Punks in Vegas | Favorite Music of 2011 – Individual Lists

2011 was another great year for new music, and to celebrate we invited some of our friends to count down their favorite albums of the year with us.

Members of The Story So Far, The Sheds, Caravels, Last Call, Lester Freamon, Ruined Tongue, The Mighty Fine, Heart to Heart, Signals Midwest, Random Orbits, Devon Kay & the Solutions and The Quitters as well as friends from Doom Toof Design, Immunity Clothing, Radical Friends, Kind of Like Records and Death to False Hope Records join the Punks in Vegas team in counting down our favorite albums, eps and songs of 2011. As a bonus, check the “favorite tracks” links to hear the songs on Spotify or YouTube.

Emily Matview (Punks in Vegas founder)

Albums:

1. Bomb the Music Industry – Vacation

The commonality of my favorite records this year seems to be that most of them come from bands that I already enjoyed, who made new albums that far exceeded my already high expectations. Bomb the Music Industry grew into one of my favorite bands with 2009’s Scrambles, but Vacation is just amazing. There’s so much to say about this record and I talk at length about it in my review, but what continually impresses me and makes this my favorite album of the year is that it’s precise in theme and texture but retains a fun, frantic quality. The band is giving away this album for free (along with their past material) over at Quote Unquote Records, so there is no excuse not to give it a shot.

Favorite Track: “Sick, Later”

2. Fucked Up – David Comes to Life

Like with Bomb the Music Industry, I really couldn’t imagine how Fucked Up would be able to top their previous record, but they pulled it off and then some. It’s hardcore with melody, but it’s not melodic hardcore. The band pulls off something very unique and I have no doubt that in another decade we’ll have a swarm of similar young bands cropping up citing this record as their major influence, like with The Shape of Punk to Come and Damaged before it. The future of Fucked Up is unclear right now, but if this is the last statement the band chooses to make, then they are leaving on a pretty fantastic note.

Favorite Track: “The Other Shoe”

3. Red City Radio – The Dangers of Standing Still

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.

Favorite Track: “I’m Well, You’re Poison”

4. Joyce Manor – Joyce Manor

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.

Favorite Track: “Constant Headache”

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

I would have never imagined back in 2007 when Get Stoked on It! was released that The Wonder Years would end up to be one of my favorite bands. Not that their debut was bad, but it was in a style I just couldn’t get into. They’ve matured leaps and bounds since then, and the music now has a bite to it that perfectly complements vocalist Dan “Soupy” Campbell’s poetic lyrics and unique vocal melodies. Like many others on my list, they’re a band I didn’t expect to top their previous release, 2010’s The Upsides, but they managed it, and I’m hoping for a continuation of that trend.

Favorite Track: “Local Man Ruins Everything”

6. Nothington – Borrowed Time

I hate to keep leaning on this theme, but Nothington is yet another band that put out the best album of their career this year, and I really love that so many bands are breaking the trend, or least commonly helf belief, of weaker albums later in their careers. They’ve always been one of the best punk bands working today, but the move from BYO to Red Scare reinvigorated them and resulted in the catchiest and most cohesive album they’ve ever released.

Favorite Track: “Where I Can’t Be Found”

7. Transit – Listen & Forgive

Listen & Forgive completely shattered my previously held expectations for Transit. The fusion of modern pop punk with American Football-influenced emo resulted in an album that is insanely fresh and instantly catchy. I always enjoyed Transit, but now I can’t wait to see where they go from here.

Favorite Track: “Listen & Forgive”

8. Direct Hit! – Domespitter

Direct Hit! likes to sing about monsters and movies, love and loss. It’s not terribly deep, but it’s loads of fun. It’s a testament to the band’s talent that songs about monsters living in closets and alien invasions can sound fresh and not cheesy, the kind of songs you’d gladly sing at the top of your lungs at parties and stop signs.

Favorite Track: “Monster in the Closet”

9. The Copyrights – North Sentinel Island

North Sentinel Island is the fifth – yes, FIFTH – album from the Illinois pop punk band and it’s their best yet. The Copyrights just knows their way around a good hook, and the choruses that are made for singing loudly with your friends don’t hurt, either.

Favorite Track: “Crutches”

10. Holding Onto Sound – The Sea

With a second guitarist (Bob Gates) and songs that are shorter and more focused, Holding Onto Sound’s third album is their best yet.

