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Uncut's Top 50 Albums of 2011

LIST SUMMARY

VIEW ORIGINAL LIST

List Rating: 80

Based on 445 album ratings

Genre Breakdown:

Folk (10), Indie Rock (6), Alternative Rock (4), Experimental (3), Indie Pop (3), Singer-Songwriter (2), Lo-Fi (2), Indie Folk (2), Garage Rock (2), Dubstep (2), Experimental Rock (2), Blues (2), Drone (1), Southern Rock (1), Soul (1), Ambient (1), Folk Rock (1), Trip Hop (1), World (1), Post-Punk (1), Rock (1), Electronic (1), Alt-Country (1)

1. PJ Harvey - Let England Shake

PJ Harvey - Let England Shake

MUST HEAR

Released: Feb 15th, 2011
Genre: Alternative Rock

CRITIC SCORE

90

Based on
18 reviews

USER SCORE

87

Based on
40 ratings

2. Gillian Welch - The Harrow & The Harvest

Gillian Welch - The Harrow & The Harvest

Released: Jun 28th, 2011
Genre: Alt-Country

CRITIC SCORE

83

Based on
8 reviews

USER SCORE

77

Based on
7 ratings

3. Metronomy - The English Riviera

Metronomy - The English Riviera

Released: Apr 12th, 2011
Genre: Electronic

CRITIC SCORE

69

Based on
9 reviews

USER SCORE

84

Based on
23 ratings

4. White Denim - D

White Denim - D

Released: May 23rd, 2011
Genre: Garage Rock

CRITIC SCORE

75

Based on
10 reviews

USER SCORE

79

Based on
5 ratings

5. Josh T. Pearson - Last of the Country Gentlemen

Josh T. Pearson - Last of the Country Gentlemen

Released: Mar 29th, 2011
Genre: Folk

CRITIC SCORE

68

Based on
5 reviews

USER SCORE

73

Based on
1 rating

6. The Horrors - Skying

The Horrors - Skying

MUST HEAR

Released: Jul 26th, 2011
Genre: Alternative Rock

CRITIC SCORE

83

Based on
19 reviews

USER SCORE

84

Based on
15 ratings

7. Radiohead - The King of Limbs

Radiohead - The King of Limbs

Released: Feb 19th, 2011
Genre: Experimental Rock

CRITIC SCORE

82

Based on
15 reviews

USER SCORE

81

Based on
43 ratings

8. Wild Beasts - Smother

Wild Beasts - Smother

MUST HEAR

Released: May 10th, 2011
Genre: Indie Rock

CRITIC SCORE

82

Based on
13 reviews

USER SCORE

85

Based on
18 ratings

9. Bon Iver - Bon Iver, Bon Iver

Bon Iver - Bon Iver, Bon Iver

MUST HEAR

Released: Jun 21st, 2011
Genre: Indie Folk

CRITIC SCORE

84

Based on
17 reviews

USER SCORE

89

Based on
64 ratings

10. The War on Drugs - Slave Ambient

The War on Drugs - Slave Ambient

Released: Aug 16th, 2011
Genre: Indie Rock

CRITIC SCORE

82

Based on
13 reviews

USER SCORE

78

Based on
10 ratings

11. Laura Marling - A Creature I Don't Know

Laura Marling - A Creature I Don't Know

Released: Sep 13th, 2011
Genre: Folk

CRITIC SCORE

80

Based on
13 reviews

USER SCORE

85

Based on
8 ratings

12. Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues

Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues

Released: May 3rd, 2011
Genre: Indie Folk

CRITIC SCORE

87

Based on
17 reviews

USER SCORE

86

Based on
44 ratings

13. Tom Waits - Bad as Me

Tom Waits - Bad as Me

Released: Oct 25th, 2011
Genre: Blues

CRITIC SCORE

85

Based on
14 reviews

USER SCORE

85

Based on
9 ratings

14. Kurt Vile - Smoke Ring for My Halo

Kurt Vile - Smoke Ring for My Halo

MUST HEAR

Released: Mar 8th, 2011
Genre: Rock

CRITIC SCORE

80

Based on
14 reviews

USER SCORE

83

Based on
19 ratings

15. Wilco - The Whole Love

Wilco - The Whole Love

Released: Sep 27th, 2011
Genre: Alternative Rock

CRITIC SCORE

77

Based on
14 reviews

USER SCORE

75

Based on
14 ratings

16. Jonathan Wilson - Gentle Spirit

Jonathan Wilson - Gentle Spirit

Released: Sep 13th, 2011
