Here are my favorite album releases from 2011. I’m keeping this list short, because there are heads-and-shoulders winners here.
5. The Roots – Undun
I liked this one at first, but the more I relisten the more I get out of it. Undun is The Great Hip-Hop Opera, a concept album with a deep story. This one will be on a lot of favorites lists 10+ years from now.
Spin did a great interview with drummer/bandleader ?uestlove about the album and the band’s approach.
4. Wilco – The Whole Love
Wilco’s albums are love-or-leave. Because Wilco has been so many bands over its lifespan, and because they aim high, their fans can find a lot to fault in the band’s continuing stylistic changes. I love the shift to a more electronic and less rock-story Wilco in this album. That’s mostly because genius guitarist Nels Cline shines in the opening track, “The Art of Almost”, and his influence on the band is growing. He’s truly impressive as a musician, and I say that as somebody who tends not to like free jazz, which is Cline’s home. (Bonus listen, though – explore the Nels Cline Singers’ Initiate
And Jeff Tweedy’s lyrics are as good as ever and perhaps more positive than they’ve been for quite a while.
3. Dawes – Nothing is Wrong
I ran into Dawes in several end-of-year lists and have been crazy in love with their sound. One such list was this one from American Songwriter, which in addition to Jason Isbell also named Wilco and Drive-By Truckers to their Top 10, and count those folks as fine songwriters also. So I paid attention finally.
Writers call Dawes’ vibe “that Laurel Canyon sound”, reminiscent of The Band, the Byrds, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young. I can hear some of that in the warm flow, but mostly I hear earnest roots rock with good vocals, nice lyrics and a great sounding Telecaster.
I’m told that Dawes is a better live band than they are on the album. I’m looking forward to finding out.
2. Drive-By Truckers – Go-Go Boots
Three-guitar, three-songwriter Southern Rock lives!
As a good intro to this album, listen to the track “Used To Be A Cop”. If you like that song – the lyrical story, the powerful aggression, the groove – you’ll love the Truckers. Or listen to the title track, or recently-departed bassist Shonna Tucker’s haunting take on Eddie Hinton’s “Where’s Eddie”, or laconic crooner/guitarist Mike Cooley’s sly wit in “Cartoon Gold”. It’s not DBT’s best album by a long shot, but it’s a darn fine one.
Here’s a video of Used to Be a Cop:
and Cooley doing a pre-recorded Cartoon Gold:
See this band live if you have the chance. Bring earplugs.
1. Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit – Here We Rest
The new album by Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit came released on the same day as Alison Krauss & Union Station’s album. I’m a huge fan of AKUS, but I think I’ve listened to their new album a few times all year, and Here We Rest is by far my favorite album of ’11.
Jason Isbell may be tagged as “formerly of the Drive-By Truckers”, but this new band stands powerfully on its own. Isbell is the best songwriter on the scene today, standing out in a year that saw releases by Drive-By Truckers, Alison Krauss and Union Station, Lucinda Williams and Wilco, all of whom are giants in their genres. Isbell writes lyrics that stick with you (and the songs grow well.
Here’s the opening stanza of the album’s opening track, Alabama Pines:
I moved into this room, if you could call it that, a week ago.
I never do what I’m supposed to do.
I hardly even know my name anymore.
When no one calls it out, it kinda vanishes away.
Like his former bandmates in the Drive-By Truckers, Isbell can tell a heck of a story in song lyrics. Heck, just go read the lyrics, and then listen.
The band came to Seattle (twice, but I caught them the first time through). I photographed the band and posted images here. http://www.ishootyoulive.com/Music/Live/Jasn-Isbell-and-400-Unit/
Very honorable mention: Damien Jurado
Seattle alt-folk genius Damien Jurado is finishing up an album that will release in 2012. That’s good news, but the amazing preview of the first track from that album is my favorite tease of things to come. Treat yourself and download “Nothing is the News” from the upcoming Maraqopa here.
Preview of Things to Come: Pickwick
I can’t stop talking about these guys. Partly because they’re friends of mine, but mostly because 2011 has been the Year of Pickwick in Seattle indie music. Half of the photos at my photo site
are of Pickwick, including this set from their sold-out show at the Neptune Theatre: http://www.ishootyoulive.com/Music/Live/Pickwick-12-8-2011-Neptune/
Local music blog Sound on the Sound recorded a video at the beginning of what was a rocket year for the band – and they’ve grown a lot since. But this will give you a sense of who they are:
http://www.soundonthesound.com/2011/01/19/live-from-the-basement-pickwick/
SotS ended the year with this great description:
Pickwick simply puts on a hell of a show. They defy expectation with their sound, their Star Wars-centered banter, by getting Ballard Ave (and beyond) to dance, and the pipes on Galen Disston. Dark doo-wop and call-and-response songs about death and destruction both physical and spiritual, often inspired by musical heroes of the band (Sam Cooke, Michael Jackson, Richard Swift) — Pickwick writes smart songs and put on performances that manage to appeal to my two month old niece, my nearly 70 year old parents, Seattle’s alt-weeklies and the managers from all over the country who clamored to sign them this summer. On the strength of these shows, hooks for miles, and the broadness of that appeal, Pickwick has gone from opening shows to 30 people to being asked to summer festivals and headlining a sold-out 1,000 person Neptune Theater, in just a year. In 2012, with their first major tours on the horizon and their debut full length to be released (likely on whatever label is lucky enough to be chosen by the band), I foresee the same pattern playing out all over the country … only skipping that whole playing to 30 people in towns they’ve never visited and it happening much, much faster. (abbey)
They’ve gotten love from indie music powerhouse KEXP.org, just finished recording their first full-length LP with Richard Swift, and they’ll be showing up at festivals near you in 2012. I can’t wait.
https://www.facebook.com/music/playlist/Pats-Top-5-Albums-of-2011/10151092400…
pat loughery 
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