Let’s dive right into the next batch of favourite tracks of 2011, as voted by AU review contributors!
30.
We kick off the second part of our countdown with what is easily one of the catchiest tracks of the year, by a band who will have made no less than three trips to Australia in less than a year by the time Big Day Out rolls along. You better believe we’re big fans of this band in Australia. And why not? Fun is fun, and these boys know how to pump out the kicks… I mean hits.
Foster The People – Helena Beat
29.
Where Foster The People are purveyors of fun indie pop rock, Brooklyn-based The Antlers are kings of the epic melodic masterpiece, in the vein of similarly popular bands like Grizzly Bear. With “Every Night My Teeth Are Falling Out”, the band got us all excited about Burst Apart, and indeed the record didn’t disappoint. A beautifully produced track.
The Antlers – Every Night My Teeth Are Falling Out
28.
Much like the inclusion of Incubus on the last part of the countdown, it took just two of our writers’ overwhelmingly celebratory words to see this track make it onto the list. This is a band who have a huge amount of fans, both in Australia and around the world, and with this track, the lead single off their 11th studio album A Dramatic Turn of Events, fans celebrated it in droves. It’s also the first ever Dream Theater track to be nominated for a Grammy Award…
Dream Theater – On The Backs of Angels
27.
This track is as infectious as it is sweet. An unassuming gem of 2011 from the Manhattan duo.
Cults – Bumper
26.
Following in the footsteps of artists like Florence Welsh, the overwhelming internet sensation of 2011 has been Lana Del Ray, and in particular her track “Video Games”, as her sweet sultry eyes and rather sumptuous lips made every boy around the world weep. Or something.
Lana Del Rey – Video Games
25.
This is a fun track. A very fun track. Little more needs to be said, I think.
Does It Offend You, Yeah? – Pull Out My Insides
24.
Brisbane success story Ball Park Music return to the charts with their track “It’s Nice To Be Alive”. Indeed, the J Award Unearthed winners have probably been saying that a lot lately…
Ball Park Music – It’s Nice To Be Alive
23.
With the international marketplace in her sights, Megan Washington released an international edition of her breakthrough record I Believe You Liar, with a bonus EP entitled Insomnia. As evidenced by our 2010 countdown, we have more than a few Washington fans at the AU review and they’ve once again come out in droves to bring “Holy Moses” onto the charts. Another catchy gem from the pop songstress.
Washington – Holy Moses
22.
The Getaway Plan returned from hiatus in style with this number. Here’s what Jeremy Stevens had to say about the track earlier this year: “A brooding introduction, complete with piano tinkling and a pounding beat, leads us right into the enormous, squealing chorus. When it comes to epic, dramatic rock, The Getaway Plan are certainly at the front of the pack. It might not be genre-breaking, or reinventing the wheel, but the reality is this is a band that know what they’re doing. “The Reckoning” has a heart, and it kicks and screams along into this mesh of atmospheric, well-crafted rock.”
The Getaway Plan – The Reckoning
21.
Just missing out on the top 20 are a band who very much “returned to form” with their latest record, Wasting Light. It was this rockin’ track entitled “White Limo”, with its heavy Motorhead inspired vibes and a music video featuring none other than Lemmy, that literally blew us all away and said loud and clear: Put those violins away. The Foo Fighters are back and ready to rock.
Foo Fighters – White Limo
Thanks to all the contributors who voted in our countdown and thanks to all of you who have read through this eclectic mix of our favourite tracks of 2011, and have supported us throughout the year. Keep checking back to find out our top 30 tracks, alongside a pile of other best of lists!
