The Absolute Best Records of 2011

For me 2011 was a bit of a weird year for music. I kept feeling like there were a lot of good records, but it felt somewhat lacking in great records. It definitely picked up in the 2nd half of the year and I truly cannot say enough good things about the top 6 or so records on this list. In particular The Steve Adamyk Band just totally ruled 2011, both with Forever Won't Wait and the fact that I couldn't stop playing their S/T LP from 2010. Fast, catchy & wonderful; if you do not have this record, I just don't know what to say other than "Get it."

Looking forward to 2012, with probable upcoming records from Night Marchers, Sonic Avenues, Sick Sick Birds, Delay, Dear Landlord & more on the horizon, rest assured there will be plenty more pictures posted on this site.

The List:

01. Steve Adamyk Band - Forever Won't Wait - Dirtnap

02. Title Tracks - In Blank - Windian

03. Tenement - Napalm Dream - Mandible

04. Camp Radio - Campista Socialista - Kelp

05. Your Pest Band - Ya-Ya-Ya - Snuffy Smiles

06. Crusades - The Sun Is Down And The Night Is Riding In - It's Alive

07. Royal Headache - Royal Headache - RIP Society

08. Gaye Blades - Gaye Blades - Norton

09. Cute Lepers - Adventure Time - 1234 Go

10. Boat - Dress Like Your Idols - Magic Marker

11. Barreracudas - Nocturnal Missions - Douchemaster

12. Obits - Moody Standard & Poor - Sub Pop

13. Shy Mirrors - Sailed Blanks - Big School

14. Yuck - Yuck - Fat Possum

15. High Tension Wires - Welcome New Machine - Dirtnap

16. Sundials - Never Settle - Toxic Pop

17. Bad Sports - Kings Of The Weekend - Dirtnap

18. Samiam - Trips - Hopeless

19. Let's Wrestle - Nursing Home - Merge

20. King Louie's Missing Monuments - Painted White - Douchemaster

Other good records and a few that were only pretty good that I bought in 2011:

- Banner Pilot - Heart Beats Pacific - Fat Wreck

- The Cars - Move Like This - Hear Music

- Cola Freaks - Cola Freaks - Douchemaster

- Dan Padilla - As The Ox Plows - Razorcake

- Del The Funky Homosapien - Golden Era - The Council

- Explosivo - If The Devil Had A Guitar - Dirtcult

- Gold-Bears - Are You Falling In Love - Slumberland

- Heavy Times - Jacker - Hozac

- Happy Thoughts - Happy Thoughts - Hozac

- Love Boat - Love Is Gone - Alien Snatch

- Marvelous Darlings - Single Life - Deranged (This would have been top 3 if it wasn't a singles comp. I don't really count those when I'm making best of the year lists)

- Midwest Beat - Gone Not Lost - Dusty Medical

- Mind Spiders - Mind Spiders - Dirtnap

- RVIVR - The Joester Sessions - Rumbletowne

- Dan Sartain - Legacy of Hospitality - One Little Indian

- Something Fierce - Don't Be So Cruel - Dirtnap

- Mark Sultan - Whenever I Want - In The Red

- Mark Sultan - Whatever I Want - In The Red

- Turkish Techno - Past Due - Dirtcult

- The Wrong Words - The Wrong Words - Trouble In Mind

Oh, in case you're curious, you can see my 2010 list here: http://www.ibuywaytoomanyrecords.com/2011/12/top-10-records-of-2010.html

Record Store Visit: Headstand - El Paso, TX - 12/26/11

Record Store Visit: Headstand - El Paso, TX, a photo by factportugal on Flickr.

In addition to posting pictures of the records I buy, I figured it may also be interesting to document some of the record stores that I go to, particularly when I go to a new store in a new city. My wife is from El Paso, TX, so when we went to see her family for Christmas this year, I asked if we could go to the local record store. We ended up at Headstand.

