Top 100 Albums of 2011

Hello there! Hopefully you were brought here by the physical newspaper, but if not, welcome anyway. Here are the top 100 albums I spent the most time with this year. I love making my end of the year list more than anything, and this year it was absolute hell because of the amount of great material that came out in 2011 (I purchased over 170 CD's that came out this year, and I was mailed a lot more). Remember that this is MY list and that taste is subjective. I am not saying one thing is better than another, only that this is what I personally enjoyed the most. I recommend you check out any of these albums that interest you, and if you like them you should buy them. With money. Email me at brking@plymouth.edu to tell me what an idiot I am for my personal taste and remember: stealing music is still stealing. Don't be a jerk.

1. blink–182 – Neighborhoods (Geffen) – It should come as no surprise to anyone who has read my column that this turned out to be my album of the year. I waited a long time for this album, and I'm very happy with the results. Will this top a lot of year end lists? Probably not. But to me, it really didn't get any better in 2011 than the sound of Mark and Tom harmonizing together for the first time on record in 8 years.
2. The Horrible Crowes – Elsie (Sideonedummy) – Every day of my life, I live by the acronym WWBFD (What would Brian Fallon do?). I was super excited for this record to come out because I'm such a huge fan of the Gaslight Anthem, but I didn't think it would be this good. In my opinion, Elsie bests Gaslight's last album (2010's amazing American Slang) and throws Fallon into the upper echelon of rock n' roll songwriters.
3. The Wonder Years – Suburbia :I've Given You All & Now I'm Nothing (Hopeless) – 2011 was the best year for pop punk in a decade, and with so many unbelievably good releases it was tough to pin down the genre's kings. When push came to shove, however, I gotta give props to Philadelphia's favorite sons The Wonder Years. Lyrically, no one can top Danny Campbell in 2011. This record hits you where it hurts again and again, but is kind enough to suture the very wounds it opens.
4. Astronautalis– This Is Our Science (Fake Four) – I've always been a fan of Andy Bothwell, but this time around, homeboy took it to another level. This is, in my opinion, the best that hip-hop has to offer in 2011.
5. Balance & Composure – Separation  (No Sleep) – It's dark, it's beautiful, it's catchy, heavy, and challenging. B&C hit the nail on the head several times over on their full-length debut. Meet your rookies of the year.
6. Taking Back Sunday – Taking Back Sunday (Warner Bros.) – Don't call it a comeback! After a sloppy outing with 2009's disasterpiece New Again, John Nolan returns to the fold and helps craft the band's best album in years.
7. letlive. – Fake History (Epitaph) – Los Angeles Glassjaw worshippers letlive. re-released this gem in April. It came out last year, but it's just so good I had to throw it on here.
8. Fireworks – Gospel (Triple Crown) – Detroit's entry into the pop punk sweepstakes scores huge with this tasteful, keyboard laden sophomore effort.
9. Dave Hause – Resolutions (Paper + Plastick) – Loved Ones frontman Dave Hause went solo this year and managed some pretty spectacular results.
10. Title Fight – Shed (Sideonedummy) – It's not hardcore, it's not pop punk, it's not indie rock: It's Title Fight, and I haven't stopped listening since its release.
11. The Dangerous Summer – War Paint (Hopeless) – This was my driving album this year. A little bit of Jimmy Eat World, a little of the Starting Line, and a lot of awesome.
12. Chuck Ragan – Covering Ground (Sideonedummy) – Ragan finds his own sound this time around, incorporating some very welcome bells and whistles in the form of mandolin, fiddle, cello and more harmonica!
13. I Am the Avalanche – Avalanche United (I Surrender) – The long awaited follow up to their debut shows that these Brooklyn boys have learned a lot from their time on the road.
14. Ghost – Opus Eponymous (Rise Above) – Everybody's favorite anonymous Swedish Satanic rockers made their stateside debut this year. Get in on the ritual.
15. Polar Bear Club – Clash Battle Guilt Pride (Bridge 9) – CBGP has the heart of their debut and the storytelling of Chasing Hamburg. PBC went all meat, muscle and grit this time out, and Jimmy Stadt really sings like everything is on the line.
16. The Story So Far – Under Soil & Dirt (Pure Noise) – They're named after a New Found Glory song, and like their heroes, they play with just the right amount of hardcore swagger to stand out from the pack.
