CHIRP DJ writesCHIRP Radio Best of 2011 (Liz Smyth)

Throughout December CHIRP Radio presents its members’ top albums of 2011. The next list is from Liz Smyth.

(Click here to get the complete list of CHIRP Radio members’ picks.)

1. PJ Harvey – Let England Shake (Vagrant)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   This album is beautiful in its quiet grace, and the honesty of its lyrics. Even 9 months after its release these songs still get happily stuck in my head.
2. The Joy Formidable – The Big Roar (Atlantic/Canvasback)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   This group is very easy to listen to (beware of spontaneous sing-alongs). Their accessible rock/pop mixes lilting verses with grungy, crunchy choruses.
3. The Weeknd – House of Balloons (XL)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   The title track is great, and the rest of the album is filled with solid, lush night music.
4. Timber Timbre – Creep On Creepin’ On (Arts & Crafts)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   I love the inventiveness of this group, and especially on this album. It’s like the melancholy love-child of a crooner and a folk-rock band, with atonal influences.
5. Blind Pilot – 3 Rounds and a Sound (ATO)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   This album is perfect for quiet mornings. I appreciate the detail given to every song, from the lyrics to the subtlety of its chord and voicing changes.
6. Radiohead – The King of Limbs (Ticker Tape Ltd.)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   This is another album that contains a ton of musical detail. I’m probably in the minority, but I really enjoy the electronic and jazz influenced direction Radiohead has gone lately.
7. Likki Li – Wounded Rhymes (LL)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   Lykke Li portrays her vulnerability with such passion on this album. “I Know Places” is one of my favorites.
8. Adele – 21 (XL)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   I and every person in America love this album, but who can deny the pull of “Rolling In the Deep” or “Someone Like You”?
9. Beastie Boys – Hot Sauce Committee Part 2 (Capitol)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   This album makes me feel like a bad-ass, which is hilarious. I especially like the first half of the recording.
10. Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues (Sub Pop)
    BUY: Insound / iTunes
    Does anyone else feel like Fleet Foxes are our generation’s Simon and Garfunkel? The title track is one of the best on the album in my opinion.