The British paper/site released their album picks for 2011 but only numbers 11 through 50. I suppose that if I own the record, I tend to agree with it being good. This would be true about 95 percent of the time.
What do I share?
- Riptide – Beirut: An acquired taste, I really like the single “Santa Fe.”
- Hotel Shampoo – Gruff Rhys: This was pretty cool, it was recently plugged by the Chicago blowhards for economist Paul Krugman in their Rock Doctors bit. Personally, I think those two critics should be sued for malpractice from what they’ve “prescribed” to their victims. Sadly, Krugman hated it. Ergo, he should stick to economics and leave Pop Culture to those born after the late Sixties.
- Kaputt – Destroyer: Dan Bejar is the writer behind the more clever songs for The New Pornographers. On his own he’s similar to Dylan or Springsteen…Bejar’s stuff is better sung by others.
- 50 Words for Snow – Kate Bush: Just bought it, haven’t listened to it and probably won’t until next year. I only hope it’s better than Aerial.
- Smoke Ring for my Halo – Kurt Vile: Another one in queue but I bought it thanks to Spin included the single “Jesus Fever.”
- Metals – Feist: See Kate Bush.
- Helplessness Blues – Fleet Foxes: Definitely a frontrunner for Surprise of 2011 for me. Critics liked it which was a warning flag yet I scored it on sale and the tracks grew on me.
- Strange Mercy – St. Vincent: See Kate Bush. I am confident I will like this if it follows in the footsteps of Actor.
- Skying – The Horrors: These guys definitely got better. Their previous effort was good except I grew tired of the distortion/feedback. I suppose they got the memo from Jesus & Mary Chain about Darklands.
There’s plenty of crap (can’t spell Rap without the silent C) in their list too, the Guardian wouldn’t be British if it didn’t! I’ll find out what we agree on for the top 10 shortly.
What are my candidates? I highly doubt they bothered to check out Liam Finn’s latest Fomo; Panic at the Disco and Foster the People are too commercial with rock critics; and let’s face it, Weird Al Yankovic and They Might be Giants will never get past the novelty status with most people.