The Music That I Discovered in 2011

I feel that I discovered more fantastic music in 2011 than any previous year. Although I will always love Tom Petty and the Barenaked Ladies, I think the more you explore Indie Rock, the more you will find to love! There is something enriching about discovering a new band or a new album. Music was what got my creative juices flowing through the entire year whether in a car, working out, editing photos or brainstorming up new ideas.

These are my top 5 favourite finds in 2011, even though the album might not have come out that year. Here's what I discovered...

10) Adele - 21 (2011). What an amazing voice! I found it funny (and probably true as it seems to reflect in her music) when she said that she can't write music when she's happy. I hope for a speedy recovery from her current throat ailment and hopefully this time off gives her ample opportunity to write more music!

9) Vivaldi - The Four Seasons. 2011 was the year I explored Classical music in more than just a passing. Other than the obvious Beethoven classics, Vivaldi's The Four Seasons instantly became my favourite classical album.

8) A Very She & Him Christmas (2011). It's been a few years since a decent Christmas album has come out, and this one will be a staple every year for me now.

7) The Black Keys - El Camino (2011). Not the sort of music that would be in my normal rotation, but I couldn't resist this new album. Now to check their back catalog starting with their breakout album "Brothers".

6) Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds (2011). Pitted against his brother's solo album, I think this is the better of the two. It was if Oasis never broke up.

5) Mumford & Son's - Sigh No More (2011). Although I'm not much of an East-Coast music lover, I think we all fell in love with Mumford & Sons. If you loved the songs that became hits such as Little Lion Man and The Cave, yet you don't own the album yet, treat yourself to the "Sigh No More (Deluxe Edition) because you get both the original album and the live version (although sadly there was no vinyl edition). This album is nominated for four Grammy Awards. I also love the great cover photo.

4) The Cars - Move Like This (2011) - If you close your eyes while listening to this album and try to identify which year any of the songs came out… you'd guess the 1970's. I tried listening to other 70's Rock bands that have tried to create a new album such as The Steve Miller Band... and I was hugely disappointed. With this album however. nothing has changed in the Cars' sound and that synth-pop is a great throwback to when Classic Rock was king.

3) Blitzen Trapper - American Goldwing (2011). After hearing Furr and Black River Killer, I bought the album without even hearing it and found it very rewarding. Although it is laced with a country twang, these songs are solid. I had a brief chance to speak with Marty Marquis from the band and he even said that it was his favourite album to date. The one that "he could listen to from beginning to end" and was really proud of it.

2) The New Pornographers - Challengers (2007) and Together (2010). I think both of these albums go hand in hand. The band changed their sound ever so slightly starting with Challengers and every song is fantastic. I don't skip a single song. The pleasure from their aural diversity is quite a journey and having numerous band members sing lead keep it varying. They have all the things I enjoy… cello, multiple harmonies, harmonica, clapping. It is funny to think that they all have their own solo careers and this is just a collaboration when ever they feel like it. Serendipity?

1) Brandi Carlile - Give Up the Ghost (2009) (sadly only available on CD). I think this is my favourite album of the year. I discovered it just into 2011 and it has been in rotation throughout the entire year. Her vocal range keeps every song fresh and even after going back and listening to her previous album "The Story" (her best known album), I feel that the maturity she possesses on this album speaks/sings wonders. If you enjoy "Give up the Ghost" check out her 2011 album "Live at Benaroya Hall with the Seattle Symphony" (which is available on vinyl).