Favorite Track: “Tommy Boy”

EPs:

Mixtapes – Hope is for People
Last Call – Stay on the Outside
Devon Kay and the Solutions – Never Punt
Caravels 7″
Hold Tight! – Call The Zoo

Lisa Garelick (Kind of Like Records)

The tri-state, consisting of the great states of New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, has been not only my home for pretty much all of my life, but home to some amazing bands and musicians. Below is a list of some of my favorite releases from the NY/NJ/PA area this year:

Algernon Cadwallader – Parrot Files

The more and more I listen to this album, the more it becomes my every day record. It’s got a relaxed feeling and a whatever/whenever attitude that just feels right. You just can’t go wrong with off-kilter vocals and clean noodle guitar.

Captain, We’re Sinking – With Joe Riley EP

If you don’t think “Foster Brothers” is the song of the year, you are out of your mind. This band plays as if the only good thing they’ve got to give is the music they play. And while I know that not to be true, I still fall prey to it every time. They capture a certain kind of desperation, not the, ya know, desperate type, but in the “I need to get this out of me and this is the only way I know how” kinda way. It’s pretty amazing. The new stuff they’re working on is gonna befucking wild.

The Wonder Years – Suburbia I’ve Given You All And Now I’m Nothing

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.

Polar Bear Club – Clash Battle Guilt Pride

Going into this record, I really didn’t know what to expect. Chasing Hamburg was a bit of a letdown so giving Clash Battle Guilt Pride a chance was a bit hard. Though, seconds into the first song, I realized how wrong I was. Between earth-shattering opener “Pawner” and massive sounding single “Killin’ It,” PBC has stumbled upon the sound we were all hoping for post-Sometimes Things Just Disappear. Unbelievably stoked about this album and can’t wait to see what they do next.

Bayside – Killing Time

Who thought Bayside would release one of the best albums of 2011? Not me. But it happened and I couldn’t be happier. The band experiments with huge sounds and insanely catchy rock n’ roll riffs backed by bold gang vocals – it’s pretty neat. Seeing them for the first time ever this year, they blew me away and getting to see some of these songs live was such a pleasure. Plus they win the award for best song titled “Mona Lisa” this year. Seriously, look it up, there were a few!

I Am the Avalanche – Avalanche United

After nearly 6 years of silence, IATA came outta nowhere with Avalanche United – a true representation of what punk meets pop should sound like. “Holy Fuck” and “Brooklyn Dodger” are blistering rock n’ roll tunes matched by their true punk attitude complete with roaring gang vocals and a dash of crude language. Timeshares is opening up for them as their first show of 2012, gonna be a banger! (/plug)

Lemuria – Pebble

Pebble was a bit unexpected from Lemuria – who took their tunes off the racing pop punk path and got a bit “weird” on their sophomore record. It’s still got everything I love about the band though – endearing lyrics, dynamic guitars, and more. “Pleaser” is such a good song too. Definitely interested to see where this band goes from here.

Spraynard – Funtitled

The aptly named Funtitled is a perfect progression from their previous album Cut and Paste. It’s so freaking tight and boasts these bright, clean tones – again, perfect. Though, my favorite part of Funtitled is definitely the lyrics. Spraynard has the innate ability of insight, capturing something so real that it’s often striking. If you can, take a second to sit down with them.

Laura Stevenson & The Cans – Sit Resist

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.

Saves The Day – 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.

Max Stern (Signals Midwest)

Restorations – Restorations
Saintseneca – Last
Bomb the Music Industry! – Vacation
The French Exit – French 3xit EP
Joyce Manor – Joyce Manor
Reverse the Curse – Hither & Yon
Big Kids – Phone Home
Tin Armor – Life of Abundance
Spraynard – Funtitled
Worship This! – Demo

Loren Shumaker-Chupp (Signals Midwest)

Reverse The Curse – Hither & Yon
Joyce Manor – Joyce Manor
Laura Stevenson & The Cans – Sit Resist
Bridge & Tunnel – Rebuilding Year
Fucked Up – David Comes To Life
Restorations – Restorations
Dikembe – Chicago Bowls
Title Fight – Shed
Worship This! – Demo
Red City Radio – The Dangers of Standing Still

Scotty Sandwich (Death to False Hope Records, The Sandwiches)

Albums:

Nothington – Borrowed Time
Samiam – Trips
Red City Radio – The Dangers of Standing Still
Banner Pilot – Heart Beats Pacific
Dead to Me – Moscow Penny Ante
Restorations – Restorations
Elway – Delusions
The Slow Death – Born Ugly, Got Worse
The Outsiders – Shallow Graves
Nightlights – So It Goes

