The Top 50 Albums of 2011 (according to Tasty Ears)

TOP 50
Albums of
2011

We were going to do a Top 40 albums of the year but felt that it was too difficult to decide. Somehow 50 worked better so, here it is. Check them out. Buy them even. 

50. Austra - Feel It Break

49. Twerps - Twerps

48. Panda Bear - Tomboy

47. Radiohead - King Of Limbs

46. War On Drugs - Slave Ambient

45. Zola Jesus - Conatus

44. Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Unknown Mortal Orchestra

43. The Black Keys - El Camino

42. The Rapture - In The Grace of Your Love

41. Yuck - Yuck

40. Deer Tick - Divine Providence

39. Florence and the Machine - Ceremonials

38. Beirut - The Rip Tide

37. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - Belong

36. TV On The Radio - Nine Types of Light

35. Lykke Li - Wounded Rhymes

34. Youth Lagoon - The Year of Hibernation

33. Givers - In Light

32. Los Campesinos! - Hello Sadness

31. Pictureplane - Thee Physical

30. The Weeknd - House of Balloons

29. Twin Sister - In Heaven

28. Neon Indian - Era Extrana

27. Wild Beasts - Smother

26. Smith Westerns - Dye It Blonde

25.Cut Copy - Zonoscope

24. Caveman - CoCo Beware

23. John Maus - We Must Become The Pitiless Censors of Ourselves

22. Gardens & Villa - Self Titled

21. Braids - Native Speaker

20. Gang Gang Dance - Eye Contact

19. Adele - 21

18. Toro Y Moi - Underneath The Pine

17. The Decemberists - The King Is Dead

16. Oneohtrix Point Never - Replica

15. Cults - Cults

14. Real Estate - Days

13. Fucked Up - David Comes to Life

12. EMA - Past Life Martyred Saints

11. St. Vincent - Strange Mercy

10. Tom Waits - Bad As Me

9. Washed Out - Within Without

8. The Antlers - Burst Apart

7. Atlas Sound - Parallax

6. M83 - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming

5. Destroyer - Kaputt

4. Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues

3. tUnE-yArDs - W H O K I L L

2. Girls - Father, Son, Holy Ghost

1. Bon Iver - Bon Iver

Chllngr "Change" (video)

Chllngr premiered a new video today for the astro-dub track "Change" over at Wired. Directed by Ryan Todd and Chad Turner the video is a psychedelic animated odyssey.  Watch for a new EP from Chllngr out this winter on Time No Place.

Kathryn Calder "Turn A Light On" (video)

Kathryn Calder began filling in for Neko Case with The New Pornographers and quickly became a full fledged band member. Now Calder is releasing her second solo album Bright And Vivid (out now via File Inder: Music). Check out the latest video for "Turn A Light On" (above) from the new album as it premiered over at Paste earlier today,

The Darcys "Don't Bleed Me" (video)

Toronto rockers The Darcys released their self-titled debut album on Arts & Crafts earlier this year (grab the album for free here) and now have a video for "Don't Bleed Me" directed by Mike Portoghese. Hot off of tours with Deerhoof, Hollerado, and Tennis (to name a few) the band readies to hit the road again with Zeus and Eight and a Half (comprised of members of The Stills and Broken Social Scene (dates below).

The Darcys Live Dates ** w/ Zeus only 2/22 Boston, MA @ TT The Bear's ** 2/23 New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge 2/24 Brooklyn, NY @ Glasslands

Tennis Live at The Biltmore Cabaret December 13, 2011

Last week saw Tennis come to Vancouver to play the Biltmore Cabaret with Devon Williams. Although I went to see Williams based on the strength of his latest single "Revelations" and some very positive press I was also pretty stoked to see Tennis as I had managed to miss them the last couple of times they came through. I love the Biltmore and have seen many shows there in the past. I don't blame them for regularly starting shows rather late (I'd want to sell as many drinks as I could on a Tuesday if it were my place too) but for some reason this show was right on time. Which meant I was late, shit. Sorry Devon Williams, I completely missed your set.

The husband and wife duo Tennis were great. They played quite a long set for a band with really only one album (the set was fleshed out with several new numbers). Although singer Alaina Moore claims to have bad stage fright the audience found her quite engaging. The other half of Tennis, guitar player Patrick Riley, rocked some pretty sweet licks for us, head down and sleeves rolled up. The way he moved around the stage it looked as if he still had his sea legs.

