Best Albums of 2011

[Pandabear 414]

Now that a whole year has almost passed, what were in everyone's opinion the best albums of 2011? They can be Japanese, non- Japanese and be of any genre. There’s no limit to the amount of albums you can pick so you can choose as many as you like. You can simply list them or give a brief description of why they made into your Best Albums of 2011 list, like I have.

Here's mine list. I haven't listened to that much Japanese releases this year so there's not much of that on there. And I haven’t listened to all the albums I wanted yet thanks to my slow internet connection so I might amend the list.

Rather than just choosing my favorite releases or bands, I tried to choose albums that stood out musically from everything else or just had something else going for it. I had most of these on repeat for a while. Here they are in no particular order

1. Sebastian Bach - Kicking And Screaming

This is like a great 80's hair metal album that just happened to be released in 2011. It’s got the best of both era’s. Bach’s higher pitched metal vocals, a excellent and very clean sound production, some kick ass rock and roll guitar shredding, and a mix of hard rocking moments and songs like Dance on your grave, more melodic stuff like My own Worst Enemy and the occasional, but well done power ballad.

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2.Trivium - In Waves

People were impressed with Shogun thanks to the technicality of that album, but I think I easily prefer In Waves. To me their new album is the best of the band but in a more accessible and refined sound. The album is definitely a metal album, but its got a perfect balance of melody and heaviness. The title track of the album is a good example of this. However every now and then you will run across into the full in your face aggressive screaming metal song. Yet they don’t feel out of place on the album and like everything on the album, are done very well. The guitars are awesome as always, the intricate guitar work, solos and shredding don’t feel out of place or like they were there just show off. They actually add to the music. Plus I love some of the varied sounds like the middle eastern instrumental track Ensnare The Sun.

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3.Times Of Grace - Hymn Of A Broken Man

This was released back in February and it was one of the first albums that totally stood out from everything else musically and instrumentally at the start of the year. It was just so damn good. Though I will admit I am bit bias because it helped me through a rough patch in my life. The band may only be Jesse Leach and Adam Dutkiewicz, but they were at their best and the result totally destroyed Killswitch Engage’s last effort. Jesse’s passionate vocals are freaking awesome and is one of the reasons the album is so great. The other reason of course is Adam D’s instrumentation and sound production. They both created the album out of emotional and physical pain they experienced so the album is dark. Jesse’s vocals cry out anguish and are aided by Adam’s moody dark soundscapes and his straight out brutal riffage and drumming. But what I really love about the album is that it isn’t just dark, it’s hopeful. There’s always some positive spin on songs or a ray of light to counter the emotional and pain ridden passages. The bluesy and all acousticThe Forgotten one was also a nice addition to the album.

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4.Asking Alexandria - Reckless and Relentless

I like to describe these guys as Techno Death Metal. Though they’re more like metalcore instrumentally wise, with a mix of death metal and clean vocals and techno breakdowns. This album is on my list simply because they have a sound that no other metal band has out there. Although there are other bands that use electronic bridges and elements in their music I feel this guys do a better job at it, and they make it interesting and fun. I loved their first album and Reckless and Relentless was a step up from that. It’s got more death metal vocals, the addition of string sections, their unique and signature techno sound, catchier choruses, and their not giving a fuck what people think attitude.

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5.The Devil Wears Prada - Dead Throne

I was never really into these guys until I heard their Zombie Apocalypse themed EP appropriately titled Zombie EP. That thing totally blew me away. Hell it would be on my list if it wasn’t for the fact that it was released in 2010. Dead Throne is great follow up to that EP. It continues in the heaviness and technicality of their Ep but with some more melody and in a longer album format. A majority of the songs are around the 3 minute mark and a few don’t even reach it, but in no way does this take away from the songs and it can even be seen as an advantage. It’s easily some of the band’s best work and I love Mike’s “banshee” screams and his deathcore growls.

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6. The Human Abstract - Digital Veil

I was uncertain on how this album would turn out after the disappointment that was Midheaven, but it was an excellent comeback. Their new vocalist brought in some more heaviness with his growls while keeping the feel of the clean vocals from the previous vocalist. The fact that A.J was back was another huge plus. The guitar work is top notch again and the whole album is highly technical. It’s got their signature metal sound with some neo classical elements.

