Favorite Albums of 2011: #40-21

Like I said before, 2011 was a great year for albums. In fact, as I was compiling and organizing my list, I was surprised to realize exactly how great this year was. 2011 didn't really have anything that came close to a Merriweather Post Pavilion or a Tones of Town or In Rainbows, but the sheer number of albums that I can admit to absolutely loving and that I will take with me well into the future is encouraging.

Anyway, following is the first part of my list, numbers 40 through 21. Also, HERE's a mix of one song per record, sequenced in order of ranking. Please feel free to share any thoughts or concerns.

(40) Wild Flag - Wild Flag (Merge)

This debut full length from super-band featuring Carrie Brownstein and Mary Timony did not live up to my expectations. But, still, it is a very good rock record from these chicks who play guitar like total bad asses.

Top jams: "Romance," "Something Came Over Me," "Glass Tambourine," "Short Version," "Electric Band," "Future Crimes"

(39) Gauntlet Hair - Gauntlet Hair (Dead Oceans)

Probably a bit too heavy on the trendy reverb and hipster hype, but I can't deny my love for these quirky rhythms and spacey guitar sounds.

Top jams: "Keep Time," "Top Bunk," "Mop It Up," "My Christ," "Lights Out," "Overkill"

(38) Share the Joy - Vivian Girls (Polyvinyl)

Viv Girls take a step backwards in quality to try some things that they never have before. Most of them work, some of them don't. Still a doozy of a punk record.

Top jams: "The Other Girls," "I Heard You Say," "Lake House," "Vanishing of Time," "Death"

(37) Strange Mercy - St. Vincent (4AD)

Not as immediate as and even moodier than St. Vincent's previous two records, Strange Mercy was a bit of a disappointment. But, with such bad ass guitar leads and all that gnarly synth bass, it is almost forgivable.

Top jams: "Chloe in the Afternoon," "Cruel," "Surgeon," "Northern Lights," "Neutered Fruit"

(36) Humor Risk - Cass McCombs (Domino)

While McCombs' album released earlier in the year was gorgeous but snooze-worthy, he quickly followed it up with a quality, interestingly inconsistent album that rides the line between guitar pop and folk and features some truly excellent, albeit insanely repetitive, songs.

Top jams: "Love Thine Enemy," "The Same Thing," "Robin Egg Blue," "Mystery Mail"

(35) The Whole Love - Wilco (dBpm)

Ignoring the fact that my experience with A Ghost is Born is minimal, The Whole Love is my favorite thing Wilco has done since Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Half of it is spectacular.

Top jams: "I Might," "Dawned on Me," "Born Alone," "Standing O," "Rising Red Lung," "Whole Love"

(34) The Babies//Here Comes Trouble 7" - The Babies (Shrimper//Teenage Teardrops)

Cassie Ramone and a dude from Woods wrote and recorded some great jangly pop punk songs in 2011. I'm shocked by how much more I enjoyed this than the Vivian Girls album. I am not shocked by how much more I like these recordings than anything by Woods.

Top jams: "Run Me Over," "Sunset," "All Things Come to Pass," "Voice Like Thunder," "Meet Me in the City," "Here Comes Trouble," "My Tears"

(33) Fucked Up Presents: David's Town - various artists (Matador)

Fucked Up earned the title of most fun band alive by recording, compiling and releasing this compilation of fake British punk bands from the late 70s. It sounds like a lot of work, and that the majority of the songs are actually really good (even the obviously jokey ones) is a huge bonus.

Top jams: "Byrdesdale Spa FC" (Porcelain on Porcelain), "Garden City" (Crown and Criers), "Unrequited Love" (Redstockings), "Do You Feed? (The Curry Song)" (Animal Man), "Fake Moments (Of True Love)" (The Wavy Originals), "Light Rain" (Grain), "Harmony's Double" (In Good Company), "It's Hard to be a Dad" (Wonderer)

(32) Here Before - The Feelies (Bar/None)

The Feelies finally make their triumphant return. I'm relatively late to the game, having just gotten really into the classic Only Life only a year or two ago, but the mellow jangle of Here Today still does it for me. "Nobody Knows" and "Should be Gone" rank among the greatest of Feelies of songs.

Top jams: "Nobody Knows," "Should be Gone," "Later On," "Way Down," "Morning Comes," "On and On," "So Far"

(31) Giving & Receiving - Lake (K)

After Lake's wonderful Let's Build a Roof came out of nowhere and dominated me in 2009, I was prepared for the follow-up. Giving & Receiving isn't as good, but it's still full of those Fleetwood Mac and Steely Dan inspired soft adult contemporary pop style jams I've come to love.

