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Ben's Top 40 Albums of 2011
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...damnit, I knew I was forgetting about shows to catch up on, like Wilfred, Broadwalk Empire, and Beavis and Butthead. I need to figure out other shows from this list to check out. I'm so SO always glad that you keep making movies/TV lists, even though I suck at remembering they exist when i need them.
I can somewhat agree with you on Dexter... though not sure if I agree with New Girl, since it's been very up and down for me with her character. I still enjoy it a lot though.
Raising Hope, The Office, and Happy Endings <3
And yes, cannot wait for 30 Rock returning!
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TURTLENECK ftw.
I am so god damn envious that you find the time to watch so much good television.
I am hoping for a sensational Breaking Bad showing yet again - and maybe a surprise Modern Family top 10.
We'll see.
Keep it coming! Happy holidays bro.
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Member Since: 4/16/2007
Posts: 30,963
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Cougar Town
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Quote:
Originally posted by orange
I can somewhat agree with you on Dexter... though not sure if I agree with New Girl, since it's been very up and down for me with her character. I still enjoy it a lot though.
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I can see your point, as Zooey during the "Can't Say Penis" episode was a bit much. But I don't know, I felt the last two episodes of December (in particular the last one) were really quite strong. And I don't know, maybe the last sequence of the Christmas episode (where they all get together, and yell at the people to turn their lights on) is colouring that opinion, as I found that to be a really warm and terrific close to an episode. Plus, that ensemble keeps getting better all the time (though I still don't really see the point of Jess' model friend). I appreciate your opinion though, and I completely understand your point.
Hey everyone! TOP 10 TV COMING TOMORROW. Hopefully! It's either that, or I end up in the ER for typing too much for my write-ups. One or the other!
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Member Since: 10/3/2009
Posts: 35,844
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Quote:
Hey everyone! TOP 10 TV COMING TOMORROW. Hopefully! It's either that, or I end up in the ER for typing too much for my write-ups. One or the other!
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They are really good and informative, though, so it's worth the sacrifice, haha.
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10. Downton Abbey
Network: ITV (UK)/PBS (US)
NOTE: This ranking for Downton Abbey is for its first season, which was broadcast on PBS this year. I haven't seen season 2 (which aired this fall on ITV), as i'm waiting for its January airing on PBS.
When people watch TV, they generally like to stick to their preferred lanes. Whether it be crime-dramas, sitcoms, competition reality shows, whatever. I understand it, as people get less freetime, they want to make sure what they are about to watch is something they will enjoy without question.
All of this is a round-about way of saying that never in a million years would I have seeked out to watch Downton Abbey on my own. I'm not much for period costume-dramas, and the whole Upstairs/Downstairs thing never seemed interesting to me. Until Downton Abbey! This thing is ****ing tremendous. It's so much fun to watch. The short-hand way of selling it is "British Mad Men, with the series starting at 1916." But to say only "British Mad Men" would be selling it quite short, as there have been many of these Upstairs/Downstairs dramas in the past (such as, well, Upstairs/Downstairs), where they look at both the aristocracy (this one centered on the Earl and Countess of Grantham) and their servants.
Now if that last sentence put you to sleep, I must urge you: This is so not my thing! Yet, Downton Abbey is just such a blast to watch. The performances are strong (Maggie Smith has the funniest one-liners, including the now-legendary "What's a weekend?"), the stories are captivating (The series begins with the sinking of the Titanic, and there are many other fun little historical things throughout the series, ala Mad Men), and you are equally invested in both floors of the Downton.
For the people from the US reading this: I am pretty sure season 1 is currently available on Netflix Instant. It's a quick British season of around 7 episode or so, and I can't recommend it highly enough.
09. Homeland
Network: Showtime
Homeland is the first series greenlit by the new head of Showtime David Nevins, and it feels like a bold new direction for a network that was growing stagnant. The viewers seem to agree, as Homeland's season 1 finale was the highest rated first season Showtime finale ever. This is a show that is here to stay, and thank goodness for that.
So, what is Homeland, and what makes it great? Claire Danes, Damian Lewis, Mandy Patinkin, Howard Gordon/Alex Gansa.
Claire Danes - While i'm not for the idea of combining the acting awards together, I will say that if they combined it for next year's Emmys, and it came to Claire Danes vs. Bryan Cranston, it would be the show-down to end all show-downs. While the people listed below bring a lot to the series, Danes is the heart of Homeland, and she was the reason why, in viewing the pilot, I thought this was going to be a special series. Danes is known to be a great actor, but Homeland is a whole other level. Just as the Best Lead Actor in an Emmy should be known as The Bryan Cranston Award, Best Lead Actress in an Emmy will now be known as The Claire Danes Award. She's that good.
