Boogie Staff Picks: The Year in Music [2011]

ELIE’S PICKS

1. The Strokes – Angles
It’s a return to form for the downtown revivalists, coming more than five years after the sub-par First Impressions of Earth. Stocked with plenty of infectious earworms to keep you warm at night.

2. Alabama Shakes – EP
Yes, we’re counting EPs on this list.  As we mentioned last week, this Alabama foursome is the best band you probably haven’t heard.  Their style channels all the right elements of hard-edged soul and garage, packed with the sonic punch of a sensational vocal delivery by Brittany Howard.

3. Foo Fighters – Wasting Light
One of the only reliable uber-mainstream rock outfits left in the playground, the Foo Fighters rarely disappoint.  And this gem of an album belongs at the top of any list this year.  Some of their best songwriting is showcased here, not to mention some kickass collaborations with Bob Mould and Krist Noveslic.

4. We Are Augustines – Rise Ye Sunken Ships
Born from the ashes of Pela, this Brooklyn-based band wows the eardrums with the self-released debut effort.  It’s an aural pleaser that melds the likes of the National and Arcade Fire.  They’re definitely doing something right, as REI even featured “Chapel Song” in a TV commercial.

5. Beastie Boys – Hot Sauce Committee, Part 2
Everything about this record is fun. From the initial marketing strategy that parodied the 25th anniversary of “Fight for Your Right” to the kooky nature of “Funky Donkey” (best opener – “Put this on a zip disk, send it to your lawyer, file me under funky”).  Worth cover-to-cover consumption.

6. Phantogram – Nightlife EP
The Brooklyn-based shoe-gazers both follow up and nearly surpass the stellar Eyelid Movies LP from last year.  At a paltry six tracks, this cut leaves you drooling for more.  Already looking forward to the new stuff.

7. Cage the Elephant – Thank You Happy Birthday
Instant retro, baked with only the finest musical ingredients – a dash of Pixies here, a splash of Oasis there. Thank You Happy Birthday is a solid sophomore album from these Kentucky rockers.

8. Florence and the Machine – Ceremonials
Her romantic, soaring vocals make spines tingle and heads bop. Florence and company just filmed an installment of MTV Unplugged at Angel Orensanz last week.

9. The Black Keys – El Camino
Akron-based duo still brings the rock. Can’t believe they’re selling out the Garden now.

10. Hunx & His Punx – Too Young to be in Love
Any lead singer who pulls out his member to urinate on stage is gonna command attention.  Especially when backed up by a burgeoning catalog of catchy compositions that blends elements of garage and girl group glam.  Think Seeds meets Ronettes.

BENJY’S PICKS (@btocks)

1. Black Keys – El Camino
The long hyped follow up to their breakthrough smash “Brothers,” El Camino is the metaphorical vehicle which has carried them from playing in stinky basement bars to rock’s mecca: MSG, where they’ve sold out 2 shows in March. This album keeps the bluesy roots while evolving into some more complex material: check out the Zepplinesque “Little Black Submarine.” It’s one of many songs highlighting the Black Keys desire to venture out a little bit deeper with each record.

2. St. Vincent – Strange Mercy
Annie Clark has taken art pop to new highs with her third studio album. Filled with quality jams from start to finish, Clark lays down her signature shred with a side order of brilliant lyrics while mixing in brighter, more uptempo songs than we’ve previously seen from her.

3. Foo Fighters – Wasting Light
Dave Grohl and the Foos got together in the garage of El Casa de Grohl with an analog tape deck. They invited old buddies Pat Smear, Butch Vig and Krist Novoselic, and started to work on a back to basics album. The result? One of the the greatest bands of the past 20 years busting out a superb 7th album, one of their finest efforts yet.

4. Wilco – The Whole Love
Tweedy and the gang go from happy-jolly-sing-along to cry your eyes out and back on this thoroughly refreshing release. “One Sunday Morning” begs to be listened to with a glass of wine as a somber nightcap, and just try not to whistle along to “Dawned On Me.” I double dare you.

5. Deer Tick – Divine Providence
Deer Tick came out swinging with this one, out to show the world that they’re to be taken seriously with their Southern inspired Folk Rock. Divine Providence is a nod to their hometown in Rhode Island, but these guys, along with their Nirvana loving alter egos “Deervana,” have widened their appeal from Main Street (best track on the album) to Wall Street (they played in support of the #Occupy protests).

6. Bon Iver – Bon Iver
Justin Vernon’s follow up to his breakout For Emma, Forever Ago lacks a single powerhouse like “Skinny Love” but instead takes a slower approach and provides a much fuller sound.

7. Yuck – Yuck
Every once in a while a great new artist shows up sounding like they’ve just arrived in a time machine from a different era. Yuck is that band, and they sound like everything we’ve ever loved about 1990s alternative rock.

8. Jay-Z + Kanye West – Watch The Throne
The two rap powerhouses holed up in a Tribeca hotel to collaborate on what they call “luxury rap.” Their proud result is the musical equivalent of the 1%: opulent, glitzy, indefatigable and damn proud of how hard they worked to get there.

9. Cut Copy – Zonoscope
These zany Aussies will have you dancing for over an hour with this album, recorded in an abandoned warehouse in Melbourne. How ironic…

10. Cults – Cults
Fans of She and Him would totally swoon for this cute as hell duo. Here’s hoping they continue to develop their talents and musical abilities.