What a year. Not to just say that in an obligatory manner, but this year truly was an elevation from last. I rated almost twice as many albums, changed formats to something more palatable and finally got to do a year-end list my way, albeit with significant setbacks (Eh, nobody’s perfect).
I can’t help that my ambitions can exceed my ability, (read: tolerance to sit at a computer and write about music for hours and hours and hours at a time) but rest assured that 2012’s going to be just as incredible with perhaps even MORE music accounted for. And to think I might actually write about them this time! Wouldn’t that be something? Starting today, I’m going to be keeping abreast of the music of 2012 with reviews and such of the like. By my estimation, I already have about nineteen albums in the cannon to listen to over the next three months. So, needless to say, I’ll be keeping myself busy. Look forward to it.
But, besides a promise for the future, there is something I must mention that unfortunately may become a requisite of the yearly Modicums. You see, in order to prepare for them, I have to stop any submissions to my lists at the beginning of November, so the lists that I post don’t represent the recommended records and songs that come out in that glorious month and the one that follows. So, here I’ve posted my updated list of Greatest Albums and Songs of 2011. (The singles list actually wasn’t changed by year’s end, but I’ll include it for posterity.) Also, I’ve listed the recommended albums of November and December. And, because I’m self-depreciating, I’ve also enclosed a list of the records that I had intended to listen to but never got around to. Hope you enjoy the new submissions (and slight order changes), and have a great New Year. The weather’s been so nice lately, it would be pretty hard not to.
Oh, also, in case you were wondering, the live album of the year was Shining’s Live Blackjazz and the worst album of the year was the new Nickelback record. (My apologies Lulu anti-fans.)
CYM’s 50 Greatest Albums of 2011:
3. La Dispute – Wildlife
4. Kate Bush – 50 Words for Snow
8. Tom Waits – Bad As Me
9. Matana Roberts – Coin Coin Chapter One: Gens de couleur libres
13. Danny Brown – XXX
17. Girls – Father, Son, Holy Ghost
18. G-Side - iSLAND
23. Cymbals Eat Guitars – Lenses Alien
24. A$AP Rocky – LiveLoveA$AP
29. Balam Acab – Wander/ Wonder
30. The Dear Hunter – The Color Spectrum: The Complete Collection
31. Shabazz Palaces – Black Up
33. Miranda Lambert – Four the Record
35. M83 – Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming
39. When Saints Go Machine – Konkylie
43. Vektor – Outer Isolation
CYM’s 50 Greatest Songs of 2011:
12. Thomas Giles – “Medic”
18. Over the Rhine – “Infamous Love Song”
19. Egyptrixx – “Recital (A Version)”
26. Hayes Carll – “Grateful for Christmas”
November / December Recommendations:
Action Bronson & Statik Selektah - Well Done
A$AP Rocky – LiveLoveA$AP
A$AP Rocky – LiveLoveA$AP
Kate Bush – 50 Words for Snow
The Dear Hunter – The Color Spectrum: The Complete Collection
G-Side – iSLAND
Steve Hauschildt – Tragedy & Geometry
Miranda Lambert – Four the Record
Los Campesinos! – Hello, Sadness
Thee Oh Sees – Carrion Crawler / The Dream
Vektor – Outer Isolation
Albums Missed:
Big Dee – Regifted Light
Circle of Ouroborus – Eleven Fingers
Country Mice – Festival
Curren$y – Muscle Car Chronicles
Endless Boogie – The Skinless Ogress Revolution, Which Feeds on Human Sacrifice
Escort – Escort
The Fall – Ersatz G.B.
Hammers of Misfortune – 17th Street
Lil B – BasedGod Velli
Lil B – Black Flame
Lil B – Blue Eyes
Lil B – Gold House
Lil B – I Forgive You
Lil B – Keep Your Eyes Open 2
Lil B – Keep Your Eyes Open 2
Lil B – The Silent President
Mouse on tha Track – Swagga Fresh Freddy
Sandro Perri – Impossible Spaces
Bruno Pronsato – Lovers Do
Rome - Die Æsthetik der Herrschaftsfreiheit
The Skull Defekts – 2013-3012
Sloan – Is That All I Get? Sloan: Live 20.09.1993
Sun Araw – Ancient Romans
Sun City Girls – Gum Arabic
Cliffie Swan – Memories Come True
Trucebaldazzi – Odio la Scuola
