i guess science is kind of cool.

Holy crap.
2 days and it’s 2012. Twenty-motherfucking-twelve.
Basically, I’m excited. Not only for the dawn of a new year (hopefully full of success), but for the close of an excellent year in terms of music. There have been so many  good records in 2011 that I feel bad coming up with a top 10 list – it’s almost despicable of me. Alas, some was better than the rest, and therefore, I can vindicate myself by compiling a list – using SCIENCE!

Just kidding. I’ll be using my opinion (ooooooooooooooh). Let us begin!

10. No Help for the Mighty One – SubRosa

This was an interesting surprise. I picked it up based on album art alone (hey, don’t judge), and it turned out to be a fantastic (repeat: fantastic) doom/sludge album with – get it – Black Mountain-esque female vocals. The combination of madly distorted guitar, discordant vocals, and overall chaos is mind-boggling, yet overtly satisfying. There’s even growling (SEW CUTE!!11111). But seriously, get this album. It’s eerie, it’s well produced, it’s sheer awesome – and not restricted to the metalhead.

9. Hardcore Will Never Die But You Will – Mogwai

Another faithful Mogwai release. Admittedly, this album is on my top 10 because a) I love post-rock (read: love) and b) the album is actually good. It’s Mogwai, that’s a given – but it’s a new breed of Mogwai. Infused with more electronic-based music, the album is, to some, a hit or miss. If one is open to Mogwai and their unique blend of experimentation, then I see no harm in grabbing this release. If, for some reason, you despise change (ie. you’re a republican), then don’t bother – it’s not the same Mogwai you’re familiar with.

8. The King of Limbs – Radiohead

A fine release from a fine band. I didn’t know what to expect when Radiohead announced the release of the King of Limbs, nor did I (for some unbeknownst reason) expect anything worth listening. I guess I was just growing tired of Radiohead. But I was wrong, oh so horribly wrong. The album was interesting. Just like with Mogwai’s attempt at experimentation, Radiohead’s newest is a swamp of electronica, dubstep, alternative, and traditional indie. It’s such an amalgamation of sounds that it’s hard to ignore in its entropic beauty. Despite my previous fears, the band settled my nerves and ultimately reminded me why Radiohead is so good – and to paraphrase a popular internet video – “they just don’t give a shit“. In all seriousness, it’s good. Pretty good. Not number 1 good, but it’s… well, you get my gist.

7. Suck It and See – Arctic Monkeys

Well shit. I didn’t even know this album existed for a few months after its release. Did I ever feel like an idiot upon listening, because clearly something happened to the Arctic Monkeys and their sound whilst I was absent-mindedly ignoring their existence. Humbug was a great album because the Monkeys did something I did not expect – they went prog (thanks to Josh Homme’s wonderful production and musical input). It was by far their best album, because it was so different and worked so well (which nobody really expected from the Monkeys – come on, prog?) But Suck It and See is a whole different beast. They’ve changed their sound yet again, this time strolling away from the darkness of Humbug to a softer, 60’s poppy sound that just works. It’s new, but I like it. Despite not being their best work (aka Humbug), it’s certainly leagues better than the debut release we have to love (or hate). I warrant it at least one listen, fans and non-fans alike.

6. Inni – Sigur Ros

“HEY ASSHOLE, THIS ISN’T A NEW ALBUM, IT’S A LIVE ALBUM.”
I know you’re silently yelling that in your mind, but hear me out. I’m well aware that there’s no new content to be found in Inni. But what Sigur Ros does live is so astonishing it delivers on many levels. Inni is part live film and album, and to listen to it without watching the DVD would be a sin. The cinematography combined with the ethereal production is so well done, I found that I could not look away. I’ve seen this movie 7 times now, and only Darwin knows how many times I’ve listened to this album. Watch it, listen to it, I don’t care – just please don’t dismiss Inni because its content is live performance based, you’re missing out on a whole new world of awesome.

5. Paragon of Dissonance – Esoteric

Like album #10 on this list, this isn’t a record solely for the metalheads. In fact, despite being a wicked blend of doom and some black, they’re relatively melodic (sorry, Philip). I, in fact, really enjoyed this double disc release and compared it to a more “complete” variant of Isis (one of the BEST post-metal bands, look ’em up). While the first half of the album is not nearly as strong as the second, the overall package is stimulating and very enjoyable. Metal doesn’t have to be restricted to the metal fanbase – hell, look at me. This is a worthwhile package of droning, carefully plotting melancholy that cannot be avoided.

Part 2 to be uploaded later today.

– K.