We’re back with the top half of our top 20 countdown albums of 2011 list, and like all those before it, it’s an electic pile of music from around the world that our contributors have been loving over the last 12 months. Let’s get it started!
Beastie Boys – Hot Sauce Committee II
“The most crucial lesson this album will teach you is that the crème de la crème of hip-hop do not come with an expiry date and all those doubting a comeback by the iconic Beastie Boys are now proven fools. Their eighth studio album – Hot Sauce Committee Part Two – is their best in a decade and their most complete since 1998’s Hello Nasty.” – Chris Singh
PJ Harvey – Let England Shake
“Let England Shake continues its predecessor’s foray away from Harvey’s traditional instrument of choice, the guitar, this time to the autoharp. There’s also an interesting selection of samples, with the dreamy Written On The Forehead lifting its chorus from a reggae classic by Niney the Observer and The Glorious Land, one of the album’s most polarising inclusions, works in a section of military staple The Last Post. An outstanding album both in concept and execution, whose message is only too relevant in this era of protracted terrorism-inspired conflict. A classic of our time.” – Joshua Brown
Devin Townsend Project – Deconstruction
It’s hard to believe Deconstruction is Devin Townsend’s thirteenth studio outing (third in the DTP series)… well, fans would probably disagree with that. The man has been going for album 20 years and shows no signs of slowing down, especially with this release, which fans praised for its diversity and complexity – not to mention the story that envelops the record. Quite possibly a landmark metal album of the current decade, and an inarguable favourite of 2011 for the metalheads amongst us!
Ben Salter – The Cat
To call Ben Salter a hardworking musician is an understatement. Somewhere in the midst of touring with The Gin Club and coming up with mountains of other projects, Ben found the time to put together the first under his own name. Just like he does in his variety of projects, Ben’s solo affair is layered with a variety of musical nuances and makes for one of the best albums of the year, Australian or otherwise!
The Grates – Secret Rituals
“In spite of the number of changes that they have undertaken, The Grates are still The Grates, refusing to abandon their infectious lyrics and melodies, creating quite the amazing album. The Grates can no longer be derided by their critics as ‘too childish’. Secret Rituals shows that Patience and John are all grown up and changed for the better. Whatever these secret rituals were, they worked.” – Cara Sayer-Bourne
Jay-Z & Kanye West – Watch The Throne
“The album is predominently about their success and how richer they are than everyone else, but at the same time, sometimes it’s just not what you say, but how you say it. Keeping that in mind, Jay-Z and Kanye West fill Watch The Throne with pure wit, slick punchlines, and a certain charm that is extremely hard to resist – top that off with some of the year’s best production and you have an album which lives up to all the ridiculous hype, and while it may be nowhere near as brilliant as their best solo albums, if you don’t compare this album to any of those, you’ll be more than satisfied.” – Chris Singh
Architecture in Helsinki – Moment Bends
“Architecture in Helsinki’s fourth studio album is arguably their finest yet, boasting obvious single-potential with first-class indie-pop sophistication to boot. The band has, at long last, demonstrated the deft commercial prowess casually alluded to over their modest career, without the expense of their arty identity. All in all, Moment Bends not only marks a key evolution in the life of Architecture In Helsinki, the album itself is a rousing success across the board, showcasing fiercely fun indie-pop with unashamed intellect and ambition.” – Nick Mason
The Wombats – This Modern Glitch
“The Wombats have always possessed a seamless ability to spill out infectious hooks with a vocal delivery that is passionate enough to overcome the fact that their songs all follow the same formula; and ultimately are nothing more than meaningless feel-good tunes that will lift you out of a bad mood, but are severely lacking in substance and originality. The tracks are more synth heavy than their earlier work which lends This Modern Glitch an air of 80’s nostalgia that is far too prevalent in music these days, but overall The Wombats have produced another fine record that will appeal to old and new fans alike with the joyous nature of their sounds that are impossible not to love.” – Kat Mahina
Adele – 21
You couldn’t go anywhere this year without hearing a song from Adele – her album 21 breaking just about every ARIA record in the books, proving once and for all that music still sells. But rare, these days, is a high selling album a critical sensation, too – LMFAO, anyone? Adele’s second record, 21 was a stunning beautiful insight into one of the most talented female singers of our time.
The Jezabels – Prisoner
“The Jezabels have had a lot to live up to with the release of their long awaited debut album Prisoner. The Sydney quartet have surpassed expectations, producing a dynamic and ambitious record of brand new tracks, and songwriting that continues the band’s high standards. Prisoner captures the listener, immersing you in a swirl of sounds. In spite of its length, the record feels fleeting as you lose track of time and it suddenly ends.” – Cara Sayer-Bourne
Stay tuned for our Top 10 albums of 2011! List compiled by Christine Khalil.