Top jams: "Roger Miller," "Within/Without," "Stumble Around," "Giving & Receiving," "Bird and the Berry," "Interlude," "Pilgrim's Day"

(30) Innings - Nodzzz (Woodsist)

Plenty of things to like here: the good kind of lo-fi, dual guitar jangle, overt nerdiness, and a 14 track album that clocks in at just under 24 minutes.

Top jams: "Always Make Your Bed," "I'm Not a Wanderer," "Time (What's It Going to Do)," "Heyday Past Heyday Due," "Old Clothes," "Family Name," "Love is Code," "Spirit & Soul"

(29) It's All True - Junior Boys (Domino)

Another set of of mellow, sexy and somewhat danceable synth pop from Junior Boys. It's All True doesn't quite live up to the prior two albums, but it's still a top notch effort from these classy dudes.

Top jams: "Itchy Fingers," "You'll Improve Me," "A Truly Happy Ending," "Second Chance," "ep," "Banana Ripple"

(28) Yuck - Yuck (Fat Possum)

Early 90s alternative rock done mostly right. There are some snoozers, but the outright jams easily make up for that. I basically agree with Bravender that Yuck should record their next album with a big name. It would probably be better. "Get Away" is one of the greatest songs of 2011.

Top jams: "Get Away," "The Wall," "Holing Out," "Georgia," "Operation," "Rubber"

(27) Pallister Chant EP - Zoos of Berlin (self-released)

Zoos of Berlin are the best band in Detroit (if not Michigan), and no one can convince me otherwise. Palister Chant brightens up the mood of 2009's amazing Taxis and takes on a more 80s pop feel (check out "Haven't Eyes," which also has the funniest song title I've come across in some time). Zoos continue to be both eccentric and consistent and should easily be accepting recording contract offers from the likes of 4AD or Domino any time now.

Top jams: "Haven't Eyes," "Tamarind," "Sheets of Solid Gold"

(26) In Heaven - Twin Sister (Domino)

The best kind of 80s music has been making a huge comeback the past couple of years, and Twin Sister have played a major role in it. I was mildly disappointed in this, their debut full-length at first, but there are so many subtle details that add up to make this quite the record. The fantastic rhythm section, awesome synths and chimey guitars help me cope with the weird female vocals that are almost a turnoff, but also contribute to the album's unique, though blatantly 80s sound. In Heaven is the kind of record that gets better with each and every listen.

Top jams: "Daniel," "Stop," "Bad Street," "Space Babe," "Saturday Sunday," "Eastern Green"

(25) Shed - Title Fight (Side One Dummy)

Thanks be to Bravender for tipping me off to these young lads. Fast, technical, catchy and emotional pop punk by dudes who know how to play their instruments, write great chord progressions and melodies, and make a guy feel like he's in high school again. I am incredibly nostalgic, and at times that can be a curse. But, in this case, it is totally a blessing.

Top jams: "Coxton Yard," "Shed," "Flood of '72," "Society," "Your Screen Door," "27," "Stab"

(24) Cosmos Factory EP - Brain Idea (Mexican Summer)

Another band I would have never checked out if Bravender hadn't encouraged me to do so (even if Brain Idea is the best and funniest band name I've heard in a long time). Cosmos Factory features two things I love: spacey, jangly guitars and awesomely distorted drums. At times, this reminds me of a snottier version of The Bats. If these guys ever release a full length, it could all be over.

Top jams: "Signals," "Cosmos Factory," "Suspended in Bliss," "See YRself"

(23) Pebble - Lemuria (Bridge Nine)

Emotional boy/girl guitar pop with subtle technicalities that drive me crazy (in the good way). Awesome drumming and guitar playing with wonderful melodies and great production. Damn fine.

Top jams: "Yellowstone Lady," "Irregular," "Ribcage," "Different Girls," "Bloomer," "Durian," "Chautaugua County"

(22) Lenses Alien - Cymbals Eat Guitars (Barsuk)

Definitely preferable to Cymbals Eat Guitars' 2009 debut, Why There Are Mountains (which was still solid), the complex structures, impressive melodies and wailing guitars on Lenses Alien are a welcome entry to this recent 90s alternative rock revival. CEG takes this one step further, somehow making their songs sound futuristic too. I hear a little more My Bloody Valentine and Smashing Pumpkins than Dinosaur Jr. and Pavement this time around.

Top jams: "Shore Points," "Keep Me Waiting," "Plainclothes," "Definite Darkness," "Another Tunguska," "Secret Family"

(21) Cloud Nothings - Cloud Nothings (Wichita/Carpark)

Fast, jangly pop punk with fantastic melodies. The vocals are tied with those on the Nodzzz album as the nerdiest of 2011. There are also some hints at 90s emo guitar, which, of course, I am all about. Pretty stoked for the upcoming Steve Albini-produced follow-up.

Top jams: "Understand at All," "Should Have," "Nothing's Wrong," "Heartbeat," "Rock," "On the Radio"