How did I miss a Sloan album this year? For shame.
Amazing words for TVOTR, Foos, and Black Keys. I completely agree that every rock fan should have 'Wasting Light' on their year-end list, because as you so awesomely put it, is badassology at it's finest. Black Keys/Monkeys is going to be THE rock show of 2012 (going in March too, can't wait!).
I might just go ahead and finish this today. We need to start focusing on 2012 music and leave 2011 behind. Anyone know any good albums coming out in Jan?
BTW, this was one of the hardest choices ever for best album. These two are way ahead of the rest.
#2:
"The King Is Dead" by The Decemberists
The very first album I heard in 2011 was also the biggest surprise and almost went the distance. Had it not been for a recently acquired favorite, "The King Is Dead" would have become the first ever January released #1 album. I really didn't care for this band too much before. Sure "16 Military Wives" and "The Crane Wife" were great, but their albums had an underlining feeling of pretension. Like they were telling me that if I didn't like this music than I was an idiot. I never like being preached too for any reason. The Decemberists stripped off all of the ******** and made an American folk rock album. Harmonicas are back!
I was very surprised to hear an awesome, but familiar guitar riff on the opening track "Don't Carry It All". It is very similar to one of the best songs ever "Wake Up", by Arcade Fire. Yet DCIA becomes its own song very quickly. 'Calamity Song" and "Rise To Me" continue the awesomeness is a toned down way. The first of the album continues as so, with a rocker then a slower rocker to balance it out.
I still don't really care about any of their nonsense poetic lyrics. It works here though. I don't feel like they are trying to overwhelm me with imagery. I feel like myself and the Decemberists and sitting around a campfire and singing folk songs. We're eating s'mores, but somebody needs to make a marshmallow run!
I was also watching Band of Brothers around the time this album came out, the last episode being called "Why We Fight". First off, amazing show. Secondly, how great would this song have been in the end credits of that show?
So why isn't it #1? Well, as I said earlier, one band completely blew me away in the 11th month of the year. The Decemberists had to step aside for this new juggernaut. Which will be revealed maybe tonight, maybe tomorrow. One clue: like the last two years' #1s, it is a special blend of rock/punk with just a bit of electronic seasoning. Excited? I know I am.
Foos, Black Keys, Decemberists. WOW! What a run of albums, O! You can't get much better than that.
Great write-ups as well. Really great stuff.
BTW: If you need a January album to look forward to: Craig Finn (leadsinger of The Hold Steady) is releasing his solo album this month, titled, "Clear Heart, Full Eyes." Yes!! He switched up the Friday Night Lights saying! How awesome is that??
Surprised? I certainly was. Despite hearing their song "Hurt You" in Geico commercials a million different times, I had no idea who this band was. Well, they are from music capital of Europe, Sweden, and have had three amazing albums before this! So it took about a week to establish that I was absolutely in love with this band, but I couldn't help but feel their full collection of work was influencing my decision to place them at #1. So back to the drawing board We went, listening to the top 3 albums many many times. Is STTDI a better individual album than "The King Is Dead" or "El Camino"? Hell yeah it is.
I might have to award Record of the Year to the above "Something To Die For". I'll figure that out in the next post, as I still don't know what was released and what wasn't. A heavy dose of ska and house was thrown into "Something To Die For" compared to previous mostly new wave efforts. Some people may not love this. If I was a longtime fan it might have been a little jarring. As a new fan though, it works perfectly. Much like the majority of "Body Talk", these songs seem like they would be huge radio hits with the proper backing. Robyn and Maja aren't your typical American supermodel popsingers though, so it will take a lot of good fortune to achieve this.
If you, the reader, is too lazy to listen to the embeds, the most obvious comparison to "Something To Die For" is Canada's Metric's last album "Twilight Fantasies", mixed with a little bit of "Riot" by American Paramore. Mixing all of these sounds (hehe) together in such a wonderful has lead The Sounds to their first charting placing, a debut at #1. Has only been done before by Dragonforce, which didn't even win Album of the Year. So this is a momentous occasion on Omega's (and this year Tim Tebow) Favorite Music of 20??.