In addition to selling music, Headstand is very much a head shop. They sell lots of paraphernalia for "tobacco use." I wasn't interested in that side of the store, so I spent some time on the music side. As far as their CD selection goes, it's very much a shop with its main focus on alternative rock. I didn't see too much in the way of obscure bands, but they had the larger ones covered. But when it came to vinyl, the selection was limited to used records. I think that this store has only recently started selling vinyl. I almost picked up a record by the Association that was in pretty good shape, but it wasn't a find that I thought would be worth trying to bring home on an airplane. Most of the rest of the used vinyl was in pretty rough shape.

So I didn't get anything at Headstand, but for me, it's just always nice digging around in a record store I've never been in before.

Pixies - Doolittle LP - Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab Version - Thanksto @AlanRappa

Pixies - Doolittle LP - Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab Version - Thanks to @AlanRappa, a photo by factportugal on Flickr.

The 2nd half of my wonderful birthday gift from @AlanRappa. Like the Bossanova LP, the Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab version of Doolittle is just another super high end piece of vinyl. The work that goes into these, particularly the artwork is quite insane.

There's a very good chance that this will be the last record I take a picture of this year, though honestly you never know. I do have a few on order, so I could get surprised. Wait for my upcoming Top 10 list (and more) though.

Jean Claude Jam Band - Discography Cassette

Silly band name and you can insert my usual complaint about cassette only releases here, but I've got to say these are some good songs this tape. To me the band sounds very much like they'd be right at home on Snuffy Smiles records, in particular the singer reminds me of the guy from those bands Lovemen & Long Ball to No-One. I would have preferred this come out on vinyl (some of the songs are on 7"s, which i think i have all of) but at least it came with a download code making an easy transfer to a device I can actually listen to this on.

Baby Shakes - S/T LP - Blue/Pink Split Vinyl /100

So I missed the boat on this record when it first came out, and became a fan after the fact. The upbeat pop w/ 50s/60s girl vocals works their way into my head. Fast forward to a few weeks ago. The great label with the silly name , Douchemaster Records, emailed out that they had a few of the Baby Shakes LPs on colored vinyl, but with slightly damaged covers. And they were only $4. So I decided to grab one and if the cover was really all that bad, I'd just buy a copy on black vinyl and swap the covers. Well as it turns out the damage on the cover appears to be coffee stains and a tiny, tiny bend in the bottom left hand corner. Honestly the bend is so little, It's no big deal really. but the coffee stains bugged me. However, a quick, very slightly damp paper towel across the cover and BAM! All clean, stains gone, perfectly good, rare colored vinyl record for $4. I love finds like this!

Shy Mirrors - Sailed Blanks LP - Clear Vinyl

Picked this up on the recommendation of the Willfully Obscure blog. I guess the singer was in that band Wolfie, but Shy Mirrors is much more rocking if you ask me. Singers voice has something of a Mac from Superchunk quality to it, but there are times where his voice doesn't totally fit. Also wish the bass was a bit more prevalent. But these gripes aside, this is a fun, high tempo record of crunchy guitar and some pretty decent hooks. I recommend checking it out.

Pixies - Bossanova LP (Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab Version) - Thanks @AlanRappa

This is the ultra fancy audiophile edition of this awesome Pixies record, given to me as a Birthday gift from @AlanRappa. It looks and sounds simply amazing, but now I need to get the rest of their albums as Mobile Fidelity editions!

Snuff - 5-4-3-2-1 Ding-a-ling Yahon 2011 Japanese Tour CD

It's no secret that I am a HUGE fan of the band Snuff. Only them & Leatherface rival my love for Rocket From The Crypt. This is the most recent Snuff release, their first in quite some time and it's a Japanese Tour CD with 8 new tracks. As with all of Snuff's Japanese Releases, this is a mixed bag of new songs, songs sung in Japanese & instrumentals, but boy is it nice hearing some new tunes. There's still a few of these floating around on ebay at extremely reasonable prices (www.ebay.com/itm/SNUFF-Japan-Tour-2011-CD-EP-5-4-3-2-1-le...), so I'd grab it while the grabbing is good if you want to own this CD.

