Best Albums of 2011 - Final List

It is last day of this year and that means I've finished my list of best albums of this year. Of course, there were many more great albums than those on my list, but I can't listen to every new record that comes out. Anyway, what were your favorite albums of 2011?

Best Albums of 2011:

Frank Turner - England Keep My Bones
Ben Howard - Every Kingdom
Jane's Addiction - The Great Escape Artist
PJ Harvey - Let England Shake
Chris Cornell - Songbook
Arctic Monkeys - Suck it and See
Red Hot Chili Peppers - I'm With You
The Subways - Money And Celebrity
Bon Iver - Bon Iver
The Vaccines - What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?
Cults - Cults
White Lies - Ritual
Foo Fighters - Wasting Light
Blink-182 - Neighborhoods
The Wombats - This Modern Glitch
The Black Keys - El Camino
Beatsteaks - Boombox
Metallica/Lou Reed - Lulu
The Strokes - Angles
The Kills - Blood Pressures

Best Albums of 2011: Frank Turner - England Keep My Bones

Frank Turner is british folk-punk singer and England Keep My Bones if his fourth studio record. He released it on June 6 this year and since its release Frank Turner has been busy guy. He toured a lot and more and more people start liking him because this record is just awesome.

Turner's sound is based on acoustic guitar, but that doesn't mean his music doesn't have balls. He makes catchy, fast, easy-to-remember tracks and I gotta say that this record doesn't feature bad song. His lyrics are also great. For example chorus of second track of the album called "Peggy Sang The Blues" is great and very inspiring:

"It doesn’t matter where you come from
It matters where you go
No one gets remembered
For the things they didn't do"
Most of his songs are like this - powerful and inspiring. I don't know this artist for a long time, but he has quickly become my favorite one.

Best Albums of 2011: Ben Howard - Every Kingdom

Ben Howard is young songwriter and singer who released his debut album Every Kingdom in September this year. Even though he's very young, he is very talented and this album is just great.

All songs on this record are so calming because they are mostly based on acoustic guitar and his voice. Beautiful guitar at the beginning of the first song "Old Pine" suggests in what spirit this album will continue.

Ben Howard is very talented and I admire him for making such good debut record. I think that we will hear about this guy a lot in the future.

Best Albums of 2011: Jane's Addiction - The Great Escape Artist

Jane's Addiction is legendary band. Dave Navarro is considered one of the best guitarist (he also played in Red Hot Chili Peppers and recorded One Hot Minute with them) and singer Perry Farrell is creator of one of the best festivals - Lollapalooza.

The band was founded in 1985. They released two records and split up in 1991. They reunited for couple of times and then finally in 2003 recorded new album called Strays. It was quite successful and single "Just Because" was even nominated for Grammy Award. However, after release of Strays, they split up again.

But they are back now with full force and new album The Great Escape Artist. Singer Perry has described the record quite accurately. He said: "it's a strange mixture of that post-punk Goth darkness that Jane's had, with what's going on today with groups like Muse and Radiohead. As much as I want to appease fans and make old Jane's fans love me, I just can't help myself from moving forward." I think he is absolutely right.

New record isn't so raw anymore because it's much more modern. Of course, there are Jane's Addiction fans who don't like this change, but I gotta say that the album is really powerful and beautiful. Main single "Irresistable Force" is in my opinion the best song of the album. In fact, this track describes the whole album. If you don't like this song, you won't probably like the album either.

Best Albums of 2011: PJ Harvey - Let England Shake

Let England Shake is PJ Harvey's tenth studio record. When this album came out in February this year, people started immediately loving it. This album has a strong anti-war message.

British artist lyrically focuses on England and its current situation on this record. She criticizes british political scene and England's involvement in war conflicts. I don't think that she could stress these issues better in any different way as she did on Let England Shake.

The album is so beautiful (Harvey started playing autoharp on this record) and sad at the same time. The melodies are simply great. There is no wonder that PJ Harvey won several awards for this record. It is probably the best "war album" of all times.

PJ Harvey is an extraordinary artist and she once again proved it on this album.

Best Albums of 2011: Chris Cornell - Songbook

Songbook is Chris Cornell's fourth solo album. However, this one isn't really new one, it's just collection of songs recorded acoustically during his solo acoustic tour which took place from March to May 2011 in US. The album, which was released only last month, contains tracks from Cornell's whole career.

