Local Music Blog: What's New at Kiss the Sky—Best Albums of 2011

I’d like to ignore the fact that 2011 is about to bite the dust, but it wouldn’t do me any good. Despite my best efforts to reign in the passage of time, it is time to issue my first annual 20 best albums of the year list.

So without further ado, let’s get started.

1. Bad Times and Nursery Rhymes – Social Distortion

You probably won’t find this amazing album in any other reviewer’s top picks, but during a year when rock ‘n roll faded into the background, this effort reminded me of why I started listening to music in the first place.

The fact that Social Distortion has been relevant since 1978 doesn’t surprise me. Keep it up guys! Someone has to carry the standard into battle.

2. The Whole Love – Wilco

What is there not to love about Wilco? They’re from Chicago, they sport a curmudgeonly frontman who not only makes his concert audiences shutup, but knows how to write a song. Some folks say Wilco fell into the B or even C list with the departure of Jay Bennett, but The Whole Love proved them utterly wrong.

Long live Jeff Tweedy and his bandmates!

3. Smoke Ring for My Halo – Kurt Vile

I could not stop listening to this LP. Though it’s almost impossible to categorize Vile’s music, even his six song EP follow up was fantastic. Great lyrics and a musical style that makes you want to sit still and simply is the exception and not the rule these days.

4. Let England Shake – P.J. Harvey

Polly Jean Harvey never disappoints me. This recounting of the wars borne of English nationalism is an amazing and epic piece of music. If you don’t already have this one there’s still time to mend the error of your ways.

5. Collapse Into Now – REM

REM makes their best album since 1992’s Automatic For the People and then they dissolve the group. It isn’t fair! Why can’t Justin Bieber, Britney Spears or Katy Perry quit the music business?

Ah well! If there has to be a swan song Collapse Into Now is certainly the way to go out. Michael, Mike, Peter and Bill, we will sorely miss you!

6. El Camino – Black Keys

You always worry about how a great group will fare on the release immediately after r their breakout album. The fact that El Camino is sixth on my list says it all. Yet another stellar effort from Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney who clearly are on a roll.

7. Made in Aurora – Made in Aurora Artists

I’m still listening to this one! Conceived during one of the many roundtable music discussion at Kiss The Sky, this LP (with CD included) release showcased a variety of local artists and groups. Excellent songs, excellent production and it came out on vinyl! What more could you ask for?

8. King of Limbs – Radiohead

Given Thom Yorke’s absurdly pretentious proclivities (watching Steve Colbert make fun of the group right before they performed on his show was hilarious), I keep hoping for that Radiohead release I can hate. But I’m going to have to keep on waiting.

A bit of a departure for the avant garde English boys, its haunting and elusive melodies are hard to forget.

9. Angles – The Strokes

Another one I couldn’t put down! Whether it’s The Strokes or his solo work, Julian Casablancas always manages to get me going. Maybe it’s the anthemic yet somehow personal nature of his songs that pulls me in.

His music always makes you want to get up and move, but you still want to pay close attention to the lyrics.

10. Ashes and Fire – Ryan Adams

Who says getting sober and calming down isn’t good for your music career? Just when I was about to consign him to the pretentious has been musician refuse pile, he makes the best album of his life.

Since I’ve rambled on more than long enough here are numbers 11 through 20:

11. Wasting Light – Foo Fighters

12. Mission Bell – Amos Lee

13. Paper Airplane – Allison Kraus and Union Station

14. Bad as Me – Tom Waits

15. Bon Iver – Bon Iver

16. Father, Son, Holy Ghost – Girls

17. Wild Flag – Wild Flag

18. Strange Mercy – St. Vincent

19. Ghosts of Tomorrow – Noah Gabriel

20. Going Out in Style – Dropkick Murphys

In retrospect, it really wasn’t a bad year for music. As always, you can pick up everyone one of these albums at Kiss The Sky in downtown Geneva. Happy New Year!