I’ve decided as my new years resolution to actually start using this tumblr. I’ll start with my personal favorite albums of 2011, in no particular order.
A Lot Like Birds - Conversation Piece
I the Mighty had the great pleasure of touring with these guys a couple months before their album release. As much as we fell in love with their music, we fell more in love as band buds. These dudes are our ride or die. It also happens they make fucking incredible music. Conversation Piece is all at once: chaotic, tranquil, heavy, melodic, and jaw dropping. The musicianship is through the roof, Travis provides awesome soaring hooks and Cory is perhaps my favorite screamer/lyricist in the scene. I could go on and on about this album, but if you like prog rock, this is it being done in an epic way.
Death Cab For Cutie - Codes and Keys
Death cab has always ranked amongst my favorite bands. Every album they release is a gem. Although Codes and Keys isn’t on par with PLANS (my fav) or Narrow Stairs (a close second) it still made for my favorite album of the summer. Feel good, great driving tunes, and amazing lyrics.
D.R.U.G.S.
We bought the DRUGS record while we we’re on tour this last year and it somehow made its way up my list. Upon first listen, it seemed a little too familiar and over-produced, but as the listen count grew, we found ourselves singing along and rocking out more and more. Some songs on that record are undeniable.
Adele - 21
Ya, ya, it’s on every top albums list….it’s for a reason.
K Sera - The Cantos II
Again, a buddy band who we’ve become very close with over the past couple years and who also make awesome music. The Cantos II goes well with their prior release The Cantos 1 and is full of dope licks and super catchy melodies. Their rhythm section also kills it.
Thrice - Major/Minor
This album possibly got the most rotation out of any album I bought this year. It’s similar to their last album Beggars, which is one of my favorites by them, but Major/Minor has more of an indie/90’s alt rock flare to it. Again, this was an album that I was unsure of at first, but quickly grows on you the more spins you give it. That being said, Thrice is one of my all time favorites and can do no wrong in my eyes.
Blink 182 - Neighborhoods
I was reluctant to put this album on here, because truth be told, it’s not incredible. However, this is my favorites list and I can put an album on here for whatever reason. This reason being nostalgia. If you’re in my age group, you most likely grew up on Blink. Just hearing their voices again took me back 8 years and made me feel like a kid again. It’s a much more mature sound for them and some songs don’t do it for me, but there are a number of songs on their that got a lot of rotation during warm summer days of 2011.
If I left anything out, let me know. I’d love more music to check out.
Albums I’m most looking forward to in 2012:
3 of my favorite bands, all set for releases
Say Anything - Our new label mates (damn that feels weird to type) due out in March
Pierce the Veil- Vic’s been posting about the writing sessions. Stoked.
Coheed and Cambria - with their original drummer! Hopefully M. Todd gets his shit together and can be on the album as well to round out the original line-up I fell so in love with.