Damian Lewis - That said, Lewis has also done very great work that is defintely award-worthy as well (with the problem being that he's in The Cranston Award category). Lewis, best known for his work on Band of Brothers and the short-lived NBC series Life, really leaves a mark, in making you believe a character that could become parody in someone else's hands.
Mandy Patinkin - The Patink should also be award-worthy (the problem is that he's in the Breaking Bad Supporting Actor award category), as he shifts his usually manic persona, into a very quiet, soft-spoken performance that lead the series to many of its best moments. Very good work.
Gordon/Ganza - They previously worked on 24 for many years (and before you ask, the 24 creator who loves Rush Limbaugh doesn't work on Homeland), and Homeland differs in a lot of ways from 24. For one thing, Homeland is a much more cerebral show, similar in points to AMC's short-lived Rubicon (whose creator Henry Bromell is on the writing staff, though Homeland is a far better show than Rubicon ever was, as much as I did enjoy it).
I'm being very vague in all my talk about the series itself, as I know many people haven't seen it. I'd rather let you experience the joys of Homeland for yourself. So, i'll just be the 1000th person to tell you that Homeland is an excellent show, and is well on its way to becoming the best show that Showtime has ever done.
08. Justified
Network: FX
There's a thing known as the "Second Season Leap," that many shows accomplish. It means, the show is good in its first year, but reaches to that Great level in its second year, as the writers/actors are more familliar with the characters and where to take the series. Breaking Bad did it, Boardwalk Empire did it this year, and there are many other examples. This year's best example of this is FX's Justified (FX Show #6!).
What I really love about Justified is that there are many Great dramas that are dark as all heck, and maybe aren't laugh-out-loud funny very often (though, i'd also argue that a lot of the Greatest [difference between Great and Greatest] dramas such as The Sopranos, The Wire, Deadwood, Breaking Bad, Mad Men, are all laugh-out-loud funny many times an episode). Justified, however, while also being very tense at points, is a very FUN show to watch, and it has a light tone to it. That could be because of the Elmore Leonard source material, and the supreme coolness that Timothy Olyphant brings to the role of Raylan Givens. While there are life-and-death stakes throughout the series (with tense moments in season 2 that even rival Breaking Bad), it's all done with a light touch that sets it apart from every other drama out there. The work that Graham Yost has done in adapting Leonard's short-story to TV is truly some great work, and he should be commended for it.
What else is great about Justified? Walton "The ****ing Best" Goggins, so good as Boyd Crowder on the show. I loved him as Shane Vendrell on FX's The Shield years ago, but he's even topped his work on there. If I was a big movie producer, i'd try to get Michael Shannon and Walton Goggins in a movie together, as it would be tremendous stuff.
Also, Emmy-winner Margo Martindale, playing very off-type as Mags Bennet in season 2, where she was one of the scariest TV villains i've seen on screen. Inspired casting.
Season 3 begins in January, and I CAN NOT WAIT. If you need a new show to catch up with on your holiday break, and you love great crime-drama (but done in a very fun way), you can't do better than Justified.
07. Men of a Certain Age
Network: TNT
Great shows get cancelled every year, but the cancelation of Men of a Certain Age was the most bummed out i've been about a show's cancelation in many years. Because, as sad it was to see Party Down go, there were still 20 other great comedies on the air to help ease that loss. Men of a Certain Age, however, there truly wasn't a show like this on the air (and there still isn't). There's no replacing it.
Season 2 was its best seaaon, and it always made me happy watching it. The small-scale stakes of Romano, Bakula, and Braugher's characters on the show were so relatable (even though I am far from a Man of a Certain Age), and the dialogue was so lived-in and real, it was just a joy to watch every week it was on.
The softball episode of the show, in particular, had me on my feet (not a joke. I was literally on my feet watching it, that's how tense and excited I was), and as set to Argent's "Hold Your Head Up." it was a thrilling sequence. The show also dealt with the issue of gambling in a very realistic and sad way (Romano's work with this arc, especially the confrontation between his bookie at his store, should win every award imaginable).
The show won a well-deserved Peabody this year, but sadly that didn't mean much to TNT. They would rather air Rapey Fratboy Lawyers instead. With the end of Men of a Certain Age and Friday Night Lights this year (don't peek, but it's coming up), it seemed like 2011 was the death of the character-based drama on TV. Well, that's what I thought, until I saw the #5 show on this list. Tease! That you could easily spoil for yourself! I don't care!
06. Community
Network: NBC
Hey! I still love Community! Don't think because it dropped from #3 on last year's list to #6 on this year's is because I don't like it anymore. Come on. If I didn't like it anymore, It wouldn't chart AT ALL, let alone in the top 10. And you may also say, "Oh, really, Ben? You are dropping Community in its time of need??? When it got yanked off NBC's schedule for mid-season???" Well, i'd answer by saying it pretty much stayed at this spot before that whole thing happened. Because clearly, the Word Doc of my silly year-end is what NBC saw that made them say "HEY! PEOPLE DON'T LIKE THIS SHOW ANYMORE!" and they quickly yanked it.
