EIGHT.ONE.TUNES

EightOneTunes Best Records of 2011

1.  Destroyer - Kaputt.  The story lines are vivid, the music equally as rich, and a slight odd at times (but in a good way).  Above all else, from start to finish, this album just sounds perfect.  There are no “next!” songs, and it is really that simple.

2.  Bon Iver - Bon Iver.  The eternal artist returns again with another masterpiece.  If there was a more beautiful record released this year, I’d love to hear it.  Vernon’s creative genius on his debut album was stunning, and this second installment feels like a continuation of something larger and more grand to come.

3.  Drake - Take Care.  Drake’s second album shows off his versatility as an entertainer, which quickly silenced a lot of his critics, including me.  He is recording under the label Young Money which is operated by Lil Wayne.  Much like the success of Kanye West and Jay-Z’s pairing, these two have struck a chord together which seems to work really well. 

4. M83 - Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming.  This record is incredibly huge.  HUGE.  Tons of energy and fun.  With twenty-two tracks, I imagine a lot of conversations during the recording process ending with, “okay well that was incredible, let’s add that to the album too.”

5.  The Weeknd - House of Balloons.  Abel Tesfaye.  R&B.  Dark.  Twisted.  Addictive.  Indulgent.  This album puts bad on center stage.  And it feels pretty good.  After a few cameo’s on the new Drake album, Tesfaye has been commissioned to work with Lady Gaga and Florence + The Machine on upcoming remixes.  Expect that list to grow, a lot.

6.  Washed Out - Within, and Without.  A lot of these records are second LP’s, or at least answers to very successful EP’s, and Ernest Greeneway’s latest release is no exception.  His sound is abstract and drifting at times, but always within the framework of a sound beat holding it all together.  This is truly chillwave, it is exactly what that made-up word is supposed to mean.

7.  Real Estate - Days.  No need to thaw this one out.  Throw it right on the grill.  The chords are well marinated, along with a ton of well seasoned lyrics and melodies.  Yes this is grade A stuff right here.  Real Estate, the garage band that always sounds better than they conceivably should.

8.  James Blake - James Blake.  ATTENTION! ATTENTION!  James Blake sings!  And it’s a nice feature to marry with his distinctive and intriguing build ups.  Blake is fantastic at taking a lovely melody and expanding it into space, spaces which can be melancholic at times, but not unwelcoming in the slightest.  Stay tuned, it seems like he drops an EP every few months.

9.  St. Vincent - Strange Mercy.  This album carries a really itchy guitar texture, which serves as a great backdrop to Annie Clark’s softly contrasted voice.  The song Surgeon is clearly the Cadillac of the album, starting in almost timid fashion before unravelling into some kind of wretched and monstrous noise.  In a lot of ways, that’s the theme here.  Subtly beautiful like a venus flytrap, and before you know it, you’re gripped.

10.  Toro Y Moi - Underneath The Pine.  Chillwave no more, the audible landscape of Chaz Bundick’s crew has grown and developed into something new.  The rhythms on this record are intricate and divine.  Still Sound and New Beat will rightfully get the most attention, but there’s so much more here to explore.

*Very, very notable records:  Fleet Foxes, Wye Oak, Com Truise, Frank Ocean, Panda Bear, Youth Lagoon, Adele, Cut Copy, Radiohead, Twin Sister, Clams Casino, Hard Mix, Julianna Barwick, Neon Indian, Elite Gymnastics, The War on Drugs, tUnE-yArDs, The Antlers

I’d love to hear some feedback on this list at the new facebook page.  Thanks for liking and reblogging on tumblr this year, it’s been a lot of fun to share music with everyone.  Cheers.