things I liked about 2011

2011 was kind of a shit year, yes? From albums that just weren't as good as they should be - Elbow, I'm looking at you - to complete musical abominations from artists who you thought should know better until you really thought about it and realized you should know better for thinking that they should know better - right? right. And I don't think I have to say who I'm thinking of here, I've bitched enough - 2011 was just a big ol' suck fest.

But. BUT.

There were clearly high points. Here are twelve of them, in alphabetical order:

Active Child - You Are All I See

(Gorgeous, though a little more of a pulse would be nicer next time.)

Battles - Gloss Drop

(More even than 'Mirrored', though without the insane highs of "Atlas" or "Tonto". Fair enough trade off I'd say.)

Big Black Delta - BBDLP1

(A glorious cacophony that knows not to overstay it's welcome. IFUCKINGLOVEIT.)

The Boxer Rebellion - The Cold Still

(A little more of a subdued affair from our Boxer boys but a worthy follow-up to the surprise brilliance of 'Union'.)

Duran Duran - All You Need Is Now

(Yes, it was #4 last year. However, those Duran boys sure know how to drag out a release and keep it exciting, so here we are again with additional tracks - or what would have been the b-sides in the old days. The 9-track version packs more of a punch but this is still a solid album that has no right being as good as it is.)

Florrie - Experiments EP

(Xenomania's in-house drummer spreads her pop-sensible wings.)

Gruff Rhys - Hotel Shampoo

(A very welcome return from Gruff after 2009's heartbreakingly awful 'Dark Days/Light Years' mess of an album.)

Nicola Roberts - Cinderella's Eyes

(Who knew?)

Soft Metals - Soft Metals

(It pretty much sounds like the sleeve.)

The Whip - Wired Together

(Sometimes you just want more of the same, and The Whip delivered in spades. Not as crunchy as I was hoping for based on the Jagz Kooner production but once you get past that, there's plenty to enjoy here.)

Ultrasound - Welfare State / Sovereign

(A single that clobbered most full-lengths this year. The most welcome return in ages.)

Will Young - Echoes

(This year's Richard-X produced, adult pop surprise.)

Then there are these three, all of which could qualify as my favorite album of the year:

The Sound of Arrows - Voyage

(Even after a 2 year wait, this one managed to exceed insanely high expectations.)

The Joy Formidable - The Big Roar

(If 'Chrome' and 'Spooky' had a baby - or if 'King' had been slightly more successful at what it set out to do - it might sound something like this.)

Mirrors - Lights and Offerings

(Forced to pick, this is #1.)

Did somebody say reissues?

Duran Duran - Notorious & Big Thing 2xCD/DVD

(They still sound like shit but the wealth of bonus material on each set make them worth it. And, really, who ever thought 'Big Thing' would get the deluxe treatment?)

The Monkees - Instant Replay 3xCD

(The most unnecessary box in a year of unnecessary boxes? Possibly, but there's fan demand and Rhino is listening AND delivering.)

Smashing Pumpkins - Gish & Siamese Dream 2xCD/DVD

(Billy Corgan gets something mostly right! [Almost] everything about these is completely gorgeous.)

Suede - Catalogue 2xCD/DVD

(They could have easily done the first three and called it done, but Brett decided to go warts and all and give us the full bang. It was a blast re-exploring the first two LPs through these set and then also reaffirming my love for 'Head Music' through its set. Plus, "Music Like Sex". Thank you.)

This Mortal Coil - Box 4xCD

(The box alone is a work of art and the albums sound incredible. Whoever was in charge of this gets a gigantic gold star.)

Here's to a better 2012.