2011 has truly been a great year for music. Bands such as Russian Circles, Dub Trio, TV On the Radio, Fleet Foxes, the Roots, Tombs, Mastodon, Ryan Adams, MUTEmath, Explosions in the Sky, and My Morning Jacket have released some of their greatest music to date. Hip hop is growing exponentially as a genre, and had some great releases from MELLOWhype & the OFWGKTA crew, 9th Wonder's new label, Lupe Fiasco, and my favorite, Common. Even Yo-Yo Ma released a spectacular bluegreass album this year (if you can imagine bluegrass cello). With spectaclar releases from all over the spectrum, a few albums made it to the tope of my list by scratching and clawing; it was not easy choosing one or two, but I did...
Favorite Album of 2011
Radiohead - The King of Limbs: The greatest band in the world reminds us why they are the greatest band in the world. The only band from the 90's that has made it this far without breaking up, or switching line ups (sorry Soundgarden, STP, RHCP, etc.), Radiohead puts forth a divine effort on King of Limbs. Spectacular all the way through, laced with polyrythms and digitized multi-drumming, this specactular album is some of their greatest work to date; a feat thought to be impossible by fans. Mixed with a newspaper, poetry, and 100% recycled paper, the LP version is unlike anything seen before. They continue to push the envelope, and produce amazing studio albums that are 100% reproducible live. They set the standard for what a rock band should be.
Honorable Mention
F*cked Up - David Comes To Life: This is really a tie, as a hardcore rock opera is something I have always dreamed of. However, I've written soooooo much about it, and Kyle has too, so if you aren't spinning it regularly already, for shame.
Favorite Song of 2011
"The Daily Mail" by Radiohead: Left off the album for god knows why, a spectacular piece. Throbbing piano, and Yorke's brilliant lyrics push this one over the top. Later released as a single, the build of this one is reminiscent of "You and Who's Army?".
Honorable Mentions
"Blue Sky" by Common: Great track from a spectacular new album from Common Sense.
Common-Blue Sky- uploaded by scottpuig
"You Already Know" by Black Star: Some of the duo's first collaborative music in far too long.
Favorite Concert of 2011
The Omar A. Rodriguez-Lopez Group at Town Ballroom(3/31/2011): Essentially the Mars Volta came to the Town Ballroom, and performed a bunch of Omar's solo stuff, mixed with new material in a way that it was nearly unrecognizable to people who haven't heard Omar's solo material. It was still a mind blowing show, and once you get passed the idiots shouting "Play Mars Volta!" (as they pretty much were), it was a supreme set of music. Omar's underlings Zech's Marquise opened with a phenominal set, and really won over the crowd (yours truly included). They were a perfect compliment to "Volta". It was Buffalo's test run for a Mars Volta show, and it is still unclear if we passed as an audience.
Honorable Mentions
Floor at Soundlab: Metal is one of guilty pleasures, and the reunion of Sludge champions Floor was a sight to see. Couldn't find any video.
Clutch at Town Ballroom (2/24/2011): Bluesy hard rock at its best. Part jam band, part metal, all brilliant, Clutch left it all out on stage for all in attendance.
WORST of 2011
Limp Bizkit - Gold Cobra: Limp Bizkit tried to make a comeback. Let's just say it didn't work, and here is something I'd rather listen to. Cheers!
great job sean, radio. head.
you didn't eat any of that blotter paper?
Any other year, Radiohead would have been my #1, especially when In Rainbows came out. I will argue to the death that In Rainbows is better than Ok Computer. Not Kid A though. I feel this was a really strong year in music and I had to put some others over The King of Limbs. "Codex", though, is in my top ten songs.