Scott's Top 10 of 2011 (plus 50 other great records)

Here’s my Top 10 records released in 2011 that I truly enjoyed (plus another 50 because they deserve some love too). This year I had over 175 albums to choose from (otherwise known as records that I purchased). I heard plenty more via Spotify and other such services, but if I didn’t go out and get them, they obviously weren’t worthy of my consideration. Live and best of records were not considered.

Here’s the soundtrack to my year (with some video goodness!).

The Top 10

1. (TIE) Miranda Lambert/Pistol Annies – Four the Record & Hell on Heels – OK, I couldn’t decide which one of Miranda’s records released this year that I liked more, so I’m just going to call it a tie. Hell on Heels is a gritty effort from three great country singer/songwriters (Lambert is joined by friends Ashley Monroe and Angaleena Presley…who both had a number of writing credits on Four the Record as well). Four the Record is classic Miranda. Stylistically, it's her most diverse record. I saw her this summer as she was finishing her Revolution Tour (this also included a short Pistol Annies set) and I’m seeing her again for my birthday later in January.







2. Civil Wars – Barton Hollow – Hard to believe that Taylor Swift’s Twitter feed is responsible for me first hearing about this band (well before Barton Hollow came out). This record is simply stunning. Joy and John Paul’s voices sound so good together. I got to see them twice this year and the live show is unbelievably good.





3. Sunny Sweeney – Concrete - I seriously got Sweenered this year. Went head over heels for Concrete’s lead single, From A Table Away (a love song gone wrong -- from the perspective of the other woman who finds out that her man is going back to his wife).





4. Old 97’s – The Grand Theatre Volume 2 - The Olds have long been a favorite of mine. They are my “go-to” band whenever I need to hear something great.

5. Adele – 21 - This little-known Brit soul singer…LOL. Adele has one of the best voices I’ve ever heard. I’d recommend songs by her, but who are we kidding, y’all know them already.

6. Alison Krauss and Union Station – Paper Airplanes - About three years ago I ordered the double live Alison Krauss and Union Station disc. I’ve pretty much been obsessed with her music since then. Alison possesses one of the most comforting voices I’ve ever heard.

7. Ashton Shepherd – Where Country Grows - A little bit sassy, a little bit homespun, and one of the finest country albums made this year.

8. Chris Connelly – Artificial Madness - I’ve been a fan of Chris since 91. He’s performed on and released some of my favorite industrial records over the years. Whether it be with Ministry, Revolting Cocks, Pigface and his extensive solo catalog, I’ve remained a fan. On Artificial Madness he ditched the acoustic sound of his last few records (which I thought were quite good) and went back to his industrial roots.

9. The Decemberists – The King is Dead – I never get tired of this band. After a couple well-done concept albums, this year they simply put out a record of great songs. Was happy to see them again this summer (which seems to be an every other year event).

10. Christina Perri – Lovestrong - The first time I heard Jar of Hearts I was parking my truck. I sat in my driveway and impatiently waited to hear who sang the song (surprisingly the DJ obliged…doesn’t really happen much anymore does it?). The song still gives me chills and I found the rest of the album to be a great listen.

50 other records that I spent a lot of time enjoying (in no particular order...the numbers are simply proof that I can still count to 60)…