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7. Dir en Grey - Dum Spiro Spero

Anyone who’s heard this album knows why it’s here. This was a great album. A good combination of their “progressive” sound with their heaviness and oriental sound. On the composition and technical side of things, this album destroys. Personally I liked this better than Uroboros.

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8. Plastic Tree - Ammonite

Ammonite is like the best of Plastic Tree’s previous albums, Dona-Dona and Utsusemi with a throwback to some of their more alternative rock and shoegaze material. Moonlight sounds like it could be off of Utsusemi and there are other songs that have a very poppy feel. The opening and closing tracks are very shoegazey and dream-poppish. Then songs like I love You So remind me of albums like Chandelier. This is the most solid album they have done since Nega to Poji. Another Pura classic.

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9. Blood Stain Child - Epsilon

As I remember this got mixed reviews from users on here. Initially I liked the music, but wasn’t sold on Sophia’s operatic like vocals. After a few more listens I ended up loving this. It’s kinda hard to describe the sound of their music. I suppose it death metal with electronic and dance influences? In any case I love Sophia’s vocals now and the fact the she sings in flawless English. Ryo’s death growls work well and I also enjoyed the lyrics of the songs. The blasting drums are crazy, the keyboards are great too. I love the guitar solos and the bridges are really memorable. To top it off it’s got great sound production.

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10.Perfume - JPN

To me this is what the follow up to GAME should have been like. I liked Delta but I felt it was lacking. JPN however delivers some great electro-pop with the better moments of Delta. Perfume is still one my favorite electro-pop groups and I’m glad they delivered some of their catchy and fun songs with this release. The fact that the songs flow right into one another adds a greater sense of unity for the whole album.

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11.Brian Setzer - Setzer Goes Instru-mental

I nearly crapped my pants the first time I heard Brian Setzer’s guitar playing. Anyone familiar with his work with the 80's rockabilly group Stray Cats knows what I’m talking about. He’s a phenomenal guitar player. I’m usually picky when it comes to instrumental music but I had to check out this album once it was out. Needles to say its amazing. Brian’s still got some epic jazzy guitar skills and his cool looking pompadour.

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[byudie 0]

Pretty much right now my top 10 would be:

10. Mao Abe - Su

9. Lenka - Two

8. Florence + the Machine -Ceremonials

7. Girl's Day- Everyday {EP}

6. SNSD - The Boys

5. Negoto - Ex Negoto

4. Vanessa Carlton - Rabbits On the Run

3. Childish Gambino - Freaks and Geeks {EP}

2. GIRL NEXT DOOR - Destination

1. SNSD - Girls Generation

[The Libertine 2]

I'm going to include EP's too!

In no order

1. Patrick Wolf- Lupercalia

2. Patrick Wolf- Brumalia

3. Dir en grey- Dum Spiro spero

4. 2ne1- 2nd mini album

5. Big bang- Big Bang 2

6. Plastic Tree- ammonite

7. sodagreen- 你在煩惱什麽？

8. MERRY- beautiful freaks

9. alice nine- gemini (shockingly good for a band I never cared for much)

10. Lady Gaga- Born this way

11. Bjork- Biophalia

12 Boris- new album

13. Boris- heavy rocks

14. amber gris- pomander

15. luna sea- luna sea

[LIDL 692]

well, we have topic like this here: viewtopic.php?f=8&t=8296&start=60

[mierdaculo 13]

Sandwich de 120pun? - Never Land

[CAT5 9075]

well, we have topic like this here: viewtopic.php?f=8&t=8296&start=60

no, no....that was just to post stuff that you liked as the year progressed. People should post their "final/official" lists here. This thread is legit.

[joyless 4]

I told myself I wasn't going to make a "best of 2011" list this year, and I wont. Instead, here's a list of things I enjoyed this year in no particular order.

Chelsea Wolfe - Apokalypsis

Very gloomy, lonely, lo-fi guitar driven music. I really can't find a good genre to put this under, but it's beautiful.

Cold Body Radiation - Deer Twilight

Post-rock textures, shoegaze layers, distant black metal vocals. This album came out of nowhere and blew me away.

The Joy Formidable - The Big Roar

Another surprise for me. Energetic, bombastic borderline metal sounding indie rock with hints of shoegaze layering.

