Music Designer Justin Main, the man that brings you Indie Minute and Featured Label each week, shares his favorite music of 2011.
1. Cass McCombs – Wit’s End
A great down tempo record best listened to alone. The album’s dark energy surrounds great narrative songwriting. He’s already put out a follow up, Humor Risk, which is an inversely upbeat ride of equal achievement.
2. Yuck – Yuck
This record is a youthful classic to me. Trends predicted a band like Yuck hitting the scene, but their debut stands on it’s own as an aesthetically realized good-time summer record. Great road trip album!
3. Kurt Vile – Smoke Ring for My Halo
Another slow burner, this album grew on me after seeing Kurt Vile during SXSW. It hasn’t been far from my turntable since. The tracks are surprising catchy considering their laid back, strewn together feel….especially “Society is My Friend”, “Jesus Fever” and “Puppet to the Man”.
4. Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Unknown Mortal Orchestra
A funky and psychedelic lo fi gem. Unknown Mortal Orchestra is kind of like the fuzzy, surfy brother of Tame Impala. Granted, the album isn’t perfect, but the enduring moments more than make up for the cloudy sections.
5. Ty Segall – Goodbye Bread
Making a slower and better produced album sounds like a recipe for a mediocrity for someone like Ty Segall. On the contrary,Goodbye Bread, brings focus to the garage rocker’s strongest quality: writing songs. With hints of T. Rex boogie and metal sludge, this album ventures into a lot of new territory.
– Submitted by Justin Main, Music Designer