Top Albums 2011

One might think, as a fan of Toro y Moi, and this being a list of music I liked in 2011, that I’d list their 2011 release, Underneath the Pine. I did seek out Underneath the Pine after being introduced to this artist by my sister via the song ‘Talamak’ (which appears on Causers of This). While that album has good moments, I felt that it fell short of Causers of This in both texture and emotion. Causers of This just has a slightly lo-fi charm to it.

Incidentally, I was making my way through ten volumes of Y: The Last Man during the time I was listening heavily to Causers of This. Steeped in nostalgia and longing, the songs on Causers of This seem somehow ideal for an emptier world trying to find the way forward – trying to overcome memories of how things used to be. Toro y Moi imbue each track with a sense of constant propulsion, anchoring a sense of loneliness in a warm soul.

Highlights: Thanks Vision, Freak Love, Lissoms

This year felt a little light on great rock releases (though I was fortunate on the concert front to see Warpaint and the Detroit Cobras… thanks, Independent). Okay, so I’m a little picky. It was a good thing that I had Castle Talk to fall back on in these tough times. Self-managed, laser-guided, unchained – the trio believes in everything they do, from the basement shows they play to releasing this, their third full-length album on their own. Everybody does their job perfectly. Just watch Marissa Paternoster tear it up and you will understand.

Highlights: Laura & Marty, Fall Asleep

Probably the most optimistic and upbeat album I listened to this year. I’d had my eye on it for a while, but wasn’t able to find it. When it became available, I bought it unquestioningly on the strength of the track ‘And How,’ my opinion of which I’ll admit was influenced by the excellent and moving video by Clem Stamation. The bright electronics of Wax Stag are relatively spare – there’s not a lot of instrumental variety, but that only makes the range on the album a more impressive achievement.

Highlights: And How, Gold Gold, Leith

Something inhabits these songs that is at once mired in the guts of a demented robot and full of expansive, galactic wonder. Embryonic is an apt name, as the Flaming Lips have provided a celestial window on a gestating proto-Star Being. This album also has the honor of me ‘discovering’ how awesome it is after forgetting that it was ever released in the first place. Glad I didn’t end up missing out – I can’t get over how great drummer Kliph Scurlock sounds!

Highlights: See the Leaves, The Sparrow Looks Up at the Machine, Gemini Syringes