25. TV Girl

TV Girl might be hesitant to show their faces or do any press whatsoever, but they certainly have gotten the attention they’ve wanted (or not wanted). By mixing pre-existing tracks in with sorted melodies (some new, some old) they’ve taken sampling to a new level. They aren’t asking for permission either. However, their giving oldies a new spin…oh and it sounds GOOD. 

24. Cass McCombs

Cass McCombs released “Humor Risk” in 2011 and took music critics by surprise with an album that is comparable to the likes of Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell. McCombs creates luscious, non-pretentious melodies that are at times disturbing but very true to their word. 

23. Fleet Foxes

Their heavenly melodies coupled with those guitar melodies that sound like angels are playing them make Fleet Foxes one of the years (maybe decades) best bands yet. You will think these guys made these records in the mountains of Wisconsin but in fact they are a bunch of guys from Seattle, WA. The album Helplessness Blues is a masterpiece of modern day folk-rock music. 

22. Battles

The song “Ice Cream” alone makes them one of the biggest artists of 2011. Creating a hyperactive melody with a Keith Moon like drum solo over Matias Aguayo’s vocals was probably one of the smartest moves made all year. The song has a natural building progression and then just takes it’s listener off into another dimension. 

21. The Beastie Boys

All the boys are nearly 50 years old and they are still rapping like they did when they were in their early 20’s. These rap legends continue to make beats that are unique, hot and extremely noisy. Their epic video that was released with their first single “Make Some Noise” featured an A-List of Hollywood celebrities, so they must be doing something right!

20. Kurt Vile

Kurt Vile is compared to Bruce Springsteen and one of his major influences is Fleetwood Mac. So let’s add those two artists together and what do we get? Yeah, genius. Vile’s voice is full of angst, hurt, depression but somehow his lyrics bring about some optimism. “On Tour” and “Jesus Fever” are incredible songs that are easily comparable to the likes of Springsteen. All he needs is his guitar and voice, quite an incredible artist. 

19. M83

The jaunty vocals used to make unique sounds fazed over layers of melodies make up M83’s sound. Anthony Gonzalez is giving us the music of the future with his incredibly unique songs that have captured the ears of millions of listeners. While I was skeptical of this act at first, I’m certain now that this is one act you can’t ignore and must listen to. M83’s album Midnight City has topped most lists this year as one of the greatest albums of the year. Oh and if you haven’t heard the song “Midnight City” this year, you’re living under a rock. 

18. My Morning Jacket

Take Lynyrd Skynyrd, Allman Brothers and Zero 7, put them in a blender and pour; wallah, you get My Morning Jacket. They put Southern Rock back on the map but updated the sound. Circuital is an incredible album that is up to par with their past work. You don’t have to be a fan of Souther Rock to instantly fall in love with this band. 

17. Wolf Gang

British Symphonic music layered over alternative rock melodies create the landscape for beautifully posed lyrics that scream in protest of all life’s qualms. Wolf Gang is a band to watch out for in 2012. They are going to have similar success as Foster the People, they’ve already gained a huge following in Europe. Suego Faults is an anomaly of modern day music. 

16. Phantogram

Phantogram’s music is described as “street beat psych pop.” Take a minute to think what that sounds like. Pounding beats, spacey synths, watery vocals, throbbing synths and distorted guitars create the sound of Sarah Barthels and Josh Carter’s incarnation, Phantogram. “Running From the Cops” and “Mouthful of Diamonds” are two of the most unique songs to have been released this year. At first listen, you’re instantly dragged into this labrynth of sounds. 

15. Penguin Prison

Penguin Prison has the voice of an R&B singer but the swag of a hip young white guy. “Don’t Fuck With My Money” was written in light of the Occupy Wall Street protests. Did he come in at the right time? Umm yeah. 

14. St. Vincent

Talent doesn’t even begin to describe this multi-instrumentalist who plays all the instruments on her very complex albums that link together disturbed lyrics amongst a myriad of sounds coming from several instruments. Her album Strange Mercy released later in 2011 is nothing less of perfection. 

13. Telekinesis

12 Desperate Lines released earlier in 2011 is nothing short of the power pop-rock that they are known for. Want some catchy melodies to sing along to? Check them out. If you’re not addicted to “Car Crash” after first listen, I’ll pay you to take another. 