11. Crooked Fingers – Breaks in the Armor

12. Death Cab for Cutie – Codes and Keys

13. Deer Tick – Divine Providence

14. Those Darlins –Screws Get Loose

15. Sarah Jarosz – Follow Me Down

16. Dropkick Murphys – Going Out In Style

17. Wild Flag – Wild Flag

18. Jason Isbell –Here We Rest

19. Jessica Lea Mayfield – Tell Me

20. Lady Antebellum – Own the Night

21. Lori McKenna – Lorraine

22. Lydia Loveless – Indestructible Machine

23. Sierra Hull – Daybreak

24. Mighty Mighty Bosstones – The Magic of Youth

25. Rise Against –Endgame

26. Ryan Adams – Ashes and Fire

27. Sara Evans – Stronger

28. Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks – Mirror Traffic

29. Tom Waits – Bad As Me

30. CJaye Lerose – Date With The Tub

31. Ida Maria - Katla

32. Vanessa Carlton – Rabbits on the Run

33. If Not For Dreaming – Awake and Asleep

34. Social Distortion – Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes

35. Lenka - Two

36. G Love – Fixing To Die

37. Cass McCombs – Humor Risk

38. Nicole Atkins – Mondo Amore

39. Shelby Lynne – Revelation Road

40. Luke Bryan - Tailgates & Tanlines

41. Foo Fighters - Wasting Light

42. Girls – Father, Son, Holy Ghost

43. Lykke Li – Wounded Rhymes

44. Rachael Yamagata - Chesapeake

45. Mike Doughty – Yes and Also Yes

46. New Found Glory - Radiosurgery

47. Brad Paisley – This is Country Music

48. Julie Roberts - Alive

49. Sondre Lerche – Sondre Lerche

50. Blake Shelton – Red River Blue

51. Kelly Clarkson - Stronger

52. Telekinesis - 12 Desperate Straight Lines

53. My Brightest Diamond - All Things Will Unwind

54. Thompson Square - Thompson Square

55. Eric Church - Chief

56. Gillian Welch - The Harrow and the Harvest

57. Real Estate - Days

58. Jolie Holland - Pint of Blood

59. The Joy Formidable - The Big Roar

60. Brantley Gilbert - Halfway to Heaven

Jeff Buckley - Last Goodbye

Well, we all knew this day would come. With this Jeff Buckley video, the 90s Alt Video Goodness comes to an end. Thanks to everyone for reading, reliving and supporting me for almost two years and 401 artists. Hope y'all stick with me in the New Year as we move on to the 00s (BEWARE: I already have ideas for Jumping The Shark Week 00-style). I'll post my top 30 artists of 2011 here later this week. Until then, thanks and Enjoy!

Earth Crisis - Firestorm

Before we get into today's video, I just wanted to let you all know that there will be no post tomorrow, but we'll return on Friday to say one Last Goodbye to the 90s...

The first time I heard Firestorm by Earth Crisis my head pretty much exploded. I still think it's the heaviest song I've ever listened to. Here's a somewhat recent performance of this 1993 classic.

Ani DiFranco - Little Plastic Castle, Fuel & Shy

Ani DiFranco is so good live that I thought I'd throw up three videos today. Enjoy!

Sleater-Kinney - One More Hour & Call The Doctor

As Your Forgotten Favorite prepares to mercifully put an end to the 90s, we'll let the live goodness continue with one of my favorite bands -- Sleater-Kinney. Here's two of their early classics. Enjoy!

Fugazi - Small Pox Champion and Facet Squared

It's FUGAZI Friday!!! Here are two great live videos from one of my all-time favorite bands.

Tiger Trap - Words and Smiles

OK, y'all knew this was coming, but I'm going to be wrapping up the 90s alt video goodness on Dec. 21st (well, maybe one more post on New Year's Eve with my Top 30 of 2011). Never fear, while we're saying goodbye to the 90s we will be welcoming a LONG forgotten decade...the 00s (LOL). While alt/indie will be the focus, there will also be punk, hardcore, metal and alt-country (and maybe some more mainstream stuff as well). It's all still forming in my head. Also need a new name (I'm a lazy guy so don't be surprised if I do something lame like Your Forgotten Favorite 2.0). Should be up and running in early January. Anyway, I just wanted to thank you for taking this ride with me and commenting and requesting stuff to me on Twitter and Facebook. Hope you'll enjoy the first decade of the 21st Century.

So, I'm kind of tapped with actual music videos that I like, so we're going to hit up some bands that I can only find "unofficial" live clips. Let's start with Tiger Trap. Enjoy!

Bongwater - Psychedelic Sewing Room

For the longest time I had only heard the name Bongwater, but didn't really know what they were all about. I finally checked them out a few years ago, and yeah, they're kind of out there, but in a good way. Enjoy!

Manic Street Preachers - Motorcycle Emptiness

No time for words....here's a Manic Street Preachers video from their debut album. Enjoy!

Pulley - Cashed In

I had hoped to start off the week with a kickass punk song. And while this Pulley song is a favorite, the video/sound quality of this particular video is kind of bad (just turn the volume down a bit and it's passable). Enjoy!

EMF - Unbelievable

It's FRIDAY FUNDAY!!!! And the time is right for some EMF. Enjoy!

Chavez - Break Up Your Band

No time for "snappy" intros, here's a Chavez video. Enjoy!

Monsterland - Insulation

I saw the Pernice Brothers in a small little venue in Northern Virginia when they were touring for their wonderful debut album Overcome By Happiness. To be honest, I knew nothing about the band except that Thom Monahan of Monsterland was their bass player. I had to go. Before the set started, I saw Thom by the bar and said to him, "Hi Thom, I know you're getting ready to play soon, but I just wanted to let you know that Destroy What You Love is one of my favorite albums ever." He kind of looked at me as if I was joking, but quickly could tell that I was serious (which I was). He smiled and said, "Thanks. That's certainly something I don't hear too often. Let's talk after the show." And of course we did (really nice guy, as was Joe Pernice). I have wanted to post a video by Monsterland since I started this blog (almost two years ago) but couldn't find one until yesterday (turns out someone posted it a few months ago). Enjoy!

Steel Pole Bath Tub - Twist

I suppose we can start out the week with some noise rock. Here's a Steel Pole Bath Tub video from their Scars From Falling Down album. Enjoy!

Sheep on Drugs - 15 Minutes of Fame

It's...Friday...Funday!!!! So let's all party with Sheep on Drugs. Enjoy!

Lisa Loeb - Stay & I Do

I really wish I could find the clip of Jimmy The Cabdriver (Donal Logue) singing Stay (one of my favorite MTV commercials ever). Alas, I couldn't, so let's instead relive the insane cuteness that is Lisa Loeb. Enjoy!