The Best Albums of 2011 · Readings.com.au

best-of-2011-albums From Gillian Welch's stunning The Harrow and the Harvest to Bon Iver's brilliant self-titled second album, this has been a stellar year for good music. It's been incredibly hard to narrow down our best picks too, but narrow it down we have. Here are the best albums of 2011, as chosen by Readings music staff and experts.

A Creature I Don’t Know
Laura Marling

"This young English singer/songwriter – in- credibly – gets better with each album. And she’s still only 21." - Dave Clarke, Readings Carlton

"For someone so young, she sings with the style of the great English folkies of the 60s and 70s and throws a dash of Joni Mitchell into the pot. Is there anything more we can say?" - Lou Fulco, Readings Carlton

Seeker Lover Keeper
Seeker, Lover, Keeper

"A thoroughly enjoyable album from Holly Throsby, Sally Seltmann & Sarah Blasko: three fine Australian performers who take turns in singing each other’s songs." - Dave Clarke, Readings Carlton

The Harrow and the Harvest
Gillian Welch

"It took me a little while to really ‘hear’ this. But when I did I fell in love with it." - Dave Clarke, Readings Carlton

"An eight-year wait comes to an end. It is everything we expected and more. A return to the style of Welch and Rawlings early albums with stories we love to hear them perform." - Lou Fulco, Readings Carlton

Gentle Spirit
Jonathan Wilson

"An incredibly ambitious album, possibly a song too long. Otherwise: a stunning paean to the 70s." - Dave Clarke, Readings Carlton

"A stellar debut from Wilson, who brilliantly channels the sound of Laurel Canyon circa 1970. Epic stuff." - Declan Murphy, Readings St Kilda

"Channelling the sound of CSN and 1970s Laurel Canyon, Jonathon Wilson’s debut also throws in a little Pink Floyd on the Track Desert Raven. Not bad for the sometime pro- ducer of Jackson Brown and Will Oldham." - Michael Awosoga-Samuel, Readings Carlton

Mad Rush: Solo Piano Music Of Philip Glass
Sally Whitwell

"This Australian pianist tackled the solo pianoworks of my favourite American composer, Philip Glass. She’s created a beautiful, meditative work." - Dave Clarke, Readings Carlton

Forever the Moon
Heirlooms of August

"A late addition to my list. This new Americana act is very much in the current vein of ‘pastoral’ works. He is ex-Red House Painters – a beautiful album." - Dave Clarke, Readings Carlton

Time
Sara Tindley

"This Australian roots artist recorded her third album with Adelaide outfit The Yearlings. A beautiful album to enjoy over the summer." - Dave Clarke, Readings Carlton

"I found myself listening to this one a lot in the shop. Boasts beautiful laidback vocals, folky and country stylings, and wonderful guitar work." - Paul Barr, Readings Carlton

Bonfires in Silver City
Lucie Thorne

"Her previous album Black Across The Fields was my favourite of 2009. Her follow-up is even better. The best female artist in the country." - Dave Clarke, Readings Carlton

So Beautiful or So What
Paul Simon

"At the ripe old age of 70, Paul Simon shows he still has the songs and the voice." - Dave Clarke, Readings Carlton

Tex Perkins & the Dark Horses
Tex Perkins & the Dark Horses
"These days Tex is a little more laidback, but he’s still got the voice and the swagger." - Dave Clarke, Readings Carlton

The Whole Love
Wilco

"Another brilliant effort from the band that continues to set the standards. It would seem Tweedy and co. can do no wrong." - Declan Murphy, Readings St Kilda

"The best band in the world at the moment, with the best ‘band’ album of the year. Every song needs to be heard and appreciated for its brilliance. Enough said!" - Lou Fulco, Readings Carlton

Bad As Me
Tom Waits

"The great man returns with his first album of new material in seven years – and no prizes for guessing it’s an absolute peach." - Declan Murphy, Readings St Kilda

"My number one album of the year (admittedly, even before it was released). Waits didn’t disappoint with this near-perfect blend of sounds old and new and a voice full of rusted rustic charm." - Fiona Hardy, Readings Carlton

Last of the Country Gentlemen
Josh T. Pearson

"Stunning, withering confessional from an artist who seemed washed up after ten years in the wilderness. Not for the faint hearted." - Declan Murphy, Readings St Kilda

Helplessness Blues
Fleet Foxes

"Hard to top a stone-cold classic debut, but with Helplessness Blues they’ve damn near done it. Quite sublime." - Declan Murphy, Readings St Kilda

