30 December 2011 (Music Review)

Words: John Balfe

In what will no doubt prove to be an utterly divisive move, our music editor John Balfe has decided to whittle down all the songs he's liked from 2011 into a easy to digest list of his favourites of the year. So, in addition to our list of Best Albums of 2011, what follows is but a small slice of some of the excellent music that 2011 gave us. There will likely be some modicum of outcry on the basis of the choices hereafter (there is no Adele, Gaga or Beyonce below people, deal with it), but we can truly say that each song posted below is excellent, at least to the ears of our music editor. 

So many great songs to pick from this year...

25. Washed Out - 'Eyes Be Closed'
(from Within and Without)

Ernest Greene's first full length album delivers on the promise of his first two EP's, creating a lush dream-pop atmosphere throughout the entirety of Within and Without. Greene has been awarded the somewhat dubious moniker of "king of the chillwave", but we'll forgive him for that.
 

24. The Minutes - 'Black Keys'
(from Marcata)

The Minutes are contenders for the title of the hardest working Irish band of 2011. From Oxegen to Electric Picnic to Sea Sessions, it seemed like every festival you went to you were eventually going to come across these guys on the bill. Terrific first album.

23. Kanye West & Jay-Z - 'Murder To Excellence'
(from Watch The Throne)

Perhaps this album didn't make as big an impact as solo album by either Kanye or Jay-Z would have made, but there is no doubt that there are a couple of gems on here.

22. M83 - 'Raconte-Moi Un Histoire'
(from Hurry Up We're Leaving)

Perhaps the highlight from the French electronic outfit's sixth album, released in October.

21. Bouts - 'We Tried'
(from Bouts EP)

Up n' coming Irish group Bouts benefits from BBC Radio's Lauren Laverne giving them the rub earlier this year. Expect a big 2012 for these guys.

20. My Morning Jacket - 'Circuital'
(from Circuital)

A little touch of The Who to this, don't you think? Arguably the best track from the Kentucky band's sixth album.

19. Grouplove - 'Colours'
(from Never Trust A Happy Song)

The Californian band, who only formed in 2009, had a breakthrough year taking in performances at Oxegen and Electric Picnic along the way. These guys are ticking over nicely, let's see what 2012 does for them.

18. Cults - 'Abducted'
(from Cults)

The opening track from Cults' debut album serves as an exemplary introduction to the indie-pop styling of the New York duo.

17. The Casanova Wave - 'The Casanova Wave'
(from The Casanova Wave)

Okay, technically this song was released in 2010 but the music video only saw the light of day in 2011. Plus, we love it.

16. James Blake - 'The Wilhelm Scream'
(from James Blake)

The minimalism involved in this song is truly breathtaking. Blake has a unique sound and 'The Wilhelm Scream' was one of the most interesting songs released all year.

15. Lisa Hannigan - 'Knots'
(from Passenger)

Hannigan's follow-up to the incredibly successful Sea-Sew was always going to be judged against its predecessor. Fortunately for all concerned, Passenger was a more than worthy sophomore effort.

14. Jape - 'Scorpio'
(from Ocean of Frequency)

In an album which contains multiple great tracks, the bouncy 'Scorpio' is perhaps the standout. Easily one of the best Irish tunes released in 2011.

13. Feist - 'Undiscovered First'
(from Metals)

Leslie Feist's new album is probably her finest work to date and this is our favourite song from it.

12. Fleet Foxes - 'Battery Kinzie'
(from Helplessness Blues)

You would be hard pressed to find a track on Helplessness Blues than cannot be described as excellent. Almost any of the tracks from the album would be worthy of mention in a list like this, but we've opted for the punchy rhythm of 'Battery Kinzie'.

11. Radiohead - 'Little By Little'
(from The King of Limbs)

Radiohead's newest  album was something of an enigma in 2011. It was released with almost no fan-fare whatsoever and was something of a slow-burner. Still, 'Little By Little' is as good as anything Thom Yorke and co. have done in the last five years.

10. The Black Keys - 'Little Black Submarines'
(from El Camino)

Its December release meant that a lot of critics didn't have ample time to properly evaluate the merits of the Akron duo's latest album, but there was no shortage of excellence throughout. Here's one.

9. And So I Watch You From Afar - 'Search:Party:Animal'
(from Gangs)

This is the song that was singularly responsible for BBC Radio DJ Zane Lowe almost losing his shit live on air. The Belfast noisemakers released their second album in May and this was among the highlights.

8. Battles - 'Ice Cream'
(from Gloss Drop)

This writer is reminded of The Velvet Underground when listening to this excellent song. What, come on, it does sound like them...

7. White Denim - 'It's Him'
(from D)

This one came out of nowhere. The prolific Texan band's fifth album was released with little fanfare and it, quite simply, one of the best rock records of the year. White Denim have always boasted excellent musicianship in every area of the band, but rarely has it come together so well as it does on this album.

6. tUnE-yArDs - 'Bizness'
(from w h o k i l l)

Merrill Garbus is one of the most interesting and unique musicians currently around. Garbus. blessed with an outstanding voice, also uses a patchwork of layers, percussion and a beat up old uke to produce music in a style all to herself. No one else sounds like tUnE-yArDs. How many bands can you say that about?

5. Le Galaxie - 'Midnight Midnight'
(from Laserdisc Nights 2)

Le Galaxie are our pick here at entertainment.ie/music to be the latest Irish band to make a big, big impact next year. This song, 'Midnight Midnight', is just an incredible well put together track channeling the dance-punk you might expect of a high-level DFA Records release. Stunning.

4. Lana Del Rey - 'Video Games'
(from Born To Die)

Lana Del Rey's 'Video Games' was one of the most talked about tracks of 2011. Del Rey's debut album Born To Die isn't expected until the end of January but 'Video Games', and her subsequent appearance on Later With Jools Holland, has already generated an almost unprecedented level of buzz.

3. Other Lives - 'Tamer Animals'
(from Tamer Animals)

Other Lives recently took first place on our list of the best albums of 2011. You may not have paid attention to these guys yet but, if you're a fan of Radiohead, Fleet Foxes or The National, make sure to give this album some considerable attention. 

2. The Black Keys - 'Lonely Boy'
(from El Camino)

This might be one of the guitar riffs of 2011. And also one of the best music videos of the year, too. A treat.

1. PJ Harvey - 'The Words That Maketh Murder'
(from Let England Shake)

The level of praise aimed squarely at PJ Harvey for her tenth album Let England Shake has been almost entirely universal. Polly Jean's tenth, and best, album earned her a second Mercury Music Prize and a string of other awards and commendations. It's rare for an artist to be producing the best work of their careers ten albums in but Ms. Harvey has shown it to be well and truly possible.