This year, Punktastic decided to be democratic about our choices for Top 10 albums of the year, and we found out that we can barely agree on anything at all. That’s fine though because the final lists are both full of incredible music, and you can see our run down of our favourites below.
Punktastic.com’s Top 10 albums of 2011
First up is our democratically selected top 10 albums of 2011 – you can see the rundown below, and there’s probably a few surprises in store!
10. YELLOWCARD
When You’re Through Thinking, Say YesJessica Acreman says… “For most bands, a break as long as YELLOWCARD’s would spell disaster. Fortunately, the proof was in the pudding for Yellowcard, as they hit back this year with their all-killer 7th album – brimming with trademark melodies and gargantuan choruses, the release really has been the tip of the iceberg for Yellowcard’s incredible return to form.”
When You’re Through Thinking, Say YesJessica Acreman says… “For most bands, a break as long as YELLOWCARD’s would spell disaster. Fortunately, the proof was in the pudding for Yellowcard, as they hit back this year with their all-killer 7th album – brimming with trademark melodies and gargantuan choruses, the release really has been the tip of the iceberg for Yellowcard’s incredible return to form.”
09. CRAZY ARMCity Union BreathAlex Hambleton says… “In short, ‘Union City Breath’ is a triumph from start to finish.” I wrote that back in October. I was WRONG! Crazy Arm’s sophomore album blitzes everything else out there and triumph isn’t nearly a strong enough description. The rolling country-folk-punk sound and blunt lyrics encapsulate and impress more with each listen.”
08. FIREWORKSGospel
Chris Marshman says… “There always was the potential for ‘Gospel’ to be good, but I don’t think anyone predicted it would be this good, best listened to at the height of summer it blows its respective counterparts out of the water; what Fireworks have achieved with ‘Gospel; is an album that represents a new found maturity while never once compromising the appeal of their back catalogue.”
07. TURBOWOLFTurbowolfTom Aylott says… “There’s very few bad moods that can’t be improved with some filthy rock music, and TURBOWOLF’s self-titled effort is absolutely brilliant. The band are unstoppable at the moment, and the album simply has the right mix of everything you need for a good time.”
06. TOUCHÉ AMOREParting the Sea Between Brightness and MeChris Marshman says… “From the moment the opening lines apply an assault on your senses, it’s clear you’re in for a very special ride, the lyrics are raw, intense and full of emotion and the musicianship is awesome, all in all it’s a winning combination that makes for an album that has reached the top of many peoples yearly lists.”
05. JUNIOR BATTLESIdle Ages
Chris Marshman says… “A relatively unknown band at the beginning of the year, ‘Idle Ages’ has gone down as one of the surprise entries for this year’s top 10, what makes this album so strong is the way the songs seem to follow on from one another with consummate ease, the lyrics are relatable and the hooks are blindingly good, this is pop punk at it’s very, very best.”
04. DEAF HAVANAFools And Worthless LiarsTom Aylott says… “A crowing moment for DEAF HAVANA as their evolution into a ‘grown up band’ seems to have been completed. ‘Fools And Worthless Liars’ is effortlessly great and is a shining moment for the new generation of British rock music.”
03. LA DISPUTEWildlifeTom Aylott says… “‘Wildlife’ is absolutely breathtaking. From what I’d heard of LA DISPUTE I expected to enjoy it, but I was completely blown away and haven’t been able to put it down often since I first heard it.”
02. THRICEMajor/MinorBen Tipple says… “At a time when many fans had written THRICE off, ‘Major/Minor’ proved what the band were capable of, delivering their best release to date. This is an absolutely stunning record.”
01. POLAR BEAR CLUBClash Battle Guilt PrideJessica Acreman says… “Punk rock is whatever is in your head, and this is in mine. Between the gruff vocals and whiskey soaked sentiment, ‘Clash Battle Guilt Pride’ hooked my imagination; pitch perfectly transforming lowly tales into cathartic anthems. Perfect.”POLAR BEAR CLUB really delivered with ‘Clash Battle Guilt Pride’, and they now have the coveted title of “Album of the year”. Recommended track: ‘I’ll Never Leave New York’
Punktastic.com’s Top 5 EPs of 2011
Secondly, here’s our rundown of what we think are the best 5 EPs of 2011. It’s been a really strong years for EP, and the competition was fierce, with most of the following getting almost identical amounts of love from our staff!
05. MAKE DO AND MENDPart and Parcel
Tom Aylott says… “MAKE DO AND MEND seemingly pulled off the impossible with ‘Part and Parcel’. It could have been a bit of a dreary event considering their usual energy, but thankfully they pulled it right out of the bag and produced one of the most interesting EPs of the year, serving as a great warm up for a full length in 2012.”
04. GLASSJAWColoring BookBen Tipple says… “Controversially, Daryl Palumbo and co. strip back the GLASSJAW sound. The result is a whirlwind of seductive and harrowing rock, as beautiful as any of their back catalogue. Extra kudos for the free distribution at their March 2011 shows.”
03. ARCANE ROOTSLeft Fire‘Left Fire’ is eight compositions deep and 29 minutes wide, with the brightest spots coming from the sublime ‘You Are’ and ‘Long And Low’. Armed with an arsenal of commercially viable math rock gems, big beardy anthems and one plastic owl, ARCANE ROOTS won me over.
02. MARMOZETSPassive AggressiveTom Aylott says… “Almost perfect in every way, this explosive EP from MARMOZETS was a real game changer for me, and with any luck, the follow up is going to be just as great. We tipped them for great things in 2011, and after getting great coverage across the board and appearing at Hevy, that seems set to continue well into 2012.”
01. ROB LYNCHRob LynchHenry McCaughtrie says… “This is nearly perfect, I’ve listened to it loads since reviewing it and am excited for an eventual full-length. ‘My Friends & I’ is one of my favourite tracks of any artist this year.”From all of our contributors, this EP got far and away the most appreciation, and Rob completely deserves it! Well worth checking out if you haven’t already! Recommended track: ‘My Friends And I’
Overall, it’s been a great year for music, and many great releases came out that got lost in the voting process! Worthy mentions should be dished out to ALGIERS, MAE, KOJI/LA DISPUTE / GROWN UPS and TRASH TALK for excellent EP offerings, and THE FRONT BOTTOMS, TELLISON, SAVE YOUR BREATH, FOUR YEAR STRONG and THE WONDER YEARS for their excellent full length records.If you’d like to check out our best-of-2011 playlist, head to http://open.spotify.com/user/tomaylott/playlist/5RrIfCsyeaPdyW7o8dyAGiContributors to our list were Tom Aylott, Chris Marshman, Henry McCaughtrie, Ben Tipple, Jessica Acreman, Clara Cullen, Alex Hambleton and Maryam Hassan.