Favorite Album of 2011
M83 - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming: If you have ready anything I have written in the past year, it should come as no surprise of what my album of the year selection was going to be. I don't think I have been as excited as I was with the anticipation of a new M83 release. Hurry Up, We're Dreaming came at a very pivotal time for me. I was in need of a new album to listen to on repeat one hundred times. This beautiful album(a two discer by the way), could not have been more complete. Each song is as amazing as the one that proceeds it. Anthony Gonzalez, while holding to his roots, went a different route this time around. Gonzalez's vocals only got better and he ventured in to eighties style shouting that really gives this album that little bit extra to make it great.
M83 - Wait by Reike
Honorable Mention
Cut Copy - Zonoscope: My second favorite album of the year and possibly my favorite Cut Copy album to date. Fans were hoping for another In Ghost Colours but were treated to something completely different. I know some fans were disappointed but they obviously were missing how great this piece of art really is. As buffaBLOGGER Brian mentioned in his best of, Zonoscope really gave Cut Copy a more full band sound and hopefully means great things to continue to come.
Cut Copy - Blink And You'll Miss A Revolution by modular people
Favorite Song of 2011
"Cinema" by Benny Benassi(Skrillex remix): This gem came out at the turn of the year and began the year of Skrillex. This screamo front man turned DJ/Producer has climbed the EDM ladder with the greatest of ease. Unfortunately, this popularity also comes with hate and he is despised by many. Personally, I stay away from listening to the hate and will continue to rock this remix as long as I continue to love it.
Benny Bennassi - Cinema (Skrillex Remix) by Skrillex
Honorable Mentions
"Midnight City" by M83 (Hurry Up, We're Dreaming): "Cinema" may not be a song per say but rather a remix it was still my favorite. On the full band song front, "Midnight City," was just a breath of fresh air and still gives me chills when I hear the beginning notes. The track has such a life defining undertone and really tugs at the heart strings for the entire 4:03.
Midnight City by M83
"You are a Tourist" by Death Cab For Cutie (Codes and Keys): Another lovely single from Ben Gibbard and the boys in Death Cab. The rest of the album has some other good tracks, but this one really hit home for me. The line "If you feel just like a tourist in the city you were born, then it's time to go," I feel really speaks to Buffalo and some of the people who don't appreciate living here as others do.
You Are A Tourist [Album Version] by ATL REC
Favorite Show of 2011
Cut Copy at The Sound Academy (04/07/2011): Now I know this show wasn't in Buffalo and they did play here a couple months later, but just two short hours up the QEW, magic was made. Some buffaBLOGGERS and I went up to Toronto to see Cut Copy for our first time and boy did they deliver. Everything was perfect, awesome venue, incredible lights, great people and the giant lit up door that the band entered the stage from. The boys rolled through both In Ghost Colours and Zonoscope almost effortlessly. The moment that stands out the most for me though was the very first note of "Lights and Music" and I spiraled in to a moment of pure bliss followed immediately by pure energy and intense jumping.
Honorable Mention
Skrillex and 12th Planet at The Town Ballroom (10/11/2011): There is no question that when the Skrillex mothership tour was coming to Buffalo, I'd be lying if said I didn't scream like a little child and run around my apartment. As I said before I do not care who likes or dislikes Sonny Moore, I do and his music makes me happy. 12th Planet started things and had people losing their minds. He even had to play a bit longer than he expected and did so in a wonderful fashion. The giant curtain opened and there was the spectacle that is Skrillex's stage. Skrillex did what he does so very well and took us long in to the morning at the Pure after party with both gentlemen spinning together at the same time.
I was at both of those Cut Copy shows with you Chris, and yeah I agree, Toronto was just a bit better. That white door did not make it to Buffalo!