If there’s one thing we can all agree on at Music-Critic.ca, it’s that we can’t agree on anything. Which is why, every year, each writer contributes their own personal list of the top five albums of the year. Our tastes differ. Drastically. And this year is no exception. From Wugazi to Bon Iver, from Beastie Boys to Florence + The Machine, there’s no shortage of variety when it comes to the best – and most disappointing – albums of 2011.
Enjoy the lists. Let us know what we missed. See you in 2012.
… The album consists of orchestral pop arrangements and near-flawless operatic vocals, but the truly undervalued aspect about Clark is her guitar playing—she might be the best rock guitarist going …
… [He] may never end-up delivering the ego-driven genius that has charted Kanye’s career, but if LASERS is any indication, we are just seeing the beginnings of a long and interesting career …
…Instrumentally the record is equally impressive, as the deft touch of these musicians assists in painting this masterpiece…
… Beam has managed to broaden his musical scope, play with sound and style all the while maintaining that sensual intimacy and (seemingly) lo-fi warmth of his previous releases. …
… It’s had to pin a label on this kind of music; it’s pop, electronic and folk, yet doesn’t quite belong to any of those individual categories …
… Released in May, Diaper Island instantly became the odds-on favourite for my #1 spot for 2011. It remains in heavy rotation …
… I feel kind of bad awarding my album of the year to a mash-up that really contains no original material, but this really was the perfect storm for me…
