Favorite Albums of 2011 #5-1

5. The Barr Brothers – The Barr Brothers
The Barr Brothers' debut didn't exactly come out of nowhere, but it certainly exceeded my high expectations.  Seamless shifts from hushed vocals and plucked harp to ragged bluesy bluster, with gorgeous sweeping melodies throughout.    

The Barr Brothers - Beggar In The Morning

 4. Middle Brother - Middle Brother
A great example of a record that is bigger than the sum of its parts.  Middle Brother represents the ongoing renaissance of unpretentious rock n' folk and honest songwriting...not to mention their killer live show.  Middle Brother made and important statement in 2011.

Middle Brother - Million Dollar Bill

3. Bon Iver – Bon Iver, Bon Iver
Justin Vernon could have followed-up For Emma with a "safe" record and it would have been a massive hit.  Bon Iver, Bon Iver wasn't safe.  Beautiful songs married with densely orchestrated and bold arrangements.  Both challenging and gorgeous.

Bon Iver - Michicant

2. The War On Drugs – Slave Ambient
The War On Drugs really should be my favorite band.  Other bands don't stand a shot.  Mixing classic, rollicking Springsteen and Petty with the haze and drone of Suicide and the loud-ass bombast of Spaceman 3.  Slave Ambient is where they put it all together.

The War On Drugs - Come To The City

1. Bryan John Appleby – Fire On The Vine
Maybe an unlikely choice for my favorite album of the year, but I would have been kidding myself to choose anything else.  It was love at first listen.  Beautiful, mature songwriting, rich melodies and arrangements - a record that I came back to again and again and again.

Bryan John Appleby - The Words Of The Revelator