Whether it gets a fourth season or not (i'm pretty certain that it will), Dan Harmon's show had a great run, and they managed to do a lot of insane things on network TV that would have never been expected. So, it was the lowest rated comedy on network TV. So what! This is a show that does episodes where there are multiple timelines of a party! Take that! Not sure who that is to.
This write-up is off the rails. Basically, my feelings on Community: I love and have always loved the show, and will continue loving it. I hope it's on the air for many seasons to come, but that isn't likely. Instead, I hope that next season will be set-up as the big blow-out season of the show, and they wrap up all the stories in a great way.
05. Enlightened
Network: HBO
Enlightened is a remarkable show and I am so glad that it exists.
The show, created by Mike White (who wrote every single episode of the 10 episode season by himself and is also a co-star on the series), is such a special show. It stars the sensational Laura Dern, as Amy Jellicoe, a woman who had self-destructed at her workplace (and following a bad break-up with her ex, played by Luke Wilson) goes to rehab in Hawaii, where she reaches an awakening and tries to get her life back together. The thing I loved about this series from moment 1 is that Dern's character was never, ever, ever the butt of the joke. Any other series would treat her as an outcast, and say she's crazy, but White gives a very honest portrayal of a woman who is truly trying to find a new meaning in her life.
The series is just such an incredible character study. I have mentioned a couple times about small-stakes risks in TV shows, and this one has that, as well. I really find those refreshing, as while wondering how Walter White gets out of his next jam is maybe more exciting, the smaller issues reflect back on our own lives and you get more meaning out of them. The cast is incredible, from the aforementioned Luke Wilson as Levi, Dern's real-life mother Diane Ladd playing Dern's character's mother Helen, Timm Sharp (last seen on Undeclared!) as Dern's boss Dougie, and many others.
I am having a very difficult time trying to artictulate what I love about this series so much. I can say that a good 3-4 episodes had me in tears at the end, as the things shown were so moving and hit close to home. I can say that two episodes in particular, "The Weekend" which shows Dern and Wilson trying to rekindle their relationship on a kayaking trip, and "Consider Helen," where the episode is focused on Diane Ladd's character and reveals some truths about her character that you didn't immediately know when you first saw her, are probably in my Top 5 Favourite Episodes of TV for 2011 (i'm not making the list, just letting you know that both are such achievements).
This is a show that had horrible ratings for HBO. Horrible. But it got renewed for a second season, because the people who did see the show LOVED IT, and their passion convinced HBO to order a second season. I am so happy that they did, as there's nothing like this show airing. It's maybe the best directed show on TV (Directors for season 1 include Jonathan Demme [who did two episodes!], Phil Morrison, Miguel Arteta, Nicole Holofcener), the writing is so sharp and so powerful, and the performances are just so, so great. Please watch this show. It may not be your thing, but at least give it a shot.
04. Parks and Recreation
Network: NBC
After being delayed at the beginning of the fall 2010 season, Parks and Recreation finally aired its third season in January 2011, and it was its best season to date. Season Four is currently airing, and now that just may be its best season to date. This show is in such a groove that I don't see them slipping anytime soon.
First, Rob Lowe and Adam Scott are very great additions to the main cast. I know not many people watched Party Down, but Scott is one of my favourite actors right now, and he's doing such funny and great work on Parks and Rec. Rob Lowe, as well, is having a comedic comeback of sorts, with his Chris Traeger character, that is "literally" the funniest character in the world.
Oh gosh, there's so much else to say. Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope remains one of the greatest performances on all of TV, comedy or drama. She of course is as funny as it gets, but she also just NAILS the dramatic moments so well. I am so happy that Poehler has a role like this. She's the coolest person there is.
I also just love how this is such a happy show, about local government! This isn't the David Simon version of the show (though I really love that version of the show), it's the Newhart version of that show, and it really lifts my spirts up every week. Seriously, this show is so happy, and so joyful, I think if all of the world leaders and dictators watched Parks and Recreation we'd all be OK.
03. Friday Night Lights
Network: NBC/DirectTV 101
What a run that Friday Night Lights had. To be corny for a second ("But Ben, you've been corny this entire year-end!"), Friday Night Lights had a very similar underdog story that both the Panthers and Lions faced playing football. That we got 5 seasons out of a show, that was looking unlikey to get even 2, is a huge triumph that makes you want to write STATE on every white-board in the world.