Genre: Folk

CRITIC SCORE

NR

USER SCORE

83

Based on
2 ratings

17. Feist - Metals

Feist - Metals

Released: Oct 4th, 2011
Genre: Indie Pop

CRITIC SCORE

81

Based on
12 reviews

USER SCORE

79

Based on
23 ratings

18. Tinariwen - Tassili

Tinariwen - Tassili

Released: Aug 30th, 2011
Genre: World

CRITIC SCORE

77

Based on
8 reviews

USER SCORE

82

Based on
2 ratings

19. Drive-By Truckers - Go-Go Boots

Drive-By Truckers - Go-Go Boots

Released: Feb 15th, 2011
Genre: Southern Rock

CRITIC SCORE

75

Based on
8 reviews

USER SCORE

77

Based on
3 ratings

20. Ry Cooder - Pull Up Some Dust and Sit Down

Ry Cooder - Pull Up Some Dust and Sit Down

Released: Aug 29th, 2011
Genre: Blues

CRITIC SCORE

NR

USER SCORE

69

Based on
1 rating

21. James Blake - James Blake

James Blake - James Blake

MUST HEAR

Released: Feb 8th, 2011
Genre: Dubstep

CRITIC SCORE

85

Based on
16 reviews

USER SCORE

86

Based on
52 ratings

22. Gang Gang Dance - Eye Contact

Gang Gang Dance - Eye Contact

Released: May 10th, 2011
Genre: Experimental Rock

CRITIC SCORE

83

Based on
13 reviews

USER SCORE

82

Based on
12 ratings

23. Thurston Moore - Demolished Thoughts

Thurston Moore - Demolished Thoughts

Released: May 24th, 2011
Genre: Alternative Rock

CRITIC SCORE

78

Based on
13 reviews

USER SCORE

72

Based on
4 ratings

24. Real Estate - Days

Real Estate - Days

MUST HEAR

Released: Oct 18th, 2011
Genre: Lo-Fi

CRITIC SCORE

80

Based on
11 reviews

USER SCORE

82

Based on
27 ratings

25. Bill Callahan - Apocalypse

Bill Callahan - Apocalypse

Released: Apr 5th, 2011
Genre: Folk

CRITIC SCORE

81

Based on
11 reviews

USER SCORE

84

Based on
4 ratings

26. The Decemberists - The King is Dead

The Decemberists - The King is Dead

Released: Jan 18th, 2011
Genre: Folk Rock

CRITIC SCORE

75

Based on
15 reviews

USER SCORE

73

Based on
7 ratings

27. Björk - Biophilia

Björk - Biophilia

Released: Oct 11th, 2011
Genre: Experimental

CRITIC SCORE

77

Based on
14 reviews

USER SCORE

85

Based on
13 ratings

28. King Creosote & Jon Hopkins - Diamond Mine

King Creosote & Jon Hopkins - Diamond Mine

Released: May 23rd, 2011
Genre: Folk

CRITIC SCORE

80

Based on
4 reviews

USER SCORE

82

Based on
2 ratings

29. Paul Simon - So Beautiful or So What

Paul Simon - So Beautiful or So What

Released: Apr 12th, 2011
Genre: Folk

CRITIC SCORE

79

Based on
6 reviews

USER SCORE

78

Based on
3 ratings

30. Tim Hecker - Ravedeath, 1972

Tim Hecker - Ravedeath, 1972

Released: Feb 15th, 2011
Genre: Drone

CRITIC SCORE

87

Based on
10 reviews

USER SCORE

84

Based on
11 ratings

31. Destroyer - Kaputt

Destroyer - Kaputt

MUST HEAR

Released: Jan 25th, 2011
Genre: Indie Rock

CRITIC SCORE

85

Based on
16 reviews

USER SCORE

84

Based on
33 ratings

32. Gil Scott-Heron and Jamie xx - We're New Here

Gil Scott-Heron and Jamie xx - We're New Here

Released: Feb 22nd, 2011
Genre: Dubstep

CRITIC SCORE

82

Based on
10 reviews

USER SCORE

84

Based on
10 ratings

33. Low - C'mon

Low - C'mon

Released: Apr 12th, 2011
Genre: Indie Rock

CRITIC SCORE

81

Based on
12 reviews

USER SCORE

81

Based on
4 ratings

34. Fatoumata Diawara - Fatou

Fatoumata Diawara - Fatou

Released: Sep 27th, 2011
Genre: Folk

CRITIC SCORE

77

Based on
2 reviews

USER SCORE

93

Based on
1 rating

35. My Morning Jacket - Circuital

My Morning Jacket - Circuital

Released: May 31st, 2011
Genre: Indie Rock

CRITIC SCORE

72

Based on
11 reviews

USER SCORE

79

Based on
5 ratings

36. Jonny - Jonny