After such a stacked year and amazing countdown, 2012 has a lot to live up to. Of course we need to avoid the zombie apocalypse to even make it to the point of recapping music. Good luck, Earth!
I'll be back with more lists, though how many more is uncertain.
Great close to your list! I knew how much you enjoyed that Sounds album, so it's really nice to see it chart at #1. I listened to it after you told me about it, and it really is great! Shame I listened to it too late, for it to chart on my own year-end.
Your music chart was so great! Maybe my favourite you've done thus far. I look forward to your upcoming side-lists!
I haven't seen Thor! No! I forgot!
Somehow I enjoyed TBK on SNL but failed otherwise. Lame.
THE SOUNDS <3 They definitely deserved to tour with No Doubt, imo. Now if they toured with Metric...
I put very little thought and even less research into this, but we need a singles list to compliment the albums list! So let's do it.
33. "Upside Down" by Bassnectar
32. "Days Are Forgotten" by Kasabian
-This is the only single I know they released. Great song even if some of the album is much better. And the theme song to WWE TLC.
31. "We Found Love" by Rihanna ft. Calvin Harris
-The queen of super hit first singles. I like how she gave the producer a ft. credit too. That is something I'd like to see more often.
30. "Two Against One" by Dangermouse and Daniele Lupi ft. Jack White
29. "Shake Me Down" by Cage The Elephant
28. "Don't Sit Down 'Cause I've Moved Your Chair" by Arctic Monkeys
27. "Newsflash" by Diplo
-Dubstep artist doing chiptune. Love it.
26. "Adolescents" by Incubus
-I like slow Incubus songs like this, but "If Not Now, When?" is the slowest album ever.
25. "Holdin' On To Black Metal" by My Morning Jacket
-I love when they do goofy high pitch stuff.
24. "Paradise" by Coldplay
23. "Pumped Up Kicks" by Foster The People
22. "Curl of the Burl" by Mastodon
21. "What You Want" by Evanescence
-Hoping this album grows on me like "The Open Door" did.
20. "Jack Sparrow" by Lonely Island
-Lawlrus
19. "Walk" by Foo Fighters
18. "Pick Your Poison" by Diplo and Datsik ft. Kay
17. "Someone Like You" by Adele
16. "Unkind" by Sloan
15. "Lonely Boy' by The Black Keys
-Featuring the best music video of the year.
14. "Make Some Noise" by Beastie Boys
-Featuring the second best music video of the year.
13. "Under Cover Of Darkness" by The Strokes
12. "Romance" by Wild Flag
11. "Civilization" by Justice
-Not sure if this is a single, but it has a music video.
10. "Will Do" by TV On The Radio
9. "****** In Paris" by The Throne
8. "This Is Why We Fight" by The Decemberists
7. "Father Said" by 12th Planet and Skrillex
6. "Immigrant Song" by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross ft. Karen O
-Along with the opening titles on The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo this is even better.
5. "What Doesn't Kill You (Stronger)" by Kelly Clarkson
-And she looks so good in the video.
4. "Something To Die For" by The Sounds
-Thought this might be #1, but was wrong.
3. "You Are A Tourist" by Death Cab For Cutie
-Sexiest guitar riff of the year.
2. "The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie" by Red Hot Chili Peppers
-Sexiest bass line of the year.
1. "Get Away" by Yuck
-Sexiest song of the year. I posted the video for it back at the #9 album.
So now, besides the possible movie and TV Drama lists I'd say we're just about done. Thanks for staying with me once again. I'll be back next year or even sooner maybe.
Hahaha I love how no-frills your singles set is. And you know what - it doesn't need graphics and lengthy commentary, because the incredible songs do the talking anyhow
So many terrific tracks there - and well said about the Rihanna recognition for Calvin Harris - and loving that TVOTR, Throne, DCFC, RHCP are all top 10. Good frigging show man.
I just played "Dancing With The Devil", great! So well deserved #1 
, great choice 
.TAORDM Top 2