Valley of the Deep Beats: Frank Ocean

Thursday, December 8, 2011

i still care (best of 2011)

I will be honest with you...2011 is a year that I hope I never have to live through again. It's end is approaching just as quickly as it's beginning but in-between there has been much loss, much hardship, much joy and much growth, all of which has caused time to both stand still while simultaneously traveling at the speed of light. In 2011 I lost my home and all of my material possessions. I literally watched the building burn. I rode the waves of fear and joy as I learned that I would become a father, wholly unexpected. I endured difficult self-reflection in preparation for a career in the mental health field. All of these things slowly came together, building on each other in small ways until they became one large lump in my throat. My world has changed and continues to slowly evolve. This is not a bad thing. In fact, I'm grateful for it (except for maybe the whole losing everything I own part). It's just an incredibly difficult transition, which I do not have the words to adequately describe. On the other side, which I can now see from here, there is a lifetime of restoration, forgiveness and more joy. Much more joy.

Throughout this year I have felt the presence of two unwavering sources of life: love and music. It has been the love of God, so tangible that I felt as if I could reach out and touch it sometimes, that has lifted me. The love of family and friends and of co-workers and strangers has changed me and caused me to feel a gratefulness deeper than I knew was possible. And whlie I wouldn't go so far as to say that a DJ saved my life, the music of this year has grounded me, provided an outlet for my emotions and given my thoughts, struggles and triumphs a soundtrack. So, while I have not had as much time to spend here as I would have liked it is certainly not due to a lack of interest. I still listen. I still care. And I still enjoy making lists.

So, here is a list. It includes my 50 favorite albums from the past year. I was tempted to write something about each of them but I quickly realized that I don't have the time. I suppose that speaks to the regret I hold from not writing about these records during the year. At any rate, they'll go in descending order, each one will link to a song and I'll include some videos. Here's to pretending you're important!

50. Braids - Native Speaker
49. The Decemberists - The King is Dead
48. David Bazan - Strange Negotiations
47. The Caretaker - An Empty Bliss Beyond This World
46. Jay-Z & Kanye West - Watch the Throne

45. EMA - Past Life Martyred Saints
44. Suuns - Zeroes QC
43. Denison Witmer - The Ones Who Wait
42. Low - C'Mon
41. Wilco - The Whole Love

40. SBTRKT - SBTRKT
39. Anna Calvi - Anna Calvi
38. The Black Keys - El Camino
37. Feist - Metals
36. Clams Casino - Instrumental Mixtape

35. Iron & Wine - Kiss Each Other Clean
34. Various Artists - Norman OST
33. Colin Stetson - New History Warfare, Vol. 2: Judges
32. Washed Out - Within and Without
31. Atlas Sound - Parallax

30. The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - Belong
29. Radiohead - The King of Limbs
28. Cass McCombs - Wit's End
27. Neon Indian - Era Extraña
26. Oddisee - Rock Creek Park

25. Tom Waits - Bad As Me
24. Toro Y Moi - Underneath the Pine
23. The Roots - undun
22. Shabazz Palaces - Black Up
21. Zola Jesus - Conatus

20. Bright Eyes - The People's Key