That means, it features the most important songs from Soundgarden, Audioslave, Temple of the Dog and Cornell's solo albums. It also features two covers - Led Zeppelin's "Thank You" and John Lennon's "Imagine.

I think that this album is great collection which captures Cornell's awesome career. He is an extraordinary artist and songwriter and many of his songs sound even better acoustically. I love especially "Call Me a Dog" (yesterday's song of the day). It is just so powerful song. Of course, I like the whole album a lot because all songs sound great.

Best Albums of 2011: Arctic Monkeys - Suck it and See

Suck it and See is fourth record from these british indie rockers. I think they got back to the roots with this record because they used similar guitar sounds like on their first two records Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not and Favourite Worst Nightmare.

In fact, I was kind of worried about this band after release of their third LP Humbug. It just didn't work for me. It wasn't so bad album, but I just felt these guys aren't what they used to be.

However, Suck it and See just blew my mind. Right after release of "Don't Sit Down 'Cause I've Moved Your Chair" I just knew this record will be awesome. And it is. There may not be so many kick-ass hits like on debut ("I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor", "Fake Tales of San Francisco" or "When the Sun Goes Down"), but this record's got many great tunes, which I really enjoy.

Best Albums of 2011: Red Hot Chili Peppers - I'm With You

Red Hot Chili Peppers are legends. There's no doubt about it. I'm With You is their first album since their double-record Stadium Arcadium, which came out in 2006. It is also first album with new guitarist Josh Klinghoffer, multi-instrumentalist and former Warpaint guitarist. He replaced John Frusciante who was the most famous guitarist of RHChP - he recorded the most band's albums.

It started all in 1989 with Mother's Milk. Then they recorded probably their best album ever - Blood Sugar Sex Magik in 1991 with Frusciante. However, then he was forced to leave the band because of his drug addiction. But he returned with mega successful record Californication in 1999. By The Way and Stadium Arcadium were last two albums recorded with Frusciante, because in 2009 he left the band.

Like I already said, Josh Klinghoffer replaced him and this year in august, they finally released new record with him. Of course, you can hear different, more abstract guitar style of Josh. He doesn't really make up catchy riffs, but instead he adds abstract guitar sounds to already made up music. Therefore, Flea's bass is dominant on this record. It doesn't mean it is bad though.

I think that departure of Frusciante helped Red Hot Chili Peppers to move forward. They moved to the next level as a band. I'm With You is different a little, but it is stil the same band who makes funky music with crazy bass riffs. I like this new fresh sound of this band. It's got many awesome songs such as first single "The Adventures Of Rain Dance Maggie", second single "Monarchy Of Roses", slow "Brendan's Death Song" or "Happiness Loves Company".

I'm With You is great album. Of course, Blood Suger Sex Magic and Californication eras are gone, but this band still has something to offer. I hope I get to see them finally live in 2012.

Best Albums of 2011: The Subways - Money And Celebrity

Money And Celebrity is third record from these british indie rockers. In compare to their two previous records (Young For Eternity and All Or Nothing), this one is little more pop. However, in this case, it doesn't necessarily mean a bad thing.

These guys have more energy than any other similar band. Their every second song has potential to be a single. The Subways really know how to make catchy energy songs that have even more guts live.

In overal, Money And Celebrity is one of the best albums of 2011 because it is careless and it always get you in a party mood. Especially two first songs "It's A Party" and "We Don't Need Monet To Have A Good Time" have youthful spirit.

Best Albums of 2011: Bon Iver - Bon Iver

I think that this is the most beautiful record of 2011. This second self-titled album from Bon Iver has such nice melodies, maybe little sad but still full of joy. This album is more layered, more diverse and more interesting than their debut For Emma, Forever Ago, which came out in 2008.

Beautiful guitar at the beginning of first song "Perth" suggests you in what spirit this album will continue. Bon Iver isn't beautiful just in instrumental way, but in lyrical as well. I think that this record moved folk music to another level. Nobody has ever done something like this and that makes this record even better.

I enjoy listening to this album a lot because it always calms me down and makes me wanna just chill and forget about my problems. How do you feel about this record?

Best Albums of 2011: The Vaccines - What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?

The Vaccines are one of the latest UK sensations. Their debut LP What Did You Expect From The Vaccines has kind of good title. Because really, what did you expect from The Vaccines?

