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buffaBLOG's Favorite Songs of 2011: #50 - #26



Well, we have nearly reached the end of 2011, and I have to say, this was one of the better years in music, at least in my opinion, in recent memory.  Nearly all of my favorite acts (Wilco, Radiohead, Bon Iver, TV on the Radio) returned with a great album, while some exciting new bands (Youth Lagoon, Foster the People) captured our attention here at the blog.  For our favorite tracks of the year, we decided to slice the list in half(because what is the difference between track #76 and #75 anyways) in order to give you our top 50 songs of 2011.  Now our list, being subjective, will surely be different than your list.  That's kind of the fun thing about these lists though.  No one list is the same.  No one list is correct.  There are some familiar faces that you will be sure to come across, but hopefully some tracks that will be new to you upon reading.  With that being said, here is the first half of our favorite songs of 2011.  Be sure to check back tomorrow for our top 25.


50) "Houdini" by Foster the People: The first time I heard Foster the People was actually a RAC remix of their song "Houdini".... RAC has excellent taste in music they chose to remix and low and behold the band blew up a few weeks later.  Their song "Pumped Up Kicks" rocked the radio this year and they put on a stellar show at the Tralf. Can't wait to see what they do in 2012. (ka)
Houdini by Foster The People

49) "Ice Cream" by Battles: The math rockers return as a three piece, bringing in vocalist Matias Aguayo to front one of their poppiest numbers yet.  The incredible rhythm and bouncy keys made this one of the best summer jams of the year.(mm)

Ice Cream (Featuring Matias Aguayo) by BATTLES

48) "Belispeak" by Purity Ring: You need to check out Purity Ring. They are highly unique and creative, which stands true in their choice of homemade instruments and song writing. "Belispeak" is only one of the few songs they have released so far but really great stuff.(ka) 
Belispeak by PURITY RING

47) "Shut Up" by Jhameel:  This highly talented artist has a wide array of musical stylings, ranging from his nu-disco, ultra contagious EP entitled Dance to his orchestral, part MGMT part Anathallo full-length, The Human Condition (both are available on Jhameel’s website). On "Shut Up", we were immediately drawn to the song’s brash vocals and incredibly catchy Funkytown-esque strings.(mm)


Shut Up by jhameel

46) "Shuffle" by Bombay Bicycle Club: Bombay Bicycle Club was one of my many discoveries from the website indie shuffle (an amazing place to discover new music). They are a London based band that specializes in the upbeat indie pop rock sound that is so popular now. You will love the song "Shuffle", I promise. (ka)
Bombay Bicycle Club "Shuffle" (radio edit) by GrillMarketing


45) "Ashes & Fire" by Ryan Adams:  Adams is known for releasing albums at a manic pace, some good and some bad.  When the guy finally took a minute to catch his breath, he put out one of his best releases since Heartbreaker. Adams' delivers crisp and clear vocals over a roosty acoustic melody making "Ashes & Fire" one of his best singles in years.(mm)
Ashes & Fire by ryanadams

 44) "How Come You Never Go There" by Feist:  Our girl Feist released her highly anticipated album this year and provided us with some good-hearted chill sounds. It really doesn't get any better when it comes to the sultry, raspy of her unforgettable voice.  Metals is definetly not her best album but "How Come You Never Go There" will forever be one of my favorite Feist tracks. (ka)
Feist - How Come You Never Go There by Interscope Records

43) "Life in Paper" by Fucked Up:  David Comes to Life is arguably one of the best releases of the year. This track in particular hit me like a ton of bricks. I love how the song swells and swells and then explodes with an almost patriotic fervor. The lyrics are poignant and honest. Every time I hear the opening line "Who can I trust, all I see is an empty sky, who can I trust, what goods a God who can't hear my cries?", I can't help but be moved.(jk)



42) "Calamity Song" by The Decemberists: The uber literate Pac North West folkers get their best jangle on with this REM meets Uncle Tupelo tune off their alt-country inspired The King is Dead.  Like many cuts off the album, "Calamity Song" seems tailor made for for driving cross country through America's heartland.(mm)
The Decemberists- Calamity Song by MMMusic

41) "Modern Dreams" by Early Attic:
Local indie rock band Early Attic released their EP E Mora early this year and truly inspired us with their song "Modern Dreams". The perfect combination of smooth vocals, steady drums and synths makes this song easily one of our favorite local tracks of the year. Rumor has it they will be releasing more this year so keep an eye out for them. (ka)


Modern Dreams by Early Attic

40) "No Future/No Past" by Cloud Nothings: So what if this album does not come out until next year.  This late 2011 released single from the hook heavy indie poppers out of Cleveland sees their upbeat fuzziness turn dark, grungy, and kind of agressive on this Nirvana esque track.(mm)
Cloud Nothings - No Future/No Past by Carpark Records

39) "Cruel" by St. Vincent: Even though it was kinda cruel that she had to cancel her concert here in Buffalo this year, her song "Cruel" is fantastic. Annie Clark is one of my favorite female singers in the indie music scene and it really shines in this song. (ka)