The show left me psyched to hear the upcoming Patrick Carney (The Black Keys) produced album from Tennis titled Young & Old (out February 14 via Fat Possum Records). I'll leave you with the first single "Origins" and don't forget to check out the pics (above).
Tennis - Origins by All Tomorrows Parties

Sleigh Bells "Born To Lose" (new track)

Sleigh Bells are to release their sophomore album Reign Of Terror in February. Check out the first single "Born To Lose" (above) now and get psyched. You can also check out the teaser video for the upcoming album below.

Arcade Fire "Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)" (video)

Today the Arcade Fire posted two videos for "Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)". Above is the traditional video, you can find the interactive version here. Both videos were directed by Vincent Morisset. You'll need a webcam and some dance moves (even just with your hands) for the interactive version.

Crushed Stars "Brighter Now" (new track)

Crushed Stars (Todd Gautreau) is preparing for the release of a new album In The Bright Rain on March 6th via Simulacra Records. The album was recorded by Stuart Sikes (White Stripes, Modest Mouse, Cat Power) and features guests Jeff Ryan (War On Drugs, St. Vincent), Howard Draper (formerly of Okkervil River/Shearwater), and Buffi Jacobs (The Polyphonic Spree). American Songwriter premiered the first single "Brighter Now" off of the upcoming LP (check it out after the jump). Go!
Brighter Now by Crushed Stars

Youth Lagoon "Goodbye Again" (John Denver cover)

Youth Lagoon recently covered John Denver's "Goodbye Again" for Sirius XMU (listen below). The band fronted by 22 year old Trevor Powers has also announced some tour dates for 2012 including a stop at Vancouver's Biltmore Cabaret on January 20th (all dates below). Today Youth Lagoon's debut album The Year Of Hibernation (out on Fat Possum) was named 50th best album of the year by this little site called Pitchfork. See you at the show.

YOUTH LAGOON    01/19: The Crocodile, Seattle 01/20: Biltmore, Vancouver 01/21: Doug Fir, Portland 3/10: Urban Lounge, Salt Lake City  3/11: Larimer Lounge, Denver 3/12: Jackpot Music Hall, Lawrence 3/18: Fitzgerald's, Houston 3/19: One Eyed Jacks, New Orleans 3/20: Club Downunder, Tallahassee 3/21: The Social, Orlando 3/22: Drunken Unicorn, Atlanta 3/23: Cat's Cradle, Carrboro 3/24: Rock N Roll Hotel, Washington DC 3/26: Union Transfer, Philadelphia 3/27: Bowery Ballroom, New York 3/28: Music Hall of Williamsburg, Brooklyn 3/29: Middle East Downstairs, Cambridge 3/30: La Sala Rossa, Montreal 3/31: Lee's Palace, Toronto 4/02: Radio Radio, Indianapolis   4/03: Firebird, St. Louis 4/04: Metro, Chicago 4/05: Turner Hall, Milwaukee 4/08: Indie O Fest, Mexico City 4/11: Porter's Pub @ UCSD, San Diego 4/12: Troubadour, Los Angeles 4/13: The Independent, San Francisco

Rich Aucoin "It" (video)

Halifax's Rich Aucoin is on a roll. Aucoin released "We're All Dying To Live" in late October on Sonic Records and has recently played Iceland Airwaves Festival, Electronika Festival in Brasil, toured with Lights, Arkells and he's about to head back out on the road (dates below). On top of all that he's recently managed to release an acclaim winning video for "It" (above) directed by Noah Pink and produced by Shut Up & Colour Pictures.

Rich Aucoin Tour Dates

December 29 -  Amsterdam, The Netherlands @ Paradiso

December 30 - Reykjavik, Iceland @ Nasa

January 12 - Guelph, ON @ E-bar

January 13 - Toronto, ON @ The Drake

January 14 - Montreal, QC @ SAT (Igloofest Afterparty)

January 17 - New York, NY @ Piano's

January 18 - Brooklyn, NY @ Glasslands Gallery

January 21 - New Orleans, LA @ La Maison

January 24 - Santa Monica, CA @ The Central
January 30 - Los Angeles, CA @ Bootleg Theatre

Dinowalrus "What Now" (new track)

Today Brooklyn's Dinowalrus released "What Now" (featuring Patrick Stickles of Titus Andronicus) a new single off their upcoming sophomore album Best Behavior (out March 6 on Old Flame Records). The track debuted over at Spin. But you can download it here.

