FWBA’s Best of 2011
Welcome to FWBA’s best-of 2011. This has been such a meaningful year in music to me that it’s tough to represent in one post. I’m going to be honest, this took me quite a long time. I wanted to do this year justice because personally, it was a total dream: living in San Diego working with some of my favorite artists, going to SXSW and Lollapalooza, seeing Dave Bazan in stranger’s living rooms, Feist play a hometown show, saw tune-yards electrified show at Soda Bar clocking in as one of my favorite performances, watching Zach Rogue and my boyfriend playing in San Francisco together, The Shivers playing in Point Loma caves, Wye Oak playing on a swingset, Frightened Rabbit playing cornhole, Peter Wolf Crier on tour, Mike Fiore of Faces on Film making his first West Coast appearance to play my friend’s attic, and learning about my relationship to music and the world in a deeper context by sitting still with it.
This year brought about a creative vitality seen in the like of St. Vincent: the housewife of our dreams, vocal orchestration from the deranged (tune-yards) to the divine (Julianna Barwick), the peak of flannel-rock (Fleet Foxes, Bon Iver, Dawes) the indie/rap hybrid (A$AP Rock, BIG K.R.I.T, Freddie Gibbs) the resurrection of the spooky girl (Grimes, Zola Jesus, Austra) the inexplicable popularity of Bradford Cox’s brothafromanothamutha: Youth Lagoon, the return to Springsteen (The War on Drugs, Kurt Vile) and the vital homecoming of our once dormant indie babe of the North: Feist. It’s been a good year. I’ve compiled a series of best-of lists below in an attempt to encapsulate it, dear diary-style. Enjoy!
BEST ALBUMS (in no particular order)
1 David Bazan (May 24th via Barsuk)
This was the kind of record that absorbed between my ears and occupied parts of my consciousness that are yet to reveal themselves. I’m looking forward to growing old enough to watch them emerge, but never too old to stop looking for them. This one meant a lot.
2 J Mascis- (Marc 15th via Sub Pop)
J Mascis is like a sweet boy wrapped in several shades of grey (beard) this record made me quiet.
3 Fruit Bats- (August 2nd via Sub Pop)
Fruit Bats made me feel good to feel strange.
4 Bill Baird- (Aug 1st Self Release)
Bill Baird seems unbearably lonesome, and that makes for good company.
5 The Shivers- More (May 3rd via When The Silence Breaks)
When I saw the Shivers perform “More” in my friend’s living room, I felt the way you do when you first meet a new friend and you’ve got the sense that you’ll really get along well. It was just a moment of- yes, this is beautiful art and I sure am glad I get to be in this room right now.
6 Bill Callahan- (April 19th via Drag City)
Are you noticing a trend here? Much like an English accent, Bill Callahan could tell me just about anything with that voice and I’d believe him. So I hope he tells me, “everything will be alright”.
7 tUnE-yArDs (April 19th via 4AD)
If there is anyone who has inspired me to exercise whatever lumpy, untoned creative muscle I’ve got- it’s tune-yards. She’s incredibly untamed, yet sharp- she’s a strong woman and fantastic entertainer.
8 St. Vincent (Sept 13th via Beggars Group)
Jesus, I loved this record- regardless of how ubiquitously favorable it was received, I love it anyway. She has so elegantly built her fortress of electric guitar and soft croon and has given pop music a much-needed tease.
9 The War on Drugs (Aug 16th via Secretly Canadian)
The cyclical nature of Slave Ambient makes it driving music- evoking Dylan and Springsteen The War On Drugs sound like they’ve got all the time in the world to be ramblin’.
10 Wye Oak (March 8th via Merge Records)
Both aggressive and minimalist, this record was something special to me. The honesty is cutting, “I wanted to give you everything but I still stand in awe of superficial things”. There is a confessional sorrow in her voice.
11 Peter Wolf Crier (Sept 6th via Jajaguwar)
Never have I been so intimately connected to the creation of an album. From scratchy demos- hollowed and lacking their percussive guard- to fully formed thoughts and emotions that are so ancient that they are more sounds than words. I’ve never been more proud to watch art grow.
12 White Denim (May 24th via Downtown Records)
The intricacy and experimentation of White Denim is otherworldly. They hit grooves and nerves located in our collective dance bones.
13 Real Estate (Oct 18th via Domino Records)
This is uncomplicated music for Wednesday afternoons when you’re looking for something that does not assault your ears, but eases you.
14 Braids (Jan 18th via Kanine Records)
Braids Native Speaker evokes African women harmonizing in the way that bonds females to each other through their labour. It takes us back to our mothers, and their mothers and reminds us that they were children with higher voicees.
15 Widowspeak (Aug 2nd via Captured Tracks)
Widowspeak was this year’s Warpaint.
16 Julianna Barwick (Feb 22nd via Asthmatic Kitty Records)
Similar to Braids- Barwick’s vocal layers are mesmerizing.
17 Kitty Daisy and Lewis- (Oct 18th via Verve Music Group)
Rockabilly exists in Kitty Daisy and Lewis.