17. Foo Fighters – Wasting Light  (RCA) – Dave Grohl is the coolest man in rock n' roll. End of story.
18. Yelawolf – Radioactive (Interscope/Shady) – Eminem scored big in ‘11 by signing this speedy Alabama rapper to his Shady imprint. Yela knows his way around the dictionary and the club. Try to keep up.
19. Living With Lions – Holy Shit (Adeline) – It's sincere, it's punky, it's catchy as hell and it's…Canadian? Don't hold their nationality against them; LWL are the real deal.
20. Trapped Under Ice – Big Kiss Goodnight (Good Fight) – Baltimore's kings of mosh turn in another fantastic effort. This is an absolute monster.
21. Maker – Mirrors (6131) – Remember these guys from the first 5 Questions? I'd like to take this time to remind you that their album is very, very good.
22. This Time Next Year – Drop Out of Life (Equal Vision) – More great pop punk from California.
23. Basement – I Wish I Could Stay Here (Run For Cover) – Basement may have released the most somber album on this list. IWICSH paints a picture of a lonely, rainy day in the band's home in the UK, and it's actually a pretty nice place to visit on a rainy day in the U.S.
24. Tyler, the Creator – Goblin (XL) – Love him or hate him, this kid is talented. I had been watching OFWGKTA's every move for a bit, and I was eagerly awaiting the arrival of this record. I wasn't disappointed.
25. New Found Glory – Radiosurgery (Epitaph) – There really isn't much to say about the new NFG. They're consistently one of the best bands around so you know whenever they put something out, it'll be a quality product.
26. Lower Than Atlantis - World Record (Sumerian) – These British dudes put out a really great record this year. World Record really took me by surprise, but the highly emotional vocals alone are worth the price of admission.
27. Touche Amore – Parting the Seas Between Brightness & Me (Deathwish) -Speaking of emotion, OH MY GOD. Jeremy Bolm lays his heart out on his L.A. hardcore band's new effort, and the results are fantastic. Catch these guys live if you can.
28. Defeater – Empty Days & Sleepless Nights (Bridge 9) – Defeater are becoming one of the best hardcore bands EVER. This is their 3^rd stellar release. Dig the acoustic business at the end!
29. A Loss For Words – No Sanctuary (Rise) – Boston boys justify the jump to a bigger label by putting out a BIGGER record. ‘Nuff said.
30. Banner Pilot – Heart Beats Pacific (Fat Wreck Chords) – Banner Pilot do Midwestern punk rock the right way. This could be your new favorite drinking record.
31. Thursday – No Devolucion (Epitaph) – Thursday go out on top with No Devolucion. I'm saddened to see these guys go, but at least they gave us one more great album.
32. The Game – The RED Album – (Interscope) – The Game is that rare rapper who was around before the illegal downloading age who has managed to adapt to a changing industry. This record is awesome.
33. Structures – Divided By  (Sumerian) – It's heavy, challenging and frantic. Canada's own Dillinger Escape Plan. Give ‘em a try.
34. Save Your Breath – Vices (Purgatory) – These guys are my favorite British pop punk band. Their new album is great.
35. Mansions – Dig Up the Dead (Burning House) – Chris Browder is emo's rising new star from Kentucky. He's as articulate as he is sad, and as witty as he is emotional. Favorite lyric: "I have always been cheap, but I have never been free."
36. Angels & Airwaves – Love Pt. II (To the Stars) – Say what you will, but Tom Delonge knows how to craft a great big giant arena rock tune. The new AVA treads no new ground, but the familiar territory is still warm and welcoming.
37. Born of Osiris – The Discovery (Sumerian) – Mathy, brazen Illinois natives go big on their 3^rd LP. The keyboard riffs on "this thing will satisfy the prog kids, and the breakdown keep the metalheads coming back.
38. Seahaven – Winter Forever (Run For Cover) – This record is really brilliant. These guys sound like Brand New if Jesse Lacey was more human/less robot. Buy it.
39. Stray From the Path – The Rising Sun (Sumerian) – Rage Against the Machine morph into a Long Island hardcore band and channel their vitriol into cheating women. It's as awesome as it sounds.
40. Man Overboard - Man Overboard (Rise) – All hail New Jersey! Man Overboard crank out another stellar set of sing alongs.
41. Banquets – Top Button, Bottom Shelf (Black Numbers) – Go listen to "Sometimes A Wolf" off of this record and let your jaw drop.
