Top 10 Albums of 2011

10. Lonely Island, "Turtleneck & Chain"
Some people don't watch Saturday Night Live -- and for those who don't: This is what you're missing.  But many of these "Digital Shorts" are available on this 2011 album, so your ear buds will be satisfied even if you've never seen any of these clips and/or you live under a rock.



9.  Blitzen Trapper, "American Goldwing"
These guys find a great balance between rock, country, and folk.  There's a lot of talk about Portland's music scene -- but these guys seem to embody the entire essence of Oregon... a little urban, but mostly independent and rustic.  It's tough to pull off a sound like that and stay relevant, but they get the job done -- especially on American Goldwing.



8. Adele, "21"
If you haven't heard "Rolling in the Deep", then you're literally living in a hole deep within the Earth.  Kudos to Adele for naming this album -- and her first album -- the age at which she recorded it; most people in America are itching to have their first legal beer... she created a blockbuster album. So that's cool, too, I guess.




7. Cake, "Showroom of Compassion"
Whatever you think of Cake, you're probably right.  But Cake doesn't care, and they're still plugging away despite letting seven years pass since they produced a good album (Pressure Chief).  On Showroom of Compassion, they keep with their classic sound -- "Long Time" & "Mustache Man (Wasted)" (the video in which I may ending up having a cameo) show you that some things never change, in a good way.  Since it seems like most aging bands are getting introspective and nostalgic these days, it's nice to see Cake keeping true to what they do best.



6. Fleet Foxes, "Helplessness Blues"

It's tough to follow up on their debut album, but the sophomore effort certainly didn't disappoint.  I saw them live at McMenamin's Edgefield this summer, and I'm just sad that I didn't seem them while floating on a cloud instead.  A line from the title track is bold: "And now after some thinking/I'd say I'd rather be/A functioning cog in some great machinery serving something beyond me."  It's that kind of humility that will keep them and their music great.

5. Portugal. The Man, "In the Mountain In the Cloud"

It's hard to believe that this is the band's seventh album -- but to their credit, it's the seventh album in five years.  It's got as much diversity as it does consistency.  The Alaska natives seem to be finding a groove in The City of Roses -- they tweet constantly, much of it Portland-based.  And despite an equipment setback at Lollapalooza earlier this year, they continue to gain momentum.  They made the Top Five this year -- hopefully they'll crack my top three with their next album.

4. Black Keys, "El Camino"
This duo shines in its simplicity: One guy on drums, the other playing guitar.  What else do you need?  They could play bigger, louder, more complex -- but it's the restraint that makes them as awesome as they are.  Their latest album is all rock... which I think is a step back from their 2010 album Brothers that showcased their range.  But they're the best lifeline between 1972 and 2011, and for that, they're easily one of the best albums of the year.





3. Charles Bradley, "No Time for Dreaming"
The best song of 2011 might just be "The World (Is Going Up In Flames)".  And who better to deliver it than the 63-year-old Bradley, on his debut album no less.  He's got all the flare and sound of a modern-day James Brown -- and the look of a man who's seen it all in his lifetime.  Hopefully we can all be lucky enough to find new success at his age.



2. The Decemberists, "The King Is Dead"
The Decemberists might be the best writers in modern music -- it's a blend of storytelling, polysyllabic phrasing, and on top of it all... a dark sense of humor.  And if that's not enough for you, they maximize the best of both worlds in "folk rock" with The King Is Dead.  "Rox in the Box," "Down By The Water" and "This Is Why We Fight" are all songs that hold their own in the modern rock circuit -- while songs like "January Hymn" and "June Hymn" satisfy listeners looking for something a little more folk.  It probably influences my decision somewhat that I saw them on the last leg of their tour... and it was one of the best concerts I've ever seen.



1. My Morning Jacket, "Circuital"
In the spirit of seeing a group live, I was fortunate to be able to watch MMJ in a venue of a few dozen people.  And it was only by dumb luck that I was watching them play selections from the best album of 2011 -- not even fully realizing it; most songs I was hearing for the first time (see below).

The first song, "Victory Dance" starts off with the strike of a gong -- a bold beginning, and it builds from there.  Then it seamlessly transitions to the title track, another tune that starts slow and gets bigger at just the right speed.  The album has it all: "Wonderful (The Way I Feel)" and "Movin Away" will make you smile and simultaneously pull at your heartstrings; "Holdin On To Black Metal" sounds like a School of Rock project gone awry in all the right ways; and "Outta My System" has the wisdom of someone who's been through it all but isn't too proud to acknowledge it.

