best of 2011 | larry's favorite music

One of the best things that Larry has taught me throughout our 8 1/2 year relationship was to broaden my appreciation of music. I've always loved music and even come from a musical family, but before I met Larry, I had little experience with music that wasn't on the radio. Before we were dating, Larry would often stop by my desk at work to bring me a CD to listen to. It was always a band I had never heard of and it was always awesome. Through this musical courtship, Larry won my heart, and nine years later he is still introducing me to amazing music.

I often refer to Larry as my own personal Pandora. Tell him a band you like, and he will rattle off half a dozen more that you might enjoy. He's always right. He's also a musical Wikipedia - through his love of reading musical memoirs and biographies, magazines, and blogs, he knows more about music than anyone I know.

Obviously, there's no one I'd trust more to write a guest post about the best music of 2011 than Larry! I've always thought he should be a music critic/blogger, so here's his debut...

-Rachel


Larry's Favorite Music of 2011

I’ve always loved year-end ‘best of’ lists.  They’re either a cheap validation of my tastes (or lack thereof) or a way to discover some things that I’ve missed over the past fast and furious 12 months.  So in that spirit, here are my Favorite Albums of 2011.

10. Portugal. The Man | In the Mountain In the Cloud

     A little psychedelic. A little glam. All good.

     Song: Got It All (This Can't Be Living Now)

9.  Ha Ha Tonka | Death of a Decade

     Great straight up rock and roll.

     Song: Usual Suspects

     

8.  The War on Drugs | Slave Ambient

     A trip worth taking.

     Song: Best Night

     

7.  Vetiver | The Errant Charm

     I saw Vetiver earlier in the year at Iota. For one reason or many others, I can't say that I remember a
     whole lot of that experience, other than wanting to hear more. Very mellow tunes - with a a couple of
     left turns thrown in.

     Song: Wonder Why

     

6.  I'm From Barcelona | Forever Today

     I'm From Barcelona should be played on continuous loop on suicide prevention hotlines. It's
     impossible not to smile when this band of many is playing.

     Song: Skipping a Beat

     

5.  Iron & Wine | Kiss Each Other Clean

     For a lot of long time Iron & Wine fans, Kiss Each Other Clean is a major fall from grace.
     Production and instrumentation are very different from Sam Beam's earliest efforts. However, all of
     the literal bells and whistles work for me.

     Song: Tree By The River

     

4.  Typhoon | A New Kind of House

     More of an EP than a full length album, but filled with great songs. Another many-membered band.
     Sweeping. Emotional. Awesome.

     Song: Summer Home

     

3.  The Rural Alberta Advantage | Departing

     Hate the band name, love the band. Tornado '87 is as good of a song as released anywhere this year.

     Song: Tornado '87

     

2.  Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit | Here We Rest

     Close call between this one and #1. Jason just keeps getting stronger and stronger with each album.

     Song: Codeine

     

1.  The Decemberists | The King Is Dead

     I flirted with The Decemberists in the past, but never went all the way. This one just clicked with me
     and I listened to it more than anything in 2011. I love the country-ish vibe. Perfect.

     Song: Down by the Water
     

     P.S. I totally agree with Larry's choice of The Decemberists' The King Is Dead for #1 album of the
     year, however my favorite song is Rox in the Box. --RR