Top 20 Releases of 2011 – #1 & #2
on December 16th, 2011And so we reach the end, it’s time to reveal #1 & #2 in our Top 20 Releases of 2011 countdown, perhaps you’ll agree, perhaps you won’t, but the list is now complete. Cheers to those of you who have followed along the past two weeks, and sent in your two cents. Coming in at #2 is Philadelphia’s Dave Hause and his debut solo album ‘Resolutions‘ released via Paper + Plastick back in January. He’s toured here both with The Loved Ones and solo prior to releasing the album, hopefully we’ll catch a return visit soon. The #1 tag gets to stay in Australia, Melbourne in fact where The Smith Street Band reside. Their ‘No One Gets Lost Anymore‘ album released mid year via Poison City Records has seen the band rise to quickly become both a live and recorded favourite for many. Can’t fault it, bring on the next one. See below for more info on both releases and to re-cap the countdown in full.
#1 - The Smith Street Band – No One Gets Lost Anymore - Poison City Records
There’s good reason this one sits up top of many folks favourite albums of the year, it’s an easy one to relate to lyrically and an infectious one musically. It’s a grower, took me a few listens before everything clicked into place and I realised just what a cracking album it is. From there it’s only blossomed and became the album you reach for knowing you will always enjoy a listen, and not get sick of it if you chuck it on a few times. The band has ticked all the right boxes this year and I’m sure they are set for a bumper 2012. This isn’t one of those albums that is forgotten after six months either, if anything it’s gaining more momentum right now than when it was released as word spreads, and as they continue to tour like there’s no tomorrow. Join the folks just jumping onboard now if you are yet to do so, you won’t regret it.
[Buy it on CD or Vinyl online here]
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#2 - Dave Hause – Resolutions – Paper + Plastick
One of the years first releases, and probably the only album that I haven’t given a rest at all through the year. First taste of Dave’s work outside of The Loved Ones I’d heard was the version of ‘C’mon Kid’ on the Revival Tour compilation, and from there I was itching for more, we saw him touring here with Hot Water Music and The Bouncing Souls last December, and then came this album in January. It’s an album that stuck right away, some brilliant songwriting and great delivery too, cannot recommend it enough. From start to finish it’s all quality, many of these punk band singers gone solo have gone down the more country / folk with gravel throat vocal sound, Dave has a clean voice and perhaps a little more rock to his sound in general. Call it what you want, it works and that’s all that matters. Some brilliant, and inspiring tunes can be found on this one. Get it!
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THE COUNTDOWN IN FULL
1. The Smith Street Band - No One Gets Lost Anymore [More Info / Buy Online]
2. Dave Hause – Resolutions [More Info / Buy Online]
3. The Horrible Crowes – Elsie [More Info / Buy Online]
4. New Found Glory – Radiosurgery [More Info / Buy Online]
5. Frenzal Rhomb - Smoko At The Pet Food Factory [More Info / Buy Online]
6. Front End Loader – Ritardando [More Info / Buy Online]
7. Jen Buxton – Don’t Change Your Plans [More Info / Buy Online]
8. Social Distortion – Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes [More Info / Buy Online]
9. Former Cell Mates – Presented As A Work Of Fiction [More Info / Buy Online]
10. Tonight Alive – What Are You So Scared Of? [More Info / Buy Online]
11. Luca Brasi – Extended Family [More Info / Buy Online]
12. Jonesez – Gruffalo [More Info / Buy Online]
13. Yellowcard – When You’re Through Thinking, Say Yes [More Info / Buy Online]
14. Driven Fear – Contender [More Info / Buy Online]
15. Frank Turner – England Keep My Bones [More Info / Buy Online]
16. The Optionals – Bash It Out For Their Lonely Heads [More Info / Buy Online]
17. Stolen Youth – Dark Century [More Info / Buy Online]
18. Balance And Composure – Separation [More Info / Buy Online]
19. Mindset – Midnight Sky [More Info / Buy It Online]
20. I Exist – II: The Broken Passage [More Info / Buy It Online]
21. The Decline – Are You Gonna Eat That? [More Info / Buy It Online]
22. Nick 13 – Nick 13 [More Info / Buy It Online]
23. William Elliott Whitmore – Field Songs [More Info / Buy It Online]
24. The Wonder Years – Suburbia, I’ve Given You All, And Now I’m Nothing [More Info / Buy It Online]
25. I Am The Avalanche – Avalanche United [More Info / Buy It Online]
26. Topnovil – Same Old Story [More Info / Buy It Online]
27. The Bennies – Party! Party! Party! [More Info / Buy It Online]
28. Homeward Bound – Chorus Of Castouts [More Info / Buy It Online]
29. Samiam – Trips [More Info / Buy It Online]
30. Polar Bear Club – Clash Battle Guilt Pride [More Info / Buy It Online]
31. We Are Augustines – Rise Ye Sunken Ships [More Info / Buy It Online]
32. Mariachi El Bronx – II [More Info / Buy It Online]
33. The Living End – The Ending Is Just The Beginning Repeating [More Info / Buy It Online]
34. Aficionado – Aficionado [More Info / Buy It Online]
35. Taking Back Sunday – Taking Back Sunday [More Info / Buy It Online]
36. Dananananaykroyd – There Is A Way [More Info / Buy It Online]
37. Living With Lions – Holy Shit! [More Info / Buy It Online]
38. Lanie Lane – To The Horses [More Info / Buy It Online]
39. Dropkick Murphys – Going Out In Style [More Info / Buy It Online]
40. Cobra Skulls – Agitations [More Info / Buy It Online]
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