Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds
Easily the strongest release of Noel Gallagher’s career since (What’s The Story) Morning Glory?. Not a bad song in the lot, and it’s now incredibly evident (was it ever a question?) which brother got the talent in the family. This album makes Beady Eye sound like a garbage disposal. And, following standard Oasis tradition, the album b-sides are just as good, if not better, than the album tracks (Let The Lord Shine a Light On Me and A Simple Game of Genius).
National Skyline – Primitive Parade
The most secretive musician out there, Jeff Garber, throws a last minute surprise attack in December and releases another completely-under-the-radar album with absolutely no promotion. I stumbled across this album just last week, and at the same time discovered another album released back in August and an EP released in December. I’d listen to this guy brushing his teeth and love everything he’s ever released, butPrimitive Parade is the best thing National Skyline has put out since Bliss & Death. Amazing.
Greek Fire – Deus Ex Machina
A side project from Story Of The Year’s guitarists Philip and Ryan (as well as bassist Mark Joseph Roth and drummer Johnny Venus), this album has been long in the making and has finally seen the light of day. A great blend of catchy hooks and anthemic choruses, Deus Ex Machina is a solid rock album. From their own statement: “Greek Fire is a mission to capture the attention of a rock-deprived generation. A mission to revitalize the spirit of rock music in all of it’s purity and greatness. A mission to create uplifting, soaring music for those who need it now more than ever.” Well said.
Twilight Singers – Dynamite Steps
Greg Dulli puts out another amazing album under the Twilight Singers moniker. Dark, dirty, raw and sexy. Can’t wait to see him live again.
Social Distortion – Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes
Mike Ness takes his sweet time making Social D albums, but they’re always worth the wait. I didn’t think they could top 2004’s Sex, Love, and Rock & Roll but luckily I was proven wrong. The lyrics are written by an older, wiser Mike Ness, husband and father, and the music is as hard and fresh as a ever. Short and sweet, this is a solid album from start to finish.
Charlie Simpson – Young Pilgrim
The first solo effort from Fightstar’s principal singer/songwriter, Young Pilgrim takes Simpson’s music in the opposite direction of the post-hardcore Fightstar, gentle, acoustic and melodic.
Ivy – All Hours
Pop-electronic trio Ivy return after a six-year hiatus. A late-night “sophisti-pop” album crafting together dreamy, danceable synths, thumping bass and the seductive voice of scorching-hot French singer Dominique Durand.
Fair To Midland – Arrows & Anchors
I don’t even know where to begin with this album. It’s loud, crazy and all over the place. I’m amazed that this album didn’t get more press.
Snow Patrol – Fallen Empires
This one slid in just under the wire, but blew me away after the first listen. Apparently Gary Lightbody struggled terribly with writer’s block while making this album, but you wouldn’t know it from listening to it. A bit slower and more melancholy than their previous efforts, but I personally prefer the mellow, acoustics-and-strings Snow Patrol to the electric-and-plugged-in Snow Patrol. The DVD with the deluxe edition of the album is an amazing orchestral concert from London’s Royal Albert Hall.
DJ Shadow – The Less You Know, The Better
Shadow’s best album since Endtroducing… and on par with the classic. Shadow shelved the hip hop influences (for the most part) and went back to his vinyl crate-digging roots.
The Fuck Off And Dies – Songs In The Key of Fuck
Awesomely immature (every song features the wonderful word ‘fuck’ and OFTEN), St. Louis punk heroes release their debut album full of songs that make me want to drink beer, drive fast and close down bars. Highly fucking recommended.
Honorable mentions: Heirlooms of August – Forever The Moon, Francesqa – We Lived, Foo Fighters – Wasting Light, City and Colour – Little Hell, Desertshore – Drawing Of Threes, Glasvegas – Euphoric Heartbreak, You Me At Six – Sinners Never Sleep
Portugal. The Man In the Mountain, In the Clouds Alaska’s very own Portugal. The Man. So excellent. #So American, Floating, Got It All
Neverending White Lights ‘Act III: Love Will Ruin Pt. 1’ Canada’s Daniel Victor mastermind releases the first part 1 of the third act in his heartbreaking tragedy/trilogy. #Ghost Ship, The Greatest One, Falling Apart
dredg – ‘Chuckles Mr Squeezy’ Some people hated this album produced by Dan the Automater and other people loathed it. To me it’s just the next step in the evolution of dredg. #The Ornament, The Tent, Another Tribe
FTM – ‘Arrows Anchors’ The most underrated rock album this year comes from Dallas Texas’ Fair To Midland. Don’t know where they went wrong this album should have blown this band sky high in 2011. #Musical Chairs, Golden Parachutes, Armadillo Sleeps On My Pillow
Foo Fighters – ‘Wasting Light’ In a world of paint by numbers, big business, over-commercialized musical climate it’s nice that a good old fashioned rock and roll record can hold it’s own. I had no idea how big this band had become until this year. I feel like I’ve always been one of the earliest and biggest fans of D. Grohl’s little side project that could. Though I’m not nearly as big of a fan anymore this album stands head and shoulders above any of their last four or five efforts. Even more excellent is the companion documentary ‘Back and Forth’. #These Days, White Limo, Walk
Mastodon – ‘The Hunter’ Much less metal and more melodic that their previous releases, but just as interesting (ie…out there in space). Still probably the best metal band out there right now. #Blasteroid, Stargasm, Octopus Has No Friends
Crosses – ‘ep #1’ New musical endeavor from Chino, Shawn Lopez and Dr. Doom. Minimal and ambient, but still song-driven. #Option, Bermuda Locke
White Lies ‘Ritual’ – My current favorite UK band besides Interpol of course. #Is Love, Strangers, Bigger Than Us
Joy Formidable – ‘The Big Roar’ – Three-piece sonic powerhouse by way of Wales. #Whirring, Buoy, The Greatest Light Is The Greatest Shade
St. Vincent – ‘Strange Mercy’ Guitar wielding indie chanteuse makes such beautiful music. Another local show that I hated to miss this year. #Cruel, Cheerleader
AWOLNATION – Megalithic Symphony Something different and highly refreshing. My favorite release of the year. Killed me to miss them live at the Bear Tooth last weekend. #Not Your Fault, Burn It Down, Sail
