I started this blog with the idea of sharing music with others. So, with this goal in mind, I’m blatantly jumping on the bandwagon with every other media outlet on the planet and am releasing some end of the year “Best of” awards.
This is the second of three blogs that will recognize the great music and performances of 2011. The first blog highlights what I think are the overall top 10 albums that were released in 2011. This blog also focuses on albums released in 2011, and gives some less traditional, Random Category awards to albums that I think are worthy of mentioning but are not overall in my top 10. Finally, the third “best of 2011” blog will discuss my true passion, which is live music and shows, and will take a look at some of the best concerts of 2011 that I was able to attend.
Click Here to see the 2011 Music Pill Awards – Top 10 Albums
The ‘Best Concerts of 2011’ blog has not been released yet
The concept for this post started when I realized that there were so many solid albums released in 2011. By only releasing my “top 10” I was eliminating a lot of albums that I enjoyed that others may think are brilliant. I have no illusions that others have exact (or even similar) tastes in music as I do, and therefore I wanted to pass these albums along as ones that are worth your while, especially if you don’t particularly care for some of my top ten albums. Most of the albums on this list are considerably less metal than my top ten list.
So, without further ado, these are my Random Category Awards for 2011. Hope you enjoy!! (You can click on the album title for a Youtube Link of what my favorite song from the album is).
Comeback Album of the Year
Artists that have been dormant for a long time that came back with a bang in 2011.
Winner:
Red – Until We Have Faces
This band had a couple great songs on their first album in 2006 (one of which you know) but hadn’t put anything together for a long time. However, with this latest release, they have seriously expanded on their skills and come out with a pretty good album. Check it out for some quality hard rock.
Runner Up:
Evanescence – Evanescence
This album, which I have already blogged about, is another solid release that shows Amy Lee’s incredible ability. It has been 6 years since Evanescence’s last release, and fans were getting ancy, but this album delivers and is worth picking up.
Guilty Pleasure Album of the Year
These albums don’t stand up technically or creatively, but I can’t stop listening to them anyway.
Winner:
Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows – D.R.U.G.S.
I’m almost embarrassed to say this, but I just love this album. The music is very simple, the track names are ridiculous, and I’m relatively sure their average fan’s age is 14, but I haven’t taken this album out of my car stereo since May. Craig Owens, (ex-Chiodos singer) leads this band that’s really fun live, and this album is catchy as hell.
Black Stone Cherry – Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
Black Stone Cherry usually puts out solid southern rock (think Clutch but a little bit harder). With this release, they went for a more radio sound that many of their fans didn’t appreciate. With songs like “White Trash Millionaire” and “Blame it on the Boom Boom”, this album can’t be taken seriously, but on the surface, it’s an awful lot of fun.
Best Side Project Album of the Year
These albums come as side projects from members with bigger bands.
Winner:
Times of Grace – The Hymn of a Broken Man
This album, which is the side project of the great Adam Dutkiewicz (of Killswitch Engage fame), sees the return of Jesse Leach (KSE’s original singer). This album is excellent, and while there are clearly parallels between it and Killswitch, Adam D doesn’t do anything that isn’t fantastic. Check out this album.
Runner Up:
Hell or Highwater – Begin Again
Formerly The Black Cloud Collective (a name that I liked better), this is the side project of Atreyu drummer, writer, and clean vocalist Brandon Saller. He steps away from the kit in this band to focus on vocals in this project, which sounds very different from the other band. It’s clearly a freshman effort, but there’s definitely potential, and Saller is a great front man. This album works well, especially for Atreyu fans.
“Good Luck Getting This Song Out of your Head” Album of the Year
These albums don’t quite cut it as a whole body of work, but they have that one song that you just CAN’T stop listening to.
Winner:
Egypt Central – White Rabbit
The song White Rabbit, off of this album with the same name, is just an awesome song. I find myself specifically seeking this song out more than any other of the year. The album is chocked full of “filler”, but buy White Rabbit and the other single (Kick Ass), and I can promise you you’ll listen it to the point of exhaustion. You were warned!! 🙂
Runner Up:
Sixx: A.M. – This is Gonna Hurt
A solid album throughout (MUCH better than White Rabbit), Nikki Sixx continues his tradition of great song writing on This is Gonna Hurt. The single off of this one, Lies of the Beautiful People, will be in your head for days, just like its big brother, the similarly-named Life is Beautiful. The nice thing here is that the rest of the album merits a purchase.
Old School Metal Album of the Year
These bands were putting out metal albums when I was a little kid. However, great albums in 2011 show that they’ve still got it.
Winner:
Anthrax – Worship Music
Voted metal album of the year by several sources, Worship Music does a great job of showing that thrash metal still has a place in the 2011 music landscape. One of the original “Big Four”, this band is legendary, and this album is good enough to enjoy even if thrash isn’t your cup of tea.
Runner Up:
Machine Head – Unto the Locust
This is Machine Head’s first album in 4 years, and they delivered big time. The songs are extremely hard, but not to the point of losing their melodic nature. If you want something heavy, yet professional sounding, groove metal with tracks that are mostly 6-7 minutes long but never lose your interest, this album is a great one to pick up.
“I Don’t Get the Hype” Album of the Year
These albums get great reviews from the “experts”. Let me know if you like them….you can have my copy.
Winner:
Seether – Holding onto Strings Better Left to Fray
Seether has been a decent band for a long time, and their latest album had a giant single in Country Song, as well as a few other solid tracks. It’s a good album, but I read three separate professional blogs that ranked this the best album of the year. I just don’t see it.
Runner Up:
Duff McKagan’s Loaded – Sick
Duff, who played rhythm guitar for GNR, is extremely talented. However, I just can’t get into this album. The randomness of it doesn’t work for me…it’s as if Duff threw up 25 years worth of riffs he couldn’t use in GNR onto this album. This album is what we like to call MAB here at the Music Pill. Mediocre. At. Best.
“Never Had a Chance” Album of the Year
If I was truely unbiased, these would be in my top 10. However, I’m not, and they aren’t. Great albums, but not my cup of tea.
Winner:
Chimaira – The Age of Hell
I have never been into Chimaira, and with the tremendous amount of lineup changes that they’ve had recently, I thought it would only get worse with this release. The Age of Hell was a complete surprise, and even I can’t deny that it is a masterpiece. It won’t get the listens it deserves from me, but maybe it will from you.
Runner Up:
Anubis Gate – Anubis Gate
Power Metal (think Dragonforce) has never been something that I’ve loved, as the vocals and the music just seem to clash for me. However, this Anubis Gate album is brilliantly done, and is pretty amazing stuff. For something different, this is an excellent album to check out.
On the Lighter Side Album of the Year
These are the best albums of 2011 to put on when life only calls for one kick drum.
Winner:
You Me at Six – Sinners Never Sleep
This album is the perfect one to put on when you just need a break from the hard stuff. It’s very mellow, and the lead singer has a somewhat-soothing voice. However, the songs are very well written, and the music is put together in a way that it held my interest the entire time. Check it out!
Runner Up:
All Time Low – Dirty Work
I am a sucker for All Time Low, even though I’m about double the age of most of their fans. This recent release isn’t their best work, but I love every minute of it. If you’re looking for a pop/punk alternative sound, or if you are like me and occasionally like music that makes you feel like you are on spring break in high school, check out “I Feel Like Dancin” and the rest of this silly album.