Best Albums of 2011
Feb.03, 2012.
This year hasn’t been the greatest for music I must admit. We’ve defiantly not had anything reaching the calibre that last year brought us, such as Kanye’s ‘My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy’, Kid Cudi’s ‘Man on the Moon II’ or Hans Zimmer’s ‘Inception’ soundtrack. However, the year has come to an end and I’ve decided to countdown my list of the best records released in the year 2011 besides I love best of the year stuff, it’s always a nice way to start an argument. 
1. Audio Video Disco – Justice
The return of the most interesting Dance group in the world! Surely it had to be amazing right!? Well yeah and no, on the one hand it’s no Cross and it’s also much more rock orientated. But; that doesn’t stop it from being an amazing record and from this beast in my car for a while now it defiantly got that lasting appeal.
2. Kendrick Lamar – Section 80
I must admit when I fist heard this record I figured the rapping was straight garbage. Lines like ‘I’m goin big, suk ma dick’ scattered throughout, but the thing with this album is that even if Lamar is a pretty shit lyricist he got some of the best production out there on this record. So just take the lyrics for what they are and enjoy the music as a whole.
3. Myth: The Xenogears Orchestral Album
Yes, I almost forgot this one had come out. It’s an orchestral re-working of some classics from the Xenogears soundtrack. Myth was composed by the game’s composer Yasunori Mitsuda and arranged by Mitsuda, Youki Yamamoto, Sachiko Miyano, and Natsumi Kameoka. All performed by the Bulgarian Symphony Orchestra, it’s got a great length and some of the early tracks have come out brilliantly. I’ve listened to this one at lot when working.
4. Total – Sebastian
So this dude Sebastian, apparently he taught Justice everything they know. Sort of, he’s credited with creating the Cut/Chop sound of Ed Banger records. The thing is, despite being on the label for about 5 years he never actually released a full length record. Well, here it is! In it’s full glory containing some absolutely bad ass tracks along the way. Some of the tracks are a bit short and I must admit for a guy who’s released some of the most unique music I’ve heard (see Threnody) it plays quite safe but none the less the album is great.
5. Lupe Fiasco – Lasers
I’ll get a lot of shit for this, But hear me out. Yes, Lasers was a disappointment; this is fucking Lupe Fiasco we’re talking about. The dude who made ‘The Cool’ and ‘Food and Liquor’ two of the best hip-hop albums of modern times. So he comes back into the game with a Pop-orientated record. You got to be fucking kiddin’ me right! Well the thing is, it’s half a pop record half pure Lupe. Tracks like ‘All Black Everything’, ‘Words I Never Said’ and ‘I’m Beamin’ are all up there for best hip hop tracks of the year. So what if they’re hidden in amongst some pop fluff to satisfy the label. We all know why he had to do it, it was this or nothing comes out. Add to that, that even with that at hand he still manages to blow most all other rappers away lyrically and it’s got to be there.
(Secretly I kinda enjoyed the pop tracks too).
6. The Weeknd – House of Baloons
So the Weeknd, friend of Drake and a smooth emotional talker letting out his emotions on this years Mixtape ‘House of Balloons’. To be fair it’s much better than it sounds, since it sounds like whiney shit on paper. But fear not because there’s some great tracks on here.
7. Kanye West & Jay Z – Watch the Throne
We’d been waiting for it, they said it was coming and here it is. You know what though, the weakest part of this record is the Rapping. Yeah!? Jay Z and Kayne West make an album and the weakest part is the Rapping. Who would have though that shit huh!? Luckily, the beats are pure fire and even though the flows are a little weak theirs still those moments that shine through.
8. Frank Ocean – Nostalgia / Ultra
Finally, I’m gonna put Frank Ocean in there. The thing with this record; I know it’s a mixtape but… well half of it is just a collection of already great songs with Frank Ocean singing over it. We all know, ‘Hotel California’, ‘Electric Feel’ and ‘Strawberry Swing’ are great tracks with or without Frank Ocean singing over them. Luckily though he’s got ‘Novacaine’ and ‘Songs for Women’ on there; which are both Amazing original tracks. On that note, can’t wait for the Album. Word.
And that’s it. I’ve done 8; since 8 is the lucky Chinese number… and not because I can’t think of anything else to add. Cos’ there’s no fucking way I’m putting ‘The Carter VI’ in there. Look forward to adding my own album in there next year, like a vain duchebag.
Peace.