The thing that blows me away about Friday Night Lights, in its final season, is that with the majority of the characters from season 1 gone, they still made me care just as much for these characters that were only introduced in season 4! That never happens on TV (see: Saved by the Bell: The New Class]! I care just as much about Vince, Jess, Becky, as I do about Saracen, Street, and Smash (The S.S.S.). Also something that doesn't happen very often: They nailed their series finale. It was so perfect, and I don't see how any longtime FNL fan could be disappointed by it.
A weird thing that happened after this series ended is that when I see the cast-members outside of FNL, I feel weird. Like, I enjoyed Super 8 just fine, but i'd much rather see Kyle Chandler as Coach Taylor again. And what??? Tami Taylor is on American Horror Story?? What happened to Tami??? Riggins is in two big movies next year??? It's a weird feeling to have. I guess my point in that is that this show will stick with me forever, and it will always be one of my favourites of all-time. Clear eyes, full hearts....
02. Breaking Bad
Network: AMC
Oh hello, Breaking Bad! Didn't see you there!
I loved season 4 a lot (no spoilers for season 4 in this write-up), so you may ask why is it not #1, as season 3 was last year?? Well...... It feels bad to say this, but I maybe enjoyed season 3 just a smidge more than season 4. It's still the best show, and I don't have anything bad to say about season 4, but season 3 just impacted me more, I guess.
What's there to say about Breaking Bad at this point? Beyond that you should watch it, if you haven't. This was Gus' (Giancarlo Esposito) season, and I hope he gets an Emmy next year. But then, Aaron Paul should win it, for playing Jesse, as great as ever. And Bob Odenkirk!!!! Hank!!! Mike!!!! ****, everyone is good! Skyler!!!!!! Give Walt Jr. an Emmy!
Off the rails again! Anyway, I love this show as much as anything. I feel last year's write-up had more to say about the show, so if you are wondering about my thoughts on the series, just read last year's.
01. Louie
Network: FX
If 2010 was the year in which people finally (finally!!!) found out about Louis CK, after years of amazing work, 2011 was the year in which he cemented his status as the best comedian alive today. I won't talk about the Live at Beacon Theater special (though, it's my favourite special of his since Shameless), though what he did with that is a gamechanger (in the truest sense of the term).
Instead, I want to focus on the second season of his FX TV show (FX Show #7!) Louie. It may not be well-documented, but while his first passion was stand-up comedy, his second was filmmaking/directing movies. He directed numerious short films in the mid-to-late '90s, with apperances by many great people in them (You can find most of them on YouTube), that if you watch them now are almost like a dry-run for this FX show. He also directed a feature-length film titled Tomorrow Night (still not out on DVD!!! Arghhhhhhhh), a movie that I would love to watch, that stars Chuck Sklar, his Dana Carvey Show cast-mate (he was head-writer on the show) Heather Morgan, Rick Shapiro, J.B. "Leon from Curb" Smoove, Robert Smigel, Steve Carell, Todd Barry, Matt Besser, Bill Chott (another Dana Carvey Show alum), Nick DiPalo, Jim Earl, Matt Walsh, Wanda Sykes, Conan ****ing O'Brien, Ian Roberts, Amy ****ing Poehler. And it isn't out on DVD. I don't know why, either.
All that pre-amble aside, LCK has been pretty much making movies/shorts his whole life waiting to make a show like Louie. When it's on TV, it's my favourite thing to watch every week, as I have no idea what to expect. From the USO Tour double-length episode "Ducklings," to "Road Trip," which reminded me a lot of car-trips with my own family (including my good-intentioned Grandma calling those nuts by That Term, as well), to the many episodes featuring the wonderful Pamela Adlon (get those two a buddy comedy, stat), the Doug Stanhope episode, the Dane Cook episode. Gosh, so many highlights. I could seriously go on for paragraphs more on how great this show was this year, but I won't.
This show hits my sweet-spot so nicely, as i'm a huge comedy nerd, as well as a big fan of experimental television that changes week-to-week. The highest compliment I can pay to Louie is that, for the first year since both shows have been on, I am looking forward to the next season of Louie more than the next season of Breaking Bad. Granted, it's not by a wide margin, but it's still something worth noting, all the same.
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NEXT UP: Back to the albums!
Thanks for all the comments!
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ATRL Administrator
Member Since: 5/2/2000
Posts: 2,844
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I'M FINALLY HERE! I promise I actually read your TV list. This isn't one of those post-and-run comments. But I will not take a test on it. Let me say, though, you said just about all you could on Community and for it to be the #6 show on All Of Television is still a great feat. Parks and Rec of course, represent. As for Louie, well, you nailed it. If someone were to read this and then not go watch Louie, they would be A Fool. What a fantastic television program.
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ATRL Senior Member
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Surprising #1 but I love the show. Comedian/masturbator
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ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 9/26/2001
Posts: 22,475
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"Comedian/Masturbator". Sounds about right.