The 2 Bears "Work" (video)

The 2 Bears "Work" from DFA Records on Vimeo.
On January 31st DFA records will proudly launch The 2 Bears debut album Be Strong. Joe Goddard (Hot Chip) and Raf Daddy (Raphael Rundell) met while spinning at the same party and solidified their relationship in the studio shortly there after. Check out the single "Work" (above) for a taste of 2012.

Terry Malts "Tumble Down" (new track)

San Francisco three piece Terry Malts is set to release their debut LP Killing Time on February 21st via Slumberland Records. "Tumble Down" (below) is the first single to be released off the upcoming 14 track 34 minute album.
Terry Malts - Tumble Down by Slumberland Records

Young Magic "Sparkly" (video)

February 14, 2012 will mark the release of Young Magic's debut full-length album Melt (to be released via Carpark Records). The New York by-way-of-the-world three piece recently released a video for "Sparkly" off of the upcoming LP (above). Check it out.

Weekend "The One You Want"

San Francisco's Weekend have been touring hard since the release of 2010's Sports pausing just long enough to release a new EP titled Red (out now via Slumberland Records). The band just finished up touring with The Kills and are excited to announce a few West Coast dates of their own. Check out the track "The One You Want" (below) and go catch them live.
Weekend - The One You Want by Slumberland Records

02/01 Oakland, CA The New Parish # 02/11 San Diego, CA The Loft at UCSD 02/12 Los Angeles, CA The Echo / Part-Time Punks # = w/ The Soft Moon

Cloud Nothings "Stay Useless" (new track)

On January 24th Cloud Nothings will release their highly anticipated new album Attack on Memory via Carpark Records. Today the band released the second single via Rolling Stone titled "Stay Useless" (below) from the upcoming Steve Albini produced album. The young Cleveland band fronted by Dylan Baldi is showing some serious song writing chops. I for one can't wait to hear more.
Download "Stay Useless" here.

Cast - An Afternoon at The Zoo "For The Body's Sake" (new video)

Here it is, the highly anticipated conclusion to the Tasty Ears production of An Afternoon at The Zoo with Cast. This last performance is of the original track "For The Body's Sake" followed by some interview footage. If you somehow missed the first two parts of the series check out part 1 and part 2 now. We love this band, catch them live next time they're in you area.

Yukon Blonde Announce Tour Dates

Vancouver's Yukon Blonde has signed to Dine Alone Records and are prepping their sophomore album. In support of this upcoming LP the band has announced tour dates (below). Check out the video for "Water" (above) from the bands Fire/Water EP (streaming now on the bands website) and watch for the upcoming Stairway 7" (backed with a home recorded demo of another upcoming track) coming early next year.

Yukon Blonde Tour Dates

December 29 - Peats Ridge, Australia @ Peats Ridge Music Festival

December 31 - Brisbane, Australia @ No Years Festival

January 03 - Melbourne, Australia @ Northcote Social Club

January 05 - Sydney, Australia @ FBI Social Club

February 15 - London, England @ Brixton Windmill

February 16 - London, England @ Old Queen's Head

February 17 - Paris, France @ Fleche D'or

February 18 - Utrect, Netherlands @ Ekko

February 19 - Amsterdam, Netherlands  @ Paradiso (upstairs)