Deafheaven - Roads To Judah

Some of the most emotional sounding black metal I've heard in a long, long time.

I Am A Lake Of Burning Orchids - Summer In My Veins

Emo noise. Harsh, powerful, sad.

Pianos Become The Teeth - The Lack Long After

At first I really didn't like this album, but then it just clicked. Best thing they've ever done, best skramz record of 2011.

Childish Gambino - Camp

This one got a few negative reviews, but I have to disagree. This album covers several genres and the extremely personal lyrics make it stand out from other hip hop releases of 2011.

ANNE - Dream Punx

The lack of fresh music makes this one a bit disappointing, but the music is still astounding. Dreampop with extra emphasis on the pop.

La Dispute - Wildlife

While I think it's a bit long, Wildlife is a huge improvement upon their previous work. Emotionally devastating.

The Icarus Line - Wildlife

Because I couldn't resist having two albums called Wildlife in a row.

40 Watt Sun - The Inside Room

Melancholic doom from the man behind Warning. Sadness.

ASAP Rocky - LiveLoveA$AP

TRILL

Others I didn't feel like writing about, but were great:

Touche Amore - Parting The Sea Between Brightness And Me

Troubled Coast - Letters

B L A C K I E All Spaces With Caps - True Spirit And Not Giving A Fuck

Death Grips - Exmilitary

Emo Side Project - The End Of Something

Frank Ocean - Nostalgia, Ultra

Wreck And Reference - Black Cassette

Bosse-de-Nage - ii

Lights - Siberia

Sleeping Peonies - Ghosts, And Other Things

Dir en grey - DUM SPIRO SPERO

the cabs - 回帰する呼吸

Giles Corey - Giles Corey

Anaal Nathrakh - Passion

Fallujah - The Harvest Wombs

[TheBistroButcher666 228]

Unfortunately Japan has let me down this year, well just Visual Kei. Misaruka's releases I really liked though. Touhou land had some good releases too but I'm not sure if they were released in 2011 or not. I only started to really listen to Touhou this year.

Arkona's album Slovo and mini Stenka na Stenku was also really good. I can't get enough of Arkona's releases, absolutely perfect.

[Jigsaw9 6783]

My four favorite albums this year, not in any order:

DIR EN GREY - DUM SPIRO SPERO

The album I've been waiting for, ever since DEG went 'metal' around the MoaB album. It sucks me into its own world, it's really heavy on the atmosphere. I like how it has a unified sound/vision with really great instrumental work, and Kyo's vocals are also top-notch - I was extremely pleased to witness their live performance this year, and I can tell he doesn't have much difficulty translating the album's otherworldly vocals in a live setting. Also, I can't praise the production enough - finally a 'metal'-sounding DEG album that really packs a punch! (looking forward to the remastered UROBOROS for this reason)

Hangmás - Ragadozó

This Hungarian indie/new wave/post-punk band originally caught my eye (ear? xD) just a little over a year ago, but over that time I've gradually become a fan of their Joy Division-influenced synth-smeared party rock. Their latest offering is somehow typical of their sound, yet expanding a bit on it: I feel a stronger synthesis between electronic and rock instruments, yet on some tracks the style tends towards a colder electro-induced edge. The album is also a bit darker in nature than its predecessors, but lightening the mood a bit via the usual post-punk party anthems. Nice one!

Lady Gaga - Born This Way

I'm not much of a pop listener (save for K-pop) but Gaga managed to convert me to her nostalgic yet fresh sounding and catchy music. I think this might be my fave album of her so far, previous ones were okay too, but I feel that this is the one that has it all. The more and more electronic sound facilitates this as well - truth is, I like my pop overproduced, lol. What I find really interesting is how this 'modern' sound is clashed with bits and pieces that are reminiscent of '80s pop, that 'big' sound, you know. Although at times I feel the album is a bit long, it has enough good tunes to keep me entertained.

XA-VAT - Endo

This is the kind of music where, knowing the creating artists, you can totally pinpoint its influences, yet it manages to carve out a style of its own. Heavy on the synths/loops and light in mood, it's an aural time machine back to the '80s with a slick and polished twist. Each song can be easily distinguished from each other, having their own characters (inside the spectrum of the style of course). Honestly, I was kinda hoping this project would be good, but I wasn't expecting this good, lol. This album can always put me in a good mood.

