Dan Wilmer Poop ’11



cover of The Black Keys – El Camino  Buy New or Used via amazon
1. The Black Keys – El Camino
Is there any working band in as much of a groove as the Black Keys? “Lonely Boy” and “Gold on the Ceiling” may be my two favorite songs they’ve ever written. The album is full of fast-paced fun that mixes it up from the more blues-y approach of the rest of their catalog.



cover of Wilco – The Whole Love  Buy New or Used via amazon
2. Wilco – The Whole Love
I like this as much as anything they’ve done in the last five years. And “One Sunday Morning” is the first 12-minute song that I’ve wished was longer – totally hypnotic and wonderful. Outstanding album from beginning to end.



cover of The Head and the Heart – The Head and the Heart  Buy New or Used via amazon
3. The Head and the Heart – The Head and the Heart
A lot of folks were sweet on the Fleet Foxes this year. I really prefer this album – super songwriting and great harmonies that round out the mix instead of taking it over. “Cats and Dogs” followed by “Coeur D’ Alene” and leading to “Ghosts” is as good as any three song opening to an album this year.



cover of Grouplove – Never Trust A Happy Song  Buy New or Used via amazon
4. Grouplove – Never Trust A Happy Song
This hippie pop band has been dominating tv commercials with their insanely catchy ditties. “Naked Kids,” a simple song about a day at the beach, is Beach Boys meets Arcade Fire meets Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros. Too much fun.



cover of The Decemberists – The King is Dead  Buy New or Used via amazon
5. The Decemberists – The King is Dead
After a serious misfire with their last album, The Decemberists do everything right with this one. Great songs, great musicianship. Yes, it sounds like classic R.E.M. But with their retirement it’s nice to know that their Southern college rock legacy is safe with Colin Meloy and company.



cover of Death Cab for Cutie – Codes and Keys  Buy New or Used via amazon
6. Death Cab for Cutie – Codes and Keys
This is may be a case of the whole being greater than the sum of the parts – very few hits or standouts here but together it really resonates with me. My favorite of all their albums. Really.



cover of The Vaccines – What Did You Expect From the Vaccines?  Buy New or Used via amazon
7. The Vaccines – What Did You Expect From the Vaccines?
The Smiths meet The Arctic Monkeys. This is a really upbeat record that got a ton of play on our road trips this year. Songs like “If You Wanna” “Wolf Pack“ and “Post Break-up Sex” are total British alt-rock larks.



cover of Devotchka – 100 Years  Buy New or Used via amazon
8. Devotchka – 100 Lovers
There’s something about how Devotchka uses Eastern European gypsy sounds and instrumentation – mandolins, violas, accordions, etc. – to create these haunting songs that get underneath my skin…in a good way. I can listen to “Exhaustible” over and over again.



cover of The Joy Formidable – The Big Roar  Buy New or Used via amazon
9. The Joy Formidable – The Big Roar
My favorite big guitar album of 2011. Ritzy Bryan of the Joy Formidable brings a fantastic voice and wall of guitars to the party. Picture Florence & the Machine and the Smashin Pumpkins combining in a single hugely talented woman. Awesome.



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10. Yuck – Yuck
I loved the 1990’s Massachusetts indie rock of the Pixies and Dinosaur Jr. And I always like bands that can revisit that sound and make it their own. This Yuck record is really fun and “Georgia” may have been my favorite tune of 2011.



cover of F**ked Up – David Comes to Life  Buy New or Used via amazon
11. F**ked Up – David Comes to Life
This is as hardcore as I can go these days and lead singer’s Damian Abraham’s super-coarse delivery – reminiscent of Dicky Barrett of the Mighty Mighty Bosstones – is hard to do in long stints. But in terms of pure punk power and guitar instrumentation, this concept album was unmatched in 2011.

Also For Your Consideration:
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit – Here We Rest.
Alexander – Alexander.


Two More That Rocked:
Wild Flag – Wild Flag.
SuperChunk – Her Majesty Shredding.



Dreamy Beach Pop That I Can’t Help But Like:
Real Estate – Days.
Youth Lagoon – The Year of Hibernation.



Our Always Solid Brooklyn Neighbors:
TV on the Radio – Nine Types of Light.



Special Shout-out:
Steve Broderick – Shamrock Eyes



Dan Wilmer
Brooklyn, NY