Best of 2011

Now that 2011 is officially over, it's time I get my top music lists for the year together.

I usually have a hard time picking songs, but I already had to do so for a playlist with friends at work, so here you go:

Top 5 Songs

1. Radio -- Raphael Saadiq
2. Bizness -- Tune-Yards
3. I Get Nervous -- Lower Dens
4. Getting Ready for Christmas Day -- Paul Simon
5. 'Til I Go Home -- Small Sins

This year I was drawn to electronic music more than ever before. This trend will definitely continue into 2012. Would love to go to Moogfest in Asheville this year.

Top 5 Electronic Albums

1. Baths -- Cerulean (technically 2010)
2. James Blake -- James Blake
3. SBTRKT -- SBTRKT
4. Moderat -- Moderat (technically 2009)
5. Mount Kimbie -- Crooks & Lovers

Once I fall for a band, I fall hard. I lose all objectivity and tend to like anything they do, although My Morning Jacket is starting to threaten their status. For example, this year I saw U2 again and completed my back catalogs of Pearl Jam (20th anniversary!) and REM (farewell guys).

Top 5 Albums by Bands I Love Unconditionally

1. Ryan Adams -- Ashes & Fire
2. Bright Eyes -- The People's Key
3. Iron & Wine -- Kiss Each Other Clean
4. TV on the Radio -- Nine Types of Light
5. The Mountain Goats -- All Eternals Deck

Some of these bands have been around a while and some were new in 2011, but I plan on following these bands in the future.

Top 5 New (to me) Artists

1. Phantogram -- for fans of The xx
2. Drive-By Truckers -- wish I'd jumped on this bandwagon sooner
3. Handsome Furs -- guy from Wolf Parade
4. Jon Hopkins
5. The Head and the Heart

Last but not least, here are my favorite albums of the year. 

Top 5 Albums

1. The Decemberists -- The King is Dead
2. Wilco -- The Whole Love
3. Tune-Yards -- W H O K I L L
4. Radiohead -- The King of Limbs
5. Shabazz Palaces -- Black Up