December 30, 2011
2011 was a shitty year, with even the greatest moments (such as The Arab Spring) tinged with violence. Musically, it was all over the place, leading to a diverse collection in QRO’s Top 50 Albums of the Year, and even our Top Ten:
| 10 | PJ Harvey Let England Shake The astonishingly talented and always unpredictable singer-songwriter returns with a haunting and touching meditation on war. Read review |
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| 9 | St. Vincent Strange Mercy Annie Clark delivers once again on her third album. Her distinct Baroque pop is propelled forward into even more expansive and adventurous musical terrain. Read review |
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| 8 | Wild Flag Wild Flag Indie-rock veterans Timony, Brownstein, Weiss and Cole debut with a fresh sound made of power pop melodies, classic rock riffages, ‘60s garage, and a punk energy that makes it feel like this is the first band they’ve ever been in. Read review |
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| 7 | Wye Oak Civilian Third and most cohesive album to date from the critically acclaimed Baltimore duo, showcasing excellent indie-rock with a touch of shoegaze, noise and folk. Read review |
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| 6 | Thurston Moore Demolished Thoughts A Beck-produced solo album from Sonic Youth’s legendary guitarist, recorded during the breakup of indie rock’s favorite longtime couple. Out of the fire & ashes, a phoenix rises. Read review |
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| 5 | Girls Father, Son, Holy Ghost The former bad bad boy, druggie buzz-band from San Fran claims their rightful place in the top tier of indie acts with a rock ‘n’ roll album both intimate and epic. Read review |
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| 4 | Radiohead The King of Limbs The biggest band in alternative music go from strength to strength with another acclaimed entry in their canon. Read review |
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| 3 | tUnE-yArDs w h o k i l l Merrill Garbus makes her voice heard over bright, textured sounds drawn from diverse inspirations. Read review |
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| 2 | M83 Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming Anthony Gonzalez takes the shameless fun of the ‘80s and adds his own signature dose of shoegaze – the result of which is a sound that is otherworldly, and oh, so epic. Read review |
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| 1 | Bon Iver Bon Iver Justin Vernon’s intensely personal nature and intimacy makes Bon Iver play like a Wisconsin winter’s morning: bright yet cold, foggy yet focused, and a beautiful as it is brutal. Read review |
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