another popular theme in music… I am so depressed that I just need you to pretend to love me. A theme that Frightened Rabbit has perfected. “So tell me you love me, Only for tonight, Even though you don’t love me.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9PuAm7d0PA&w=560&h=315]

08. Get Away – Yuck
This song take me back to high school. A time when rock was noisy, and feedback and distortion were used in abundance. “I want to but I can’t get this feeling off my mind, I want to, I need to.”

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kz7vyrFhFE8&w=560&h=315]

07. We are the Tide – Blind Pilot
A simple acoustic rhythm guitar repeated over a lumbering elephant-sounding drum, fleshed out by pedal steel, harmonies, trumpet and harmonies. A sweet and simple song that just makes you feel good. “Everybody on the street is singing like it’s a Sunday”

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZzfAWcHZns&w=420&h=315]

06. Heart is a Beating Drum – The Kills
Back when I was a kid listening to Nine Inch Nails, I always wanted to use odd everyday samples as rhythms in Rock music. One of those was Ping-Pong balls. Heart is a beating drum uses Ping-Pong samples so perfectly its crazy. “It’s not the door you’re using, but the way you’re walking through it”.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0td9a-0cMv0&w=420&h=315]

05. Tonight’s the Kind of Night – Noah and the Whale
One of those perfect pop songs. A story of transition. A catchy chorus. A timeless sound. This was my anthem for the year.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDudIT93m_s&w=560&h=315]

04. Midnight City – M83
The pieces of this song come together so well to create a song that is pure 2011. It’s a song to dance to. To run to. To drive to. It’s a song that just fits the year perfectly.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tmtq_MfOs6E&w=560&h=315]

03. The Honest Truth – Typhoon
A complete reworking and rebuild of last year’s “Mouth of the Cave” that turns the 45 second acapella interlude into a 4-minute new-folk anthem. This is a song that dominated the year. One I came back to several times a month.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHRFhLxuLj8&w=560&h=315]

02. Holocene – Bon Iver
One of the most beautiful sounding songs in a very long time. Seemingly nonsensical lyrics that appear to support the music that builds upon layer upon layer. “…And at once I knew I was not magnificent” A song that stands on its own and supports the magnificent album it hails from.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWcyIpul8OE&w=560&h=315]

01. The Wilhelm Scream – James Blake
This song came as a surprise to me. It somehow steals you away from everything else. Blake’s voice has enough sorrow and soul and emotion to captivate you and make you feel what he feels, yet it is purposefully detached as well. And then there is the minimalist beat throughout layered with electronic and organic sounds that eventually erupt into a cacophony of sound that shrinks the world around you, bringing you in deeper. Then it releases you in a flash, and you return, wishing you could go back in.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVgEaDemxjc&w=560&h=315]

Thanks for paying attention. Stay tuned for the best albums of the year.

-Shaun