It’s the end of 2011, and with that comes all the top ten lists. I’ve decided to use this blog to decide my own top ten, researching and listening extensively, to the albums I loved, and the albums I skipped over.

1. Hi Five Soup – The Aquabats

Ever since this album was released way back in January, the songs have stuck with me. Songs like “Shark Fighter”, “The Legend Is True!” and “In My Dreams” have a special warmth and happiness that is just unseen in a lot of today’s music. I honestly love this album, and it’s songs maintain spots at the top of my most played list, and I know i’ll be playing it for a really long time.

2. I’m With You – Red Hot Chili Peppers

Filled with emotion and heart, the Pepper’s latest release, “I’m With You” is a simply brilliant album. From the ballads like “Police Station” and “Brendan’s Death Song” to the hard rock tracks like “The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie” and “Look Around”, the Peppers have created an excellent piece of work.

3. Circuital – My Morning Jacket

My Morning Jacket’s latest album, was released in May, and really packs a lot of variety and feeling into just 10 songs. The tracks range from jazzy, brass filled rock songs about black metal, to a ballad about simply feeling wonderful. I played this album a lot this year, and it certainly deserved that.

4. Last Night on Earth – Noah and the Whale

Brilliant songs like “L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N” and “Give It All Back” really show off the talent of the this rather unknown band, Noah and the Whale. This album is so easily accessible and heavily replayable. High energy rock tunes and slow, smooth, ballads give this album depth, and keep the album from getting boring or blending together.

5. James Blake – James Blake

His music is simply beautiful. “Limit To Your Love” is a great example of this. It’s soulful, smooth, and minimal. His music isn’t all that accessible, but after you listen a few times, it holds a small attractiveness that draws me in every time. If an album can do that, it is quite the feat. James Blake and his album have set a benchmark for other UK Dubstep artists, and created a lasting impression on me and 2011.

6. Bangarang EP – Skrillex

Bringing it back to the American Dubstep scene, Skrillex is king. On his newest EP, he displays some of his best work. “Break’n A Sweat”, “Bangarang”, and “The Devil’s Den” are some really great songs. “Break’n A Sweat” is his awesome collaboration with rock band The Doors. The track is really memorable for the quotes by members of the band, as well as a heavy drop. The best thing about the EP is that, finally, Skrillex is using some fresh new sounds. For a while, it seemed as if he was just trying to duplicate the success he had with “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites”. On Bangarang, it’s obvious that he has gotten past that.

7. Within and Without – Washed Out

Washed Out’s first full length studio album has been highly praised all year. His music ispart of a new genre called “Chillwave”. Melodic and happy songs like “Eyes Be Closed” and “Amor Fati” start off the album on a high note, and then the later tracks are mostly just relaxed and extra rhythmic. The album is definitely worth plenty of re-listens and i’m sure i’ll be playing it into next year.

8. Rolling Papers – Wiz Khalifa

Don’t be too shocked that this album made my list, it’s incredibly well made. With songs like “Black and Yellow”, “No Sleep” and “Roll Up”, Wiz made his way onto the charts for a really long time. These same songs are the reason I liked the album so much. Lots of people just hate all forms of rap and all rappers for just no good reason. This album is a perfect example of something those people should listen to.

9. Mylo Xyloto – Coldplay

I listened to this album heavily in the past few months, mostly due to songs like “Paradise” and “Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall”. The album has a few interludes sprinkled throughout, that I believe are the band’s attempt at being a little more artistic. I don’t really like it when bands try to do this, but on this album, it’s fine. Coldplay’s music changed a lot on this album, switching from the usual piano-driven, Radiohead style rock to more of a U2 sound, and it sounds just stellar.

10. Wasting Light – Foo Fighters

The Foo Fighters released their first album in four years, “Wasting Light” this year. As usual for the Foo’s, it’s awesome.  Good traditional rock is hard to find these days, and The Foo Fighters are a band that record solid, hard rock songs that I can jam out to. The album has one of what I think is one of the Foo’s best songs to date, “Walk”. Overall, “Wasting Light” isn’t a waste at all, it’s more of the Foo Fighter’s great work.

Here are my honorable mentions. Albums that weren’t necessarily good enough for the top ten, but I still want to recognize.

Velociraptor – Kasabian

Kasabian is one of those bands where all the songs seem to blend together. On “Velociraptor” there is evidence that they are starting to get away from that, but the songs are still pretty similar. Don’t get me wrong, there is sound is awesome, and really catchy, but it’s just not perfect yet. Still a great album, with some great songs.

Audio, Video, Disco – Justice

On this album, Justice has some really awesome songs like “Civilization”, “Ohio”, and “On’n’On”. There is tons of great stuff and seriously good production on this album, and I hope Justice makes another album soon.

That wraps it up. The best of 2011. I can’t wait to listen to all the music that comes out next year and do it again.