Bumble Bees Buzz.

Well it is that time of year again where i compose my top 15 albums of the year. Usually they comprise of albums that i listened to in that past year but this year being one of many released albums i decided to leave it to ones from 2011 only. People probably won’t agree with me for the most part, but these albums were the ones that lasted long in my car stereo and were put on repeat on my iPod.

Honorable Mentions:

Steve Martin & The steep cannon Rangers - Rare Bird Alert

I bought this album as i really enjoyed his song about athiests having no song on a performance on David Letterman. I then started listening to the rest of the album and it kept getting better and better. It turns out, he can play banjo. It turns out he isn’t the best singer. it turns out, he makes it work.

White Lies - Ritual

One day this fall i needed some retail therapy and went over to the CD store (ie HMV). This was one of the albums i got considering i had them on my iPod a few years ago and really enjoyed them. It is easy to listen to when driving, i can tell you that much. Although shortly after buying this one, i bought cold play and it was quickly replaced in the stereo. 

Adele - 21

Everyone is going to have this one on their list this year, although it doesn’t make the top list. Good music, different voice, but not something that was played everyday. 

Bright eyes - The People’s Key

I bought this album at the beginning of march as i knew i was going to be seeing them and needed to brush up on their newer stuff. Their older stuff will always be my favourite as it is what got me interested in them, but it is still a good record.

Lupe Fiasco - Lasers

I’ve been listening to lupe ever since i heard the song kick push. Easy to listen to, and catchy. I havent sat down and really listened to this album yet, but i’m sure if i had it would be higher on the list.

Death Cab for Cutie- Codes and keys

This summer my roommate and i spent more on CD’s than we really would like to awknowledge. I mean, i buy many albums already, but it was just bad. There were too many good ones coming out that we couldn’t not buy them. This one she got and i got it off her. It is typical death cab and is often on my playlist when sleeping. 

Matthew Good - Lights of endangered species

I have been getting more and more into matthew good. This is another album stolen from my roommate and made it onto a playlist this summer before being replaced. 

Arctic Monkeys - Suck it and see

Awesome band. Good album. Good album art. Just too many other albums for it to make the list. 

Blink 182 - Neighborhoods 

The biggest let down possibly ever for me. I was really dissapointed. now it is still good, and still typical blink 182, i think it was a let down just because the child in me cannot let go of the blink that used to sing “mothers day”. 

R.E.M. - Part lies, part heart, part truth, part garbage 

This album was in my moms car for the longest time. It brings you back to all the songs I used to listen to as a kid and wondered who sang it. It broke my heart when i heard the news that they were done, but this compilation record made it all alright, and the insert book makes it a nice experience with the guys talking about what was going on when they wrote songs. 

Number Fifteen: Cold Play - Mylo Xyloto

Favourite song: Hurts like heaven 

I am the first to say that i am not  a HUGE fan of cold play. But i bought this album originally for my sister for christmas and then i thought that she might not like it and also made the alternative decision to buy her lion king so i opened it up. It caught me off guard. It is the only cold play album i own, and it makes me want to own more, and i think thats all you can ask for when buying an album. 

Number Fourteen: City And Colour - Little Hell

Favourite song: Fragile BIrd 

Dallas Green. I think that is all i really need to say. 

Number Thirteen: Hollywood Undead - American Tragedy 

Favourite song: Bullet

I’ve been listening to them for a few years now, a friend back in  year gave me a few of their albums to listen to, and i never really stopped. This album is much like their others with rap and rock fused together. Good driving song, although makes you want to drive fast. 

Number Twelve: Beastie Boys - Hot Sauce Committee, Pt. 2

Favourite song: Make some noise

I get a text every now and then from people who hear the beastie boys on the radio and i’m being thought of. This is why. All of their songs have been replayed multiple times in my car, and my friends have had to suffer while driving with my. Cough sorry guys. Make some Noise is my ring tone and alarm. 

Number Eleven: Awolnation - Megalithic Symphony

Favourite Song: Soul Wars

I have only been listening to him for about a year, and this year released an awesome album. It is still in my car ( i think because i can’t find it). Great to work out to, and is part of my walking playlist. 

Number Ten: Rural Alberta Advantage - Departing 

Favourite Song: Two Lovers

I heard about them on MTV news, and thought that they would be an interesting band. A few weeks later i was looking around in the record store and noticed their album, so i picked it up. It is one of those albums that gets better with every listen, and is one that i am often showing other people. 

Number NIne: Dan Mangan - Oh Fortune

Favourite Song: Oh Fortune

Dan Mangan. The redneck version of Dallas Green? Yeah, that sums it up. Jazzy farmer feel. You’ll thank me for this one later. (Nice, Nice, Very Nice is his other album title). 

Number Eight: Cage The Elephant - Thank You Happy Birthday

Favourite Song: Always something

This album is good. Its loud, and quiet when it needs to be, and it is a grown up version of their first album. 

Number Seven: Foster The People - Torches 

Favourite Song: Color on the walls (don’t stop)

How could these guys NOT be on my list? They are constantly played right now, and my sister is into them too, which means they can be played at a higher level than most songs, to the point where she had the album before me (and that’s saying something). They are good for walking. The new vampire weekend? 

Number Six: The Black Keys - El Camino 

Favourite Song: Lonely Boy

How can lonely boy not be in your head? it is always in my head right now, and is always being played. They are up beat and are getting good play time on the radio. So damn catchy. 

Number Five: Tyler, The Creator - Goblin

Favourite Song: Steak Sauce

I started listening to him a bit later than other people, but he still slowly made his way onto my iTunes and later my iPod. He has a bit of a different sound while still managing to sound the same. “he has good rhyme” (+ 2 street cred. points).

Number Four: Lonely Island - Turtle Neck and Chain

Favourite Song: Turtle Neck and Chain ft. Snoop Dog 

I remember buying this record and i often don’t remember. It was during the week i had a car in waterloo while my parents were in Europe. Everytime i drove durning that week, that record was played. I still laugh when i hear the songs Japan and No Homo. 

Number Three: Red Hot Chilli Peppers - I’m With you

Favourite Song: The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie 

I have to admit, when i first heard the single off this record i was a little weary. I have always been a fan of RHCP since i was a kid and my dad showed them to me. It is the type of music that i find the easiest to listen to and the type of music that i often find myself graduating towards. Anyways, once you give the record a few listens it gets better. 

Number Two: Mac Miller - Blue Slide Park 

Favourite Song: Smile Back

I’ve been listening to a lot of mac lately. Maybe because it just came out only a month and a half ago, or maybe because it is just that good, i am not that sure. Either way, it has a spot at number two due to the fact that it has a permanent place in my dads car right now. 

Number One: Foo Fighters - Wasting light

Favourite song: Walk 

This is by far my favourite album of the year. I remember buying this record so clearly. It was a sunny day in april and i headed over to the mall. I remember driving home with the windows down and blasting it, taking the longest way possible so that i could just keep listening. It is all i’ve been listening to, and has a place on every play list that i’ve made (and i make a LOT of playlists). It is just that good. It is typical Foo Fighters without the fear of what people will think or really who will care. They just made the record that they have always wanted to make, and well worth the wait.