Top 10 albums of 2011

Musically speaking, 2011 just might just go down as the year of the saxophone. Following almost two decades where the brassiest of brass was something of a pariah in popular music, the sax rose from the ashes of the 80′s rock dustbin this year. Regardless of your genre of choice, be it indie rock, folk, jazz, R&B, electro pop, etc., etc., the sax was there. This top 10 list is no exception, with the saxophone making a guest appearance on the majority of records on the list;  please don’t hold it against this reviewer. Included with each record is a link to the original album review for your reading pleasure as well as links to a few choice cuts to include in your best of playlist.

Thanks to all of the readers each week, and for all of your feedback and comments throughout the year. The Spin Doctor will return in 2012. Happy holidays one and all.

10. Other Lives – Tamer Animals

Choice Cuts: Tamer Animals, For 12, As I Lay My Head Down

9. Bill Callahan – Apocalypse

Choice Cuts: Riding For the Feeling, The Drover, America!

8. Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues

Choice Cuts: The Shrine/An Argument, Helplessness Blues, Grown Ocean

7. M83 – Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming

Choice Cuts: Midnight City, Intro (Featuring Zola Jesus), Wait

6. Nicolas Jaar – Space Is Only Noise

Choice Cuts: I Got A, Keep Me There, Space Is Only Noise If You Can See

5. PJ Harvey – Let England Shake

Choice Cuts: The Words That Maketh Murder, The Last Living Rose, On Battleship Hill

4. Colin Stetson – New History Warfare Vol. 2: Judges

Choice Cuts: Judges, The righteous wrath of an honorable man, Fear of the unknown and The Blazing Sun

3. Destroyer – Kaputt

Choice Cuts: Chinatown, Savage Night at the Opera, Bay of Pigs (details)

2. Bon Iver – Bon Iver

Choice Cuts: Holocene, Perth, Calgary

1. Wye Oak – Civilian

Choice Cuts: Civilian, Holy Holy, Two Small Deaths

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