42. Unwritten Law –Swan  (Suburban Noize) – Scott Russo and a bunch of hired hands may not necessarily be "Unwritten Law" to some, but this record is still pretty cool.
43. This Is Hell – Black Mass (Rise) – Reformed NYHC guys make a sleazy thrash metal records. Take the sleeves off your denim jacket and mosh.
44. Close Your Eyes – Empty Hands & Heavy Hearts (Victory) – Comeback Kid's long lost children avoid the sophomore slump with this energetic romp.
45. Ghost Thrower – 10 Songs (Equal Vision) – Noisy debut. Technically a collection of EP's, but it's really good and you should know this band!
46. Hull – Beyond the Lightless Sky (The End) – If you read my review of this record, you know I love it. It's scary and huge and everything metal should be.
47. The Black Dahlia Murder – Ritual  (Metal Blade) – This band is nothing if not consistent, and they've hit another homerun here with Ritual.
48. Panic! At the Disco – Vices & Virtues (Fueled By Ramen) – Maybe second to Taking Back Sunday's comeback is Panic!'s. The circus is back, and so are the choruses.
49. White Wives – Happeners (Adeline) – Amti-Flag bassist Chris #2 steps off te soapbox to make a weird indie rock record. And it's really, really good.
50. Sainthood Reps – Monoculture  (Tooth & Nail) – These guys did their 90's homework. Sainthood Reps bring back Jawbox's fuzz, Shiner's yelp and Seaweed's melody on their debut.
51. The Swellers – Good For Me (Fueled By Ramen) – Good ole pop punk. The right way.
52. Dance Gavin Dance – Downtown Battle Mountain II  (Rise) – I hate Jonny Craig as a human being, but no one can deny that the man can sing.
53. For the Fallen Dreams – Back Burner (Rise) – This record had to grow on me a little it, but when I got it liked it a lot. For fans of A Day to Remember.
54. Lupe Fiasco – LASERS – (Atlantic) – Lupe is the man, and I know I'm glad this long-shelved effort finally saw the light of day.
55. Nick 13 – Nick 13 (Smith Hill) – Tiger Army frontman Nick 13 made a country record, and I like it a lot.
56. Rise Against – Endgame – (Interscope) – Rise Against do what they do almost as good as they normally do it, and I still only heard 55 more things I liked better this year. Great band.
57. Sims – Bad Time Zoo (Doomtree) – Indie hip hop! Sims is a member of Minneapolis' Doomtree crew (which also features P.O.S.), and his new solo effort is worth a listen.
58. Toxic Holocaust – Conjure & Command (Relapse) – Oh yeah! Thrash metal at its' finest.
59. Counterparts – The Current Will Carry Us (Victory) – What do they put in the water in Canada that we get all these great hardcore bands?! Pick this up.
60. Of Mice & Men – The Flood (Rise) – Whether you love or hate the new wave of American metalcore, it's hard to deny that OM&M probably do it the best.
61. Deafheaven – Roads to Judah (Deathwish) – American black metal by way of San Francisco, this record is as pretty as it is terrifying.
62. Sharks – The Joys of Living (Rise) – Dreamy punk-pop from Great Britain. Look out for their new album in 2012.
63. I Declare War – I Declare War (Artery) – In a year where a lot of great death metal came out, few did it better than Seattle's I Declare War. This thing is heavy.
64. Social Distortion – Hard Times & Nursery Rhymes (Epitaph) – Mike Ness & Co. put out another great album, their first since 2004.
65. Transit – Listen & Forgive (Rise) – Stoneham, MA all-stars Transit rise to the top of the emo crop, with a little help from Fall Out Boy's Patrick Stump.
66. Cold Cave – Cherish the Light Years (Matador) – Former hardcore God Wes Eisold now fronts this shoegaze/indie rock outfit. Play this before you go to bed.
67. Hundredth – Let Go (Mediaskare) – Hundredth may take themselves a little too seriously, but Let Go is the best album Underoath's original lineup never got the chance to release.
68. Electric Wizard – Black Masses (Rise Above) – British sludge masters Electric Wizard pump out another instant classic.
69. Joyce Manor – Joyce Manor (6131) – Grungy punk with great lyrics; in short, sweet bursts of energy.
70. Mastodon – The Hunter (Warner Bros.) – Atlanta's masters of metal get less stoney with the help of pop producer Mike Elizondo. It's a wonder what actual choruses what can do to a band.
