Best of the best 2011
26 Dec 2011, 12:41
10. Adele- 21
Hard to admit, but I like this album. In some parts it turns a bit too wimpy and bonus tracks start to be too much, but what a voice!
10. Devin Townsend Project - Deconstruction
At first I was a bit puzzled with this album. It was not bad, but after Addicted! and Ki I did not immediately think that this album was perfect. While making the top of the year list I gave this album another round of plays and it's complexity started to turn from puzzlement to strenght. This is an album that will resist listening with all of its little things. I should also mention the other album of DTP - Ghost (and Ghost 2) - it is a beautiful album, but even harder to put into its right place in this list, so I don't even try.
9. Pentagram- Last Rites
I was not very familiar with Pentagram before this album. I had of course heard of them and few of their songs from older albums, but there is just not enough time to listen all good bands, right? It is still immediately obvious that these gentleman are not doing this for the first time. They don't try they just do it. The songs work, album is well build and there is really no moments that you would like to do something else than listen it.
8. Lenny Kravitz - Black and White America
Whenever Lenny releases a new album, it is very likely to be in my list (if it isn't complete bs). This might not be the best album of his, but it isn't bs either. I like very much the first part of the album showing the funkier part of Lenny. Towards to the end of the album it leans more to soul and R&B, not my favorite styles of music, although performed by Lenny makes it bearable. This division to two styles of music makes this recording also not as coherent piece of art that it could be. The last complaint is that with 16 songs it is a long album and something could be left out (the more soulish songs!) to make it a better package. Beyond and despite these flaws this is a really entertaining album.
7. Mastodon- The Hunter
I haven't been a great fan of this band, but it is not the first time I've been wrong. I'll have to check their older production, since either my taste has changed or their music has never been as bad as I have thought.
6. Insomnium- One for Sorrow
First I didn't know how many times I should listen this to create my opinion on this album. Then I realized that this is an album that needs to be listened so many times because it just so damn good! Well not a great surprise for a band that I have always liked!
5. Vektor- Outer Isolation
This album came out so late in the year that it almost slipped out from my list. I was mainly scanning through the release lists to check out what albums I should listen before making my picks for the year. Gladly I saw the release and after Black Future it was certain that I should listen this before making any decisions. This is another album with Vader that begins, crabs you from the balls and holds you until the album ends. There is no way to escape.
4. Amorphis- The Beginning of Times
Rullaa kuin viitasusi! Amorphis could make the worst of their albums and still be in the top ten. This album though is not their worst, it is solid. There is no weak elements at all, maybe not ultimate highlights either, but this is more a compliment to its solidness than any complaint.
3. Ghost Brigade - Until Fear No Longer Defines Us
There is so many songs in this album that sound familiar with the first time you listen them. Sometimes it is a good thing that the album starts to sound good after several visits, but in this case the familiarity comes from the fact that all the songs are so good.
2. Vader- Welcome To Morbid Reich
This album is pure gold, or lead if you prefer that type of metal! When it begins you just have to go with it, there is no escape until it ends. This might not be the most original recording ever, but hey who cares if it works this well.
1. Graveyard- Hisingen Blues
An excellent album! No weaknesses. A great gig that they played in spring in Helsinki probably made this experience even better and put them in the first place in my list. I could continue with !!!! and some words, but no time have to go and have another session with this album.
Hard to admit, but I like this album. In some parts it turns a bit too wimpy and bonus tracks start to be too much, but what a voice!
10. Devin Townsend Project - Deconstruction
At first I was a bit puzzled with this album. It was not bad, but after Addicted! and Ki I did not immediately think that this album was perfect. While making the top of the year list I gave this album another round of plays and it's complexity started to turn from puzzlement to strenght. This is an album that will resist listening with all of its little things. I should also mention the other album of DTP - Ghost (and Ghost 2) - it is a beautiful album, but even harder to put into its right place in this list, so I don't even try.
9. Pentagram- Last Rites
I was not very familiar with Pentagram before this album. I had of course heard of them and few of their songs from older albums, but there is just not enough time to listen all good bands, right? It is still immediately obvious that these gentleman are not doing this for the first time. They don't try they just do it. The songs work, album is well build and there is really no moments that you would like to do something else than listen it.
8. Lenny Kravitz - Black and White America
Whenever Lenny releases a new album, it is very likely to be in my list (if it isn't complete bs). This might not be the best album of his, but it isn't bs either. I like very much the first part of the album showing the funkier part of Lenny. Towards to the end of the album it leans more to soul and R&B, not my favorite styles of music, although performed by Lenny makes it bearable. This division to two styles of music makes this recording also not as coherent piece of art that it could be. The last complaint is that with 16 songs it is a long album and something could be left out (the more soulish songs!) to make it a better package. Beyond and despite these flaws this is a really entertaining album.
7. Mastodon- The Hunter
I haven't been a great fan of this band, but it is not the first time I've been wrong. I'll have to check their older production, since either my taste has changed or their music has never been as bad as I have thought.
6. Insomnium- One for Sorrow
First I didn't know how many times I should listen this to create my opinion on this album. Then I realized that this is an album that needs to be listened so many times because it just so damn good! Well not a great surprise for a band that I have always liked!
5. Vektor- Outer Isolation
This album came out so late in the year that it almost slipped out from my list. I was mainly scanning through the release lists to check out what albums I should listen before making my picks for the year. Gladly I saw the release and after Black Future it was certain that I should listen this before making any decisions. This is another album with Vader that begins, crabs you from the balls and holds you until the album ends. There is no way to escape.
4. Amorphis- The Beginning of Times
Rullaa kuin viitasusi! Amorphis could make the worst of their albums and still be in the top ten. This album though is not their worst, it is solid. There is no weak elements at all, maybe not ultimate highlights either, but this is more a compliment to its solidness than any complaint.
3. Ghost Brigade - Until Fear No Longer Defines Us
There is so many songs in this album that sound familiar with the first time you listen them. Sometimes it is a good thing that the album starts to sound good after several visits, but in this case the familiarity comes from the fact that all the songs are so good.
2. Vader- Welcome To Morbid Reich
This album is pure gold, or lead if you prefer that type of metal! When it begins you just have to go with it, there is no escape until it ends. This might not be the most original recording ever, but hey who cares if it works this well.
1. Graveyard- Hisingen Blues
An excellent album! No weaknesses. A great gig that they played in spring in Helsinki probably made this experience even better and put them in the first place in my list. I could continue with !!!! and some words, but no time have to go and have another session with this album.
