I already posted my top 10 albums of 2011 list. These here? They’re the next ten, the runners up, numbers 11-20, whatever you wanna call it. They just ain’t the top 10 indie albums of 2011. Just damn close.
I must listen to between five and ten new records every week. Times that by 52 and you get…A shitload of records. About 15% of those get a review or a mention on my site. Those get tucked away in a neat little “2011” playlist on my iPod, which I listen to from time to time throughout the year. If you survive the year, you get to be a candidate for my end-of-the-year “Best Of” list. If you survive the candidate selection, but don’t get on the list, you may get to go here, on this list, the “bubbling under” ten.
10. CyHi the Prince-Jack of All Trades.
Fantastic mixtape from the ATL.
9. Edubble-Written Thursdays.
I can’t believe this guy is still underground. Get it here.
8. Imaginary Cities-Temporary Resident.
A totally beautiful record.
7. Rademacher-Babyhawk.
These guys never do no wrong. Check ’em out on Bandcamp.
6. Javelin-Canyon Candy.
Alt-country electronica. Wild. Check it out here.
5. Death Grips-Exmilitary
Angriest album of the year. Motherfuckers sample Arthur Brown, too. Is this industrial rage? Rap? The hardest rock you’ve ever heard? Or just some insane preacher with a backbeat? No idea.
Get it free here, but don’t say I didn’t warn you: This is an extremely disturbing record.
4. Ultramods-Underwear Party. A little farther down, you’re gonna read that Kurt Vile is the new Lou Reed. Well, Ultramods are the old Lou Reed singing in the modern day: Odd, rap/rants about life in the digital age. Check it out here. Entire thing was recorded on an iPad.
3. Papoose-Law Library.
It’s a mixtape of raps about various felonies–defining them, discussing them…Witty, and smart. You find a link here.
2. Kurt Vile-Smoke Rings for My Halo (+So Out Of Reach EP).
Kurt Vile is the new Lou Reed, no shit. Not only did he release a great album this year, but he followed it up with an EP of outtakes that were just as good…And even delivered a cover of Springsteen’s Downbound Train!
You can buy the set here.
The Creature (from so out of reach)
1. Colin Hay-Gathering Mercury.
The man’s been pumping out amazing songs for three decades, and he’s still brilliant. Is it blasphemy to say I like him better than Bob Dylan? Probably. But I don’t care.
