The best albums I've heard in 2011 (so far)

I’ve been avoiding this post, because I didn’t know where to begin. I still don’t. But I’m going to write it while I still can’t.

Wye Oak - Civilian (LP)
I am nothing without pretend
I know my faults, can’t live with them

This is just one of those albums that transports a band from like to love status. 

Crystal Stilts - In Love With Oblivion (LP)

I’ve been on a pretty big lo-fi, psychedelic rock kick the past year or so. I can’t dislodge myself from this mood for whatever reason, either. Crystal Stilts have been a favorite since I first heard them and the best thing about a new album is allows you a bit of ownership over a new favorite band. 

The jingle-jangly rock and roll sound does get old after a while, I can’t lie. But for when the mood is right, it’s so so good.

Raphael Saddiq - Stone Rollin’ (LP)

This is like some kind of rock-soul-blues fusion, but rather than harkening back to a different day…it fits within a contemporary music landscape beautifully. It might be the best album of the year when the dust settles. It goes down smoothly and the whole time you listen, you wonder who the audience for music like this is. Everyone seems to either be listening to indie-hipster wondermusic or Top 40 crap.

Still, I’m glad it is exists.

The Vaccines - What Did You Expect From The Vaccines? (LP)

It’s like a hybrid between Interpol + The Arctic Monkeys. Except I love the former a ton and have a sort of indifferent feeling about the latter. It’s certainly more upbeat than most of my music these days and that helps, even if it’s as introspective as the rest of it and harboring on pop. 

As you can see, there aren’t exactly any major names jumping off the page here. Makes it hard when someone hits me with the “what bands do you like?” question as if they’re going to have any idea what I’m talking about.

My Morning Jacket - Circuital (LP)

Some bands just hit paydirt. They get in that zone where they are ready to make awesome music and alas, it all comes together. I think for My Morning Jacket, Circuital does just that. Not my favorite band in the world by any stretch, but I can’t deny the greatness of this album. 

Seapony - Go With Me (LP)

Seapony is like a twee Beach House that’s always playing in your own personal version of (500) Days of Summer. We all know how that story ends. I suppose life in the aughts can’t do without one’s own personal Annie Hall soundtrack, though. It’s ethereal, jangly, twee and surf-pop in one fell swoop. Maybe I’m giving too much away here…