Slant Magazine's 25 Best Albums of 2011

Slant Magazine's 25 Best Albums of 2011

Original Source →

25.

February 15, 2011
Critic Score
75
34 reviews

It so effectively hits you warm in the gut with distortion and stick-to-your-ribs melodies that you won't just wish you were 20 again; you'll realize there's no subscribed age qualification for that wonderful feeling you get while listening to this record. 

24.

Fred Falke - Part IV
December 7, 2011
Critic Score
73
2 reviews

23.

Ben Sollee - Inclusions
May 10, 2011
Critic Score
71
6 reviews

22.

October 28, 2011
Critic Score
76
35 reviews

Florence and the Machine's Ceremonials is a conversation that consists entirely in affirmations.

21.

February 15, 2011
Critic Score
77
9 reviews

18.

January 25, 2011
Critic Score
85
30 reviews

Not all of Kaputt is so dynamic, and many of the songs require a few listens before they begin to assert their individual identities. But Kaputt does contain riches to rival the previous highpoints in the Destroyer canon.

17.

August 8, 2011
Critic Score
75
35 reviews

While Watch the Throne is ultimately a minor entry in their canons, it's still a terrific snapshot of the friendship that has ended up defining mainstream rap.

16.

February 4, 2011
Critic Score
82
37 reviews
A combination of traditionalist songwriting and avant-garde sonics is what makes the album such a compelling listen.

14.

November 15, 2011
Critic Score
76
32 reviews
Drake has grown tremendously in the year since he recorded his debut, reemerging as a more versatile performer and a more heartfelt songwriter.

13.

Meshell Ndegeocello - Weather
November 8, 2011
Critic Score
86
7 reviews

12.

April 11, 2011
Critic Score
79
35 reviews

Nine Types of Light may fall somewhat short in comparison with TV on the Radio's other albums, but it's a strong, smart effort from a band that continues to push resolutely forward.

11.

September 13, 2011
Critic Score
71
15 reviews

Despite the many highs, Relax is still a debut, and at times finds the group struggling with the specifics of their sound.

9.

May 9, 2011
Critic Score
81
33 reviews

8.

April 5, 2011
Critic Score
77
28 reviews

On a Mission comes off a bit more like a sampler or scrapbook than a nuanced experience, but if the trade-off is a dozen lovely, bite-sized chunks of club bliss, there’s absolutely no reason to carp.

7.

June 21, 2011
Critic Score
85
41 reviews

For much of Bon Iver, Vernon takes his cues from Volcano Choir, using an array of disparate instrumentation and looping effects to beautifully eerie effect.

6.

April 19, 2011
Critic Score
85
33 reviews

A tremendous leap forward from Tune-Yards' previous efforts, w h o k i l l proves that Garbus isn't just a brainy artiste with a killer voice, but an event, someone to take notice of, a new center of gravity in the musical underground.

5.

September 12, 2011
Critic Score
86
37 reviews

Clark’s bare, sedate St. Vincent persona is the highlight of Strange Mercy, reflecting all the terror, beauty, and allure of her music more effectively than any cantakerous narrator could muster.

4.

June 28, 2011
Critic Score
84
30 reviews

Black Up reveals Shabazz Palaces as an artist much more in line with the future, voicing his dissatisfaction by carving his own path.

3.

May 23, 2011
Critic Score
70
28 reviews
When Gaga graduated to stadiums, her music clearly followed suit. There's nothing small about this album, and Gaga sings the shit out of every single track.

2.

February 25, 2011
Critic Score
80
34 reviews

The combination of Wounded Rhymes’s noisy factory ambience and Li’s frayed persona is subtle yet striking, building slowly and purposefully without ever reaching heavy-handed bombast.

1.

February 14, 2011
Critic Score
89
44 reviews
The album is a matchless musical world where Polly Jean Harvey reigns with autonomy.
Original Source: https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/the-25-best-albums-of-2011/
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