Pinback - Information Retrieved Pt. B 7" - Record Store Day Black Friday Release

And I didn't even have to wait on any lines. I like the concept of Black Friday Record Store Day, but it's a bad time of the year to have to drop a potentially large amount of money on yourself. Luckily this Pinback 7" was the only thing on the list that I wanted. Plus stores were allowed to sell online, so I didn't have to wake up super early and stand IN line. We'll save that treat for Record Store Day proper. Picture came out kind of crappy, I'm not sure why...

Your Pest Band - Ground Zero 7" - Snuffy Smiles #118

Every time Snuffy Smiles puts out a record, I get so excited that the label still exists. Easily the best and most consistent record label to the Earth, they put out yet another great, great 7" by Your Pest Band. Considering how many Your Pest Band 7"s Snuffy Smiles has put out, I'd like to also thank the band for helping keep the label going. Now does anyone know if The Urchin are still a band?

The Toyotas - Radio Off 7" - Alternate Sleeve /100

To me, The Toyotas are one of those bands that are just right on the cusp of being a great band. I wish the hooks were a bit catchier, the vocals a bit more melodic and the guitars just a tad louder. But every time I hear a new record by them, they appear to be moving in that direction. I think they're on to something here... I probably should have taking the cover out of the plastic sleeve before I took this picture. Makes it look pretty washed out. I'll remember that next time.

Mrs. Magician - Prescription Vision 7"

This is the 3rd 7" I've picked up by the band, and once again I'm quite impressed by them. Word is they are working on their debut full length now, which is meant to come out on Swami records. Let the resurrection of this great label begin!

Sharp Objects - Zero Ambition 7" - Clear Vinyl /100

Another Ptrash Club 7". Sharp Objects have that upper mid tempo, slightly snotty garage-y punk thing pretty down pat. Problem is, I'm a bit bored with that quite frankly. Unless you've got some amazing hooks or something else that really makes you stand out, you're going to get lost in the shuffle. This is not bad, but it doesn't shine either. I will say that the artwork is pretty cool though, The cover is screened on a clear, flexi piece of plastic.

Weekend Dads - Changing Lanes 7"

I thought I had made a mistake on this record after listening to the 1st song. Bad times. But the other 3 were drastic improvements. 2 singers, one with a high pitched voice, one with a lower gruff voice. The gruff voiced guy's songs are much better to my ears than the other guy. Musically it's kind of that No Idea not really as good as Dillinger Four/Dear Landlord type stuff. I wouldn't go out of my way to pick up this record, but if you're already placing an order somewhere that is stocking it, I don't see a problem dropping $4 on it.

Vanna Inget - Allvar LP - Clear Vinyl w/ Splatter /100

OK, so I ended up not liking this record at all. I was sold on it by a description of the band sounding like the Marked Men, plus they were from Sweden, a country that has done right by me in the past. I will say that musically, they're not bad, but wow do I not like the singers voice. To my untrained ears, it just sounds horrible. Think the singer from Pretty Girls Make Graves, but with virtually no concept of melody and when you should turn up the intensity. This album sounds like a constant battle cry, but not in a good way. This record will probably just be filed away for eternity, unless they get famous somehow and I can find someone willing to buy it from me. Oh well.

Weezer - S/T LP (The good one, not one of the 800 crappy S/T LPs they've released)

Oddly enough I never had this record on vinyl. And say what you will about every Weezer record other than the 1st two, but I love this record. It's always just been too expensive for me to justify picking up. It was either out of print or a super pricey import. I couldn't bring myself to spend $50+ on this. But while trolling through one of the vinyl collecting message boards I frequent, I came across a guy who was looking for some records and offered this up for trade. I had one of the records on his list, Jimmy Eat World - Futures LP. I have had that record since it came out, I got it for free when I worked in the music industry and it's just sat in my collection un-played. Why unplayed? Because it is a horrible, horrible record. Anyway, I was all too happy to trade that crummy record for this Weezer record. Finally in the collection, and it didn't cost me a dime.

Yeah, there is about a 2 inch seam split on the top of the cover. I'm not thrilled about that, but again, this record was essentially free, so I'm not going to complain about that too much.

