ow 292 Best Albums of 2011 (So Far) & Opinions on Jill Scott
Jim and Greg get a jump on their best-of lists by naming the Top Albums of 2011...So Far.
Top Albums of 2011...So Far
We're halfway through 2011, which means it's time to get a jump on the Best-Of Lists. Here are Jim and Greg's mid-year best.
Greg
- tUnE-yArDs, Whokill
- Raphael Saadiq, Stone Rollin’
- Fucked Up, David Comes to Life
- Anna Calvi, Anna Calvi
- The Feelies, Here Before
Jim
- Le Bucherettes, Sin Sin Sin
- Bewitched Hands, Birds and Drums
- The Decemberists, The King Is Dead
- Danger Mouse and Daniele Luppi, Rome
- Smith-Westerns, Dye It Blonde
The Light of the Sun Jill Scott
Is Jill Scott a contender for the next round of lists? Her new release The Light of the Sun is the number one album in the country, a first for Scott. The R&B singer started as a poet in Philadelphia and has gone on to have a successful career in both music and acting. Since her last release in 2007, Scott has gone through tough breakups of the romantic and professional variety. And that's provided much of the subtext for the songs on The Light of the Sun. Jim doesn't think the level of self-pity is warranted though, especially when the music is so upbeat. He's not used to this tough lady feeling sorry for herself. And more disappointing is her singing. Jim says Trash It. Greg can't believe what he's hearing. This isn't a return to form, in his opinion, but a whole new territory. The record sounds loose and fun, and despite the massive life changes, Scott sounds remarkably resilient. He says Buy It.
Jim
Jim's Desert Island Jukebox selection is inspired by his television guilty pleasure: True Blood. While he was disappointed by the season premiere, he loved hearing Neko Case and Nick Cave duet on a cover of "She’s Not There." But nothing compares to The Zombies' 1964 original. It combines beautiful chords and harmony vocals with a dark, sinister undertone. Plus you can't beat those keys or Colin Blunstone's vocals.
Featured Songs
- The Feelies, "When You Know," Here Before, Bar/None, 2011
- Anna Calvi, "Desire," Anna Calvi, Domino Records, 2011
- Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi, "Two Against One," Rome, Parlophone/EMI Records, 2011
- Fucked Up, "Ship of Fools," David Comes to Life, Matador, 2011
- The Decemberists, "Down by the Water," The King is Dead, Capitol, 2011
- Smith Westerns, "Still New," Dye It Blonde, Fat Possum, 2011
- Raphael Saadiq, "Go to Hell," Stone Rollin'', Columbia, 2011
- The Bewitched Hands, "So Cool," Birds & Drums, Sony Music Entertainment, 2011
- tUnE-yArDs, "Bizness," w h o k i l l, 4AD, 2011
- Le Butcherettes, "New York," Sin Sin Sin, Rodriguez Lopez Productions, 2011
- Flying Lotus, "Melting/Drips," Cosmogramma Alt. Takes, Warp, 2011
- Jill Scott,"Womanifesto," The Light of the Sun, Warner Brothers Records, 2011
- Jill Scott, "All Cried Out Redux," The Light of the Sun, Warner Brothers Records, 2011
- Neko Case & Nick Cave, "She's Not There," She's Not There Single, WaterTower Music, 2011
- The Zombies, "She's Not There," The Zombies, Parrott, 1965
- Washed Out, "Eyes Be Closed," Within and Without, Sub Pop, 2011
- The Mothers of Invention, "You Didn't Try to Call Me," Freak Out!, Verve, 1966
- Battles, "Ice Cream," Gloss Drop, Warp Records, 2011
- The Ronettes, "Walking in the Rain," Presenting The Fabulous Ronettes Featuring Veronica, Philles Records, 1964
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