Quite an interesting year, that 2011, both musically and otherwise. Our annual list of the best albums reflects this quite nicely. Not one of our contributors had the same #1. No one album appeared on each of our top 15. It was a year of musical diversity and divisiveness...and that ain't necessarily a bad thing. There are albums that appear on this list that would have other contributors crying "bull shit." But, hey, that's how it all played out. The sonic landscape is ever-changing and how one's ears react to it will differ from person-to-person. So, here we go again...submitting a list to you for your reading and listening pleasure. We hope you enjoy these albums as much as we didn't/kinda/sorta/did. Enjoy! ~Eric Morris, BlueKitchen.net
20. Battles, "Gloss Drop"
Like the treat the kickass single “Ice Cream” is named after, this album is delicious fun whose enjoyment masks the labor that went into making it. ~Kiersten Lawson
19. Beirut, "The Rip Tide"
With "The Rip Tide," [Zach Condon] has released his most mature, albeit mildly restrained, record of his ever so eclectic and unique career. ~Kasey Lawson
18. St. Vincent, "Strange Mercy"
St. Vincent does such an amazing balancing act between scorching scrawls and sweet, tender tunes it’s tough to think of a better singer-songwriter with such an assured kaleidoscope of sounds.
~Scott Morris
17. P.J. Harvey, "Let England Shake"
PJ Harvey has created both one of her most addicting rock records and - I believe - the most politically important album of this tumultuous year. This confluence is intentional. ~Kiersten Lawson
16. tUnE-yArDs, "W H O K I L L"
["W H O K I L L" is] a dynamic blast of rhythmic social-unrest world pop, an album as turbulent and alive as this year’s riotous events. ~Kiersten Lawson