12. Is Tropical

Is Tropical created one of the years most controversial videos for the song “The Greeks.” The video features kids running around shooting each other with pretend guns and then layered over that video is very graphic cartoon images of blood, guts, etc. It’s a rather disturbing video, but the songs on this album are the future of modern rock music. They are helping to build a brighter future for rock music. 

11. The Get Up Kids

Who knew a bunch of punks from Kansas City, MO would turn into such fine tuned musicians and create an album that surpasses all of their albums 11 years later? Well, they did. They created one of the best punk/pop/rock records released in the last few years with There Are Rules. The songs “Shatter Your Lungs”, “Automatic” and “Pararelevant” are the best punk/pop/rock songs I’ve ever heard. No joke. 

10. Gruff Rhys

Gruff Rhys, formerly of Super Furry Animals, has received a lot of attention in the past two years with a spot on the Gorillaz album, a reunion with Super Furry Animals and his own solo album. Hotel Shampoo is an instant classic with some of the catchiest pop rock songs to be heard in years. Releasing a series of videos for his first three singles, Gruff immediately went viral. Todd Rundgren and Ray Davies had a baby, it’s called Gruff Rhys. 

9. Fool’s Gold

A member from the group Foreign Born decided to create this band and while I absolutely love Foreign Born, this band is comparable if not better on some tracks. The music is a bit more upbeat and happy. “Wild Window” and “The Dive” make this album what it is. Swirling guitars, happy drum beats and a somewhat nasaly voice with a lot of reverb create the sound that is Fool’s Gold.

8. Kasabian

British rocks, Kasabian, come back harder than ever with their fourth studio album Velociraptor. It’s far better than their last record and knocks you back a few feet with songs like “Switchblade Smiles” and “Days Are Forgotten.” It’s easily one of their best records. If you like electronic rock music, you cannot pass this one up. 

7. Grouplove

The band’s name, Grouplove, suggests just what this band is about; LOVE. All their songs promote love, happiness, being together, etc. Don’t believe the title of this album, Never Trust A Happy Song, because if you can’t, then you can’t trust any of the music they just put out.

6. Eleanor Friedberger

This Fiery Furnaces front woman certainly didn’t need her brother to create a successful masterpiece of an album. Straight from the borough of Brooklyn, Eleanor Friedberger takes you on a wild right through the last ten years of her life. You’re going to laugh at some of these lyrics, but you’re going to find yourself addicted to this record, Last Summer, if you truly are an indie rock fan. 

5.. Holy Ghost!

Holy Ghost! has the second best elecronic album of the 2011 with their self-titled album. It’s their first full length release and you can see these boys took the time to put something very special together. With songs like “Wait and See”, you won’t have to wait too long to see how amazing this album is. 

4. Digitalism

The men in red pictured above created one of this year’s best electronica-pop albums with I Love You, Dude. Wait, scratch that last sentence, the decade’s best electronica-pop albums. Songs like “Circles” prove their genius. Oh and if you don’t like “Circles” you’re not an electronica fan. 

3. Justice

Hands down, the only elecronic rock record you’ll ever need to own. It surpasses every other electronic rock record ever made. Justice has nailed the formula and every other band that is to come will be following it. Think Black Sabbath meets Daft Punk, it’s absolutely brilliant. Songs like “On’on’On” are like the Formula One’s of the music world. Audio Video Disco is an absolute MUST listen. 

2. Friendly Fires

Friendly Fires created the album of the summer of 2011. This punk rock band has developed their style, song writing and instrumentals with Pala. There’s not a song on the record that won’t have you dancing or singing along with them. “Hawaiian Air” and “Live Those Days Tonight” are two of the finest songs ever written. 

1. Foster The People

This is THE band of 2011. There is no other band that has so quickly rised to the top of the charts and remained there for so long with seemingly no effort. For a band to go from indie to signed within a month’s time is pretty incredible. But it’s not incredible that this band was able to. Foster The Peoples incredibly unique pop-rock songs, fun style, infectious energy and witty charm make a band that’s almost impossible not to love. Torches is one of the finest pop-rock records ever released. They put this genre of music back on the map and they aren’t leaving the map anytime soon.