top 10 albums of 2011

Here are my Top 10 Albums of 2011.

10.
James Blake - Enough Thunder (EP) & James Blake

Two extraordinary works by electro prodigy Blake featuring his swoony, not-of-this-earth vocals.

9.
Adele - 21

The unlikely pop smash of the year.  A breath of fresh air: well-written ballads, gorgeous, emotional vocals; a smoky version of The Cure's "Lovesong."

8.
Austra - Feel It Break


A throwback to Kate Bush's Hounds of Love: a moody mix of electronic pop and classical (lead singer Katie Stelmanis was a trained opera singer).

7.
Holy Ghost! - Holy Ghost!


Insanely catchy (and fun) electronica album.

6.
Toro Y Moi - Freaking Out (EP) & Underneath the Pine


Bubbling hot lava nu-disco beats from the creative beat producer and chillwaver.

5.
Feist - Metals

Didn't make as big of a splash as her last album (and radio friendly single "1234" did) but Feist has crafted some magnificent, intimate tunes here.

4.
The Roots - Undun

The haunting tracks on this album makes a remarkable statement while tracing the life and death of a fictional character in reverse chronological order.

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


Two rap pioneers making good music.

2.
PJ Harvey - Let England Shake


A truly unique album with its percussive hits and horns and Harvey's intense vocals--harboring a global perspective (including testimonials of troops in Afghanistan) of passion, anger and fragility.  Definitely her best in years.

1.
Bon Iver - Bon Iver


A swath of lush, melancholy indie rock and a great closer that's a melodic (and unexpected) throwback to mellow 80s pop in a major key.