St. Vincent - Cruel by Posh Magazine

 38) "It Takes Time to be a Man" by The Rapture":  A pleasant return from the one of the leaders of the dance punk genre of the early 2000s. While no "House of Jealous Lovers" would be found on their latest release, the album closing "It Takes Time To Be A Man" sees the trio trading in their jagged rhythms for soulful horns and melodies.  That opening beat though still startles me every time I hear it.(mm)
The Rapture - It Takes Time To Be A Man by modularpeople

37) "Truth" by Alexander: Alexander from Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros released a solo album this year which included the amazing song "Truth".(ka) 


Alexander - Truth by the Good Badger

 36) "Love Out of Lust" by Lykee Li: Lykee Li released her second album this year and it was highly successful. "Love Out of Lust" was one of our favorites off the album.(ka)
Lykke Li - Love Out Of Lust by LykkeLi

35) "Shake it Out" by Florence and the Machine: "Shake It Out" is an epic song off Florence and the Machine's newest album Ceremonials. If you liked her hit "Dog Days are Over" then you will love this one.(ka)




34) "Morning Thought" by Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.:  One of the best named bands in indie today, the electro pop, Nascar loving(you would think wouldn't you?) duo combine sweet vocals, that remind me a bit of Paul Simon, and keys with a sturdy beat that keeps your head nodding.  The album, It's a Corporate World, became one of my favorites of the summer and "Morning Thought" perfectly captured sunny melodies and harmonies of the season. (mm)   Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. - Morning Thought by Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.

33) "Insomnia" by Love Scenes: Local band Love Scenes released their debut album this year and we picked one of our favorite tracks "Insomnia" to share with you.  The band was rumored to have broken up but it seems like that isn't true with an upcoming NYE show.(ka)

Insomnia by Love Scenes

32) "Rolling in the Deep" by Adele: When I first heard "Rolling in the Deep", I was instantly hooked. Adele has such a powerful voice and the song is so powerful. Her album was highly successful this year and its obvious she will be around for a while. (ka)




31) "Heart In Your Heartbreak" by The Pains of Being Pure at Heart:  The indie poppers return with heavier 90s riffs to go along with their fuzzy, hazy melodies.  From the foot tapping bass line that opens the track to the always sweet vocals of front man Kip Berman to the reach for the skies ending, POBPAH continue to tap into their John Hughes soundtrack ready nostalgia.(mm)


The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - Heart In Your Heartbreak by Dine Alone Records

30) "Don't Stop" by The Dodos: Two piece indie rock band The Dodos released their album No Color this year. I'm in love with the opening guitar in this song and it only gets better. (ka)

The Dodos 'Don't Stop' by Wichita Recordings


29) "Alsatian Darn" by Panda Bear:  I have to admit.  I am completely fascinated by the freak folk turned indietronic act Animal Collective, and in particular, co front man Noah Lennox.  Going under the moniker of Panda Bear, Lennox released Tomboy this year, the follow up to his incredible Person Pitch.  "Alsatian Darn", the standout track from the album, feels much colder than the sunny "Bros" off Person Pitch, but the track still manages to capture the Beach Boys like harmonies that Lennox does so well.(mm)

Alsatian Darn. Panda Bear by olvido

28) "Montana" by Youth Lagoon:  It's rare that a song can sound so defeated and triumphant at the same time, but that's exactly what lo-fi dream popper Trevor Powers of Youth Lagoon does on the standout track of his debut album.  On "Montana", Powers adds subtle layer over layer as his distant whisper grows stronger and stronger on the track's exhilarating conclusion.(mm)


27) "Holding On To Black Metal" by My Morning Jacket: My Morning Jacket is such a spectacular band, especially live. I was really excited for their album Circuital to be released this year. I have to admit that its probably my least favorite but it had a few really great songs. (ka)

My Morning Jacket - 'Holdin' On To Black Metal' by SpunkRecords


26) "Hey Moon" by John Maus:  One of the new artists that I discovered in 2011, John Maus apparanetly went to art school with Ariel Pink (whose "Round and Round" was my top track of 2010), and you can see some similarities in his bizarro lo-fi pop songs.  "Hey Moon", though, stood out to me.  A slow ballad in which Maus' Ian Curtis esque vocals are paired along with original songwriter Molly Nilsson features a steady, laid back piano melody.  The tune became one of my favorite late night driving songs of the year.(mm)
John Maus - Hey Moon by figurehead blog

mac mcguire Katie Africano

3 comments

  1. Eddie
    December 29, 2011 at 11:23 AM

    Thanks for posting. While I agree with many of the songs on here I have to disagree with the placement of some of the local stuff. I know you guys and gals support the scene big time and that's awesome but really, Love Scenes ahead of Feist, Lykke Li, St. Vincent, the Decemberists and Foster the People? Don't get me wrong, I like Love Scenes but these other bands and songs are on another level. Agree to disagree I guess. Anyway, I look forward to the other half of the list.

  2. Anonymous
    December 29, 2011 at 2:25 PM

    While I agree with much of your comment, Eddie, some other comments on this blog are on another level. Please step it up.

  3. Anonymous
    December 29, 2011 at 4:41 PM

    I'd say the Cloud Nothings track has more of a Vines-ish feel.

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