"Harmonies so rich you find it hard to take in on first listen. The album that makes you sit and listen and take in every sound and word you hear." - Lou Fulco, Readings Carlton

100 Acres of Sycamore
Fionn Regan

"Gorgeous return to form for this young Irish singer songwriter whose 2007 debut the End of History was, for me, one of the records of the decade." - Declan Murphy, Readings St Kilda

Long Player Late Bloomer
Ron Sexsmith

"Another masterclass in melody-driven song- writing from this wonderful Canadian artist who just gets better with time." - Declan Murphy, Readings St Kilda

James Blake
James Blake

"A mesmerising full-length debut from the precociously talented UK dub-step experi- mentalist. Not usually my thing, but Blake’s voice makes this record a thing of rare and genuine, minimalist beauty." - Declan Murphy, Readings St Kilda

Early In the Morning
James Vincent McMorrow

"Sticking with the debuts, this record marked the arrival of a major young talent. Entirely self played and recorded in a coastal cottage over five months, this Irishman is one to watch." - Declan Murphy, Readings St Kilda

Bon Iver
Bon Iver

"Justin Vernon was in similar territory to the Fleet Foxes in having to produce a second album buckling under the weight of expecta- tion from an acclaimed debut. He produced a beauty." - Declan Murphy, Readings St Kilda

Ashes & Fire
Ryan Adams

"Great songs, but at the forefront are great lyrics and a wonderful relaxed performance. He may be difficult, but he is good! The best singer/songwriter album of 2011." - Lou Fulco, Readings Carlton

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds

"He waited till he was ready and released an album of songs which remind us why he has written some of the greatest anthems of the past 20 years." - Lou Fulco, Readings Carlton

The King of Limbs
Radiohead

"From the outset, it’s modern, brash, rhyth- mically intoxicating ... all the while messing with your head and putting you slightly off kilter. Brilliant!" - Lou Fulco, Readings Carlton

Mariachi El Bronx II
The Bronx

"The sound of mariachi music played by punks from LA. Yes, it is as good as it sounds. Old and new sounds marry and have really smart kids!" - Lou Fulco, Readings Carlton

The King is Dead
The Decemberists

"The evolution of this band continues as Colin Meloy makes his shift from British influences to American ones. Stripped back, yet giving us lush, grand stories in three- minute songs." - Lou Fulco, Readings Carlton

Let England Shake
P.J.Harvey

"P.J. Harvey’s politically charged and musically breathtaking new album has the highest rotation on my CD player this year. Ostensibly rock, but she’s been around too long to be categorised as anything but ‘awesome’ in my iTunes list." - Fiona Hardy, Readings Carlton

The Rip Tide
Beirut

"Zach Condon continues to be the ridiculously talented brain behind perennial favourite Beirut, brandishing ukuleles, accordions and other instruments from the folk end of the spectrum like a knight in shining skinny jeans." - Fiona Hardy, Readings Carlton

Only In Dreams
Dum Dum Girls

"If time went awry and Chrissie Hynde and the Beach Boys ended up in a studio in 2011, this is what they would come up with. Bubbly German surf-punk without a bad track to be heard." - Fiona Hardy, Readings Carlton

Gimme Some
Peter, Bjorn and John

"If Berocca was an album, it would sound like this: a shot of vitality in your ears, alt-pop determined to put you into a good mood. Peter Bjorn and John are probably excellent people to have at a party; failing getting them in person, put this on and watch everyone get along." - Fiona Hardy, Readings Carlton

Submarine Soundtrack
Alex Turner

"The Arctic Monkeys’ Alex Turner writes an entire film’s emotions into twenty minutes of alt-folk loveliness. Happiness, sadness, teen angst and gorgeous music mean the only complaint is that it doesn’t go for seven hours." - Fiona Hardy, Readings Carlton

Wounded Rhymes
Lykke Li

"Grungy Scandinavian pop has never been quite so danceable as Lykke Li’s 2011 release. Dark and exciting standout tracks 'Get Some' and 'I Follow Rivers' deserve high repeat." - Fiona Hardy, Readings Carlton

To The Horses
Lanie Lane

"With a voice full of old school sounds and a band to match, this countrified rockabilly singer – also Australian! – rocks the hell out of this album, and your stereo. Crack out the quiff and your pointy shoes for this one." - Fiona Hardy, Readings Carlton