EPs:

Luther – Siblings and Sevens
Let Me Run – Let Me Run
Braid – Closer to Closed
Protagonist – States
White Wives – Situationist

Ashleigh Thompson (Punks in Vegas editor in chief)

Songs:

Joyce Manor – “Constant Headache”
Bomb the Music Industry – “Everybody That You Love”
Fucked Up – “The Other Shoe”
Dead to Me – “The Monarch Hotel”
The Wonder Years – “Came Out Swinging”
Devon Kay & the Solutions – “W.W.B.C.D”
I am the Avalanche – “I’ll Be Back Around”
Transit – “Long Lost Friends”
Laura Stevenson & the Cans – “The Healthy One”
Lemuria – “Single Mother”

Chris Mounts (Immunity Clothing, Immunity MGMT)

Albums:

Mansions – Dig Up the Dead
Young Statues – Young Statues
Transit – Listen & Forgive
Seahaven – Winter Forever
The Wonder Years – Suburbia I’ve Given You All And Now I’m Nothing
The Story So Far – Under Soil and Dirt
Fireworks – Gospel
Grieves – Together/Apart
Saves The Day – Daybreak
The Swellers – Good for Me

Honorable Album Mentions:

Pusha T – Fear Of God II
FocusedXMinds – Stay Focused
Drake – Take Care

EPs:

Last Call – Stay On The Outside
Half Hearted Hero – Running Water
Tomahawk Chop – Another Summer Lost
Turnover – Turnover
Citizen – Young States
The Sheds – And Now For Something Completely Different
Forever Came Calling – Split w/ Handguns
Turnstile – Pressure To Succeed
DMND – Don’t Lose Your Cool
Ivy League TX – Ivy League TX

Honorable EP Mentions:

The American Scene – Split w/ Daybreaker
Transit – Something Left Behind
Paramore – Singles Club

Alex Lenkeit (Lester Freamon/Ruined Tongue/Radical Friends)

Code Orange Kids – Cycles
Graf Orlock – Doombox
Deafheaven – Roads To Judah
Summer Vacation – Condition
Omegas – Blasts Of Lunacy
End Of A Year – The Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Emanuela Orlandi
Pariso – Sooner Insignificant Better
Matsuri – Endship
Lemuria – Pebble
The Mountain Goats – All Eternals Deck

Steven Cole Smith (Random Orbits)

Prawn – You Can Just Leave It All
Elway – Delusions
Touche Amore – I’m Parting the Seas Between Brightness and Me
Heartsounds – Drifter
Red City Radio – The Dangers of Standing Still
Lie Captive – The Hopeless North
Explosions in the Sky – Take Care, Take Care, Take Care
Title Fight – Shed
Saves The Day- Daybreak
DC Fallout – Serfs Up

Tyler Gibson (Doom Toof Design)

Anchors – Bad JuJu
Lie Captive – The Hopeless North
Heartsounds – Drifter
Defeater – Empty Days & Sleepless Nights
Touché Amoré – Parting The Sea Between Brightness And Me
Wugazi – 13 Chambers
Title Fight – Shed
Allout Helter – An Hour Made For Arson
Fucked Up – David Comes To Life
Foo Fighters – Wasting Light

If you don’t listen to Anchors, then you are not my friend.

Mac Miller (The Sheds)

Albums

Balance & Composure – Separation
Seahaven – Winter Forever
Pianos Become the Teeth – The Lack Long After
The Swellers – Good for Me
Moving Mountains – Waves
La Dispute – Wildlife
Toh Kay – Streetlight Lullabies
Larry and his Flask – All That We Know
The Story So Far – Under Soil and Dirt
Backtrack – Darker Half

EPs

Grown Ups – Hand Holder
Diamond – Don’t Lose Your Cool
Make Do and Mend – Part and Parcel
Residuals – In Our Youth
Ampere – Like Shadows (technically a full length but c’mon, it’s like 12 mins)

Matt “Campy” Campasano (Devon Kay & the Solutions)

1. Manchester Orchestra – Simple Math

The best concept album since American Idiot. Just kidding, American Idiot stunk like old gym socks, but Simple Math rules.

2. Bomb the Music Industry! – Vacation

As great as these songs are, I couldn’t put it at number one for the sheer fact that I’m jealous of Jeff’s happiness and ability to go on vacation. I want a vacation.

3. LMFAO – Sorry For Party Rocking

I dare you to listen to any of these songs and not have them stuck in your head for at least a week.

