1. Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks - Mirror Traffic
2. The Black Keys - El Camino
3. Glossary - Long Live All of Us
4. Middle Brother - Middle Brother
5. Raphael Saadiq - Stone Rollin'
6. Hayes Carll - KMAG YOYO
7. Destroyer - Kaputt
8. Apex Manor - The Year of Magical Drinking
9. Sloan - The Double Cross
10. Robert Pollard - Lord of the Birdcage
11. Centro-Matic - Candidate Waltz
12. The Strokes - Angles
13. The GO! Team - Rolling Blackouts
14. David Bazan - Strange Negotiations
15. Robbers on High Street - Hey There, Golden Hair
16. The Insomniacs - Just Enjoy It
17. Wilco - The Whole Love
18. The Rosebuds - Loud Planes Fly Low
19. Ron Sexsmith - Long Player Late Bloomer
20. Arctic Monkeys - Suck It and See

For me, what was most notable about 2011 is there were so many good albums that many of those released by my favorite bands this year ended up missing the cut altogether: Art Brut, Deer Tick, Drive-By Truckers, Josh Rouse and My Morning Jacket.

Only these three are on my list of 25 (which I'm about to post)... a little surprised there aren't more that overlap between us. That being said, I haven't heard several of those yet, so I'm intrigued... especially on the Sloan album. I've heard snippets of it, and I really should listen to the whole thing based on how much I enjoyed those "snippets".

I should probably check out that Centro-matic.

Yeah, I keep forgetting about the Centro-matic.

I wonder why so many people like Destroyer's Kaput. I mean I like it a lot, but it seems an acquired taste. Who knew?

Also the Stephen Malkmus.

Heard a couple of the songs including "Senator" and wasn't realyl won over, but I should still probably give it a shot.

1. Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks - Mirror Traffic - I have this but have only listened to bits and pieces; need to listen more
2. The Black Keys - El Camino - just picked up this weekend
3. Glossary - Long Live All of Us - thought this was significantly worse than their last album, which I didn't really love
4. Middle Brother - Middle Brother - good album; should be in my top 20 or so
5. Raphael Saadiq - Stone Rollin' - never heard
6. Hayes Carll - KMAG YOYO - I find bits and pieces of this kind of hokey but its ok
7. Destroyer - Kaputt - in my top 20
8. Apex Manor - The Year of Magical Drinking - in my top 5; great album
9. Sloan - The Double Cross - hate Sloan
10. Robert Pollard - Lord of the Birdcage - never heard this; gave up on Bob years ago
11. Centro-Matic - Candidate Waltz - in my top 5 probably; tremendous
12. The Strokes - Angles - still havent heard
13. The GO! Team - Rolling Blackouts - never heard
14. David Bazan - Strange Negotiations - never heard
15. Robbers on High Street - Hey There, Golden Hair - never heard
16. The Insomniacs - Just Enjoy It - never heard
17. Wilco - The Whole Love - meh
18. The Rosebuds - Loud Planes Fly Low - never heard
19. Ron Sexsmith - Long Player Late Bloomer - in my top 20-25
20. Arctic Monkeys - Suck It and See - want to hear this one

For me, what was most notable about 2011 is there were so many good albums that many of those released by my favorite bands this year ended up missing the cut altogether: Art Brut, Deer Tick, Drive-By Truckers, Josh Rouse and My Morning Jacket.[/quote]

that centro-matic took quite a while to really take hold with me - it wasn't until a few nights ago that it finally slapped me upside the head and demanded inclusion in my top 20

I don't think I even knew the Arctic Monkeys released an album in 2012. Jesus christ.

The other two I should probably hear at some point. Also Ron Sexsmith is probably the only CDN artist that gets love around here that I cannot relate to at all.

gotta check out some of these

I like Kaputt, but it's sorta slipped for me as the year has gone on. Bejar is something of an Indie Rock Institution at this point so you don't have to get over Bejar before moving on to assimilating his material. Speeds things up.

Candidate-Waltz, on the other hand keeps growing on me like a monster and is likely going to end up at #1. There, I said it. Feels better.

Kudos, Bob for including Glossary--I didn't think as much of it as I did the last one initially, but it has won me over. Probable Top 5.

Malkmus is going to be very high on my list, too. As I recall his last one topped my year-end list in '08.

Thanks for reminding me about that Centro-matic. I guess I had downloaded it awhile ago but never listened to it. I had Only In My Double Mind on repeat a few times yesterday.

Nice call on Arctic Monkeys. It's great to hear them develop over time.

I actually had it ranked even higher at one time - it's a really fun listen, and you're right that they are developing.

Who knew indeed

Good call on that Rosebuds record dude. Took my wife to see them awhile back and was really impressed with them live. Very cool stuff.

Sloan is on my "to hear" list!

they are right up your power pop loving alley, todd!

These would be on mine, and probably that Sloan too if I listened to it more.

I missed the Rosebuds this year. They hit me sometimes and then I lose them. Must give it a try.