Favorite Music of 2011 – The Definitive Edition

Interested in the most popular albums across the board? Based on who we polled in the individual lists, here are the crowd favorite records:

 

1. Fucked Up – David Comes to Life

2011 01 david

David Comes to Life is one of those albums that I lost myself in. It’s hard to say why…subtle melodies, interesting turns and twists in an epic drama, the simple fact that it’s a deeply sad album with tinges of hope and anger hidden in its marrows? It’s really all those reasons. I love DCTL. Give it a chance and it will put you in a trance too. (Austin Jeffers)

Fucked Up on Facebook | Purchase David Comes to Life 

 

2. Title Fight – Shed

2011 02 shed

Title Fight represents an interesting ideal in today’s post-hardcore world. They’re very much interested in keeping themselves out of the wiki world and the fashion obsessed ideals of what is “hardcore” now. They were poised to take over pop-punk and rule with an iron fist in terms of expectations. Instead, they wrote a true hardcore CD with passion and conviction that screams out “fuck what you wanted, this is what WE feel.” And honestly….ILOVEIT. (Austin Jeffers)

Title Fight on Facebook | Purchase Shed

 

3. The Wonder Years – Suburbia I’ve Given You All and Now I’m Nothing

2011 03 suburbia

I’ve said it before on this site. This band represents everything great in “mainstream” pop punk. They’ve got a positive message and are a bunch of genuine dudes making incredible music. Glad to have them as part of the tri-state. (Lisa Garelick)

The Wonder Years on Facebook | Purchase Suburbia I’ve Given You All and Now I’m Nothing

 

4. Touche Amore – I’m Parting the Seas Between Brightness and Me

2011 04 touche

“Art Official” was the first song I heard from this album and I immediately had to have it. Touché Amoré has a magnetic vitality that is difficult not to admire. Maybe it’s the lyrics or how aggressive it is, but something about this record made it sound extremely genuine and raw. As soon as I heard the lines “I understand that I’m fading away. I’d rather play dead than play catch up” in “Method Act,” I was hooked. (Felipe Garcia)

Touche Amore on Facebook | Purchase I’m Parting the Seas Between Brightness and Me

 

5. Saves The Day- Daybreak

2011 05 std daybreak

Another blow to the philosophy that “legend” bands can’t release great new albums, Saves The Day really brought it with Daybreak, their first full length album in 4 years and the final installment of a 3 part series. They experiment a lot on this record, probably due to newcomer Arun, who brought his own style that really opened up the possibilities for a band like STD. Overall, definitely awesome. (Lisa Garelick)

Saves the Day on Facebook | Purchase Daybreak

 

6. Defeater – Empty Days & Sleepless Nights

2011 06 defeater

So wait, a hardcore concept album featuring arguably one of the best drummers in the business? Sign me up. Defeater was able to show how loud and passionate they can be while Derek, the vocalist, closes out the album with a few great acoustic songs. But yeah, the percussion aspect of this band is what roped me in. The drum sequence in “Waves Crash, Clouds Roll” blew me away. I would have paid ten dollars for that lone song on iTunes. Not to mention Defeater is one of the wildest live shows I’ve had the pleasure of seeing. (Felipe Garcia)

Defeater on Facebook | Purchase Empty Days & Sleepless Nights

 

7. Red City Radio – The Dangers of Standing Still

2011 07 rcr

Red City Radio is my favorite new band of the year, and I can’t think of many debuts in recent years that are as flawless as The Dangers of Standing Still. They take cues from past favorites of mine like Lawrence Arms and A Wilhelm Scream and present it in a fresh way, making it instantly catchy and worthy of many, many repeat listens. (Emily Matview)

Red City Radio on Facebook | Purchase The Dangers of Standing Still

 

8. Joyce Manor – Joyce Manor

2011 07 jm

This album came out in January of this year, so it was the first 2011 release I really fell in love with. 12 months later, it’s still in heavy rotation and I dare you to not get “Constant Headache” stuck in your brain for the next year. (Emily Matview)

Joyce Manor on Facebook | Purchase Joyce Manor

 

9. Transit – Listen & Forgive

2011 08 listen

Boston’s Transit put themselves on the map in a huge way with Listen & Forgive. Their sound evolved and matured by an alarming degree, in the best possible way. This album has it all; polished musicianship (especially guitar, wow.), great vocals, and sincere lyrics. As young as they are, Transit sound talented far beyond their years with songs like “Asleep at the Wheel” and “Answer Comes in Time.” (Felipe Garcia)

Transit on Facebook | Purchase Listen and Forgive

 

10. Laura Stevenson & The Cans – Sit Resist

2011 10 sit

Laura Stevenson is perhaps the most underrated indie artist going right now. It continually blows my mind that artists like Yuck and Lana Del Rey top the headlines over at Pitchfork when someone like Laura goes by completely unnoticed. I’m not sure what’s more endearing, her songwriting, her beautiful voice or adorable style. Not to mention, they’re one of the most incredible live bands I’ve ever seen.  (Lisa Garelick)

Laura Stevenson and the Cans on Facebook | Purchase Sit Resist

About the author  ⁄ Emily Matview

comics, music, coffee. @emilymatview

One Comment

Leave a Comment