V/A - Bloodstains Across Ontario 7" Compilation - European Version /100

This is the European Version of this Compilation 7". Bought to keep my Steve Adamyk Band & White Wires collections complete.

The Steve Adamyk Band - Forever Won't Wait LP - Clear Vinyl (/200) & Black Vinyl & CD

Here it is, at long last. The best album of 2011. I loved the first Steve Adamyk Band LP. It totally took over the 2nd half of 2010 and I played that record time and time again. With such lofty expectations for the follow-up, it would have been extremely easy to be disappointed. I can genuinely say that Forever Won't Wait is just as good as the band's last album, and even better in places. Steve & Co have mastered cramming songs with amazing hooks, and you would be hard pressed to find any band that uses harmonies and backing vocals more effectively in 2011. I cannot impress upon you enough that this is the 1 record you must own this year. Don't get me wrong, 2011 has given out some great, great records; but The Steve Adamyk Band sits at the very top of the pile. There are a few bonus tracks on the CD, I would have preferred them on the vinyl, but I guess they are getting their own separate release on another label.

Modern Pets - S/T LP - Red Vinyl /100

I want to like this record more than I actually do, and unfortunately
it comes down to the vocals. They're just a little too whiny/snotty
for me. The same band with a different singer would probably light my
world on fire. Oh well.

Heavy Times - Jacker LP - Gold Vinyl /200

Not sure exactly how to describe this album. There's definite pop overtones, but there's also a sludgy swirling feel to the recording. I like it, though i don't know that you could compare it with a lot of other bands that I enjoy. I don't think I would want to listen to 10 bands that sound like Heavy Times, but I think 1 band like this deserves a spot in my rotation.

Young Governor - Where It's Quiet 10" - Clear Orange Vinyl

Actually, it looks like Gold vinyl to me, but the label says it is orange.
More great tunes from Young Guv, and I always love adding more 10"s to the
collection.

Tongan Death Grip - Chula Vista LP - Red Vinyl /100

Considering that this band named itself after a pro wrestling move, I wish
I liked it more than I do. Don't get me wrong, it's not bad at all and has
a few great moments, but it's missing the spark that makes it something
special. Reminds me a bit of the last Statues record. They seem to be on
such a hurry, there's no time for the songs to sink in. Still, I predict
this fares better after repeated listens.

Dan Sartain - Too Tough To Live Demo/Bootleg Cassette Thing /30

This thing is weird. So as the story goes, this is Dan's next album. Some guy went to see a Dan Sartain show and Dan gave the guy a cassette copy of his new record. He then supposedly gave this guy permission to bootleg a small amount of them. I'm not totally sure I buy that story, but the guy did only charge for the blank tape and shipping, so he certainly didn't make any money off of this. Kind of bizarre. Anyway, the album itself is a different direction for Dan. it's 13 songs but only 20 minutes long. They're fast downstroke heavy punk songs. Some of which are great, some of which are over so fast you almost don't notice them. To me, it would be weird if this ended up being the whole new Dan Sartain record. Seems like more of an EP appetizer than a main course full length.

Zebrassiers - Black Brainwave 10" - Screened Cover /100

Limited Ptrash Club version of the new Zebrassiers 10". Picks up when the
last record left off. Keyboard heavy, start/stop guitars that build into
super catchy choruses. More from Team Canada.

Mark Sultan - Whenever I Want LP - Blue Vinyl /200

Ok, I'll be honest, after a few listens each, I don't really know exactly which songs are on which record, so I'll say a brief word about both of these Mark Sultan records. 2 full LPs is too much at one time. I like both of these records, there's a ton of great songs on here, but I think that if they were pruned down to 1 record it would have more of an impact, like his last album $ did last year. It will take a few more listens to really get a feel for each of these albums, and it's a task that I am looking forward too, but it is a lot of music to consume all at once.