This album will stand the test of time because it mixes great music with lyrics that seem almost cathartic -- it's as if lead singer Jim James has faced his demons, has forgiven them, and wants to find a state of musical nirvana.  If Circuital is any indication, MMJ is on its way to finding perfect harmony.

Below is a live version at the Bing Lounge, a small venue in Portland -- where I was fortunate to be able to see them perform some selections from the album:

Kenny Rogers & The First Edition, "But You Know I Love You"

Smooth as silk.

Alice In Chains, "Rooster"

RIP, Mike Starr

Counting Crows, "Hanginaround"

I think everyone feels this way about their town every once in a while.  I kinda feel like that right now.  Need some sunshine...   California, can't you spare some?

Johnny Lee, "Looking For Love"

With an outfit like that, you can probably find love in all the wrong places pretty easily.

As a side note, sorry about the brief hiatus.  The staff at Justin's List got a little addicted enamored with Goldeneye 007 on Wii.  But with an intervention on the horizon, we figured it was time to get back to the things that matter most: Sharing video music clips that inspire sequin-shirt wearing people the world over.

Jane Russell, "Bye Bye Baby"

RIP, Jane Russell: 1921-2011.

Tori Amos, "Winter"

Tori Amos is a badass.  That's all I've got.  Thanks.

Bob Welch & Stevie Nicks, "Ebony Eyes"

This is one of so many classic rock songs that I recognize but have no idea how actually sang them.  And now I know...Bill Walsh!  Ooops, Bob Welch.

Billy Joel, "Piano Man"

Oddly enough, this is exactly how I envisioned his lyrics.

Candyman, "Knockin' Boots"

Kids, this is exactly what 1990 looked like.

Martha & The Vandellas, "Dancing In The Street"

This is my preferred version of this song--not the tragic sadness that is the Jagger/Bowie version.  There should be a day of mourning for that crap.  Anyway, this... this is the good stuff.

Harry Nilsson, "Everybody's Talkin'"

I have a much greater appreciation for Harry Nilsson after watching a documentary about him this weekend.  "Who Is Harry Nilsson (And Why Is Everyone Talkin' About Him?)" is a great movie that's well-worth a watch.

Sinead O'Connor, "Nothing Compares 2 U"

I didn't realize that Prince wrote this song.  Now that I know, it does kind of sound like him.

Also, what ever happened to Sinead O'Connor?  Ripping up a picture of the pope on Saturday Night Live probably has a way of creating a speed bump in one's career.

KISS, "Rock & Roll All Nite"

I'll be honest: I don't get it.  Never have.  But whatever... they're having a good time, people like them, and I'm in support of rock & rolling all night and partying every day--so enjoy:

Pearl Jam, "Black"

I think of this song as the Gen X version of the Rolling Stones' "Paint It Black."  Both good songs about embracing the dark side (at least according to my half-baked interpretation).

Survivor, "The Search Is Over"

Honestly, how many tunnels and stretches of sidewalk does this guy need to walk to realize that he needs to get back home to the thin blond woman rolling around in silk sheets?  I guess that's part of the search.

Cher, "If I Could Turn Back Time"

Hopefully one of those helpful, enthusiastic sailors can help Cher find her pants.

Kelly Clarkson, "Breakaway"

This is the title track to Kelly Clarkson's second album, which -- and this is certainly up for debate -- I think is one of the more empowering female rock albums of the '00s.  Lots of good songs, and she had a lot of success with them.  I don't feel bad being a man in my 30s and listening to this album without irony.

Washed Out, "Feel It All Around"

The IFC indie show "Portlandia" has a lot going for it -- but one of my favorite parts of the show is unfortunately not made in Portland; the opening credits music is by Washed Out, a Southern band.  But the music totally feels like a warm, breezy summer's day in Portland -- a sound reminiscent of the band Air.

New Kids On The Block, "You've Got It (The Right Stuff)"

I actually went to one of their concerts.  My parents bought the tickets six months before the concert, and in that time, I went from loving NKOTB to hating NKOTB.  I still feel badly about that...

Van McCoy, "The Hustle"

There are worse ways to pass the time than watching these folks do The Hustle.  Honestly, it's like watching a Zamboni.  So many things happened in the world in the past four minutes, but this song temporarily turned my brain into pudding.

Justin Bieber, "Baby"

Kids still go bowling?  That's refreshing to see.  I thought kids these days just smoked salvia and drank Four Loko with their friends on Facebook.  Kids still use Facebook, right?  I never know.  The only Lindsay Lohan they've ever known is a coked-up, angry one.

Also nice to see Ludacris keeping it rated G for this video.

Death Cab For Cutie, "Long Division"

I went through a bit of a DCFC phase last year, but I still like their stuff.  This is a good one that still has legs.