71. La Dispute – Wildlife (No Sleep) – Spoken word/90's emo hybrid unit La Dispute released a real game changer this year. Jam it at high volume.
72. Trap Them – Darker Handcraft (Prosthetic) – It's d-beat, crust punk and hardcore all rolled into a lethal bomb of energy. New Hampshire's own.
73. The Dear & Departed – Every Waking Moment (Equal Vision) – You probably know Dan Smith as Kat Von Dee's British, well-coiffed tattoo artist. Turns out, he's also a great singer.
74. Skeletonwitch – Forever Abomination (Prosthetic) – A little black metal, a little thrash, and a ton of fun. Hail Satan.
75. Architects – The Here & Now (Century Media) – British metalcore titans' sophomore record is their best yet.
76. Tombs – Path of Totality (Relapse) – This album will scare the hell out of you, in a good way.
77. Mellowhype – Blackenedwhite (Fat Possum) – Odd Future duo Hodgy Beats and Left Brain released this brainy, strange record this year. Not as good as Tyler, but very much worth a listen.
78. East of the Wall – The Apologist (Translation Loss) – East of the Wall really don't have a genre; they're just awesome. This will confuse you the first few spins, but you may end up loving it.
79. Fir For An Autopsy – The Process of Human Extermination (Black Market Activities) – Excellent death metal from New Jersey.
80. The Greenery – Spit & Argue (Prosthetic) – These guys sound like The Bronx did back in the day. There's a lot of venom in these songs.
81. Foundation – When the Smoke Clears (Bridge 9) – Straight edge hardcore from Atlanta. I don't necessarily dig the message, but the songs are great.
82. Harm's Way – Isolation (Closed Casket) – These guys are heavy in every way, and they may have the strongest frontman in modern extreme music.
83. Indian – Guiltless (Relapse) – Members of Chicago black metal dudes Nachtmystium craft a doom-y, sludgey masterpiece of epic proportions. Don't sleep on Indian.
84. Volumes – Via (Mediaskare) – The genre known as "djent" had a breakout year in 2011, and Volumes are among the best of the new school Meshuggah wannabes.
85. Meek Is Murder –Algorithms (MetalSucks) – Frantic, insane riffing and drumming combined with Miek Keller's gnarly vocals = win. Powerviolence done tastefully and correctly.
86. Moving Mountains – Waves (Triple Crown) – These guys played at PSU last year shortly before the release of this fantastic, Thrice-y record.
87. Revocation – Chaos of Forms (Relapse) – 80's party thrash metal with absolutely ridiculous fretwork courtesy of masterful guitarist Dave Davidson.
88. Wolves In the Throne Room – Celestial Lineage (Southern Lord) – Earthy, spooky black metal.
89. Young Widows – In & Out of Youth & Lightness (Temporary Residence) – Like East of the Wall, Young Widows are hard to categorize. File under "Splendid."
90. Silverstein – Rescue (Hopeless) – One of the few bands from the golden age of the emo/screamo boom that has only gotten better with age.
91. Black Tusk – Set the Dial (Relapse) – Dirty, swampy metallic good ole boy rock n' roll from Savannah, Georgia. For fans of Mastodon and Baroness.
92. Doomtree – No Kings (Doomtree) – Featuring masterful MC's Sims, P.O.S. and Dessa, Doomtree produce heir most solid crew album yet.
93. Carnifex – Until I Feel Nothing (Victory) – Brutal, crushing San Diego death metal.
94. It Prevails – Stroma (Mediaskare) – Brainy, brawny Portland metalcore.
95. Thrice – Major/Minor (Vagrant) – Like Thursday, Thrice go out on top with a great album.
96. Suicide Silence – The Black Crown (Century Media) – The undisputed kings of modern death metal turn out a great effort, despite an appearance by Korn's Jonathan Davis.
97. Red Fang – Murder the Mountains (Relapse) – Just say yes. Red Fand have pushed over 12,000 copies of this gem.
98. Set Your Goals – Burning At Both Ends (Epitaph) – While a letdown after the fantastic This Will Be the Death of US, SYG are still one of the better pop punk bands around.
99. Darkest Hour – The Human Romance (E1) – These guys were my first real metal love in high school, and they continue to rule today.
100. Rival Schools –Pedals (Photo Finish) – Walter Schreifels does it again.