18 The Caretaker- (May via Brainwashed)
The churning, crackling sounds of vinyl have never felt more real than, oh, I guess on vinyl itself.
19 The Dø- (Nov 5th via Six Degrees)
This year’s MIA.
20 Paleo- (Jun 1st via Partisan)
Much like Bazan, Paleo’s Fruit of the Spirit is devastating- because there’s a good chance it’s all true. There’s an achiness in the long drawn out sounds his vocal chords make. It’s all suffering. It’s part-enlightened. It’s an absolute relief.
21 You Won’t- (April 19th via Bandcamp)
This record feels physically good. And like the best possible cold, it’s contagious.
22 Luke Temple- (August 16th via Western Vinyl)
I’m glad that Here We Go Magic ressurected in some form.
23 Floating Action- (Feb 15th via Park the Van)
Desert Etiquette is completely genre spanning and offers something for everyone.
24 Gillian Welch- (Jun 28th via Acony)
When Welch sang that Times A Revelator- she’s revealed even more depth and honest storytelling with this record.
25 Vetiver (June 14th via Sub Pop)
This is California coast music.
BEST SONGS
1 Phantogram- Don’t Move
2 Kurt Vile – Baby’s Arms
3 M83- Midnight City
4 Youth Lagoon- July
5 Lana Del Rey- Videogames
6 Kitty Daisy & Lewis- Don’t Make A Fool Out Of Me
7 Alabama Shakes- Hold On
8 Sharon Van Etten- Mike McDermott
9 Peaking Lights- Hey Sparrow
10 Lia Ices- Lilac
11 Unknown Mortal Orchestra- How Can U Luv Me
12 Grouper- Alien Observer
13 Jessica Jalbert Paris Green
14 Oregon Bike Trails- Cayucas
15 Paleo- Holly Would
16 Fountain in Rewind- Blouse
17 No Bird Sing- Afterlife Insurance
18 The Do- Slippery Slope
19 Atlas Sound- Mona Lisa
20 Coeur de Pirate- Les Amoures Devouees
21 The Caretaker- All You Are Going To Want To Do Is Get Back There
22 Morning Thought- Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr
23 I Break Horses- Winter Beats
GIRL CRUSH (a collection of talented babes I pretend to be when I’m singing in the car)

1 Feist
2 Laura Marling
3 Those Darlins
4 Coeur De Pirate
5 Little Scream
6 Grimes
7 Dimbleby and Capper
8 Lia Ices
9 Jessica Jalbert
10 St Vincent
11 Tune Yards
12 Braids
BEST NEWBIES (they might not be new, but they were new to me this year)
1 Steffaloo-
2 RUN DMT-
3 Ricky Eat Acid-
4 Bronson-
5 You Won’t-
6 Dreampeter-
7 Headaches-
8 Monster Rally-
9 Pandit-
10 Two Bicycles-
BEST CANADIAN ARTISTS (homies from the homeland)
1 Born Gold
2 Austra
3 pat Jordache-
4 Feist –
5 Timber Timbre-
6 Bry Webb-
7 Daniel Romano-
8 Jessica Jalbert-
9 Frederick Squire-
10 Sean Nicholas Savage-
11 Marine Dreams-
BEST VIDEOS
1 Beyonce
2 Peaking Lights
3 NewVillager
4 tune-yards
5 Grass Widow
6 Gotye-
7 Phantogram
8 St. Vincent-
9 Fleet Foxes-
10 Seventeen Evergreen-
11 Soko-
12 Arcade Fire )
BEST MUSIC BLOGS
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Special thanks to 2011 for kicking my butt, taking me to new cities, coasts, filling my belly with nothing but beers and burritos for extended months, introducing new sounds, and intuitively pulling me back home again. You’ve been the most bizarre, eventful and uneventful year of my life. I’m grateful to all the musicians who will pull me back to this year whenever needed. Thanks to FWBA readers for your encouragement and for coming along for the ride, your company keeps this all running.









So honoured to announce that Friends With Both Arms @fwba just announce TMW as #3 Blog Of 2011. Thanks so much Nada!
FWBA'S BEST OF 2011 ::: best albums, songs, blogs, babes, videos & canadians
“@fwba: FWBA'S BEST OF 2011 ::: best albums, songs, blogs, babes, videos & canadians” awesome list
RT Our good friend Nada gave us 7th best blog of 2011! We love her. @fwba: FWBA's Best of 2011
Good stuff! “@fwba: FWBA'S BEST OF 2011 : best albums, songs, blogs, babes, videos & canadians”
FWBA'S BEST OF 2011 ::: best albums, songs, blogs, babes, videos & canadians
FWBA'S BEST OF 2011 ::: best albums, songs, blogs, babes, videos & canadians
some good goddamn lists RT @fwba: FWBA's Best of 2011
RT @fwba: FWBA'S BEST OF 2011 ::: best albums, songs, blogs, babes, videos & canadians
don't miss @fwba's best of 2011 too (just posted)!!!
Check it & make your ears happy RT @fwba: FWBA'S BEST OF 2011 ::: best albums, songs, blogs, babes, videos & canadians
don't miss @fwba's best of 2011 too (just posted)!!!
