I searched for a thread specific to this album, but didn't find one, despite it appearing on so many Obner year-end lists.

I only really liked one song from their first album, so I never bothered listening to Days at any point in 2011. But after seeing it on so many of your lists, I recently caved and gave it a shot. I was blown away - it's SOOOOOOOOOO much better than their first album, and really fulfills the promise of that one song I loved ("Beachcomber").

If I had heard it last year, it would definitely be in my Top 10, if not five. Sometimes I give up on a band too quickly.

Agreed, good album. One of those that came out late in the year that I didn't have enough time to spend with

It's good. Super easy to listen to and enjoy.

Aside from "Out of Tune" it can tend to drift by without leaving much of an impression when I listen to it, but it's always pleasant and soothing. Some people would view that as a negative, but I don't necessarily.

My favorite album last year. "Green Aisles" was a contender for my favorite song of the year, with "It's Real" also being up there.

Also, can't post the video since it's blocked at work, but here's a link to the video for "Easy": http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/dbb574 ... state-easy

superb album. always brings a smile to my face. cannot wait to see them at Coachella.

much better than the debut imo, highly enjoyable as well

yeah i thought the debut was bland so i skipped the new one. i suppose i'll check it out now!

Agreed, much better than the first one... and I agree with the above that while listening to it, it is pleasing and satisfying and when it's over it goes away ... music that's lighter than air. Garage music made by angels or stoned surfers. In my top 20 for 2011.

I guess I'm all alone in not thinking it's a huge step forward? A little better, sure, but mostly just cleaned up and polished off.

I mean I like both albums so w/e.

makes a big difference

I think you are right and "we" are right. Sometimes small improvements have a large impact. This once just seems more focused, stronger songs... emerging from the lo-fi.

I feel like I should hear this and the ones from Wild Flag, Bon Iver, Wilco, Feist, and the Malkmus albums before making a best of list but even if I really liked them, it'd probably be disingenuous to include them at this point.

Eh, I have a lot of late editions on my list (which I may start posting today), and while it kind of feels like cheating, so what. I can get a pretty good feel for how an album is going to stack up after four or five listens, usually.

And I think this Real Estate album is a good bit better than the others you listed, and yes, you should absolutely hear it.

Why? I am listening and re-listening to stuff and won't finish my list until next week. If it was released in 2011 and it seems like I might like it I need to listen to something sufficiently to judge it.

except for malkmus

i almost missed out on this one based on my feelings on the first one as well. i'm glad i ended up checking it out.

I listened to lots of albums this year that I liked initially and quickly faded for something else. Whose to say I wouldn't love that Bon Iver upon hearing it, put it in my Top 10, and then have it fade into obscurity for me. I prefer to put things on my list that I came back to time and time again and continued to enjoy or find new revelations in.

It's not the fault of the art, just the timing.

This strangely appears to be the one album most of the board agrees on.

I've never even heard of it, much less heard it.

I like this record a good bit. It is so easy, as a few others have said, that it can seem borderline lazy at times--but it still works, just totally effortless. I don't know that I will ever look at it is something special, but an enjoyable album is an enjoyable album.

i listened to it today and really just don't get it the love for it i guess. it was pleasant but i can't remember a thing about it afterwards.