Destoryer performing “Chinatown” at this year’s Pitchfork Music Festival.

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#1A - Destoryer - Kaputt - Merge Records - Released: 1/25/11

Dan Bejar’s ninth studio album as Destoryer was probably the one record I played the most in 2011.  Upon first listen, I was hooked.  In my car, on my iPod, while on my computer, I was constantly listening to Kaputt throughout the year.  Bejar made a beautifully time altering album that literally takes you back to the 1980’s.  Kaputt is pure and clean, groovy, jazzy, and steeped in melody.  The vintage electronic-pop ambiance of this record is lush and gorgeous and I think you either like it or you don’t.  Either way, it’s a job well done, Mr. Bejar.  I will revisit this record for years to come.

Girls performing “Honey Bunny” from Father, Son, Holy Ghost

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#1B - Girls - Father, Son, Holy Ghost - True Panther Sounds - 9/13/11

I thought long and hard about this top ten list and I decided it’s only fair to list my top two records of 2011 as 1A and 1B.  I did this because both records are neck and neck for me personally and they deserve the top spot.  Let’s start with Girls’ absolutely solid and flawless sophomore release.  The eleven tracks that make up Father, Son, Holy Ghost sound familiar, yet each song is utterly fresh and memorable.  My good friend, John, put it best in a recent email to me when he explained, “This album is every song you’ve ever loved retold with a new voice.”  That voice is Christopher Owens and he has proven after each new Girls’ release that his songwriting capabilities are beyond top notch.  The production of Father, Son, Holy Ghost is immaculate as well.  I feel like this is a record that is solid all the way through, and many of the songs reveal new highlights with each listen.  This is also one of the saddest records I’ve heard this year, even though the subject matter of most of Owens’ songs are heartrending, there are hints of hope and a strong desire to find happiness and love in this crazy and fucked up world.  If you didn’t listen to Father, Son, Holy Ghost yet, please do yourself a favor and give it a spin.  You won’t be disappointed at all with this record.

tUnE-yArDs performing “Powa” from w h o k i l l

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#3 - tUnE-yArDs - w h o k i l l - 4AD - Released: 4/19/11

Merrill Garbus’ you are ridiculously talented. The music on w h o k i l l is very rich and packs dozens of styles, yet it’s still cohesive, imaginative, and highly addicting.  Garbus’ voice is incredible and her vocal range is impressive.  It will be interesting to see what the next tUnE-yArDs record sounds like, because this one was a giant leap forward from her debut, which I liked a lot, but not as much as w h o k i l l. 

#4 - Kurt Vile - Smoke Ring For My Halo - Matador Records - Released: 3/8/11

The best psychedelic folk album of 2011?  No doubt about it!  The songs on Smoke Ring For My Halo seem like they were written effortlessly by Kurt Vile.  I don’t mean that in a bad way at all, I just think the dude is super talented and he makes it seem easy.  This album is very compelling and engrossing, tuneful, and never boring.  I believe Kurt Vile is the modern version of what Neil Young was to our parents and I’m sure I’ll be listening to this record for years to come.