Honestly, I love BB right now to the point that there is no show on TV (not even Community) that can match the amount of joy I get when watching that show. Seeing it at #2 was a major surprise, but I can totally understand why Louie would be #1 instead. And, if nothing else, this whole set just reminded me that I need to continue watching Friday Night Lights. I FINALLY began watching it this year...and then stopped. That needs to be changed quickly.
Another great TV list from the master.
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ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 12/29/2003
Posts: 6,311
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I knew I saw Downtown Abbey, haha. Once I watch it, I'll provide commentary
I really do hope Community gets another season It's all your fault
Agree on your write-up for Parks & Rec. I have no idea how the cast works SO well together when there are so many unique characters but my gosh, the show has only gotten stronger over time <3
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Member Since: 10/13/2003
Posts: 48,022
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Justified
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Member Since: 4/25/2011
Posts: 41,661
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The Community is one hell of a show.
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ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 10/1/2002
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Although Breaking Bad not at #1 was heart breaking to see, the write up for your #1 and the praise I have seen to follow it makes me feel better about it.
I completely agree with you that everyone on Breaking Bad deserves an Emmy for this season. Gus, Skyler, EVERYBODY!! I think I'm of the lot that enjoyed season 4 a smidge more than 3 - but agree that both are just unbelievable. I really can't put into words what that show means to me, so I'm glad you did it so well last year and reminded us of it again. Thanks good sir.
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Member Since: 10/3/2009
Posts: 35,844
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I remember watching a couple of episodes of Man At The Certain Age and it was very good. I didn't know it got cancelled.
I know 2 shows out of the top 3. Ironically, I don't know your number 1, but I think I've seen that name on FX, so I think I can give it a chance someday.
Great write-ups as usual!
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ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 12/29/2003
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I wanted to bump your awesome Best Of... and encourage you to update
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ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 6/9/2002
Posts: 6,789
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Thanks for the bump!
I am currently working on new updates for the year-end, but I likely won't get anything up tonight. HOWEVER, you can (maybe!) expect two updates tomorrow. What are those updates?
- Continuing the Top 40 Albums countdown, i'll be going through Albums #30-26.
- I'll be doing the MASSIVE Albums That Just Missed list. How massive? Oh, how about 30 albums. As mentioned in the intro post, this was the hardest year yet of figuring out what made the 40 and what didn't. So, a lot of the albums that missed are, in my opinion, just as worthy of your time as albums 40-01. Sure, there's a few albums that missed that I didn't listen to enough (it is 30 ****ing albums, after all), but it's a much smaller percentage than in previous years, I think.
Until then, thanks for the wonderful comments, everyone! They are very much appreciated.
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ATRL Administrator
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Looking forward to Ben's Top 70 Albums of 2011!
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ATRL Senior Member
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Make that Thirty Two Albums that just missed the Top 40.
In No Particular Order:
Richard Buckner - Our Blood
Of the many albums that just missed the 40, this was one of the hardest to leave off. Our Blood is Buckner's first album since 2006's Meadow, and was my introduction to his talents. It's a terrific album, of great song-writing, and moody atmosphere that was one of my most played in August. Post-Our Blood, I will definitely be looking forward to any upcoming release from Buckner. Favourite songs include "Traitor," "Escape," and "Hindsight," (though all of it is very good).
Wanda Jackson - The Party Ain't Over
What I like about this album, beyond Wanda Jackson getting a nice comeback album like this, is that the album sounds a lot like how a Jack White-fronted late night band would sound like. He produced the album, and heads up the band behind Jackson, and there are certainly some Conan band-esque moments throughout. How cool would that be??? A Jack White late night band! Once i'm done with this tangent, you should listen to "Shakin' All Over," "Thunder on the Mountain," and "Rum and Coca-Cola."
The Black Belles - The Black Belles
The Black Belles were most remembered this year for their great stint on The Colbert Report, backing Stephen on Charlene II. But did you know that the band put out a Jack White-produced debut album in November??? You should really check it out, especially as White didn't release any music of his own this year (with the exception of his guest appearance on ROME). It's the great garage rock flair that White nails so well, and the Black Belles are a very solid band to front it. Check out "Leave You with a Letter," "Pushing Up Daisies," "Not Tonight," "Hey Velda," and, hell, the whole album!
Miranda Lambert - Four The Record
I haven't had a lot of time with this album, but it's a bit too polished for my liking. There are still some great songs on it (the cover of Gillian Welch's "Look at Miss Ohio," "Easy Living," "Safe"), but especially following Lambert's side-project Pistol Annies releasing their debut album in August, it just pales in comparison. By the way: if that last sentence didn't give it away, the Pistol Annies album is still to come in the Top 40.
