all that's sweet

So here it is, the post you’ve all been waiting for: Jordan’s favorite music of 2011. It’s here. This year was kind of weird, that there really wasn’t that one clear album that blew me away (sort of a lie). I found a bunch of albums that I really, really liked, but nothing, for most of the year, really grabbed hold of me and shook me down. I’m also going out on a limb here for my favorite album of the year.. I’ve only had it for a week or so. I’m probably jumping the gun, but its the only album to really shake me up this year.

Anyway, lets get some awards going.

Favorite Covers
Relient K - “Africa” (by Toto)
Pentatonix - “Dog Days Are Over” (by Florence and the Machine)

Favorite Music-based Reality Show
The Sing-Off

Favorite Group from Favorite Music-based Reality Show
Pentatonix

Favorite “New-to-me” Artists
Fitz and the Tantrums
Fireworks

Favorite Katy Perry Single
“Teenage Dream”

Best Live Show
Jack’s Mannequin/ Motion City Soundtrack

Biggest Disappointments
Lydia’s new album
Still no new Postal Service album

Greatest Music News
Five Iron Frenzy is back

Break-up that Can Only Lead to Great Music
Ben Gibbard/ Zooey Deschanel

Albums Everyone Loved (or Claimed to Love), that I Just Liked
Bon Iver - Bon Iver
Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues

Acoustic Album that is Better than the Original
Yellowcard - When You’re Through Thinking, Say Yes

Honorable Mentions

1
5. Manchester Orchestra - Simple Math
14. Bon Iver - Bon Iver
13. Run Kid Run - Patterns
12. Jack’s Mannequin - People and Things
11. Childish Gambino - Camp

The Actual List

1
0. Transit - Listen and Forgive
9. Sims - Bad Time Zoo
8. Fireworks - Gospel
7. Death Cab for Cutie - Codes and Keys
6. Mansions - Dig Up the Dead

5. MUTEMATH - Odd Soul
I think MUTEMATH came back in a big way this year. Odd Soul is way more bluesy and ballsy than their last albums (which is saying a lot for them). I think they were able to refine their sound, while expanding upon what they have done. “Quarentine” is one of my favorite songs of the year.

4. The Dangerous Summer - War Paint
I really loved Reach for the Sun, and I really love War Paint. They really don’t sound to much different from one another, which isn’t a bad thing. The music they right is just interesting enough, and their lyrics are so honest.

3. The Cinema - My Blood Is Full of Airplanes
So the guy from Lydia made an electronic album with one of his producer friends. WAAAY better than the new Lydia album. It’s so blasted pop-y and catchy. I love it.

2. Doomtree - No Kings
I love everything they do separately, so when Doomtree was getting together to do a collective album, I was pumped. They did not disappoint. No Kings doesn’t really sound like any of their individual albums, and it still manages to be very cohesive. Sims, Cecil, POS, and Dessa kill it as always.

1. Charlie Simpson - Young Pilgram
So I’ve only had this album for about a week, but I have a feeling I’ll be listening to it for a long time. If you want to disregard this entry, that’s fine. I was totally ready to have Doomtree on the top of my list. I feel a connection to this album moreso than any other album on this list. It feels very personal and honest. Love it.