Garden of Arms lands on FWBA's Best Albums of 2011. Read this year's most comprehensive and compelling year in…
BEST OF 2011 – according to @fwba – lots to listen to here!
RT @fwba: FWBA's Best of 2011
BEST OF 2011 – according to @fwba – lots to listen to here!
BEST OF 2011 – according to @fwba – lots to listen to here!
BEST OF 2011 – according to @fwba – lots to listen to here!
BEST OF 2011 – according to @fwba – lots to listen to here!
http://www.friendswithbotharms.com/2011/12/23/fwbas-best-of-2011/
http://www.friendswithbotharms.com/2011/12/23/fwbas-best-of-2011/
BEST OF 2011 – according to @fwba – lots to listen to here!
BEST OF 2011 – according to @fwba – lots to listen to here!
RT @fwba: FWBA's Best of 2011
RT @fwba: FWBA's Best of 2011
i made the list! woop! <3 RT @fwba: FWBA'S BEST OF 2011 ::: best albums, songs, blogs, babes, videos & canadians
FWBA'S BEST OF 2011 ::: best albums, songs, blogs, babes, videos & canadians
a nice list of 2011 best indie sounds
FWBA'S BEST OF 2011 ::: best albums, songs, blogs, babes, videos & canadians
Merry Christmas from me, via @fwba. Best of 2011: Get ready. It's gooood.
BEST OF 2011 – according to @fwba – lots to listen to here!
An excellent best of 2011 list from @fwba
“@mwjoffe: An excellent best of 2011 list from @fwba haven't heard of a single "best album" #thoughtiwascool #guessnot
ah, thanks! RT @mwjoffe: An excellent best of 2011 list from @fwba
FWBA’s Best of 2011
RT FWBA’s Best of 2011
RT @Jalila FWBA’s Best of 2011
『Friends With Both Arms » Blog Archive » FWBA’s Best of 2011』
La mejor selección de musica del 2011
FWBA’s Best of 2011
keyifli ♥
I like this list. @fwba I suspect @smithenberg @Tompson_Girl and @leash_j will like it too.
Trilha sonora rolando entre os coworkers. Para uma semana chuvosa entre Natal e Ano novo:
No me gustan los rankings de fin de año. Son odiosos. Pero… hay un par de buenos discos acá. Ojo:
Очень славная музыкальная подборочка, случайно наткнулась, но очень советую!
Mine is the only self released album up there: RT @fwba: FWBA's Best of 2011
PS.музыкальная подборочка из моего предыдущего поста – это indie rock.
Check this out! So good reviewing music from this past year. @fwba: FWBA's Best of 2011
http://www.friendswithbotharms.com/2011/12/23/fwbas-best-of-2011/
@CharlesMacfly mirat el resumen 2011 musical . buenas cosas!
#Bestlistsof2011 RT @fwba: FWBA's Best of 2011
RT @fwba: FWBA's Best of 2011 #Uff*
Refreshingly great best of 2011 playlists we've been listening to the past week Chez Rhodes. Lots of dreamy pretties!
RT @fwba: FWBA's Best of 2011
friends with both arms BEST OF 2011 #nowplaying #music
The amazing @fwba's Best of 2011 music picks are giving me the motivation I need as I scan & catalog:
RT @fwba: FWBA's Best Music of 2011 – Loving it!
Friends With Both Arms » Blog Archive » FWBA’s Best of 2011:
Take a read. Some VERY good stuff here (although I still don't quite understand the hype around M83…)
Photo: MUSIC TODAY FWBA’S BEST OF 2011 via
This post from @fwba is so on point for catching up on what you missed in 2011: Looking forward to following in 2012.
los mejores albums de 2011 ….Indie en serio…http://www.friendswithbotharms.com/2011/12/23/fwbas-best-of-2011/
if you like your music a little left-field or off the beaten path…take a peek at this
…#youwillnotfindbieberhere
@yoparami feliz año, oíte esto
ENORME post de Friends with both arms sobre la música del 2011
13 minutos es lo que demore en entender como escuchaba la música en y eso que me lo explicaron #toypintado
FWBA'S BEST OF 2011 ::: best albums, songs, blogs, babes, videos & canadians
This is amazing…. RT @fwba: FWBA's Best of 2011
Music Music! RT @fwba: FWBA's Best of 2011
RT @fwba: FWBA's Best of 2011
best chill underground songs of 2011.
RT @fwba: FWBA's Best of 2011
http://www.friendswithbotharms.com/2011/12/23/fwbas-best-of-2011/
good jams easy to listen to, just press play on the page.
Listening to Best of 2011 by @fwba. Best albums, songs & girl crushes all to say that the year was real kind | #cool |
Pretty great music list of the best of 2011 via @Booooooom –
Pretty great music list of the best of 2011 via @Booooooom –
RT @fwba: FWBA's Best of 2011
@NathanNaidu WTF. They all stole our org:
YOU'RE WELCOME
英語がよめん。セイントヴィンセント・・・・うう
RT @fwba: FWBA's Best of 2011
@dananatera mira este blog! miss youuuuu