Jonny - Jonny

Released: Feb 1st, 2011
Genre: Indie Pop

CRITIC SCORE

64

Based on
5 reviews

USER SCORE

75

Based on
1 rating

37. Little Dragon - Ritual Union

Little Dragon - Ritual Union

Released: Jul 26th, 2011
Genre: Trip Hop

CRITIC SCORE

69

Based on
10 reviews

USER SCORE

77

Based on
6 ratings

38. Hiss Golden Messenger - From Country Hai East Cotton

Hiss Golden Messenger - From Country Hai East Cotton

Released: Apr 5th, 2011
Genre: Folk

CRITIC SCORE

NR

USER SCORE

NR

39. Dawes - Nothing Is Wrong

Dawes - Nothing Is Wrong

Released: Jun 7th, 2011
Genre: Folk

CRITIC SCORE

76

Based on
5 reviews

USER SCORE

80

Based on
1 rating

40. Kate Bush - 50 Words for Snow

Kate Bush - 50 Words for Snow

Released: Nov 21st, 2011
Genre: Singer-Songwriter

CRITIC SCORE

84

Based on
13 reviews

USER SCORE

81

Based on
7 ratings

41. Raphael Saadiq - Stone Rollin

Raphael Saadiq - Stone Rollin

Released: May 10th, 2011
Genre: Soul

CRITIC SCORE

85

Based on
6 reviews

USER SCORE

80

Based on
3 ratings

42. Jenny Hval - Viscera

Jenny Hval - Viscera

Released: Apr 26th, 2011
Genre: Experimental

CRITIC SCORE

NR

USER SCORE

NR

43. St. Vincent - Strange Mercy

St. Vincent - Strange Mercy

MUST HEAR

Released: Sep 13th, 2011
Genre: Indie Pop

CRITIC SCORE

89

Based on
16 reviews

USER SCORE

87

Based on
48 ratings

44. tUnE-yArDs - w h o k i l l

tUnE-yArDs - w h o k i l l

Released: Apr 19th, 2011
Genre: Experimental

CRITIC SCORE

87

Based on
16 reviews

USER SCORE

85

Based on
30 ratings

45. Mikal Cronin - Mikal Cronin

Mikal Cronin - Mikal Cronin

Released: Sep 20th, 2011
Genre: Garage Rock

CRITIC SCORE

79

Based on
4 reviews

USER SCORE

79

Based on
2 ratings

46. Iceage - New Brigade

Iceage - New Brigade

MUST HEAR

Released: Jun 21st, 2011
Genre: Post-Punk

CRITIC SCORE

84

Based on
11 reviews

USER SCORE

83

Based on
14 ratings

47. The Caretaker - An Empty Bliss Beyond This World

The Caretaker - An Empty Bliss Beyond This World

Released: Jun 21st, 2011
Genre: Ambient

CRITIC SCORE

81

Based on
5 reviews

USER SCORE

84

Based on
8 ratings

48. Cornershop - Cornershop and The Double-O Groove Of

Cornershop - Cornershop and The Double-O Groove Of

Released: Mar 15th, 2011
Genre: Indie Rock

CRITIC SCORE

NR

USER SCORE

84

Based on
1 rating

49. Arbouretum - The Gathering

Arbouretum - The Gathering

Released: Feb 15th, 2011
Genre: Folk

CRITIC SCORE

57

Based on
4 reviews

USER SCORE

80

Based on
1 rating

50. Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Unknown Mortal Orchestra

Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Unknown Mortal Orchestra

Released: Jun 21st, 2011
Genre: Lo-Fi

CRITIC SCORE

72

Based on
9 reviews

USER SCORE

76

Based on
6 ratings

Recommend:

Original Source: http://www.uncut.co.uk/news/pj_harvey/news/15294

MORE 2011 YEAR END LISTS:

American Songwriter

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Cokemachineglow

Consequence of Sound

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The Line of Best Fit

Under the Radar

MORE YEAR END LISTS FROM UNCUT:

Check out our 2011 Year End Summary.

COMMENTS

2011 YEAR END SUMMARY

MORE 2011 LISTS

AoTY Readers 2011

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Exclaim! (Pop & Rock)

New York Magazine

One Thirty BPM (EPs)

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PopMatters (Worst Albums)

PopMatters (Electronic)

PopMatters (Indie Pop)

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