Top 10 Albums of 2011!

Another year has come and gone. It's amazing how the years fly by. A couple of days ago I found some of my old playlists on paper in my filing cabinet. It's fun to peruse what I used to play and what I still play regularly on my show. This has been such a fun journey of music. A few of my friends are hosts at CFCR and we all say that our week revolves around our radio show. For me, the past 8+ years have revolved around Wednesday mornings. Looking back sure is fun! It is also fun to sift through the albums of 2011 to come up with my favourites. Without further ado, here is the list! At the bottom of the list is a link to a playlist that shows the songs on Grooveshark. So read on!

10. The Pack A.D. - Unpersons
This Vancouver female duo, Becky Black and Maya Miller, keeps putting out amazing albums! Unpersons is no different. Their raw sound follows through this whole album.
Songs: Sirens, Haunt You

9. Hey Rosetta! - Seeds
Seeds, indeed. Little seeds of wonderful sounds and words that came together to make this amazing album. They are such a great live band and remain a great recording band as well!
Songs: Seeds, Welcome

8. Sarah Slean - Land and Sea
This double album by this amazing songstress and pianist is amazing. Land has lots of upbeat songs while Sea is more orchestral. It is dramatic, as is her style. This album is truly lovely!
Songs: Everybody's on TV, Set it Free

7. The Deep Dark Woods - The Place I left Behind
These local boys deliver again! I just love their story telling through words and music. This album makes me think of laying in a hammock near my garden.
Songs: The Play I left Behind, The Banks of the Leopold Canal

6. Feist - Metals
This album was not really what I was expecting. I didn't really have expectations, but it's not what I thought it would be. Feist really put her heart and soul into this album. It's a great album, but The Reminder remains my favourite album of hers.
Songs: The Circle Married the Line, How Come you Never Go There

5. Elliott Brood - Days into Years
These Ontario guys are just so amazing. I got to see them at Halloween and if I hadn't gone to that show, they might not have ended up on my Top 10 Albums list. Sometimes the live show really brings the album to life. That is what happened with this one. It brought it to my mind and I listened to it over and over. Such a great album!
Songs: Lindsay, If I Get Old, Northern Air

4. Jenn Grant - Honeymoon Punch
I love Jenn! I do. She is pure wonderful. Her music is sweet and sexy and thoughtful. This album really shows Jenn's personality. It's a lot more "poppy" than her previous albums. It suits her. When I need to smile, I listen to this album.
Songs: Getcha Good, Oh my heart

3. Blitzen Trapper - American Goldwing
Wow. This band. Wow. They blow me away with every release of theirs! I have been a little bit obsessed with this album off and on since it was released. Be warned: it's addicting!
Songs: Love the Way you Walk Away, Your Crying Eyes

2. The Black Keys - El Camino
Oh my goodness. I don't even know what to say about this album. Brilliant! Amazing! Stunning! I love it! It just came out and I'm already in love with it. If I had more time with this album, it would probably have made it to #1. Alas, it sits at #2.
Songs: Lonely Boy, Dead and Gone, Run Right Back

1. The Decemberists - The King is Dead
I fell in love with this album right away, as soon as it came out. It is classic Decemberists music, unlike their last album Hazards of Love. It has so many great songs and my favourite one is Down by the Water. It's my favourite song of the year, and maybe the last 5 years!
Songs: This is why we Fight, Down by the Water, January Hymn

Here is the playlist on Grooveshark!