Best of 2011: Top 10 Albums

If 2011 could be remembered for one thing, it would be that in 2011 the music industry was saved… by Adele. Selling 5.82 million copies of her sophomore album 21 – numbers that labels haven’t seen in years – she definitely stands out as one of the industry’s heroes. And even though not all albums saw the same success, there were still some seriously good records that dropped this year. Here’s a list of my favorite.

10. Chancellor Warhol: The Silver Factory. Each track from the 14-track, sophomore LP feels like it was hand-picked and perfectly crafted for this compilation. The clever rhymes match with the album’s equally clever title, borrowing from a Warhol of another name. The album’s first single “Elvis”could easily find it’s place in hip-hop’s hall of fame and leave the genre’s self-proclaimed “king,” Kanye West, speechless. Listen to the track here now.

9. St. Vincent: Strange Mercy. Her third disc as St. Vincent, singer-guitarist Annie Clark delivers her take on electronic punk brilliantly.  Contributing to the electro-craze and paving the way for other like her, it’s not likely that you’ll be skipping any tracks on this compilation.

8. Youth Lagoon: The Year of Hibernation. It’s rare that an artist emerges from obscurity – with an album that sounds like it was produced in his basement – and comes out on top. Youth Lagoon became an internet sensation with his unique sound and cinematic videos. Trevor Powers (Youth Lagoon) proves he has an ear for clever arrangement and the ability to write unique and catchy melodies. 2012 could be a big year for this newcomer and I’m looking forward to what’s next from him.

7. The Black Keys: El Camino. The seventh album from rock music’s new poster child, The Black Keys is great (their best in my opinion). Effortlessly taking you from track one to the last of the eleven-tracks, it feels like the duo have played on the album’s kitschy title, taking the listener from point A to B like the old-school Chevrolet. And while the record is shorter than their previous efforts, it makes it that much more appealing … and perhaps craving another.

6. SPELLS: Escapist. Ever since I first heard SPELLS in the late summer, I haven’t been able to stop listening to his captivating debut EP Escapist. A unique blend of some of the most relevant sounds in music at the moment and making bold stylistic choices with the likeness of Radiohead and Coldplay, this indie-eloctro rocker is poised for greatness. And rumor is there’s a new project in the works that will be better than anything we’ve heard yet.

5. Ryan Adams: Ashes & Fire. One of Ryan Adams’ most mellow and beautiful records to date – my favorite for sure – Ashes & Fire includes background vocals from Norah Jones and wife, Mandy Moore. The record is flawless from start to finish and was set on repeat for most of my Fall, especially the track “Kindness”. Touring in 2012, this record will likely continue to gain him more critical attention as more critics dive into its greatness.

4. Britney Spears: Femme Fatale. Clearly the smartest album to date for pop’s reigning Princess, Femme Fatale was packed full of catchy pop melodies and dance beats that kept die hard fans satisfied and made fans out of those that still hadn’t forgiven her for her public breakdown years earlier. The disc’s first two singles, the clever “Hold It Against Me” and “Till The World Ends”, consecutively debuted at number one making Spears the second artist in history, after Mariah Carey, to achieve that feat. And it seems we’ve only begun to see what Britney has in store for the future. Read more about the record here.

3. Lady Gaga: Born This Way. What would 2011 be without mention of Lady Gaga? Obviously one of the weirdest acts in music’s history, her uncanny ability to write clever pop hooks, controversial lyrics, and memorable melodies will earn her a spot in pop music’s hall of fame. With singles like “Judas”, “Edge of Glory”, “You & I” and the album’s title track, this album contributed in a big way in 2011. 2012 will undoubtedly provide more crazy costumes and controversy, but hopefully more incredible pop tunes.

1. Adele: 21. “Rolling in the Deep” + “Someone Like You” + that voice. Enough said.