Beyonce - 4
Beyonce super-fans! Just because 4 didn't make it, it doesn't mean I didn't like it. I really, really like it. It was on the top-tier of albums that were just about to make it on! But yeah, just know that just because Queen Bey failed to make it on my list, I still rock "Party," "1 + 1," "I Miss You," and the rest of the album all the time.
Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears - Scandalous
This **** is awesome! Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears are a funk/soul band based out of Austin, Texas, and it's just good-time music. Jim Eno, the drummer of Spoon, produced this album (and their previous album Tell 'Em What Your Name Is!) and it's a nice collaboration. Check out "Livin' In The Jungle."
Joe Henry - Reverie
Joe Henry is one of the most talented guys out there. He produces great records all the time, and he's a great singer/songwriter, in his own right. An interesting thing that Henry did with this album: He recorded the album live, in an open studio with all the doors and windows open. I absolutely love this approach, and it really gives the songs a great warmth (plus little details like dogs barking and children playing in the background). This album came out pretty late, else it would have likely made it onto the Top 40 list. Listen to "Odetta."
Lisa Hannigan - Passenger
Speaking of Joe Henry! He produced this album for Irish singer/songwriter Lisa Hannigan, better-known as a member of Damian Rice's band. This is the first album i've heard from Hannigan, and it's truly great stuff. Again, like Henry's Reverie, if I had more time with it, it could have made the Top 40. Until then, i'll look forward to whatever she has coming up next. Listen to "A Sail," and "Knots."
Jeff the Brotherhood - We Are The Champions
I first found out about Jeff the Brotherhood through Ted Leo, one of my favourite people. He said they opened for him on his tour a couple years ago, and he was blown away. A year later, they released We Are the Champions, a great album that recalls one of my northstars in music: Weezer. So, hold the phone. Ted Leo recommended a band, and the album sounds a lot like Weezer???? So, explain to me, how it didn't make it? Well, Myself Who Is Too Lazy To Use Quotes, I just didn't listen to it as much as I wanted to. When I did listen to it, I really liked it a lot. Listen to the opener "Hey Friend," and if you don't like that, then you probably won't like the band. Really great stuff.
Ximena Sariņana - Ximena Sariņana
Good album! Love Ximena! My favourite tracks are "Different" (which made an appearance on my Top 10 Favourite Singles of 2011 list), and "Shine Down."
Neil Young - A Treasure
This album doesn't technically count, as it's a live recording from Young's 1984-1985 tour (promoting Old Ways), but it was just released this year, with several unreleased songs, so i'll let it in on that count. I played this album a ton this year. It's Young, backed by The International Harvesters, this amazing country/western band he assembled that features all the best players. It also helps you appreciate his Old Ways material, which generally was an album that wasn't well-received, but in the live setting these songs truly come to life. Highlights include, "Amber Jean," "Bound for Glory," and "Grey Riders." If you love country Neil Young, and you haven't heard A Treasure, run, don't walk (to iTunes).
Death Cab for Cutie - Codes & Keys
I never played this as much as I wanted to, but when I did, I really quite enjoyed it. Ben Gibbard is one of those guys who just keeps putting out albums the way he wants to, doesn't follow trends, and I appreciate that about him. He's a solid, very talented guy, who I hope gets another breakout moment sometime in the future. But I don't think Gibbard cares if that ever happens again, really. He'll just be happy putting out Death Cab albums to the passionate who adore him.I lovelovelove the title track from the album.
Don't Stop or We'll Die - One of the Gang
If this wasn't an EP, it would have made it in my Top 40 Albums list for sure. Don't Stop or We'll Die is a pop/rock band consisting of comedians Paul Rust (such a funny guy, who's currently co-writing the upcoming Pee-Wee Herman movie, with Paul Reubens, for Apatow Productions), Harris Wittels (Comedy Bang Bang regular, writer on The Sarah Silverman Program, the third (upcoming) season of Eastbound and Down, writer for seasons 2 to the present for Parks and Recreation) and Michael Cassidy (don't know his credits). They are influenced by piano-based pop like Ben Folds and great poprock like Weezer, but they have really funny songs and lyrics. Try to listen to "She's Got Titties" (In All The Right Places), and not have it stuck in your head for days. Every song on this EP is incredible. Whenever they decide to release a full-length, and its up to the quality of One of the Gang, it's a shoo-in for my Top 40 Albums list.
Duran Duran - All You Need Is Now
This album had a weird release pattern. It was released last December as iTunes only, and then didn't get released on CD/physical copy until March. Mark Ronson produced, and it's far better than the Timbaland/Timberlake album that Duran Duran did. Classic '80s Duran Duran. Listen to "All You Need Is Now," and "Being Followed."
