my top 10 albums of 2011.

my what a year it has been for music! It was so hard to choose my final 10 favourite releases of the year but I think my choices are pretty great. There should be no surprise as to who I chose for the number 1 position...


10. The Middle East - I Want That You Are Always Happy

I Want That You Are Always Happy was a brilliant first and last album for The Middle East. It really upsets me to know that such a wonderful band had such creative differences and that we'll never hear the beautiful "Blood" from their EP played live again. That said, I'm so glad that they released this, absolutely lovely.  Listen to "Jesus Came To My Birthday Party"


9. Real Estate - Days

Days is such a chilled out album, it has a beach-y, summery vibe that you can dance to. The tracks are lovely and include a handful of instrumentals, my favourites from the album include "Easy", "It's Real" and "Kinder Blumen". 


8. Foster the People - Torches

I was so keen on Foster The People when I first heard Pumped Up Kicks in the hottest 100 countdown in January. Ever since then I have been smitten and have seen them at the Metro; they are a fun, infectious band with their instantly likeable tunes and surprisingly deep lyrics at times. An absolute must in your record collection, we should expect big things from this bunch of boys! My favourite tracks are "I Would Do Anything For You", "Houdini" and "Pumped Up Kicks" 


7. Portugal. The Man - In the Mountain in the Cloud

I think I first heard of Portugal. The Man when I was procrastinating whilst studying for uni exams. I wish I had have heard of them earlier but I have since made up for the lack of them in my life and own all of their albums. This particular album, their 7th album is wonderful and the band have already forged a pretty little career for themselves and their artwork (done by lead singer John Gourley) is always wonderful.  My favourite tracks are "Got It All (This Can't Be Living Now)", "So American", and "You Carried Us (Share With Me The Sun)"


6. Boy & Bear - Moonfire 

The long awaited album debut from Boy & Bear won 5 arias and it's no surprise - this album is wonderful and deserved all the awards they received. Boy & Bear have a kinda country-esque, folky vibe that is great to have a dance to or have playing in the background or wherever. The only way is up for these boys, for those of you lucky enough to have seen them play live - they're something special right? Tracks you need to hear are "Feeding Line", "Golden Jubilee" and "Milk and Sticks". 


5. Gotye - Making Mirrors 





The long awaited follow-up to the beautiful "Like Drawing Blood" finally came to fruition this year. Upon my first listen at the Sydney Opera House of all places where Wally played two sold out shows, it was clear that this album was definitely going to appear high on my list. How 'bout that popular single huh?! If "Somebody That I Used To Know" isn't number 1 in Triple J's Hottest 100 for 2011, I'll eat my hat. Tracks you need in your ears are "Eyes Wide Open", "State of the Art", and "I Feel Better". 


4. M83 - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming 

Let's just take a minute to discuss how immense this epic 1 hour, 22 minute double album is. From the first track, Intro (ft. Zola Jesus), to the 22nd track, Outro, this album is incredible. 


Notable tracks include "Steve McQueen" (my personal favourite), "Splendor" (sic), "Midnight City" and "Reunion". Such a stellar release by Anthony Gonzalez - you need to check it out if you haven't already. 


3. Washed Out - Within and Without

I say it a lot but I love chill-wave music, there's something dreamy about it and I picture myself in the summertime lying on the beach or diving under waves. Enough of that reverie, this album, Within and Without, the debut LP from Washed Out's mastermind, Ernest Greene is my number 3 because it is everything that you would want from a chill-wave album and more. Listen to "Olivia", "Eyes Be Closed" and "Far Away" 


2. Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues

I love Fleet Foxes. If I were a fox, I would listen to Fleet Foxes. You should listen to Fleet Foxes as well. Robin Pecknold and his band of lovely rugged men are incredible. Helplessness Blues is the second delivery by the boys and it sees them go from strength to strength with Pecknold clearly growing as a singer/songwriter. Each song is impeccably finished from the first track, "Montezuma" to the closing track, "Grown Ocean" everything sort of clicks. This album is in need of a spot in your record collection - go and get it. Listen to "The Shrine/An Argument", "Battery Kinzie" and "Helplessness Blues". 


1. Bon Iver - Bon Iver

There should be NO surprise that I chose this album as my number 1 of 2011, in fact I think it may even be one of my favourite albums of all time. What I love about this album is that it is so rich in its melodies and feeling that you kind of get lost in it and can turn this experience in to whatever you want for yourself. Cosmic? Don't care - it's brilliant. My favourites? "Calgary" and "Beth/Rest"