February 20 - Hamburg, Germany @ Kulturhaus III&70

February 22 - Stockholm, Sweden @ Debaser

February 23 - Copenhagen, Denmark @   Stengad

February 24 - Berlin, Germany @ Privat Club

March 13 – 18 - Austin, TX @ SXSW

March 22 - Edmonton, AB @ Pawn Shop

March 23 - Saskatoon, SK @ Amigos

March 24 - Winnipeg, MB @ WECC

March 26 - Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock

March 27 - Chicago, IL @ TBA

March 28 - London, ON @ Call the Office

March 29 - Guelph, ON @ The Vinyl

March 30 - Montreal, QC @ Casa Del Popolo

March 31 - Kingston, ON @ Grad Club

April 02 - Quebec City, QC @ Le Cercle

April 04 - Charlottetown, PEI @ Hunters Ale House

April 05 - Fredericton, NB @ The Capitol

April 06 - St. John's, NL @The Rock House

April 07 - Halifax, N.S. @ TBA

April 10 - New York, NY  @ Pianos

April 11 - Philadelphia, PA @ Kung Fu Necktie

April 12/13 - Toronto, ON @ Lee's Palace

April 14 - Ottawa, ON @ Ritual

April 16 - Sudbury, ON @ The Townehouse

April 18 – Thunder Bay, ON @ Crocks

April 20 - Regina, SK @ TBA

April 21 -  Calgary, AB @ Palomino

April 26 - Victoria, B.C. @ 9ONE9

April 27 - Vancouver, B.C. @ Commodore

Porcelain Raft "Put Me To Sleep" (video)

Put Me To Sleep from Porcelain Raft on Vimeo.
As Porcelain Raft prepares for European and North American tour dates with Smith Westerns and M83 they also prepare for the release of their debut full length album Strange Weekends (out January 24th via Secretly Canadian). On top of all that the band managed to find time to release a video for the lead single "Put Me To Sleep" (above) from the upcoming album. I can't wait to hear more.

Nneka "My Home" (video)

On February 28th Nigerian songwriter Nneka is set to release Soul is Heavy via Yo Mama's Recording/Decon. Check out the video for the first single "My Home" (above). The soul artist puts her own modern spin on songwriting and a guest appearance from Black Thought (of The Roots) doesn't hurt either.

CREEP "Animals" (feat. Holly Miranda) (video)

CREEP - "Animals" (Feat. Holly Miranda) from stereogum on Vimeo.
CREEP the production duo from Brooklyn have teamed up with Holy Miranda for a new single/video titled "Animal" (above). The haunting track has a very cool string arrangement over sparse beats. The video was directed by Greko Slavounos . The single drops January 17th.

The Phenomenal Handclap Band "The Unknown Faces At Father James Park" (video)

The Phenomenal Handclap Band is set to release their sophomore album Form & Control on February 14th via Tummy Touch Records. Check out the debut single "The Unknown At Father James Park" (video above).

AU "Solid Gold" (new track)

Portland's AU is set to release their third album Both Lights this coming spring, this time on Hometapes (Leaf Label in Europe). The first single "Solid Gold" (below) is out today. Grab it on limited edition transparent yellow orange vinyl before it's gone.

AU "Solid Gold" by Hometapes

Baron Von Luxxury "Rosebud Was The Name of his Sled" (video)

LA's Baron Von Luxxury is appropriately set to release a new full-length album The Last Seduction on Valentine's Day via Manimal Vinyl. The next single off of the album is (SPOILER ALERT if you have somehow managed not to see Citizen Kane) "Rosebud Was The Name Of His Sled" and has already been given the video treatment. Smooth!

Choir of Young Believers "Patricia's Thirst" (new track)

Denmark's Choir of Young Believers released their debut album to great critical acclaim. Now the band is set to release a new album titled Rhine Gold on March 20th via Ghostly International. Led by song writer Janis Noya Makrigiannis and borrowing from chamber ensembles and avant-garde composition this pop act continues to grow. Check out their latest single "Patricia's Thirst" (below) from the upcoming album.
Choir of Young Believers - Patricia's Thirst by ghostly

Christopher Paul Stelling "Mourning Train to Memphis" (new track)

On February 21st Mecca Lecca Recording Co. is to release Christopher Paul Stelling's debut album Songs of Praise & Scorn. I'm sure you, our dedicated readers, are already familiar with CPS (as we've posted about him before) but I don't mind telling you again that we are big fans. The New York performer has relentlessly toured the Northeast with his immaculate finger-picking and vocal wail. Imagine something like Shannon Hoon's best vocal delivery meets The Tallest Man On Earth's guitar work all while managing to tell a tale. Blah, blah, check it out for yourself below. Go!