Well, they are another british band sounding very similar to many bands (Ramones, Interpol, Pixies, Joy Division, etc). However, is it really bad to sound like other bands? I mean, they basically took all the good stuff from these bands a made from it their sound. And I like their sound even though it is not quite unique.

The Vaccines remind you many bands you love, but I have to admit these guys' music has more guts than any other band. First song "Ra Ra Ra" is just so cool even though it may remind you The Ramones' "Blitzkrieg Bop". Other songs such as "If You Wanna", "Wetsuit" or "Post-breakup Sex" may feel kind of "borrowed", but they're still awesome and I still enjoy listening to them.

We'll have to see what these guys bring us next, but this record is more than enjoyable to listen. I still like coming back to it.

Best Albums of 2011: Cults - Cults

Cults is a indie band from New York and their self-titled album is just their debut. However, they sound like experienced band. This duo knows how to get attention and they kick it off right at the beginning of the album. Their catchy and simple melodies of first two songs "Abducted" and "Go Outside" just have to get attention of any listener.

Spirit of these two songs is present in every song of the record. Many tracks are just so addictive and you have to listen to them over and over again. Charismatic voice of lead singer Madeline Follin gets probably everybody.

I think we will yet hear about this band much more and I can't wait until their sophomore album is out.

Best Albums of 2011 - White Lies - Ritual

Ritual is only White Lies' second album, but they have already become quite successful during this short period of time. These british dark indie rockers released their great debut To Lose My Life in 2009. Since then they've played on every major European festival and I gotta say they deserve it.

After release of Ritual in January 2011, people didn't get excited as much as with their debut though. Mainly reason for this is probably the fact that they didn't really bring anything new to the table. However, I consider their loyalty to their sound the key reason to their previous success. So why change it? I think that it is good they keep doing their thing only with minor changes in their sound (guitars are more quiet and keyboards are louder) because their dark style is quite unique.

Only disadvantage of Ritual is lack of real single. To Lose My Life has several singles and they proved their potential in charts ("Death", "To Lose My Life", "Farewell to the Fairground", and "Unfinished Business"). "Bigger Than Us" is probably the only real single from Ritual.

Despite that, their sophomore record has consistent sound that just can't betray you in any way.

Best Albums of 2011: Foo Fighters - Wasting Light

I don't even know if I should mention why this record is one of the best ones of 2011. Basically, this was Foo Fighters' year. They released this record in the same year as legendary Nirvana's Nevermind was celebrating its 20th anniversary. Producer of this album was Butch Vig (producer of Nevermind) and Kirst Novoselich played bass guitar part in "I Should Have Known" - song dedicated to Kurt Cobain.

There is a lot of symbolisms regarding Nirvana and Nevermind. This record is so powerful. It was recorded using completely analogue equipment. So the sound is obviously raw and as rock and roll as it can be. I think that three guitars together never sounded so badass on any other record ever. Wasting Light has the power to blow your mind.

I think that this album doesn't feature bad song. Each song has its own atmosphere and is different. In case you haven't heard this album, you should really listen to it and give it a try because I think that it is probably the best album of this year...

Best Albums of 2011: Blink-182 - Neighborhoods

Fans had been waiting for this record for too long. Since the band's reunion in February, 2009 and their first show together since 2004 in May, 2009, everybody has been expecting new Blink-182 album. In fact, people were getting skeptical because they postponed the release date several times and also the fact that they do not work on this record together, but separately and emailing stuff to each other did not create much trust either.

However, Neighborhoods finally came out on September 27 this year. Many fans bitch about it that it just doesn't sound like old Blink-182, but people need to look at it this way: they all have been in different bands (some of them still work on other projects) and 8 years since their last record is just too much to make their new album sound the same. Tom, Travis, Mark all went through hard times during the band's hiatus, too. It just has to reflect somewhere, Of course, it reflected on this record.

Neighborhoods in much more mature record than any other their previous album. However,it's got some songs sounding like the old Blink-182, too("Hearts All Gone" or "M.H. 4.18.2011"), which is a good thing. I like this album because it is still Blink with new ideas and new sound. Although I think one or two songs aren't good enough to be on the album, but maybe that's just my opinion.

Anyway, it is worth to check this album. I just admire these guys' work they've done throughout the years. Not everybody has achieved what they did.

