Martin's Top 10 Albums of 2011 Only Add Up To 5

When I performed my annual Sorting of the iTunes (typically one of the happiest days of the year), it became surprisingly clear to me that my Top 10 Albums of 2011 was actually a Top 5.  Sure, I could flesh the list out with five or six perfectly fine albums, but you know what? This year was a Top 5-only year. Five albums stood out -- head and shoulders above the rest.  And honestly, I don’t have the time or inclination to agonize over what other decent but uninspiring albums should fill the remaining slots. With that said, my Top 5 of 2011...

5. Smith Westerns – Dye It Blonde

Insanely catchy rock & roll. That's that.

4. Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues
A little bit spiritual, a little bit jangly, a little bit CSNY. What’s not to like?

3. Ryan Adams – Ashes & Fire

Even if it’s a little on the tame side, I’ll still take hushed, introspective, open-hearted Ryan Adams over most everybody else out there today.

2. The Low Anthem – Smart Flesh

“Oh My God Charlie Darwin” was a brilliant album; this is even richer from beginning to end, if you can imagine.  I love this band more every day. (To show off of their range, these dudes get two embedded videos.)

1.    Bon Iver – Bon Iver

I know it’s a divisive record, which I assume means that some people must hate it. I can’t stop listening to it.