"Weird Al" Yankovic, "Fat"

I'm very excited that "Weird Al" videos are now available to embed.  I grew up listening to this stuff.  He probably doesn't get enough credit for his work.

Thor, "Keep The Dogs Away"

Dogs seem to be attracted to eating puke, so it may be tough to keep them away from Thor.  Also, be sure to wait until the end of the video to see what excites these dogs the most: The end of a Thor video.

Rick Dees, "Disco Duck"

There is no Hell.  There is only Disco Duck.

Rush, "Tom Sawyer"

A buddy of mine in high school said that everyone goes through a Rush phase at some point in their lives.  It hasn't happened to me quite yet--but I'll be darned if this isn't a good song.

The Doobie Brothers, "Long Train Runnin'"

If you've never been to a classic rock concert, this is exactly what one looks and sounds like.  It's pretty awesome.  I mean, this vid is missing a few cutaway shots of people rolling around in their own barf, but otherwise, it's pretty genuine.

Peter Frampton, "Do You Feel Like We Do"

Heard this on the radio on the way home tonight.  Just a classic.  And when he pulls out the voice box thing and the crowd loses its mind... so good.

The White Stripes, "The Hardest Button To Button"

RIP, The White Stripes.  Great band.  Had the chance to see them about five years ago at The Hollywood Bowl in L.A. and it was magical.  It's not a huge surprise, since Jack White has been so involved in other projects -- but it's still the end of an era.

Here's one of their classic videos (even parodied on "The Simpsons"!)

Chrisman, "Rap Attack"

"It's a Rap Attack."  That, it is.  But at least the black & white presentation gives it kind of an Ingmar Bergman vibe, right?

Scissor Sisters, "Whole New Way"

I'm currently hooked on this song.  I especially enjoy the Bee Gees thing going on in the chorus.

Bruce Springsteen, "Because The Night"

As I mentioned a while back, Darkness on the Edge of Town was recently re-released with a bunch of previously unreleased material.  This is one of my favorite songs from that new album -- called The Promise -- which you may recognize from previous covers by Patti Smith or 10,000 Maniacs.

The Beatles, "Fool On The Hill"

This is definitely one of the more underrated Beatles songs.  The video is a little corny, but what can you do... it was shot in the '60s after The Sound of Music.

Trini Lopez, "If I Had A Hammer"

Sure, you could listen to the Peter, Paul & Mary version--but why do that when you can listen to Trini Lopez covering it half-assed:

Saturday Night Live, "Sloths"

I needed a laugh.  And here it is:

Rolling Stones, "You Can't Always Get What You Want"

This one goes out to Greg Koelfgen, who passed away Monday.  He was a mentor and a great journalist--and even as the highest manager of a San Antonio newsroom, he wasn't afraid to pick up a camera and head into the field when a story needed to be told.  He gave me opportunities on the first day of my internship that probably would have taken weeks elsewhere.  I'll always be grateful for that and for teaching me how to be a better person.

I knows he's partying with Edward R. Murrow & Walter Cronkite in heaven right now!

Greg Koelfgen: 1957-2011

Mason Williams, "Classical Gas"

What I love about the '60s is that a song like this was mainstream.  There just isn't enough music-only stuff on the radio these days; honestly, there are lots of songs that would be so much better without the lyrics.

I also didn't know that Mason Williams lives in Oregon and has a comedy background.  Learning is fun!

Black Box, "Everybody Everybody"

I pretty much forgot about this song until I saw a reference to it on an episode of "Family Guy."  Good stuff.

Will Smith, "Miami"

Remember this song?  Classic.  ¡Bienvenido a Miami!  Miami actually sounds pretty awesome right now.

Best Coast, "Crazy For You"

Cats directing a music video: I could get used to a world like this.

Janis Ian, "Fly Too High"

Janis Ian dancing with a mannequin in a room full of mannequins might just replace Samantha Sang in my nightmares.

The Hollies, "Carrie Anne"

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I don't think the The Hollies get enough respect.  Kind of like Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, it seems like they have a lot of great hits -- but it doesn't seem like they ever reached a level that a lot of other bands of their era did.  Anyway, here's an early classic that you might recognize:

Sam Cooke, "You Send Me"

It's been a while since I've posted anything from Sam Cooke--too long, really.  So hopefully this can help make up for some lost time:

Peter, Bjorn & John, "Breaker, Breaker"

This appears to be a new song on the group's upcoming album, Gimme Some.  It's no secret that I'm a fan of this group -- and Swedes in general -- so I'm happy to give my Scandinavian friends a shout-out when the time is right.