Cannibal Courtship
Dengue Fever

"Cambodian surf pop: the genre you didn’t know you were lacking. Dengue Fever have a sound as sultry and full of saltwater as you could want during the upcoming twilight nights ahead: sexy and poppy all at once and cooler than the ice in your drink." - Fiona Hardy, Readings Carlton

Take Care Take Care Take Care
Explosions in the Sky

On the more instrumental side of these musical suggestions is Explosions in the Sky. The beauty of post-rock is that no matter what you’ve got going on, it feels like some- one has just scored a soundtrack just for your day, even if all you did was play your PS3 with occasional jaunts to the bathroom." - Fiona Hardy, Readings Carlton

Our Blood
Richard Buckner

"A touching collection of emotionally themed songs from one of alt. country’s greatest voices. Not to be overlooked." - Michael Awosoga-Samuel, Readings Carlton

Last Night on Earth
Noah & the Whale

"The original UK new-folk darlings turn anthemic rockers. Heartfelt, uplifting songs such 'L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.ON' and 'Just Me Before We Met' are to die for." - Michael Awosoga-Samuel, Readings Carlton

Vanity is Forever
Geoffrey O’Connor

"The Crayon Fields frontman’s homage to Prince’s 80s sound. The hushed vocals are well complemented by beautiful synth backing."

Ex Tropical
Lost Animal

"This great new release from Jarrod Quarrell (aka Lost Animal) is weird and beautiful. Joe Henry meets Berlin-era Bowie." - Michael Awosoga-Samuel, Readings Carlton

Mockingbird Time
The Jayhawks

"The first original Olson & Louris line-up since the mid-90s sees the alt. country origi- nators at their best, playing and harmonising as well as ever." - Michael Awosoga-Samuel, Readings Carlton

Demolished Thoughts
Thurston Moore

"The Sonic Youth frontman shows his softer side. Reminiscent of John Cale’s Paris 1919 and the much underrated Felt, Tranquil and Beautiful." - Michael Awosoga-Samuel, Readings Carlton

High Atmosphere
Diana Jones

"The third release from this amazing song- writer is in the vein of Gillian Welch and Iris De Ment. Moody, gothic and unforgettable." - Michael Awosoga-Samuel, Readings Carlton

Days
Real Estate

"Great, jangly 80s-influenced guitar pop. Think Aztec Camera and Orange Juice." - Michael Awosoga-Samuel, Readings Carlton

Small Source of Comfort
Bruce Cockburn

"Canada’s premiere guitar player returns with a great selection of socio-political songs, some instrumental, such as Lois on the Autobahn. These instrumentals highlight Cockburn’s deft touch. He is producing some of his best work in recent years." - Michael Awosoga-Samuel, Readings Carlton

8713762010737 Barn Doors and Concrete Floors
Nash Israel Gripka

"An extremely loose, enjoyable mix of Americana and country rock. Sounds like early 70s Rolling Stones." - Paul Barr, Readings Carlton

0894807002424 Behold the Spirit
William Tyler

"Super fine acoustic finger-picking: think John Fahey, with very subtle touches of brass and sound effects." - Paul Barr, Readings Carlton

0781484045328 Asleep on the Floodplain
Six Organs of Admittance

"Features an impressive acoustic guitar with East/West influences, drones, and occasion- ally deranged lengthy instrumental passages, containing bleak ruminations on life." - Paul Barr, Readings Carlton

2776000642905 Guidewires 2
Guidewires

"The second album for this Irish traditional band, with all stops out." - Paul Barr, Readings Carlton

9332727020186 Dark Magic
Sand Pebbles

"Guitar-based psyche merchants, with a few more folky acoustic references this time round." - Paul Barr, Readings Carlton

0890846001206 Agadez
Bombino

An exciting new release from the latest North African guitar hero, who likes to ex- periment with amplifier tones. Also features some stunning acoustic guitar and hand percussion tracks." - Paul Barr, Readings Carlton

0884108000236 In Trance
*JuJu Justin Adams & Juldeh Camara

"A wild, freewheeling and noisy collaboration with Robert Plant’s guitarist and African fiddle player. Reminiscent in places of John McLaughlin and Jean Lucy Ponty. Guitar fiddle freak-outs with a pronounced African Blues flavor." - Paul Barr, Readings Carlton

9340650010556 Pull Up Some Dust and Sit Down
Ry Cooder

"Cooder really comes into his own as a song- writer on this one. A very witty and political look at contemporary America, with some fantastic grooves and blues and Tex-Mex textures." - Paul Barr, Readings Carlton