These stood out for me the most. Of course there's other stuff that was awesome too, namely:

- David Lynch - Crazy Clown Time

- LUNA SEA - LUNA SEA

- miss A - A Class

- Motörhead - The Wörld Is Yours

- Necrophagia - Deathtrip 69

- Onslaught - Sounds of Violence

- Primus - Green Naugahyde

- Tom Waits - Bad as Me

- Vektor - Outer Isolation

[Licio123 181]

TOP 5

1 - Pay Money to my Pain - Remember the Name

2 - Arctic Monkeys - Suck it and See

3 - SID - dead stock

4 - Sadie - COLD BLOOD

5 - Plastic Tree - Ammonite

Good, but not top

6 - DIR EN GREY - DUM SPIRO SPERO

7 - Duran Duran - All You Need is Now

8 - Black Veil Brides - Set the World on Fire

9 - Limp Bizkit - Gold Cobra

10 - Times of Grace - The Hymn of a Broken Man

11 - Alice Nine - GEMINI

12 - MERRY - Beautiful Freaks

13 - D - Vampire Saga

Disapointments

Galneryus - Phoenix Rising

the Gazette - TOXIC

BORN - Dogma

Versailles - Holy Grail

PS: Are we having those awards this year (best new band, album, etc)?

[MY BFF HEIDI 7]

amber gris - pomander imo

[blackball 0]

Sandwich de 120pun? - Never Land

Totally agree!

[Number Girl 48]

Not in any particular order:

1. Boris - New Album

2. Boris - Heavy Rocks '11

3. Boris - Attention Please

4. Andymori - Kakumei

5. Cinema Staff - Cinema Staff

6. Suiseinoboaz - THE (OVERUSED) END OF THE WORLD and I MISS YOU MUH-FUH

7. B'z - C'mon

8. Anthem - Heraldic Device

9. Gackt - Episode.0

10. D'espairsRay - antique

11. Eizo Sakamoto - Golden Hits

[dannemannen 69]

Some of my favourites are:

Dir en grey - Dum dim spero

Sound Horizon - Märchen

Kra - Naro & Torte

Merry - Beautiful Freaks

Sid - Dead Stock

... and so on

[Shaolan974 6185]

1. DIR EN GREY - DUM SPIRO SPERO

2. Kiryu - Mugen Houyou

3. D - VAMPIRE SAGA

4. EAT YOU ALIVE - The world is mine

5. Lin - Independent "MAZE"

[sai 868]

Before I give my list I have to say that was I rather disappointed by my favourite artists this year. The list of my favourite acts released rather disappointing albums this year, while artists I never actually listened to or didn't like very much surprised me with amazing releases. There were a few exceptions, but I can honestly say that my favourites have let me down. With that said, here's my list (most likely in alphabetical order, I'm too lazy so I use iTunes). This is Japanese only, by the way.

Alice Nine. - GEMINI

Alice Nine. had me excited with the singles matching this album but disappointed me with this release in the beginning. I had no idea what they were doing or why they were doing this. it wasn't Alice Nine. at all, so in the beginning I was kind of indifferent about this release. After a couple of listens I realised how brilliant this was. Alice Nine. was thinking outside of the box, made a brilliant trilogy with a great ballad as a finisher and does things they've never done before. The first half isn't that impressive (old Alice Nine., which can be good, but isn't as good as it could be) but that second half was incredible. Compliments to Alice Nine. for this, you really pulled me into your fandom with this.

D - VAMPIRE SAGA

Even though no album probably will be able to beat 7th Rose, D bravely tries with their third major album and tries to adapt to a more harder metal-like style. They pull it off greatly and thus VAMPIRE SAGA is born. From the strong ballad that starts the album to the fun Silver Accorn Bullet that ends this album it's near perfection. The filler tracks in the middle are kind of forgettable and special emotions in these songs are kind of lacking, but once Der Konig der Dunkelheit starts playing all emotion of VAMPIRE SAGA is put into one song. I never doubted my favourite band to let me down, and they didn't, so here it is on my list.

DuelJewel - Luminous

DuelJewel releases a few good singles and then releases Luminous. This was everything I wanted from them. It's casual good DuelJewel stuff, from the harder tracks to the upbeat calming tracks and their fun tracks to jump too. They did everything I expected from them, so I do not have any complaints about this album. It's good as it is, even though there's hardly any experimentation, I love it.

