Here’s to 2011 – the Best Albums of the Year
So 2011 wasn’t like 2010, when Titus Andronicus worked its way inside my head and wouldn’t leave and LCD Soundsystem continued to be, by a number of measurements, the best band in the world. And it wasn’t like 2009, when Japandroids and Pains of Being Pure at Heart and Telekinesis exploded into the world and Dan Boeckner and Spencer Krug released their finest moments (so far) respectively, as Handsome Furs and Sunset Rubdown. Instead, 2011 had a different kind of satisfaction – mostly steadily great bands releasing solid records, up and down the list. There are notable exceptions (Weekend, Big Troubles, Cloud Nothings), but for the most part, music in 2011 seemed to me a bit like comfort food – nothing to challenge you too much, but it never lets you down.
With that said – here’s Part 1 of Song-o-Matic’s end of year list:
Wildlife: “Stand in the Water”
I suppose that now that Wolf Parade has gone on hiatus, it’s as good a time as any for bands mining their sound to come out of the woodwork. Of course, I’m on record as saying I have no problem with wearing your influences on your sleeve as long as you also write good songs, so Wildlife? Off the hook.
On that note, their debut album, released late last year, starts with a pretty excellent one-two punch, which, amusingly enough, sounds a whole lot like a Dan Boeckner song followed by a Spencer Krug song. They’re owning it, for sure. But – great melodies, excellent vocals, pounding drums, and well worth the time. Like so:
Headlights: “I Don’t Mind At All”
Headlights: Wildlife.
I don’t love Headlights. They’re pleasant to listen to, and I’ve put on Some Racing, Some Stopping (their last album) quite a few times at work when I just wanted something poppy and summery and fun, but I couldn’t tell you the names of any of the songs, and I’ve never burned it to listen to in the car, or recommended it to friends, etc. etc.
So now they have a new record out, and I don’t know that it’s better or worse than the last one, or that I like them anymore than I did before, but I do like this particular song a whole lot. And I did burn this one down – maybe that means something.
Headlights: “I Don’t Mind at All” (right-click to download)
