For many reasons, 2011 was my Year of the Mix — as in mixtape, or more accurately, mix CD. I made about a half-dozen mixes over the course of the year for various friends and family members, and received about as many, if not more, in return. Each mix I received exposed me to music I’d never heard before, and rekindled my love for old favorite songs and bands.
So I am starting a new holiday tradition this year. Instead of holiday cards, I’ll be sending friends and loved ones a mix CD comprised of songs from artists who were in heavy rotation on my iPod and record player this year. Some released new albums in 2011, others are artists I discovered for the first time or rediscovered thanks to all those mixes. Here’s a short list of the albums I couldn’t stop listening to in 2011:
- The King is Dead – The Decemberists.
- Wild Flag – Wild Flag.
- Francophonic — Franco & OK Jazz.
- The Harrow and the Harvest – Gillian Welch.
- Where the Action Is!
- Porcupine – Echo & the Bunnymen. “Never Stop (Discotheque)” is a great song for dancing around in your kitchen before going to work!
13 Chambers – Wugazi. A brilliant mash-up of Wu-Tang Clan and Fugazi that gave me a new appreciation for late-era Fugazi, particularly The Argument and End Hits.- Helplessness Blues — Fleet Foxes. Seeing them play at the Paramount in September was the highlight of my year in live music.
- Anything by The Sea and Cake.
Leave a Comment