Top Albums of 2011: The King in Yellow, Eureka, Secret Rituals, The Valley, Night of Hunters, Forever Today, The Belle Brigade, Mountaintops, Giving and Receiving, The People's Key, The Golem, Deerhoof vs. Evil, The Errant Charm, Moment Bends, and Join Us

Whether it is Pitchfork, Under the Radar, or KEXP, I am not liking most of what have been picked as the top albums of the year. So, to counter-act the poor choices of the hipster mainstream, here are my favorite albums of 2011:

1. The Dead Milkmen: The King in Yellow

Caitlin Childs



2. Mother Mother: Eureka

Baby Don’t Dance



3. The Grates: Secret Rituals

Sweet Dreams



4. Eisley: The Valley

Smarter



5. Tori Amos: Night of Hunters

Carry



6. I’m From Barcelona: Forever Today

Come On



7. The Belle Brigade: The Belle Brigade

Losers



8. Mates of State: Mountaintops

Sway

Mates Of State "Sway" from Barsuk Records on Vimeo.

9. Lake: Giving and Receiving

Within/Without



10. Bright Eyes: The People’s Key

Shell Games



11. Black Francis: The Golem

The Obedient Servant



12. Deerhoof: Deerhoof vs. Evil

Secret Mobilization



13. Vetiver: The Errant Charm

Wonder Why



14. Architecture in Helsinki: Moment Bends

W.O.W.



15. They Might Be Giants: Join Us

Cloisonné