Mark Sultan - Whatever I Want LP - Blue Vinyl /200

Ok, I'll be honest, after a few listens each, I don't really know exactly which songs are on which record, so I'll say a brief word about both of these Mark Sultan records. 2 full LPs is too much at one time. I like both of these records, there's a ton of great songs on here, but I think that if they were pruned down to 1 record it would have more of an impact, like his last album $ did last year. It will take a few more listens to really get a feel for each of these albums, and it's a task that I am looking forward too, but it is a lot of music to consume all at once.

RVIVR - belebend 7"

This was a tricky one to hunt down as it was a 7" made for a Europe tour. I don't have as many record trading friends overseas as I did when I was younger. Luckily I managed to find this at a small UK distro. A little pricey with shipping, but totally worth it to keep my RVIVR collection complete.

Tenement - Taking Everything 7" - Clear Vinyl /100

2 more songs from Tenement, who also put out one of my absolute favorite
records of the year; Napalm Dream. Don't let the band name fool you. They're
not metal, they're one of the best poppy/punky/dinosaur jr guitar riff bands
going.

Barreracudas - Nocturnal Missions - Pink & Black Split Vinyl /100

Debut full length from the band. i have a 7" by the that i thought was OK, but i liked this full length way more than i was expecting. Fast & catchy garage pop that's not nearly as snotty as the album cover would leave you to believe.

Banner Pilot - Heart Beats Pacific LP - Blue Vinyl

New Banner Pilot record, honestly sounds a lot like the last Banner Pilot records. Good songs and will definitely be on my frequent rotation in the upcoming weeks, though I wish it didn't sound quite so slick. I like my punk rock a little rougher around the edges.

Camp Radio - Campista Socialist LP + Bonus 7" (White Vinyl)

Feels like I've been waiting forever since Camp Radio's last LP for this follow-up. And I can say without question I am not disappointed. Another album full of catchy, upbeat pop songs. When you call a band's record "mature" sounding, you run the risk of people thinking it's boring music for old people, but to me this is exactly the kind of record that the punks of the 90s should be making today. Keeping the energy of yesterday without sounding like a dated rehash. Thumbs way up. Plus the artwork & packaging is great, the vinyl sounds amazing and I don't know if you can see it, but I got #2 of the 100 numbered bonus 7"s. Score!

Marvelous Darlings - Single Life Cassette

Too many cassettes, don't like it. But Marvelous Darlings are one of those
bands where I go variant searching. This compiles their 7"s, and luckily it
is also coming out on LP and CD eventually.

The Arrivals / The Arteries - Split 7" - Brown Vinyl /100

Part of the All In Vinyl singles series. Big fan of The Arrivals since there last record. I've tried really hard to get into the Arteries, but everything I've heard by them is just a little too screamy for me. Haven't listened to this record yet, but I am kind of expecting more of the same. I guess we'll see.

Mother's Children - Are You Tough Enough 12" - White Vinyl /100

Finally got my copy of this EP on white vinyl. It can be a tricky thing,
this mailorder from Germany, but when the package finally arrives and you
are surrounded by big pop tunes, well that's when it all seems worth the
wait.

Rumspringer / Shang-A-Lang - Split 7"

I love Rumspringer, so of course I'm buying every record they are on. Not as
into Shang-A-Lang, personally. Also, thumbs down to whoever cut/folded this
7" cover. It sticks up out of the top of the bag by about a quarter of an
inch and is folded totally crooked.

Off With Their Heads/Dead To Me/Riverboat Gamblers - Tour Split 7" - Gold w/ Black Vinyl

Musically, nothing special as I only like Off With Their Heads and their
song is on their last album as well. But it keeps my OWTH 7" collection
complete and I got it for cheap when Fat Wreck threw some of the tour
leftovers on their website. I had seen it going for $50 on ebay prior to
that.

Wavves - Life Sux 12" - Green Vinyl /420 (that's a pretty dumb joke Wavves)

New EP from Wavves, can't say I like it as much as their last album, but
there's a few great songs on here. I'm pleased got a copy of the green vinyl
as there was some sort of screw up when it shipped, so lots of other people
who ordered early missed out.