Here's the rest of the list, in order to avoid a tl;dr post:

Kagrra, - hyakkikenran [WINNER OF 2011

megamasso - Loveless, more Loveless

Kaya – Queen

lynch. - I BELIEVE IN ME

UVERworld – LIFE 6 SENSE

MERRY - Beautiful Freaks

ONE OK ROCK - 残響リファレンス(zankyou reference)

shiki∞project - kureha

[relentless 254]

Dir en grey -- DUM SPIRO SPERO

the GazettE -- TOXIC

[Neon 6]

1. DIR EN GREY - DUM SPIRO SPERO

2. D - VAMPIRE SAGA

3. the GazettE -- TOXIC

4. Boris - Heavy Rocks '11

5. Boris - New Album

6. Pay Money to my Pain - Remember the Name

[clow_eriol 240]

Dir en grey -- DUM SPIRO SPERO

[Des 289]

In no particular order except for DIR EN GREY at the top, I think that's the best 2011 album.

DIR EN GREY - Dum Spiro Spero

LUNA SEA - LUNA SEA (2011)

The Kills - Blood Pressures

Black Country Communion - 2

MERRY - Beautiful Freaks

[Jigsaw9 6783]

The Kills - Blood Pressures

I was looking forward to this, but totally forgot about it. Thx for reminding! Also, good to see a Kills listener here, besides me and lukrecia. xD

[lukrecia 22]

Non-Japanese

Shabazz Palaces - Black Up *

The Weeknd - House Of Balloons *

Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Unknown Mortal Orchestra

IceAge - New Brigade

Emika - Emika *

Youth Lagoon - The Year Of Hibernation *

Holy Other - With U EP

Clams Casino - Instrumentals (& Rainforest EP)

J*DaVeY - New Designer Drug *

Tyler, The Creator - Goblin

Zomby - Dedication

A$AP Rocky - Live Love A$AP

The Killers - Blood Pressures

Smith Westerns - Dye It Blonde

Japanese

実験台モルモット - 箱庭の音樂会

女王蜂 - 孔雀

101A - 4 *

Dir en Grey - DUM SPIRO SPERO

Maria Hato - The Latter Half of Aloha

Droog - Love Songs

XA-VAT - 艶℃

Goth-Trad - Babylon Fall EP *

It seems, that I haven't listened to as much japanese music as I did last year; or at least I haven't found too many outstanding releases. I marked the albums/EPs I _really_ like with a *.

[Mind of the sun 71]

Japanese:

ROACH - Breed of the sun

Dir en grey - Dum Spiro Spero

French:

Betraying the martyrs - breathe in life

[evilcoconut 109]

This is somewhat of a "top ten albums I remember" list, because I listen to way too much. :x

1.Hilcrhyme - RISING

2.LUNA SEA - LUNA SEA (2011)

3.Koda Kumi - Dejavu

4.Prague - 明け方のメタファー

5.UVERworld - LIFE 6 SENSE

6.FoZZtone - NEWWORLD

7.THE ROOTLESS – The Rootless

8.Amazarashi - 千年幸福論

9.LOLLIPOP F - Dance

10.BYEE the ROUND - Byee the Round

[Champ213 1858]

This includes singles as well, just because. In Alphabetical Order.

Japanese:

A - White Album

A - Black Butterfly

Amber gris - Pomander

Anthem - Heraldic Device

dies - 発情

Dear L'Novel - Mistral

Luna Sea - LUNA SEA

NightingeiL - Dark Word

Yaneka - All in the Air

実験台モルモット - 箱庭の音樂会

女王蜂 - 孔雀

Non-Japanese:

Amon Amarth - Surtur Rising

Corde Oblique - A Hail of Bitter Almonds

Dark Suns - Orange

Einherjer - Norron

Kauan - Kuu...

Laura Marling - A Creature I Don't Know

ThanatoShizo - Origami

Thy Catafalque - Rengeteg

Tenhi - Saivo

Turisas - Stand Up And Fight

Týr - The Lay of Thrym

If I had to pick one favourite, it would probably be Tenhi.

Also, there is a still a lot of stuff from 2011 I haven't listened to, because I'm always lagging behind.