4. Jay-Z and Kanye West – Watch the Throne

Brilliance is what happens when you take two of the world’s greatest wordsmiths and put them in the same room together.

5. Fucked Up – David Comes to Life

Despite the incredible amount of face fuckingly awesome songs this band crammed into this record, they’re from Canada, so I couldn’t get behind putting them anywhere but at number five. Sorry, Canada.

Tom Monahan (Punks in Vegas intern)

1. Fucked Up – David Comes to Life

Duh

Favorite Track – “Turn the Season”

2. Girls – Father, Son, Holy Ghost

Favorite Track – “Forgiveness”

3. Touche Amore – Parting the Sea Between Brightness and Me

Favorite Track – “Method Act”

4. M83 – Hurry Up We’re Dreaming

Favorite Track – “Reunion”

5. La Dispute – Wildlife

Favorite Track – “The Most Beautiful Bitter Fruit”

6. Title Fight – Shed

Favorite Track – “Shed”

7. Defeater – Empty Days and Sleepless Nights

Favorite Track – “Empty Glass”

8. Joyce Manor – Joyce Manor

Favorite Track (that’s not “Constant Headache“) – “Famous Friend”

9. Kurt Vile – Smoke Ring for My Halo

Favorite Track – “Society Is My Friend”

10. Liturgy – Aesthethica

Favorite Track – “Generation”

Honorable Mentions (or albums I haven’t listened to enough but I know they are great):

Pianos Become the Teeth – The Lack Long After
Ash Borer – Ash Borer
Destroyer – Kaputt
Deafheaven – Roads to Judah
Twin Brother – Best Frenzy
Thee Oh Sees – Carrion Crawler/The Dream
Ty Segall – Goodbye Bread
Night Birds – Other Side of Darkness
Trap Them – Darker Handcraft
The Men – Leave Home

Miqah Mayhem (The Quitters)

tUnE-yArDs – w h o k i l l
Holding On To Sound – The Sea
Das Racist – Relax
Man Man – Life Fantastic
Girls – Father, Son, Holy Ghost
Cage The Elephant – Thank You Happy Birthday
Mister Heavenly – Out Of Love
Tyler, the Creator – Goblin
Arctic Monkeys – Suck It & See
Colin Stetson – New History Warfare Vol. 2 – Judge

Brook Thompson (The Mighty Fine)

Touché Amoré – Parting The Sea Between Brightness and Me
Dead to Me – Moscow Penny Ante
Tom Waits – Bad as Me
Elway – Delusions
Laura Stevenson & The Cans – Sit Resist
Banner Pilot – Heart Beats Pacific
Wilco – The Whole Love
Defeater – Empty Days & Sleepless Nights
Fucked Up – David Comes To Life
Heartsounds – Drifter

Felipe Garcia (Punks in Vegas reviewer, resident sports expert)

1. The Story So Far – Under Soil & Dirt

I’m a sucker for good vocals and fast music, so it only took me about 48 hours to learn every word to Under Soil & Dirt. In a world where bands replace substance and passion with breakdowns and gimmicks far too often, it’s pretty refreshing to see a band as young as The Story So Far put out a full-length record that lacks any discernible flaw.

Favorite Track: “Swords and Pens”

2. Crucial Dudes – 61 Penn

This is a totally underrated pop-punk gem. New Jersey’s Crucial Dudes combine their up-tempo style with thick, catchy vocals and gut-wrenching lyrics. Above all else, this album is just very fun to listen to. Every song is short and sweet, and 61 Penn even features a reference to one of my favorite shows of all time.

Favorite Track: “Boom, Roasted”

3. Jay-Z & Kanye West – Watch the Throne

Figuring it would be over-produced, techno/dub step-laden, or lyrically subpar, I wrote this album off long before I had the chance to listen to it. To my surprise though, Watch the Throne was on constant rotation in my car for at least a month. It’s creative, daring, and thorough. We see every side of Kanye’s production acumen as well as the wide range of topics Jay-Z can masterfully rap about.

Favorite Track: “The Joy”

4. Touché Amoré – Parting the Sea Between Brightness and Me

“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.

Favorite Track: “Wants/Needs”

5. Curren$y – Verde Terrace

The underground veteran continues his break-neck release pace. Verde Terrace is a joint (get it?) effort with DJ Drama that features Curren$y rhyming over classic beats from artists like Outkast and Notorious B.I.G and special cameos by The JETS, Curren$y’s crew. It’s an album with the same subject matter as the majority of rappers nowadays; cars, clothes, money, and wacky tobaccy, only with Curren$y’s trademark extended, mind-bending, vocabulary-driven delivery. All in all, Verde Terrace is a great old-school hip-hop album.

