This was also the year SYG and FYS released their bad albums after being two of my favorite bands at the time so that was a bummer
2011 holds a special place in my heart. It was a big social breakthrough for a 15 year old me, and lot of that was thanks to my band back then. An exciting time.
Looking back at a lot of these lists reminds me of all the time I spent browsing the local record store in 2010-2013 and buying cds. Feels even weirder today in covid-times and even somewhat hard to remember the last time I bought a cd.
Yeah, I still think Bon Iver has best album of the decade, and I also give Elsie the nod here as my favorite from the year. I'm a walking paradox. It led to SYG getting really pissed at Thomas though online. Kinda worth it.
for as much as i love gaslight anthem i've never really connected with horrible crowes or brian's solo stuff. i'll give it another go today.
My dislike for virtually every The Wonder Years album has been apparent and stated ... basically every year of the last ten at least. The only one I like is the Greatest Generation and it’s only ok.
Scorching take! I think they have a lot of good songs that would be better with slightly less histrionic vocal delivery from Soupy. I also feel this way, x10, about Spanish Love Songs.
The Wonder Years have always felt like they wanted to be part of the era of classic pop punk bands (Startling Line, Yellowcard, etc) but were just right behind. They never quite broke past "pretty good pop punk" to GREAT. They also haven't evolved much over... what, 5? 6? albums? They have a very specific niche of music they make and don't wander far from.
It’s funny you bring up SLS because I have the same relationship with them — a pop punk band that I get the appeal of from a lyrical perspective, but does absolutely nothing for me from an instrumental perspective. Definitely agree on the vocals of both bands for sure, especially with SLS it’s kinda over the top haha
yeah wonder years have only gotten worse since they became an alt-rock band. they're too talented for boring pop punk but not nearly talented enough for what they're trying to do now.
I hauled off and bought Suburbia after those year end rankings. Figured it was a can't miss. Listened to it twice
i think it makes sense to leave them off now. 2011 me would be heated. they were top tier of that era imo.
1. dawes - nothing is wrong 2. iioi - p r o p e r 3. death cab - codes & keys 4. bon iver - s/t 5. thrice - major/minor 6. TA - ptsbbam 7. iioi - twelve towns 8. middle brother - s/t 9. brown bird - salt for salt honorable mentions: fleet foxes, la dispute, twy, bright eyes, the civil wars, manchester orchestra
Simple Math has definitely aged well. I think following and then having to live up to Mean Everything to Nothing is impossible. Augustana is also an album that aged well. Still listen to it regularly.