Thursday 5 January 2012

Top 10 releases of 2011

Here's my list of albums you should really try to get your hands on from 2011, I've left the bigger hitters out, Explosions In The Sky, Russian Circles, Mogwai, This Will Destroy You. That's no disrespect to the bands on the list either by the way.

Links to CD versions where available (cos they're so much prettier than digital albums), and to MP3's. For name your price stuff please consider giving a little.

  1. I Am Waiting For You Last Summer - I Am Waiting For You Last Summer EP
  2. Download - Name Your Price

    I Am Waiting For You Last Summer is a 3-piece post rock band formed in Ryazan, Russia in 2011.

    Top track: Solar Wind





  3. Bleaklow - The Sunless Country
  4. Download - Name Your Price

    Bleaklow is a three piece instrumental band from Sheffield featuring ex-members of Architects.

    2009's release L'etranger is also worth picking up, it's currently Name Your Price on Bandcamp.

    Top track: It's a 1-track EP, so all of it!





  5. Damascus - Salutations, Distant Satellite!
  6. Download - Name Your Price

    Damascus is an ambient instrumental metal band from New Jersey. Their debut album “Salutations, Distant Satellite!” was released in May 2011. A second ep, “Of Whom I Always Think”, was independently released by the band on October 1st.

    Top track: Celestial Hymn





  7. Overhead, The Albatross - Lads With Sticks
  8. Download - FREE

    Overhead, The Albatross are a six piece post rock/experimental band based in Kildare and Dublin (mostly-ish). Formed in late November 2009, so far the band are pretty much instrumental.

    Lads With Sticks is their first EP, and a follow up Mr. Dog is now available on their Bandcamp for FREE.

    Top track: Jonah





  9. Arctic Whisperings - óvænt lán
  10. Download - €5.00

    Arctic Whisperings manage to combine beautifully quiet found sounds & field recordings from chilling landscapes with some of the most delicate and creative instrumental arrangements.

    Soundscapes influenced by the beautifully desolate landscapes and sounds of the chilling arctic echos of the northern world.

    Top track: Evenks / The world will end as children play





  1. Lowercase Noises – Migratory Patterns
  2. Download - $2.99

    Lowercase Noises is the musical brainchild of Andy Othling, a multi-instrumentalist, producer and artist from Albuquerque, NM. All programming and composition on Lowercase Noises’ albums are performed by Andy, with exception of the occasional guest musician or vocalist.

    There are a couple of name your price albums and paid for downloads on Bandcamp.

    Top track: Jonah





  3. Years of Rice and Salt – Nothing of Cities
  4. CD - $10.00
    Download - Name Your Price

    Years of Rice and Salt is a 6-piece instrumental post-rock band based in London, United Kingdom.

    Nothing Of Cities is their first full-length recording.

    Top track: Eskimo Kiss





  5. The Mountaineering Club Orchestra - A Start On Such A Night Is Full Of Promise
  6. CD - £10.00
    Digital - Name Your Price

    The Mountaineering Club Orchestra (TMCO) is the the solo project of The Mountaineering Club member Tom Adams.

    A Start On Such A Night Is Full Of Promise is a set of compositions and instrumental songs inspired by the first crossing of Greenland made by an expedition led by Norwegian explorer Fridtjof Nansen in 1888.

    Top track: The Voyage





  7. Tunturia - Invisible City
  8. CD - €10.99
    Digital - Name Your Price

    Tunturia is a 4-piece post rock band from Toronto, Canada.

    Invisible City, their second album after Maps, is a mesmerising mix of ambient sounds, post rock riffs and waves, and the feeling that only dedication can put into music. Every sound and tone sits where it should, there seems to be a place for everything and everything is in its place.

    Top track: Sinking





  9. And So I Watch You From Afar - Gangs
  10. CD - £9.00
    Download - €4.99

    And So I Watch You From Afar is a three-piece rock band from Belfast, Northern Ireland. The band consists of Rory Friers on guitar, Johnny Adger on bass and Chris Wee on drums.

    They are signed to Richter Collective and in October of 2011 the band announced a deal in North America with management and record label Sargent House who released Gangs on November 8th, 2011.

    Top track: Search:Party:Animal





Any others you think worthy of a mention?