10. Tv On the Radio - Nine Types of Light
I've always been kinda ambivalent towards this band, they were obviously talented but I felt like they only hit their marks half the time. I wanted to like them, have some of the same passion that so many people had for them but it always fell short. On this album it seemed like they finally figured out the formula and created a mostly listenable album. Honestly, I hardly skip any songs on this unlike their previous efforts where I was just searching for the thing that I liked.
9. Little Dragon - Ritual Union
I've been intrigued by this band since they appeared on the Gorillaz - Plastic Beach album and here they've delivered a stunning electro - pop album. I think that sometimes when you make an electronic album you're immediately stereotyped as a very impersonal band. Little Dragon has done something that few electro bands have and made it as enjoyable as ever. Heres my favorite song off the record over video from An Endless Summer.
8. My Morning Jacket - Circuital
After releasing Evil Urges a few years ago they come back and dial the experimentation way back.
That's not too say these guys have closed up their bag of tricks it's just to say that their maybe playing it a little safer. I attribute that to lead singer Jim James' cover of George Harrison tunes and playing with The Monster of Folk.
7. Radiohead - The King of Limbs
They just keep making beautiful music and this band could be here solely on the strength of this one song. I'm praying they make a stop in Vegas when they hash out their entire tour for this album.
6. Handsome Furs - Sound Kapital
I'm in no way opposed to this movement of electronic making a comeback in the alternative world. This album has some strong writing and some of the catchiest tunes I've heard all year. Though this band could handle with trying to be U2 less.
5. The Horrors - Skyying
Look I loved the last effort for these guys, and now I'm thinking they're at this spot on the list basically on the strength of their last album. This time they're more interested in not going into crazy atmospherics. I hope on the next album they allow themselves to go crazy again and not be so tight.
4. Wilco - The Whole Love
Jeff Tweedy could teach a class on how to write a song. I don't think these guys can make an album I won't like nowadays, maybe that's 'cause I'm in my 30's now though.
3 Cults - Cults
Sexy, and Sincere this album came with a lot of expectations and it lived up to them if you're asking me. This came with the energy and confidence of a band I would expect to have been around forever so this seems like an anomaly as a Freshman album.
2. Fucked Up - David Comes to Life
I had no clue who Fucked Up were in 2010, by 2011 I was praising their latest album. I'm not even a fan of hardcore music, however, when you change the rules of what defines a hardcore band I'll check it out. Honestly the beautiful harmonies provided by the girl from The Cults that this band included is what puts it here on my list, it was almost as crucial as the incredible talent of the everyday pieces of the band. I saw someone compare the songwriting to Bruce Springsteen and would like to agree.
1. The Vaccines - What Did You Expect From the Vaccines
This was the album that The Strokes were supposed to make. Hands down. I can't wait to see what the future holds for these guys, I pray its more of this.
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