Best Albums Of 2011: 5-1

30-26 | 25-21 | 20-16 | 15-11 | 10-6 | 5-1

#5 Cut Copy - Zonoscope

One of the true breakthroughs in 2011 was the joyful dance pop of Cut Copy and their third album Zonoscope. From their relentless tour schedule, their spot-on live shows and their infectious single "Where I'm Going", these Australians have gone from a hidden gem to a marquis talent that everyone knows. This is definitely more than a one hit band as each track is a crowd pleaser from the Chariots Of Fire inspired intro to the Madchester 15 minute rave finale. Expect Cut Copy to be around long after the party is over.


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Cut Copy - Zonoscope

#4 Yuck - Yuck

Where the new-wave 80's seemed to dominate the best of 2011, the punky, yet melodic alt-rock of the 90's get a high five from these kids from the UK. Soundchecking every big artist on the college radio charts from 1988-1994, they have resurrected a sound that was long pronounced dead over a decade ago. When you listen to "Get Away", "The Wall", "Suicide Policeman" and "Holing Out", I hear Dinosaur Jr., Yo La Tengo, The Lemonheads and Superchunk. When I think of all of these old bands cashing in on reunion tours, they are catering to people wanting jump in a time machine and relive their childhood, at least for an evening. Yuck does that without the hefty price tag and they still have many albums and high points ahead of them.

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Yuck - Various Tracks

#3 The Horrors - Skying

The Britpop-goth sound of The Horrors has become more genteel since they burst onto the overhyped UK scene five years ago. Now on their third LP Skying The Horrors have an equilibrium between the dry ice cloud of their tenebrous past and their accessible present sound. The shoegazing is like a blanket of haze setting over this album, but the pop nuggets shine through like diamonds. Each song has an individuality and value, whether they make your head bob or make your hair stand up on end. Whether is it the loving single of "Still Life", the teasingly explosive "Endless Blue" or the stretched out mileage that burns on "Moving Further Away", The Horrors have made an album that acts as a reminder of the greatness and as the savior of UK music.

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The Horrors - Still Life

#2 Fucked Up - David Comes To Life

Homer could not have conceived of an epic presented quite like this. The story that connect the songs in David Comes To Life are the stuff of The Who's rock operas: love, death, rebellion and mysticism. However, the whole sprawl is draped in punk rock tempo, layers upon layers of power chords and the universal screams of a lead singer who goes by Pink Eyes. When you consider the modest and anti-establishment beginnings of Fucked Up (for example, the band name is Fucked Up), to create a double album that borrows so much from mainstream music is incredulous. Still, this band who seems to be leading the charge against the homogenizing of punk has riffs that could be found in any classic rock album. Although the band is on infinite hiatus right now, their next move after this sprawling effort could be equally unpopular and exciting.

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Fucked Up - A Little Death

#1 Wye Oak - Civilian

Sometimes an artist finds that perfect balance between the maturing and honing of their technique and the palpable, raw excitement of being great musicians. Jenn Wasner and Andy Stack of Wye Oak found this in Civilian where the inviting warmth of Wasner's vocals and simple chords teases and manipulates the listener as each song gets read like a new chapter. The openers "Two Small Deaths" and "The Alter" are moody yet enveloping, then "Holy Holy" and "Dog's Eyes" blow through you like a hurricane. It is this astonishing tension, the thoughtful ebb and flow that runs through Civilian while framed by earnest guitar work and emotive vocals that keeps this album always in the front of my mind and the top of my list.

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Wye Oak - Civilian

Jenn Wasner Begins Side Project Flock Of Dimes

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Jenn Wasner of Wye Oak is quickly making the best of 2011. Their release Civilian is the early front runner for my Best Albums of the Year list. (Read my review here.) They will grab a lot of attention this summer with a spot on the Lollapalooza bill. Continuing her hot streak she began, in her words, the solo "vanity project" Flock of Dimes. New track "Prison Bride" is available for a listen courtesy of Friends Records in Baltimore and will be featured on an upcoming label complication. The dissonant guitar work on "Prison Bride" is insistent on keeping your attention, but gives away to moments of electric throb that recalls some supernatural interference with a broadcast signal. According to an article on BMore Musically Informed, there are more songs being cultivated for a future release...hopefully sooner rather than later.

Flock of Dimes - Prison Bride

Album Review: Wye Oak - Civilian

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Wye Oak are a duo out of Baltimore made up of Andy Stack and Jenn Wasner. Since 2006, their tenure has produced three albums, as well as last year's EP My Neighbor/My Creator, of stark and brooding music that relied heavily on the well-worn indie rock sensibility of LOUDquietLOUD. Lots of bands have built their nesteggs on that bedrock. The ones that breakthrough and leave their indelible mark on music do so with that extra intangible that keeps listeners coming back. For Wye Oak, that moment of truth comes on Civilian where they have never have to lean too heavily on harsh bluster. Instead their latest focuses on well crafted, tuneful music that moves mountains with the gentlest whispers.

The opening track of Civilian begins with the ambiance of a crowded theater setting up the anticipation of an event. Yet "Two Small Deaths" does not come off strong or heavy-handed. The simple guitar and ethereal vocals are a gentle push, building from subtlety. "The Alter" continues on this path, building momentum with a swelling tempo and throbbing organ while using the wordplay in the title to encourage the album's tangential religious theme. The first shakedown comes on "Holy Holy" where Wasner's guitar channels Sister-era Sonic Youth blasts of noise that never disturb her deadpan vocals. However, the song truly accomplishes its goal by muting the dissonance in favor of satisfying pop finish bursting to fruition. The Sonic Youth reference continues with the clatter of "Dogs Eyes" if only to prove that they can deftly traverse the avenues between harmony and discord.

The title track continues Civilian's streak of affected, anxious music with a pleasing outcome. The slow build is haunting yet ultimately alluring with outlaw riffs propelled by an insistent galloping beat from Stack. "Fish" has an ebb and flow that etches out a moment of lovely without losing any energy. It is merely the set-up before the uppercut of "Plains", where the unexpected sound blasts are stunning, but never distract from the woozy mood. By the time the awkward, lonely guitar of "Doubt" finishes Civilian, it is welcome and fitting for an album that is thick with the efforts of a band realizing their desired intention.

There is a lot of studied consideration on Civilian. The evidence can be seen in each song, perhaps an influence referenced, a vocal inflection utilized or an earnest melody found, that makes each song memorable. The ten songs are thoughtfully plotted like the elements of a treasure map where the general direction is sketched but the details are discovered during the journey. It is this kind of marked achievement that is not easily forgotten and should bring Wye Oak the attention and accolades they richly deserve.

Bonus: Check out the new video for "Fish" below.

Purchase Civilian here.

Civilian


Fish