Favorite Track: “Pininfarina”

6. The Wonder Years – Suburbia I’ve Given You All And Now I’m Nothing

Pop-punk heavyweights The Wonder Years have been very busy eating vegan donuts, donning huge pigeon suits, and recording amazing music. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every installment of their discography and this band is the total package as far as I’m concerned. Suburbia… is about the ups and downs of growing up in a semi-decrepit city that you don’t very much agree with. I loved the number of different topics they were able to write songs about; from heartbreak, to vandalism, to being homesick, and even religion. These guys aren’t afraid to get serious on us but they never lose their ability to make songs fun and live shows even more fun.

Favorite Track: “And Now I’m Nothing”

7. Wale – Ambition

Say what you want about Rick Ross but his signing Wale to Mayback Music was one of the best moves of the year. The DC lyricist extraordinaire shines in this first major release. Wale has always had a comfortable spot on the fence between club-banging rap and socially-conscious poetic hip-hop. Ambition is a great combination of both, along with solid production and impressive cameos by Kid Cudi and Big Sean.

Favorite Track: “Don’t Hold Your Applause”

8. Defeater – Empty Days and Sleepless Nights

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.

Favorite Track: “Quiet the Longing”

9. Transit – Listen & Forgive

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.”

Favorite Track: “Asleep at the Wheel”

10. Turnover – Turnover EP

When I heard the Turnover EP, their brand of catchy, heartfelt pop-punk had me downright giddy. These Virginia kids put together five songs that will make you sing along until your throat is desert-in-July dry. Disingenuous artists are a huge pet peeve of mine and you couldn’t make this EP more honest with all the lie-detectors in the world. Every word is written with purpose, every chord is played with passion, and every note sang comes from the gut. It’s just an incredibly good EP from a band more people need to listen to.

Favorite Track: “Sasha”

Honorable Mentions:

J Cole – Cole World
Into It. Over It. – Proper
Molotov Solution – Insurrection
Man Overboard – Man Overboard
Stickup Kid – The Sincerest Form of Flattery

William Levy (The Story So Far)

Title Fight – Shed
Balance and Composure – Separation
Seahaven – Winter Forever
Polar Bear Club – Clash Battle Guilt Pride
Saves the Day – Daybreak
Sabertooth Zombie – Human Performance 3
Trapped Under Ice – Big Kiss Goodnight
I am the Avalanche – Avalanche United
Stickup Kid – The Sincerest Form of Flattery
All Teeth – Young Love

Stuart Stock (Heart to Heart)

Stray From The Path – Rising Sun
The Dangerous Summer – Warpaint
Molotov Solution – Insurrection
Last Call – Stay On The Outside
The Swellers – Good For Me
Fireworks – Gospel
Saves The Day – Daybreak
Blink 182 – Neighborhoods
Yellowcard – When You’re Through Thinking, Say Yes
Counterparts – The Currents Will Carry Us

Austin Jeffers (Last Call)

Fucked Up – David Comes to Life

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.

Title Fight – 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.

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

At first, I was worried. How do you follow one of the most important punk releases that perfectly spoke to the emotional state of a generation? Easy, with an album that elaborates on how to deal with those same emotions. Suburbia is about your hometown. Suburbia is about how you don’t like yourself. Suburbia is about how you’re learning to deal with yourself. Suburbia is about your love and lust and it makes you remember that it’s so hard out there. But fuck it. Take a walk, enjoy the place you are in and try harder….or don’t…that’s part of life’s adventure.

David Bazan – Strange Negotiations

I love David Bazan, he is my hero. I’m biased as fuck on this. Even when he talks shit about my hometown, I love him. Soooooo listen to this and try to tell me it’s not amazing. I bet you can’t.

Transit – Listen & Forgive

Transit has been soooo busy and I can see why, because they are songwriting beasts.Listen & Forgive is an album that drops the distortion level and the quickness of the punk vibe and instead lets the guitars shine and flow. It lets the songs breathe. Lyrically, the album is longing enough but is grounded with some real maturity. Transit will forever be a classic for this generation. They will be our Braid. They will be our Sunny Day Real Estate….just much bigger.