Random Axe - Random Axe
Backpack hip-hop supergroup consisting of producer Black Milk, and rappers Guilty Simpson and Sean Price. For you fans of "gully" hip-hop, this is for you. Listen to "Chewbacca" (featuring Roc Marciano) and "Monster Babies."
Thurston Moore - Demolished Thoughts
Beck producing an album by Sonic Youth frontman Thurston Moore???? You can't get any more '90s altrock than that (well, maybe the other album Beck produced this year could be more '90s, but that's still to come on the Top 40 Albums list). It's a very nice, subdued acoustic-based record that was really nice to listen to. I know some people didn't care for it, and would rather hear ear-crushingly loud guitars, but oh well. I really like the songs "Benediction," and "Circulation" from the album.
Booker T. Jones - The Road from Memphis
I feel really bad for leaving this one off. ?uestlove produced this album, in which The Roots back-up the legendary Booker T. Jones on both instrumental songs (including amazing covers of Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy," and Lauryn Hill's "Everything is Everything") and vocal songs, including guests such as Jim James of My Morning Jacket, Sharon Jones, Matt Berninger of The National, Lou Reed, and a rare vocal performance by Booker T. Jones himself on "Down in Memphis." Check out "Progress" (featuring Jim James), the two instrumental covers listed, and "Representing Memphis" (featuring Sharon Jones and Matt Berninger).
Yuck - Yuck
Strong debut album from Yuck. Shame it didn't make it on, but you should still listen to it, if you haven't. Listen to "Georiga," and "Get Away."
Steve Earle - I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive
T. Bone Burnett produced this great album for Steve Earle that I also feel bad for leaving off. Favourites include "This City" (written for season 1 of Treme, and featured in my Top 10 Singles of 2010 list last year), "Waitin' on the Sky to Fall," and "The Gulf of Mexico."
TV on the Radio - Nine Types of Light
Of all the albums that missed the Top 40 list, I have a feeling this will be the one that elicits the most "WHAAAAAA's?" Let me try to explain this as clearly as I can: This is not me saying that Nine Types of Light isn't good! Far from it! Just for whatever reason, it was never an album I played a lot. Every time I was about to play it again, I went to something else or whatever was new at the time. There's a very good chance that a year from now i'll have played this album more, and I will be regretting not putting it on the Top 40 list. But until then, sorry? I really like "Second Song."
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - Belong
Flood (U2, NIN, Depeche Mode, etc) produces the second album by one of the worst-named bands in rock. Great '90s inspired altrock (a good companion piece to Yuck's debut) that is a huge improvement over their first album. Check out "Even in Dreams."
Weird Al Yankovic - Alpocalypse
Cover by the great Robyn Von Swank!
It's always a good year when Weird Al puts out an album. Songs from his previously released Internet Leaks EP take up a lot of space on the album (Though "Skipper Dan," is still maybe the best song on Alpocalypse), but there's still plenty of great new stuff to discover. All the new song parodies are pretty fantastic ("Party in The CIA" made me laugh like an asshole the first time I listened to it), but tops among the new songs is original composition "If That Isn't Love," a catchy-as-all-heck love song with laugh-out-loud lyrics. It's one of my favourite Weird Al songs.
Raekwon - Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang
Two years ago, Raekwon was #1 on my Top 40 Albums chart, with Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II. His next album, doesn't make it on the list at all! I liked Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang a lot, and by no means is it a bad album. I guess a lot of the novelty of "oh ****! Raekwon is back and is better than ever!" has worn off a bit. But if you love Raekwon/Wu-Tang, you will almost certainly really like this album, too. Favourite songs include "Ferry Boat Killaz," "Crane Style," (featuring Busta), and "Every Solider in The Hood" (featuring Method Man).
Social Distortion - Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes
Social D! Good album, but not to their best. Still worth listening to, though. I agree with Ryan in saying that "Alone and Forsaken" is a great song to listen to from the record.
And to sneak in a write-up of another album: the new Dropkick Murphys album was very good as well, but also failed to make it on the list. They managed to get ****in' Bruce Springsteen on "Peg o' My Heart"!!! How crazy is that???
OFF! - First Four EP's
This album (or rather, collection of EPs into one album) was released December 2010, which is pretty much the only reason why it's not in the Top 40. As again, the content is SO GREAT. OFF! is an '80s hardcore supergroup consisting of Circle Jerks/Black Flag singer Keith Morris, Burning Brides member Dimitri Coats, Redd Kross bass player Steven Shane McDonald, and Rocket From the Crypt/Hot Snakes drummer Mario Rubalcaba. It's like the ****in' Expendables of hardcore punk. These guys are doing some of the best material of their careers with OFF!, and it's just such a blast of aggression and fun, over 16 songs in 18 minutes. I played this a lot in 2011, so I feel really bad leaving it off the Top 40 Albums list. If you like '80s hardcore punk, and haven't listened to OFF! yet, then you really, really ought to. Instead of choosing songs to listen to, i'd say you should listen to the whole thing. It's only 18 minutes!
