This ended up being way harder than I thought it would be. At the end of November, I wasn’t happy with my preliminary list, but knew two potentials were being released shortly and that it would change the line up. Then when I locked it down, the list just felt wrong. So I did something I never do:
I delayed publication and listened to every 2011 I own. Repeatedly.
Instead of my usual yuletide, Pogues induced December music coma, I listened to thirty particular albums over and over and over. Then I opened the list back up and made some changes. Hence the late publication date.
But under the cut are the twenty albums I like best. Some people will be disappointed by the exclusion of one particular album. Some will be surprised by the inclusion of others. But I will say this. 2011 wasn’t a grand year for music, but man, some of it was freakin’ fantastic.
Thanks to all the people who threw suggestions out at me over the year. I appreciate it, and you all pointed me to bands I would have never given a chance otherwise. Merci, gracias, danke, tak, go raibh mile maith agat.