Crusades - The Sun Is Down And The Night Is Riding In LP - Red Vinyl /200

More Canadian greatness hear, though Crusades definitely have a more somber edge to them than many of the other pop bands coming out of the great white north. This LP picks up where their debut 7" leaves off. It's a record full of fast guitar & melody, all leaning a towards a very distinct dark path. But this isn't a record of cheesy Halloween themed nonsense. Crusades have crafted an album that proves pop punk can be serious, but without sacrificing an amazing hook.

The Gaye Blades - S/T LP

Now this record is outstanding. I picked it up as soon as I heard that Gentleman Jesse was in the band now, and the sound of this Gaye Blades album doesn't stay too far from the jangly pop that Jesse has been pumping out on his own. In addition to the great tunes, the vinyl is incredible, super sturdy (I'm not sure that it's 180g, but it doesn't feel too far off) and the thing just sounds bright, alive and incredible. Worth every penny, go buy it now.

Turkish Techno - Past Due LP - Pink Vinyl /100

I took a chance on this band. Read a lot of good things, but it's just not really doing it for me. I'm not giving up on them yet, but the first few listens don't strike me as anything special. It's gruff vocal punk rock, but i don't find it to be particularly dynamic, and a few of the songs have some pretty bad lyrics. I'll never say this is a bad album, but it's certainly not a great one either.

Spider Fever - She's No Saint 7" - Purple Vinyl (/400) & Black Vinyl (/100)

Though it's hard to tell in the picture, the 7" on the left is dark translucent purple. When I ordered this 7" from Cave Punk records, the fine man that runs that label saw fit to send me both versions of the record, even though I had only ordered 1 copy. That is the kind of customer service that will keep me going back again and again,

Samiam - Trips LP - White Vinyl

I was never all that into Samiam during their heyday. I'm not even sure why.
There was so much great new music back then, I guess they just didn't jump
out at me. It's also possible my tastes have changed. Regardless, I really
like their new album Trips, and I'm going to give their back catalog another
chance. Any recommendations where to start?

Mrs Magician - There Is No God 7"

This is the 2nd Mrs Magician 7" I recently picked up. Both of them are limited to 300 copies, so
you may want to grab them soon if you have any interest.

Mrs Magician - The Spells 7"

I'm going to have a bit of a hard time explaining this one, but the short story is I like it a lot. Swamipat compared them to No Knife, which I can see in the vocals, but it would be a bit more like No Knife playing music in the late 50's/early 60's. It's a tricky one to describe, but I like it.

Sundials - Shelter Girl 7" /350

Latest Art Of The Underground 7" Singles Club release. I really like this
band and their full length is also one of the better records I've heard this
year.

Bad Sports - Nothin' To Do 7"

Companion 7" to their new full length. On Nashville's Dead records.

Dear Landlord / Dopamines - Split 7" - Blur w/ Grey Vinyl

I can't say I've ever been very impressed with the Dopamines, but Dear
Landlord is a band I can get behind. This 7" is cheap over at the Paper +
Plastick website because they put the labels on the wrong side of the
records. Though be warned, my record came covered in grit and cunk. Big time
cleaning needed before it went on the turntable.

Steve Adamyk Band - S/T Cassette - 4 Colors /25 each

Now do i really need 4 copies of the same album on cassette? The answer is probably no, but let's face it, the answer is actually yes. As all should be aware I am completely obsessed with this album and I will not allow there to be a variant that I do not have. Each one comes with a download code as well. Hey, how's this for a treat. I will send one of these download codes to the first person that asks me for it. Bammmmm!

Bad Sports - Kings Of The Weekend LP - Blue Vinyl /200

2nd full length from this Texas band, and I like it more then their first album. Songs are tighter and perhaps a little catchier. You can hear a bit of a Marked Men style influence, but not to the point where it's overbearing and the band doesn't sound like themselves. I say it's good.

Red Dons - A Forced Turning Point 7"

New 7" by Red Dons, who put out one of my absolute favorite records last
year. If you're looking for downstroke heavy Wipers/Hot Snakes rock, this is
a good place to look.