In no particular order...
Raw Nerve- Tall Tales
I didn't actually start listening to this record until late in the year and it quickly soared into my favorites. Chicago hardcore put out on Youth Attack! records and carrying the expected traits that such a description entails. Wrenching noisy hardcore that blends the originality and depth of VOID with what could have been a faster and angrier (is it even possible?) version of Drunkdriver. Seriously buy and download every fucking thing that these guys make. Expect to hear more from me on Raw Nerve next year.
Kurt Vile- Smoke Ring for my Halo
Indie rock darling and Matador Records resident troubadour fucking killed this year with Smoke Ring for my Halo. I remember smoking out of a friends window and hearing his rendition of "Peeping Tomboy" playing faintly from Block Party like it was yesterday. Sadly, I misssed his set, but I spent the first half of this year with this record nearly always playing. Kurt Vile delivered his most palatable, creepy, and intricate record in his career to date.
Iceage- Iceage
http://tryburningthisone.blogspot.com/2011/06/iceage-new-brigade-lp.html
Danish punks with miles of press behind them. Blah blah blah, hype machine whatever. These kids are young and dumb and made one of the best punk records to break out the past ten years. Bold statement, but one I stand by. Sure, they benefit from a near perfect recording, but that is all part of the game. Worth the hype. Also a bonus seeing these guys play a sloppy set situated in a parking lot in Vancouver with Cult of Youth. Again, worth the hype.
Total Control- Henge Beat LP
http://tryburningthisone.blogspot.com/2011/11/total-control-henge-beat-lp.html
I love the Australian scene far too much. This is the best record to come from down under this year, followed closely by the UV Race record, "Homo". Anyways, this album is perfection. Kraut-synth darkwave spattered throughout an amazing rock and roll record. Seriously, the music that has happened in Australia for the past five years is unmissable.
Mikal Cronin- Mikal Cronin
http://tryburningthisone.blogspot.com/2011/10/mikal-cronin-mikal-cronin.html
This San Francisco rock and roll heart-throb rose to prominence quickly this year with this self titled album, and for good reason. From the venerable San Francisco garage scene, but with a little more heart and breathing some much needed fresh air into said group of unarguably talented musicians. The song, "Apathy" might very well be my favorite song of the year. Watching him play it live last month vindicated my previous feelings on that song and this record. This is a seriously solid release for 2011 and I am genuinely excited to see where he takes his music next.
Atlas Sound- Parallax
Bradford Cox's newest album might very well be his most personal and beautiful one yet. Continuing his streak of dedicating records to his recently deceased artists, this one was dedicated to Trish from Broadcast. It's heart wrenching, confusing, and original as hell, but would you expect anything else? Best interview quote from this year... " I need punk rock. It's the medicine for me, but it's bitter and sickening. I feel like if you don't need it-- if you're happy and healthy-- run toward that. [Deerhunter guitarist Lockett Pundt] is very happy now, and his life has changed a lot. I'm 100% sincerely happy for him that he doesn't need punk anymore."
The Men- Leave Home
I feel like this record really took off with its dizzying ability to effortlessly mold so many different sorts of music into an opus of rock and roll. It is very striking how the music can transparently transform with perfect tack. They just announced the follow up to this record that is coming out early next year, and I am patiently waiting for it.
