Reading through the Top Albums of 2011 thread, I had a thought that normally comes across my mind around this time every year. Sure, we all have our favorite albums released this year, but what about those amazing albums that you listened to that didn't come out in 2011? Don't you want to show off and tell everyone else about them? Music is so timeless that it doesn't matter if the album came out last week or 40 years ago, it can still have the same impact. I feel we should have a place where everyone can show off what they loved most this year from the past. It can be anything from a band you have never heard of to something you decided to revisit.
Animal Collective - Fall Be Kind - I originally kept coming back to this for "What Would I Want? Sky", but the whole EP is just so amazing that I just kept replaying it CONSTANTLY.
The Antlers - Hospice - I started to revisit this album before Burst Apart was released, and man did this album hit me like a ton of bricks. I was going through some rough personal issues with several important deaths in my life, and I literally lost it several times listening to this album. It's now one of my favorites ever.
Aphex Twin - Selected Ambient Works 85-92 - Oh Aphex Twin, will you ever put a new album out? After being obsessed with "Windowlicker", I just had to dig into more of his music. This album really stands out for me and it's on repeat when I just want to chill out.
Autechre - Incunabula - I really have to thank GAF for this one. That Autechre thread really got me interested, and I really love several of their first albums now.
Clark - Body Riddle - Heard about Clark reading headphone reviews earlier this year, and it's really helped add to my electronic breakout that was 2011.
Gang of Four - Entertainment! - Where my love for more rocking music waned more this year, that didn't stop me from listening to a ton of this album.
Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest - I wrote this album off when it was originally released in 2009, but have grown to love it.
Harald Grosskopf - Synthesist - Going further down the electronic hole, I read a review for this on Pitchfork and had to check it out. I honestly don't know how popular he is, but damn people should really check him out.
Helene Grimaud - Piano Sonatas - To be honest, I originally listened to her albums because of how gorgeous she was, and damn am I glad I'm so shallow. Her piano playing is gorgeous, and it has really piqued my interest in classical music and the beauty that is Chopin.
Joy Division - Closer - Several years ago I saw the film Control and immediately went out and purchased a Joy Division greatest hits album. It then sat there for several years collection dust. I finally decided to take a real shot at this wonderful band and damn was I happy. I read a review in the vain of "Joy Division is one of those bands you find out about as a teenager and then actually discover several years later when you're mature enough to understand it". That sums it up perfectly for me.
Mistabishi - Drop - Another guy I discovered by reading headphone reviews, and this music is just fun, interesting electronic music.
New Order - Power, Corruption & Lies - Interestingly enough, I was a New Order fan before Joy Division having listened to Blue Monday and Ceremony hundreds of times before actually digging into an album. Great band except for the fact that they really start to taper off into the wrong direction of my taste as their history goes forward.
Shit Robot - From the Cradle to the Rave - After LCD Soundsystem's final show at MSG, and the appearance by Shit Robot, I was intrigued. This is probably the most perfect jogging album I have ever heard. The pacing is perfect, and the songs are great too.
Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross - The Social Network Soundtrack - I'll admit I was late to The Social Network party. I've always loved NIN, but until seeing the film this year, I wasn't that interested in Trent's "other" ventures. Holy shit was I wrong! If I could include it, this would easily be my album of the year. This album just soothes me and pumps me up all at once. It's for the most part perfect, and everyone should give it a shot.
Trentemoller - The Last Resort - The last of me electronic findings this year. I discovered him after searching out new music with all of my new found electronic interests being piqued. Great great artist.
Well that was a lot more then I expected to originally write about, but hopefully people will find something new they can enjoy as much as I have. So GAF, what are your favorite non-2011 releases of 2011?
Animal Collective - Fall Be Kind - I originally kept coming back to this for "What Would I Want? Sky", but the whole EP is just so amazing that I just kept replaying it CONSTANTLY.
The Antlers - Hospice - I started to revisit this album before Burst Apart was released, and man did this album hit me like a ton of bricks. I was going through some rough personal issues with several important deaths in my life, and I literally lost it several times listening to this album. It's now one of my favorites ever.
Aphex Twin - Selected Ambient Works 85-92 - Oh Aphex Twin, will you ever put a new album out? After being obsessed with "Windowlicker", I just had to dig into more of his music. This album really stands out for me and it's on repeat when I just want to chill out.
Autechre - Incunabula - I really have to thank GAF for this one. That Autechre thread really got me interested, and I really love several of their first albums now.
Clark - Body Riddle - Heard about Clark reading headphone reviews earlier this year, and it's really helped add to my electronic breakout that was 2011.
Gang of Four - Entertainment! - Where my love for more rocking music waned more this year, that didn't stop me from listening to a ton of this album.
Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest - I wrote this album off when it was originally released in 2009, but have grown to love it.
Harald Grosskopf - Synthesist - Going further down the electronic hole, I read a review for this on Pitchfork and had to check it out. I honestly don't know how popular he is, but damn people should really check him out.
Helene Grimaud - Piano Sonatas - To be honest, I originally listened to her albums because of how gorgeous she was, and damn am I glad I'm so shallow. Her piano playing is gorgeous, and it has really piqued my interest in classical music and the beauty that is Chopin.
Joy Division - Closer - Several years ago I saw the film Control and immediately went out and purchased a Joy Division greatest hits album. It then sat there for several years collection dust. I finally decided to take a real shot at this wonderful band and damn was I happy. I read a review in the vain of "Joy Division is one of those bands you find out about as a teenager and then actually discover several years later when you're mature enough to understand it". That sums it up perfectly for me.
Mistabishi - Drop - Another guy I discovered by reading headphone reviews, and this music is just fun, interesting electronic music.
New Order - Power, Corruption & Lies - Interestingly enough, I was a New Order fan before Joy Division having listened to Blue Monday and Ceremony hundreds of times before actually digging into an album. Great band except for the fact that they really start to taper off into the wrong direction of my taste as their history goes forward.
Shit Robot - From the Cradle to the Rave - After LCD Soundsystem's final show at MSG, and the appearance by Shit Robot, I was intrigued. This is probably the most perfect jogging album I have ever heard. The pacing is perfect, and the songs are great too.
Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross - The Social Network Soundtrack - I'll admit I was late to The Social Network party. I've always loved NIN, but until seeing the film this year, I wasn't that interested in Trent's "other" ventures. Holy shit was I wrong! If I could include it, this would easily be my album of the year. This album just soothes me and pumps me up all at once. It's for the most part perfect, and everyone should give it a shot.
Trentemoller - The Last Resort - The last of me electronic findings this year. I discovered him after searching out new music with all of my new found electronic interests being piqued. Great great artist.
Well that was a lot more then I expected to originally write about, but hopefully people will find something new they can enjoy as much as I have. So GAF, what are your favorite non-2011 releases of 2011?