Chemical Brothers Don't Think (movie trailer)

Don't Think is a new film by Adam Smith starring The Chemical Brothers. Filmed at Japan's Fujirock Festival with 20 cameras the movie is a unique document of a Chemical Brothers live experience. To see an Exclusive Advanced Screening (on January 26th) of Don't Think follow the link. The band mixed the audio themselves using Dolby 7.1. Here's the official description:
"You blink awake and find yourself halfway up the side of a Japanese mountain. It’s night time, right at the sticky middle point of summer. You’re in an opening in a darkened wood surrounded by – say – 50,000 other revelers, each of them frenzied; delirious from an all-encompassing psychedelia that seems to be emanating from a stage somewhere in the near distance. Above you, lights swoop and strafe across armies of marching toy robots and galloping deconstructed horses; paint balls explode in front of borderline psychotic clowns. You’re in the thick of it, consumed by the spectacle, absorbed into the crowd, surrendering to the noise and the visuals. Stunned by the jaw-dropping intensity of what you’re witnessing, just one thought flashes through your febrile mind."

Boy Friend "Egyptian Wrinkle" (new track)

After best buddies Christa Palazzollo and Sarah Brown's old band Sleep ∞ Over broke up the Texas girls started Boy Friend. The duo's album Egyptian Wrinkle is to be released February 6th 2012 via Hell, Yes!. Check out the title track now (below).
BOY FRIEND - Egyptian Wrinkle by HellYes

The Pack A.D. "Haunt You" (video)

On January 28th The Pack A.D. make a triumphant return to Vancouver for a hometown album release show at the Rickshaw Theatre (tickets are on sale now). Unpersons came out in September via Mint Records and the band has been incredibly busy touring since. While you impatiently wait for The Pack A.D. to come back home check out the very cool video for "Haunt You" directed by Mike Roberts and grab your tickets for what is sure to be a sold out show of pure rock n' roll.

Woods "Christmas Time Is Here" (Vince Guaraldi cover)

Woods heads out on tour (dates below) in less than a week's time to support their latest album Sun & Shade (released earlier this year via their own Woodsist label). As an early holiday gift the band has released their own rendition of Vince Guaraldi's "Christmas Time is Here" for free download (below). No matter how you feel about holiday cheer you should really get out to a show. Go ho ho!
WOODS- Christmas Time is Here by WOODSIST

WOODS 12/07 Burlington, VT Monkey House *  12/08 Toronto, ON Horseshoe Tavern @ 12/09 Gambier, OH Kenyon College / Horn Gallery @ 12/10 Chicago, IL Subterranean @ 12/11 Lexington, KY Cosmic Charlie's #$ 12/12 Nashville, TN The End # 12/13 Birmingham, AL Bottletree # 12/14 Athens, GA 40 Watt # 12/15 Raleigh, NC Kings Barcade ^ 12/16 Richmond, VA Strange Matter ^ 12/17 Washington, DC Rock & Roll Hotel ^ ! 12/18 Baltimore, MD Ottobar ^ 12/19 Brooklyn, NY Glasslands Gallery % * = w/ MV & EE  @ = w/ Wet Hair # = w/ Jovontaes $ = w/ Wooden Wand ^ = w/ MMOSS ! = w/ Purling Hiss %= w/ Steve Gunn, Alex Bleeker & The Freaks

Yacht "I Walked Alone" (video)

YouTube celebrity Mitchell Davis has 666,345 followers on his channel from which he makes his living vlogging. Davis has vlogged about his experience at Yacht concerts and used their music in some of his posts which caught the attention of the band. Yacht contacted Davis and invited him to direct his first music video for their track "I Walked Alone" (above). Check out Yacht's I Walked Alone EP available now via iTunes.

Devon Williams "Revelations" (new track)

Slumberland Records recently released Devon Williams' sophomore album Euphoria. This is pop music that wouldn't be out of place in the sixties and yet it is so clearly current. Check out the second single "Revelations" (below) and then catch Devon Williams live at Vancouver's Biltmore on December 13th. See you there my moustache-less friends. Bring back the beards.
Devon Williams - Revelations by Slumberland Records

Bright Moments "Travelers" (new track)

You've probably heard Kelly Pratt's trumpet and harmonies on some of Beirut's tracks, his flute or flugelhorn on Arcade Fire's Neon Bible or in LCD Soundsystem's horn section and now you can hear the multi-instrumentalist's own songwriting as Bright Moments. On February 21st Pratt's debut album Natives will be released via Luaka Bop. The nine song LP includes the single "Travelers" (below). Pratt takes all the experience of working with some of indie music's greats and rolls them into a unique new blend of awesome. Get into it.
Bright Moments 'Travelers' from Natives Luaka Bop by Luaka Bop