Lucinda Williams - Blessed
Good album! I didn't listen to it enough, but there are some really great songs on here, if you like Williams. Bonus: Elvis Costello playing guitar solos! My favourite songs are "Seeing Black," "Buttercup," and "Blessed."
Gregg Allman - Low Country Blues
T. Bone Burnett produces Gregg Allman's first album in a while, a great blues album with Allman's trademark great vocals. Allman-penned "Just another Rider" (which has a killer horn section), and covers "Blind Man, and "I Can't Be Satisfied" are highlights.
G. Love - Fixin' to Die
A nice surprise of an album, as G. Love works with The Avett Brothers on a nice blend of folk and whatever G. Love does. The title track, and a cover of "You've Got to Die" (which features the Avetts on vocals). Well the title track is a cover, too, but yeah.
The Strokes - Angles
Good album! Didn't listen to it enough! I liked the single "Under Cover of Darkness" a lot, as well as "Machu Picchu."
Glen Campbell - Ghost on the Canvas
I've said many times in this that I feel bad for leaving off _______. More than any other album, leaving off Ghost on the Canvas is the one that really stings. Set to be his final album (as he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's), it's a great tribute to Campbell's career, from beginning to end. There are instrumental bits, that recall his work on making the instrumentals on Pet Sounds, there are original songs written by Campbell himself ("A Better Place," "There's No Me... Without You," and "A Thousand Lifetimes" being the highlights of those), and some expertly chosen covers. The covers include Paul Westerberg of The Replacements' title track, which is a perfect song that Campbell nails. I already went on about Campbell's work on Robert Pollard's "Hold on Hope," in my Top 10 Singles of 2011 section, but that's still one of the best songs all year in my eyes. I also really like his take on Jakob Dylan's "Nothing but the Whole Wide World" (though I am missing Neko Case and Kelly Hogan's backing vocals from the original).
It's a fitting album to close out Campbell's legacy as a premier talent in both country and pop music. If you liked Ghost on the Canvas, also check out his previous album Meet Glen Campbell, an album that didn't get a lot of attention, but is equally as good. It contains all covers, from Foo Fighters' "Times like These," U2's "All I Want Is You," Two Tom Petty songs, a Jackson Browne song, Green Day's "Good Riddance," Westerberg's "Sadly Beautiful," Lou Reed's "Jesus," Lennon's "Grow Old with Me," Travis' (the band) "Sing." It's really amazing.
Cults - Cults
I need to talk a bit about Cults. I was drawn to Cults (pull-quote), due to Madeline Follin being a member of the group (Follin sings on "Queen of Hearts," off of ****ed Up's triumphant David Comes to Life, coming much, much later in the Top 40 Albums list), and I liked her voice. I have listened to this album a few times, as it has gotten such a good response (ATRL member TC has also mentioned to me how much he likes the album, which made me listen to it in the first place). I like some of the songs, but I don't know. It's not clicking for me for some reason. It really should! I in no ways do I dislike it, else why would it be on this list? I'm just placing this here, as I know people enjoy it, and I feel bad that it's not clicking with me. I do like "Rave On," and "Abducted," and a couple other songs. Maybe the next listen will be the charm?
Nicole Atkins - Mondo Amore
This is a great album, but yet it failed to make it on the list. This is Atkins' follow-up to her debut (which was released on Columbia Records). Since the release of that album, she left the label, and had a break-up of a long-term relationship. Also: her backing band left her, and she moved to Brooklyn. She then signed to Razor & Tie, and released Mondo Amore, this really fantastic album. Maybe it's because of all that serious change in her life that lead her into such a creatively fruitful period, but Mondo Amore is pretty much great beginning-to-end, with shredding guitar solos, and tons of psych-rock influences. I feel really bad leaving it off, but you should still check it out. Favourites include "The Tower," "Vultures," and "Cry Cry Cry." I hope, if her next album is as good as this, I find a spot for her on the Top 40.
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NEXT UP: Albums 30-26!
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ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 9/26/2001
Posts: 22,475
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Honestly, I'm WAY more stunned that you left Glen Campbell off the list than TVOTR. That album is right up your alley. Don't worry, I'll take care of the TVOTR lovefest for everyone when I get to it soon enough.
And geez, so many albums...so many albums to check out...and a couple that I already have. "Machu Picchu" is the clear highlight of Angles, and Alpocalypse was a COMPLETE miss on my part, and you're making me regret it. Oh, and four the record...four.
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Member Since: 5/23/2007
Posts: 65,087
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Amazing list! Cults, The Strokes, TV on the Radio my favorites
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