Thread: Best albums of 2011

Originally Posted by coqauvin

I always thought he was better as a studio band. The impression that I got is that Beirut is led and driven solely by Zach Condon, and the element that stands out the most is the layered harmonies, especially in the vocal lines. A couple of my favourite tracks are Mount Wroclai, Cliquot and Elephant Gun. The live versions I heard (off youtube, I still haven't managed to get to a Beirut concert yet) of Wroclai lacked the layered vocal lines that made the song so strong to me. Cliquot was very similar, although Elephant Gun was done pretty well. In the end, I still feel Condon is strongest as a studio artist, but then I haven't seen him live, so take that with a grain of salt.

I agree about the layering, but the layers don't jump out at me. I don't know if they could be mixed better or what.

Incidentally, Owen Pallett opened and performed "Cliquot" solo. My understanding was Beirut doesn't play this song at shows unless he's around. "Mount Wroclai" was in the encore and the ending gave me new appreciation for it, the strong part being that melody. The downsides were the songs started sounding samey after a while, trumpet blasting in every other song felt repetitive, and Condon could have been slurring indistinctly for all I could tell.

Originally Posted by Vengeful Scars

I like your list there, Explosions in the Sky, Mogwai, 65daysofstatic....

If I wasn't in jail for so long, I could have some serious input into this thread. But until I find out albums that were released last year, I couldn't tell you my favorites of last year.

The only other post-rock bands in my list are This Will Destroy You and Russian Circles, although This Will Destroy You transitioned into drone. I recommend Tim Hecker if you can consider post-rock as a gateway drug to ambience.

Originally Posted by ShitFace

Nice list, I will be checking some of those albums out this weekend I think.
Mainly the 65 days album.

Listen to Mogwai's Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will too.

Originally Posted by simonj

Also, I really do not understand the big deal about Bon Iver. For years people have been telling me I will love him, I should check out such an album or such a song and every single time it just strikes me as the most boring, empty, pseudo-artistic nonsense I've heard. Just fairly pleasant noise and nothing more.

I don't think Bon Iver is one of the greatest musicians of all time or anything; it just happens that none of the other albums match it imo. It seems people either love it or find it overrated, which is understandable, so I see no reason for me or any of those people to try to convince you to listen to him anymore.

I still have to listen to Kate Bush.