R.E.M., "Shiny Happy People"

I kind of grew up listening to this song, but these days it's a little too happy and a wee shiny for me.

Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock, "It Takes Two"

Wanna know what 1988 was like?  You're looking at it.

Wilson Phillips, "Hold On"

This is a shoutout to Justin's List's dog, Cash.  He threw his back out of whack overnight.  When we took him to the vet, the doc said that while he doesn't appear to be injured, he's just getting old and may get around more slowly from now on.  We're pumping him full of doggy drugs in hopes that he'll be back to normal soon, but I'm still a little sad about the whole thing.

So this song is for Cash.  Or for me, maybe.  Either way, here's hoping Wilson Phillips can help fix whatever doggy drugs can't.  I mean, look at them... they're on top of a rock on top of a mountain -- they can do anything!

The Band, "The Weight"

I recently acquired the album ("Music From Big Pink") that includes this song; Rolling Stone magazine calls it the 34th best album of all time.  Not sure about that.  Maybe it'll sink in over time for me, but other than this song and maybe a few others, I'm having a hard time putting it in the top 50.  Still, though, this is probably one of the best tunes of its era.

Juice Newton, "Angel Of The Morning"

This one comes at the recommendation of my good buddy Aaron.  I'll let him explain the magic in his own words:


"it's classic. the gutarist's hair looks like it's taped inside of the hat, like it's a single unit.  speaking of units they seem to get every guy's moose knuckle perfectly framed, like the keyboardists at 2:46.  also, the entire thing looks like what i imagine the early 80's were like."


Well put.  And remember, all of this was sung by a woman named Juice.

UB40, "The Way You Do The Things You Do"

Did anyone ever like UB40?  I always kinda figured they were one of those bands that existed to play the music you hear in restaurant bathrooms, but somehow they got radio play.  Huh.

Kwoon, "I Lived On The Moon"

Thanks to my good buddy Josh for recommending this video--which is pretty trippy.

Expose, "Seasons Change"

It's like watching "Sex and the City" without any of the sex or the city.

John Lennon, "Instant Karma"

There's been a lot of needless violence so far in 2011 -- both on a local and national level.  Here's hoping things turn around soon.

Girl Talk, "No Pause"

I'm a little behind the times, but I'm just now getting into Girl Talk.  If you don't about Girl Talk already, it's like this: Take every awesome song that you know, and blend them all together to make a bunch of new  even more awesome songs.  It's like the Voltron of music.

Aqua, "My Mamma Said"

It turns out that Justin's List has quite the following in Denmark.  So for all the Danish folks out there, here's a little treat for you (at least, this is the first thing that pops up when I type "Denmark music video" into YouTube--and it didn't seem so bad).  Hej, og tak!

Oregon Power Ballad by Sebastian Bach

Sebastian Bach is hilarious.  He's the reason I sing "Hollaback Girl" at karaoke, and this clip of him laughing on "Celebrity Fit Club" still makes me giggle a year later.  So kudos to him and to Jimmy Fallon for having some fun with this.

And I'm hoping this power ballad means that "Return of the Quack" will go away forever (it's horrible in every single way).

Boney M, "Daddy Cool"

Boney M never disappoints.  Things really heat up at around the two-minute mark, when he removes his vest and starts talking in a creepy voice that sounds like Barry White with a pocketful of roofies.  I won't ruin the rest of the video for you, but if you're a teacher or legal guardian, you may want to keep the volume down.

And don't forget: The man knows his way around an aluminum foil stage.

Gerry Rafferty, "Right Down The Line"

RIP Gerry Rafferty, 1947-2011.  I unfortunately couldn't find any good live performances of this song, so this "video" will have to do.  But there's also "Baker Street" in case you wanted to see something a little more video-tastic.  I used to listen to both of these songs on vinyl & 8-track.  Classic stuff.

Neil Diamond, "Heartlight"

Do you see how effortlessly this man can walk into a studio -- sweater draped over his shoulders -- and whip out a song like this?  No one's heartlight shines more brightly than Mr. Diamond's.

The Dream Academy, "Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want"

I was listening to an album by The Smiths, and this song came on.  It sounded vaguely like the music from the scene in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," when Cameron is staring at the painting in the museum.  It turns out it is the same song, just sung by The Dream Academy.  So the next time you're studying pointillism, just remember this tune.

John Mayer, "Wait Until Tomorrow"

This is a cover of a great Jimi Hendrix song.  I can't find a good video version of the original song -- so if you can, just imagine Jimi jamming out to this tune.  The original version is rad. (Sorry that I couldn't do any better than that, but John Mayer's not so bad.... right...?)

The Beatles, "Hello Goodbye"

Hello 2011, Goodbye 2010!