My favorites of 2011:

Albums
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1) Manchester Orchestra - Simple Math

A concept album about Andy Hull having a conversation between himself, his wife and God, and possibly the most epic piece of work that Manchester has produced thus far. If you're looking for a talented rock band whose music actually means something, look no further. Very few artists give such a blatantly honest account of their struggle between faith and doubt, and being able to trace Andy Hull's spiritual journey through Manchester's music is one of it's most endearing and inspiring aspects. This band truly only gets better and better. Honesty is the best policy, and they have plenty of it in their music.



2) Adele - 21

This lady can sing like no other! Not a bad song on the record, and one can tell that it was inspired by a very raw point of loss. You don't have to look any further than the first song on the album to be able to tell that this lady is special. 21 reminds me personally so much of England. I love it, love it, love it.



3) Patrick Stump - Soul Punk

If you thought that Patrick Stump was just the face to Pete Wentz's words in Fall Out Boy, you were wrrroonnnggg. Probably the most "solo" solo record this year, since Patrick wrote every song, sang nearly every lyric, and played every instrument on every track himself (!!!). So much talent, so much soul! :D



4) New Found Glory - Radiosurgery

Pop punk's not dead! One of my oldest musical obsessions and still one of my favorites. These guys know how to do their genre right, while not beating a dead horse. So many bands today rip these guys off, so it's good to hear the elder statesmen of pop punk come back around to show everybody how it's really done.



5) Bayside - Killing Time

Anthony Raneri is one of my favorite lyricists ever. So much passion, honesty, and thought goes into Bayside's work that you can't help but to hear it on every song on the album. If I were to say that a band's music usually comes across as a cross between an indictment of society and a self help audio book, I'm not sure if you would view that as a compliment, but that's how I mean it when I say that about Bayside. They have to be some of the smartest dudes in rock and roll. I wish Anthony Raneri knew Jesus, because he could certainly change some lives through this band's music!



6) The Devil Wears Prada - Dead Throne

So brutal and it almost never lets up! Plus, these boys love Jesus and do this band for the glory of God. Not a bad combination, I'd say. So many hardcore bands these days do that genre with what seems like not a lot of effort, and don't make much of an impact or do anything musically interesting. Not the case with these fellas.



7) Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto

Coldplay is just one of those bands who are consistently above average. I feel like they get so much exposure that sometimes they don't actually get the respect as artists that they deserve since their band has made them into such celebrities. I don't think this album is as good as Viva La Vida, but it's stands strong on its own. Always interesting and never a let down, this band is.



8) Taking Back Sunday - Taking Back Sunday

The first Taking Back Sunday album with the original band lineup since Tell All Your Friends, and it was worth the wait. Now that John Nolan and Shaun Cooper are back, things just kinda feel right. The strongest songs here are probably "El Paso" and "Best Places to Be a Mom", where the true intensity of TBS really comes across. Adam Lazarra may not be the most technically gifted singer, but boy, he knows how to put on a show.



9) Meg & Dia - Cocoon (album) / Be Careful, I Love You, Stay in Touch (EP)

It's possible to be put off by first misconceptions of this band, but once you listen to them, you find some seriously amazing idea-driven songs. Lyrically inspired always and extremely well-read as evidenced in the music. This time around they went for a slower, smoother feel, I think. They pull it off well, anyways. I included the album and the EP here because they were both released within the year and compliment each other nicely, since the EP is made up of b-sides from this and their previous release.



10) Hundredth - Let Go

Myrtle Beach's own doing good for Jesus! Maybe it shouldn't, but it kind of surprises me that a band of this quality came out of the Beach. The message behind the music is the most important part, but they don't fail technically, either. Also, their hidden track on the album, a cover of "Hurt", is epic.