2011 Top 10 Albums of the Year

Even though I reviewed 246 new releases this year for the Heath Post I'm still about 4 months behind in getting albums reviewed. That means that really this is the top 10 albums to come out between the months of December 2010 and August 2011. I can't imagine I'll ever catch up, so maybe by 2013 the top 10 albums will have all been released the year before. We'll see.

Anyhow enough of that here is the list.

10. Circuital by My Morning Jacket
     This has proven to be a fun album to listen to this year and never has gotten old.  I find it to be especially good to throw on when I want to get some serious programming done.  There are few albums that fit into that category for me and it hasn't to be something that my mind can completely meld into. 

9. Two by Lenka
     By far the best straight pop album I've heard all year.  If I want to get a bounce in my step or liven things up in the morning while getting my daughter ready this has been a great pick all year. 

8. Ximena Sarinana by Ximena Sarinana
     I really enjoy this album.  My enjoyment of this album reminds me of albums from the past like Hideaway from The Weepies (2008) or Bachelor No 2 by Aimee Mann (2000).  Not in style or anything just in how I've really enjoyed listening to this album this year. 

7. Outside by Tapes 'n Tapes
     I put on this album recently for the first time in a while and was surprised by how much I enjoyed listening to it.  I played it a lot early in the year and wondered if would still hold any appeal, it did.  This is a very solid alternative rock album. 

6. Rolling Papers by Wiz Khalifa
     By far the best rap album I heard all year, I still find this album as confusing and compellin as I did when I reviewed it. 

5. Wounded Rhymes by Lykke Li
     With all the music people are putting out inspired by the 60's girl groups this is by far the most interesting I've heard since Back to Black. 

4. Wonders of the Younger by Plain White T's
     Lists like this are ultimately influenced by what the person making the list has enjoyed listening to during the year.  For whatever reason this album really struck my fancy for about a three month period this year.  It's an easy listen and has grown more on me as I've listened to it. 

3. III/IV by Ryan Adams
     This is an album that I can throw on anytime and enjoy it.  Lyrically it's very smart, musically it's tightly constructed, it's just a very good album.

2. Torches by Foster the People
     When I wrote the review for this album I commented on being a bit burned out with it.  Well that's because I had been playing it pretty much nonstop for a week.  I have listened to this album more than any other all year and so it has to sit near the top of my list.  It's not for everyone but I really have enjoyed it. 

1. Gimme Some by Peter Bjorn and John
     This is the only album I gave more than three stars all year, and it marks the third year in a row that my top album comes from a Swedish band.  This album is solid from start to finish and everytime I listen to it I have just as much fun as I did the first time I put it on.