Best Albums of 2011: The Wombats - This Modern Glitch

This Modern Glitch is just The Wombats' second record and in compare to their debut A Guide to Love, Loss & Desperation it has much more electronic sound and less guitars. However, there is still energy and melody in their every song. First record was really raw and basically recorded live. Second album is different - it's got many different sounds and it sounds much more colorful. Different sound is obvious right after hearing synthesizer at the beginning of the first track "Our Perfect Disease".

This record has some slow and maybe boring passages (e.g. "Anti-D", many people like this song, but not me), which is kind of shame because otherwise this record is great with many enjoyable songs ("Our Perfect Disease, "Techno Fan", "1996" or "Last Night I Dreamt"). However, as a whole, it's a great album and it definitely belongs to the Best Albums of 2011 list.

Best Albums of 2011: The Black Keys - El Camino

I know that this album came out only last week (December 2), but I fell in love with it after first listen. And now I just can't stop listening to this great record. I gotta admit that I got to this band only like 6 months ago, but that doesn't mean I don't know them well.

This blues-rock duo have been on the scene 10 years now and they are getting bigger and bigger (they are set to go on tour next year and they've sold out Madison Square Garden in 15 minutes!). One of the reasons these guys are successful is their really catchy style. They don't play too difficult songs (maybe they used to on their first records), but now they play songs that just go straight to the point. They recently added keyboards on their last two records and I like this change in compare to their previous records, It makes their sound better.

El Camino is fast and short record, but it isn't monotonous. It's got slow songs and also fast songs and great atmosphere. Whole record just make you wanna go to rock concert, drink and just have fun. The most favorite songs on this album for me are "Lonely Boy" (probably the catchiest song), "Gold On The Ceiling" and "Run Right Back", which has awesome guitar.

This record is really fun to listen. It is easy record, but very enjoyable.

Best Albums of 2011: Metallica/Lou Reed - Lulu

Yes, I consider this album to be one of the best ones that came out this year. I know that many people hate it and, in fact, I am not surprised, because many Metallica fans feel betrayed. However, this isn't regular Metallica record. This is something different, something weird, shocking and maybe little odd, but I like it.

Anyway, I reviewed this record. Check out my review to see what I think of Lulu.

Best Albums of 2011: Beatsteaks - Boombox

This German band isn't really famous outside of Europe even though they formed in 1995. It is shame though because these punk rockers know how to make good energic music. Their seventh album Boombox isn't exception. In compare to their previous records, this one is little slower, but it still kicks some serious ass.

What I like about this record is its overall sound. Especially third song - "Cheap Comments". It is catchy and raw at the same time and what I like the most about it is Arnim's singing. In fact, his charisma is present in every song on this record and it is probably one of main factors of their music.

I think that this band is underrated and I don't know why. They play music like million other bands, but you can hear right away it's Beatsteaks. You can't make a mistake because they have unique, great style. If you haven't heard them, it is worth checking them out.

Best Albums of 2011: The Strokes - Angles

The Strokes is a band, which showed everybody back in 2001 after releasing their debut Is This It that guitar scene is not dead. I think that it is one of those memorable, unique albums that will still kick your ass even after 10 years after its release. There is no doubt that they will never release as good record as Is This It, however, this band shouldn't be considered dead and they proved it when Angles came out this year.

The Strokes were almost done after their third record First Impression Of Earth, which was released in 2006. After the tour in support of this LP, band went on hiatus and many believed they may not come back. Some also thought that it wouldn't be worth it to come back because their last record didn't earn much success. I have to agree that it is probably their worst album, even though I like there a several songs like "Electricityscape" or "Vision of Division".

However, they started working on their fourth record in 2009 and released Angles in March, 2011. Band stated that it is their first album on which everybody from band contributed. Funny thing is that they communicated mostly via internet because they were away from each other. I really can't imagine such collaboration, but maybe some people like it that way. Anyway, the album is really diverse probably because almost all members of the band worked on different projects during the break. That way everybody brought something else to the table and you can really hear it.

I like diversity of this album a lot, but in my opinion, it is little short when we consider they were working on it almost two years. Despite that, there is nothing I can bitch about. I enjoy listening to every single song - it's got catchy songs ("Under Cover Of Darknes", "Taken For A Fool"), weird songs ("Machu Picchu", "Games"), slow song ("Call Me Back", "Life Is Simple In The Moonlight") and typical The Strokes tracks ("Metabolism", "Taken For A Fool").

They proved that they are not done yet and can still make a great record. We will have too see if they will continue in this trend with their next, fifth record.