Which Adele song makes the list?
Last year, my “Best Of” music post didn’t come out until January 27th. Well, I wasn’t about to let that happen again. Hopefully, you’re not sick of reviews of 2011 music yet.
Here are the best songs of 2011 (with a limit of one song per artist):
25) “The Merry Barracks” – Deerhoof – Deerhoof vs. Evil
I love the way this song moves from simple to complex.
24) “Talking At The Same Time” – Tom Waits – Bad As Me
This song should be the anthem of the 99%.
23) “The Edge of Glory” – Lady Gaga – Born This Way
When I first heard “The Edge of Glory,” I loved it—despite my wariness of all things Gaga. Two days later I was completely sick of it. For those two days, though, it makes the list at #23.
22) “Come See About Me” – Tedeschi Trucks Band – Revelator
The musical marriage of Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi looks really good on paper, but only really reaches its potential on a few tracks, like “Come See About Me.”
21) “Last Night at the Jetty” – Panda Bear – Tomboy
Overall, I wanted to like this album more than I did, but this track was certainly a standout.
20) “Circuital” – My Morning Jacket – Circuital
It always strikes me as unoriginal to pick the title track as your favorite, but it’s hard to argue with “Circuital.”
19) “The Words That Maketh Murder” – PJ Harvey – Let England Shake
This whole song is great, but I particularly love the last minute.
18) “I Won’t Fall Apart On You Tonight” – Eleanor Friedberger – Last Summer
The upbeat melody of this song contrasts wonderfully with the vulnerability Friedberger brings.
17) “Helena Beat” – Foster The People – Torches
“Pumped Up Kicks” suffered from an absurd amount of radio play; luckily, “Helena Beat” did not meet the same fate.
16) “I Might” – Wilco – The Whole Love
Always great when Wilco rocks the chimes…
15) “What the Water Gave Me” – Florence + The Machine – Ceremonials
I’m slightly embarrassed to like this song as much as I do.
14) “OK Pal” – M83 – Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming
It’s tough choosing between this and “Midnight City,” but “OK Pal” seems slightly more dynamic.
13) “I’m So Happy I found You” – Lucinda Williams – The Lost Notebooks of Hank Williams
Nobody else on the album quite capture Hank Williams’ sense of heartbreak like Lucinda does here.
12) “Civilization” – Justice – Audio, Video, Disco
The pounding percussion on “Civilization” makes it ominously exciting.
11) “Someone Like You” – Adele – 21
I’m slightly surprised how universally people seem to prefer “Rolling in the Deep,” but I prefer the shameless sadness of “Someone Like You.”
10) “Codex” – Radiohead – The King of Limbs
“Codex” is the best example of the subtle mastery the whole album is aiming for.
9) “Need You Now” – Cut Copy – Zonoscope
Originally this was further down on the list, but every time I listened to it I moved it higher.
8) “Bay of Pigs (Detail)” – Destroyer – Kaputt
I really like long songs, but this wasn’t the best year for songs over ten minutes long—with this very notable exception.
7) “Helplessness Blues” – Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues
Like most of the best Fleet Foxes songs, “Helplessness Blues” sounds like multiple great songs in one.
6) “The Wilhelm Scream” – James Blake – James Blake
I don’t often make it through this whole album, but with tracks like this one (and a few others) I can see what all the fuss is about.
5) “Million Years” – Alex Ebert – Alexander
The best mellow melody of the year.
4) “You” – TV On The Radio – Nine Types of Light
“You” is more relaxed than most great TVotR songs, but no less impressive.
3) “Calamity Song” – The Decembrists – The King is Dead
Even aside from the awesome video, this song is excellent.
2) “Lonely Boy” – The Black Keys – El Camino
Just like #3, this song benefits from an awesome video, but it great whether you consider that or not.
1) “Holocene” – Bon Iver – Bon Iver
It feels somewhat trite to put this one at #1, but its blend of subtle poignancy and elegant craftsmanship create the most beautiful song of 2011.
