Top Albums of 2011 - Honorable Mention

Here we go, the albums I enjoyed the most in 2011. Let's start with some honorable mentions... albums I really enjoyed but didn't crack my top 10.

M83 - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming

The fact that this album didn't crack my top 10 says a lot about the quality of music that came out this year. Put it on and drift away while listening to 22 tracks of awesomeness. As the title alludes to, this could be the soundtrack to your dreams.

Tracks to Hear: Midnight City, Raconte-Moi Une Histoire

The Strokes - Angles

One of my favorite bands follows up an awful third album with a solid fourth. There are a few of my favorite Strokes songs on this album but there are too many weak tracks on the album to be in the same sentence as "Is This It?". Ok except for that one. And it's still going to take some time for me to forgive them for not playing "12:51" at Bonnaroo.

Tracks to Hear: Under Cover of Darkness, Gratisfaction, Taken For a Fool

Red Hot Chili Peppers - I'm With You

More of a sentimental addition, the Peppers' new guitarist and longtime friend Josh Klinghoffer fits in better than anyone not named Frusciante but the consensus among fans is the album feels a bit recycled. While it's nothing groundbreaking, it's still a solid effort and certainly worth a few listens.

Tracks to Hear: Look Around, Even You, Brutus?, Brendan's Death Song

Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Unknown Mortal Orchestra

Probably the least known band on this Honorable Mention list, these guys can really bring it. Their first, oh so cleverly titled album is over before you can say UMO five times fast but it's actually led me to start it over from the beginning and listen again. Great live as well.

Tracks to Hear: How Can U Luv Me, Ffunny Ffrends, Bicycle

Bottle or Tap?

Best Albums of 2010 #4

Girl Talk - All Day

The mashup master is back at it again with a follow up to his 2008 breakthrough "Feed the Animals". 372 different song samples are used to make the 12 track album which is also available as one continuous track; how it is intended to be listened to. The track spacing is just for easy navigation of the album. The album was released in November for free on www.illegal-art.net and within hours crashed the site as rabid fans tried to get their hands on the release. This is a must own party album as it is something everyone from hipsters to wiggers alike will enjoy as tracks blend from pop to 80's rock to Spacehog.

(Check out 1:40 for my personal favorite part of the album... and continue listening if you like to Party in the USA)

Best Albums of 2010 #5

Two Door Cinema Club - Tourist History

Ten tracks of delightful electro-fueled indie pop from the trio from Nothern Ireland kick off this albums of 2010 list. Clocking in at 32 minutes this album is certainly short but not lacking in the sweet. Up-tempo tracks keep your head bobbing and your shoes tapping. Check out their lead single "Something Good Can Work" below.

Heat Add 3 More to Roster

Garza becomes first pitcher in MLB history to no-hit AAA team

Matt Garza wowed last night throwing a no-hitter while facing the minimum 27 hitters for the Tampa Bay Rays. Brennan Boesch was the only Tiger to reach base, but was quickly sent back to the dugout after a double play. Not to take anything away from Garza, but the Tigers lineup tonight was filled with names even the staunch MLB fan wouldn't recognize. Guys like Will Rhymes, Ryan Raburn, Gerald Laird, Don Kelly and Danny Worth were in the lineup, none of them but Worth (.250) hitting above .206 on the season. Throw in Boesch, who has only had 1 hit since the All-Star game and Garza really only had Austin Jackson, Johnny Damon and Miguel Cabrera as capable MLB hitters to face last night. Garza threw 120 pitches, 101 of which were fastballs.

Max Scherzer also took a no-hit bid into the 6th but the Tigers saw yet another no-hit opportunity taken away by a Joyce; this time ex-Tiger Matt, as he hit a grand slam to not only blow open the game but give Garza a comfortable lead to pitch. The other Joyce, umpire Jim; had previously blown a call that famously cost Armando Galarraga's perfect game with 2 outs in the 9th inning just 6 weeks prior.

We've now seen five no hitters in MLB this year, including two perfect games (six and three respectively if you count Galarraga's. I will use this opportunity to announce that the streoid era in baseball is officially dead. This is the year of dominating pitching performances, and fewer home runs. I expect to see at least one more no-hitter before the season is over, with plenty more close calls.

Lost in the fact of Garza's no-no last night was Joe Mauer's 5-5 7 RBI performance, which may have been more spectacular than Garza's performance. A five hit, seven RBI game has been done just 41 times in the liveball era compared to 171 no-hitters. Sorry Joe.

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