La Dispute – Wildlife

Hi! Are you obsessed with tragedy and the human condition? Well do I have an album for YOU! Wildlife is a record that has a minor concept, it’s pain, it’s healing, it’s anger, it’s loneliness. Above all else though, it’s about dealing with it. I can’t think of an album that is more in touch with the human heart as it relates to the human brain. I simply can’t tell you enough for you to understand. Go listen and make sure you REALLY hear. You’ll be breathless.

Polar Bear Club – Clash Battle Guilt Pride

Polar Bear Club always releases strong albums, but with Clash Battle Guilt Pride they took all the hardcore bounce from their previous efforts and all the more interesting songwriting found on Chasing Hamburg, and mixed them into a near-perfect form. I love the album’s direction lyrically. Staying away from touring band clichés, they present people with strong ideas into their art.

Fireworks – Gospel

Amazing CD. It’s a testament to their songwriting abilities. It’s an even handed record about the American life we lead. I love it and you will too.

Forever Came Calling/Handguns split

Honestly, this is another biased opinion. Joe, John and Bryce are some of my dearest friends ever. I got my hands on these songs rather early, and if this list was chosen based just on the pure amount of time someone spends listening to something, FCC would be first in my list and heart. If you can’t find something about FCC that makes you feel real and alive….then you’re deaf…sorry for your life bro. These songs are quick without shoving “punk” down your throat. They sway and move with smart guitars, interesting drum work and not to mention one of the strongest out-of-the-box bassists I’ve ever heard. Lyrically Joe never lets down. He sways into a sadness that never overwhelms you. It shows you that a man can be sad but tempered. It also is prevalent that Joe is in touch with who he is, and knowing him personally, I can say that honesty and heart are things that FCC will never lack. Don’t sleep on FCC or you won’t be able to be cool and say you listened to them way before anyone else.

Into it. Over it.- Proper

I’ve loved Into it. Over it. for a while now and LOVED Stay Ahead of The Weather. Soooo I was salivating for his next non-acoustic album. When Proper was in its early stages, I half expected another acoustic CD. I was shocked and surprised to find a CD of awesome songs that were almost all full band. This CD is so interesting because of how it sways and moves. It feels like it’s going off the rails tempo wise because of the extremely smart guitars and drums and the way they intertwine. Yet, it’s very easy to bob your head to it without being a musician. It’s an amazing solid album that just begs you to be honest with yourself and embrace that we’re all a little shitty and evil…its ok….honestly it is, buttttt try your best to be proper for a change every once in a while. See what I did there?

Ryan Stokke (Last Call)

Nothington – Borrowed Time
Banner Pilot – Heart Beats Pacific
The Living Daylights – What Keeps You Breathing
Born of Osiris – Discovery
Doom Tree – No Kings
I am the Avalanche – Avalanche United
Stray from the Path – Rising Sun
Yellowcard – When You’re Through Sinking Say Yes
Beyoncé – 4 (dgaf)
Maker – Mirrors

Michael Roeslein (Caravels)

Bon Iver – Bon Iver
Crash Of Rhinos – Distal
Cymbals Eat Guitars – Lenses Alien
Des Ark – Don’t Rock The Boat, Sink The Fucker
Owen – Ghost Town
Pianos Become The Teeth – The Lack Long After
Pygmy Lush – Old Friends
Radiohead – The King Of Limbs
Russian Circles – Empros
Wye Oak – Civilian

Honorable Mentions:

Explosions In The Sky – Take Care, Take Care, Take Care
Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues
Into It. Over It. – Proper
Young Widows – In And Out Of Youth And Lightness
Youth Lagoon – The Year Of Hibernation

Tyler Newton (Punks in Vegas editor in charge of photography)

Defeater – Empty Days & Sleepless Nights
The Greenery – Spit & Argue
DeadHand – Deadhand
Cage the elephant – Thank You, Happy Birthday
Former Thieves – That We Speak
Wonder Years – Suburbia, I’ve given you all and now I’m Nothing
La Dispute – Wildlife
Holding Onto Sound – The Sea
Like Wolves – Like Wolves
Touché Amoré – Parting The Sea Between Brightness and Me

Ian Caramanzana (Punks in Vegas Reviewer, Snakebite)

Title Fight –Shed
Manchester Orchestra – Simple Math
Drake – Take Care
Trapped Under Ice – Big Kiss Goodnight
Omegas – Blasts of Lunacy
Bon Iver – Bon Iver
Rival Schools – Pedals
The Weeknd – House of Balloons/Thursday/Echoes of Silence
Jay-Z and Kanye West – Watch the Throne
Foundation – When the Smoke Clears

Favorite Music of 2011 – Individual Lists