Your pick for CD of the year, 2011 ?

[MasterCylinder]

After much thought, my pick is :

A DRAMATIC TURN OF EVENTS -- Dream Theater

I know, I know..............many on this board are unimpressed, and some will rebut even never hearing a note of this CD, however, Mangini has brought something new to this group and this release has some spectacular composition...........the best of which is track # 4, THIS IS THE LIFE.........beautiful stuff.
Maybe the band is growing maturity and will mellow a bit -- this could be the new beginning.

[Mr MidFi]

I'm putting some final touches on my year-end list, which I'm planning to post later today. But here's some relevant copypasta from the write-up...


1. The Decemberists – The King Is Dead
The thing is, I’m not even really a Decemberists fan. They’ve always struck me as a little too precious and too self-consciously literate to draw me in. But this collection of songs is so memorable, so consistently enjoyable, that it’s undeniable. From the sing-along refrains of “Rox in the Box” and “Down by the Water” to the apocalyptic humor of the “Calamity Song” to the fragile, heartbreaking beauty of “January Hymn,” there is a lot here to love. Your grandchildren will be singing these songs.

[nobody]

My pick changes pretty much daily, but this is one that I keep coming back to time and time again so I'm going with it for now. Nicolas Jaar: Space is Only Noise


I've seen this lumped in with other things as minimal techno, but that doesn't really seem to fit. It's too ornate for that. It's also a lot more organic than one would expect from the techno label. It's one of those records that sounds better listened to as a whole, although there are a couple really strong singles on here, such as the Ray Charles sampled I Got A Woman below. Uses a lot of dance music influences, but it's nothing to dance to, laid back and softly melodic. Headphone listening highly recommended, sounds ping all over the place with this one, almost seems designed with headphones in mind. This is one of those records I fully expect to still be listening to years from now.

[MasterCylinder]

I'm putting some final touches on my year-end list, which I'm planning to post later today. But here's some relevant copypasta from the write-up...


1. The Decemberists – The King Is Dead
The thing is, I’m not even really a Decemberists fan. They’ve always struck me as a little too precious and too self-consciously literate to draw me in. But this collection of songs is so memorable, so consistently enjoyable, that it’s undeniable. From the sing-along refrains of “Rox in the Box” and “Down by the Water” to the apocalyptic humor of the “Calamity Song” to the fragile, heartbreaking beauty of “January Hymn,” there is a lot here to love. Your grandchildren will be singing these songs.

Not the first person to tell me this.
I need to get this disc soon.

[Jack in Wilmington]

I need to break this down by genres. In the jazz catagory it's a close race but I have to give it to.

Pathways by the Dave Holland Octet

[noddin0ff]

It's been a struggle for me to come up with at 2011 list. I listened to a lot of noise this year, which was great for expanding the audio mind but not so hot for building lasting relationships with albums. Seems like a lot of what I grabbed I liked a lot for the first few spins and then lost interest. Only one album went the opposite and is still growing on me. And, that album is...


Howe Gelb & a Band of Gypsies - Alegiras
Honest, humorous, sultry, original (to me anyway, although I read that several of the tracks are reprises of earlier work). Full streaming available at the artist site linked in the pict, just scroll down a bit.

My runners up would be the aforementioned
The Decemberists – The King Is Dead
and would likely add the self-titled James Blake

That Jaar track is nice. thanks!

[Stone]

I haven't listened to a lot of 2011 releases and when I did, it was fairly sporadic. Having said that, I lean toward this one:

[Mr MidFi]

I'm putting some final touches on my year-end list, which I'm planning to post later today. But here's some relevant copypasta from the write-up...


1. The Decemberists – The King Is Dead
The thing is, I’m not even really a Decemberists fan. They’ve always struck me as a little too precious and too self-consciously literate to draw me in. But this collection of songs is so memorable, so consistently enjoyable, that it’s undeniable. From the sing-along refrains of “Rox in the Box” and “Down by the Water” to the apocalyptic humor of the “Calamity Song” to the fragile, heartbreaking beauty of “January Hymn,” there is a lot here to love. Your grandchildren will be singing these songs.

As promised (or threatened), the "Top 10 Albums of 2011" thread is now live. For those of you who enjoy lists of things.

[Swish]

My pick changes pretty much daily, but this is one that I keep coming back to time and time again so I'm going with it for now. Nicolas Jaar: Space is Only Noise


I've seen this lumped in with other things as minimal techno, but that doesn't really seem to fit. It's too ornate for that. It's also a lot more organic than one would expect from the techno label. It's one of those records that sounds better listened to as a whole, although there are a couple really strong singles on here, such as the Ray Charles sampled I Got A Woman below. Uses a lot of dance music influences, but it's nothing to dance to, laid back and softly melodic. Headphone listening highly recommended, sounds ping all over the place with this one, almost seems designed with headphones in mind. This is one of those records I fully expect to still be listening to years from now.

...I'm not so sure I like it all that much. A few more spins may be in order before I give up. Best of the year? Hmmm.

[nobody]

Eh, just depends what you're looking for. For me it came along and hit the sweet spot this year. Been listening to a lot of electronic stuff and I like how this one splits the difference between being super laid back and being more dance oriented for something nicely relaxed and mostly mid-tempo. I think it's also nicely accessible while taking chances and being different. So it nailed down a regular listening spot for me after the first listen and I've been really digging it ever since. But if it's not your style, no biggie. I honestly think far too much music comes out across way too many different styles for there to be anything even remotely like a true "best" album in a year. This is just the one that crept into my consciousness, keeps pulling me back in, and presses all my buttons these days just right. And that's about as close to "best" album as I'm gonna get. Sorry you bought and didn't like. I'll try to be more descriptive in the future.

[3LB]

After much thought, my pick is :

A DRAMATIC TURN OF EVENTS -- Dream Theater

I know, I know..............many on this board are unimpressed, and some will rebut even never hearing a note of this CD, however, Mangini has brought something new to this group and this release has some spectacular composition...........the best of which is track # 4, THIS IS THE LIFE.........beautiful stuff.
Maybe the band is growing maturity and will mellow a bit -- this could be the new beginning.

You need to hear 3 . Their new one is called The Ghost You Gave To Me. Its similar to Fates Warning or DT, but different sounding (better) vox and with more atmospherics ala Porcupine Tree.

My CD of the year - maybe Jane's Addiction's new one, The Great Escape Artist.

[MasterCylinder]

Thanks for the tip 3LB; I'll check it out.