Concepts like the biggest and best musical moments of the year largely deal in context. Sure, there are those artists that pervade pop culture so deeply that one cannot exist without at least a glimmer of a newsworthy event involving them (Amy Winehouse succumbs to rock-n-roll death age, 27) or an album release (is there anybody reading this that is not at least aware that Kanye West and Jay-Z collaborated to create Watch the Throne?), but to term something the biggest or best, well, that’s like, personal.
Keeping true to Synconation form, we forewent a personified entity that represents all of its voices with a single list. We had our scribes chime in with their favorites from a year that produced significant moments, like the Stone Roses reunion and R.E.M. officially calling it quits (although I was under the assumption they had already resigned from rock stardom a good 5 years ago) to the more ridiculous, euphemistically labeled kitsch or viral performances like Rebecca Black’s “Friday” and the downright bad like LMFAO’s tracks permeating through every nook and cranny, making them frustratingly inescapable. In fact, there’s a whole host of bad moments, the Metallica and Lou Reed collaboration comes to mind . . . but we are busy people and would rather spend the tiny modicum of spare time we have discussing the music we loved from the year.
Brenton Crozier
Best Song of 2011: “All There Is (Feat. Steffaloo)” – Chrome Sparks
Incredible song from an amazing album. M83′s “Midnight City” was a really close second and probably lost out simply because I’ve played it now to an excessive degree. It’s gone largely under the radar, so be sure to check out My <3 by Chrome Sparks.
Best Album of 2011: Within and Without – Washed Out
Honorable mentions include Watch the Throne by Kanye West and Jay-Z, Rivers and Homes by J.Viewz, You Will Live Forever by Sunbears! and C’mon by Low.
Best Record Label of 2011: Subpop Records
They’re living in the now baby! What a year for the notorious label that will always carry a strong association with the grunge boom. With a diverse and relevant lineup that includes Mogwai, Low, Shabazz Palaces and Washed Out, they’re showing that they have no issue with evolving and even continuing to be a source of innovation.
Best “Oh Girl That’s My Jam” Jam of 2011: Holy Ghost! – “Some Children” feat. Michael McDonald
Best Guilty Pleasure of 2011: “We Found Love” by Rihanna
Play it loud, you’ll get it, even if you don’t want to admit it.
Ian “Tron” Latchmansingh
Best Song of 2011: Mister Heavenly - ”Diddy Eyes”
Best Album of 2011: Chrome Sparks – My <3
Best Label of 2011: Ghostly International
Best “Oh Girl That’s My Jam” Jam of 2011: M83 – “Midnight City”
Best Guilty Pleasure of 2011: Chrissy Murderbot – “Bussin’ Down”
Jeremy Alan Gould
Best Song of 2011: “Midnight City” – M83
Best Album of 2011: Bon Iver – Bon Iver
Best Record Label of 2011: Subpop Records
Best “Oh Girl That’s My Jam” Jam of 2011: Coldplay - ”Princess of China”
Best Guilty Pleasure Song of 2011: Maroon 5 - ”Moves Like Jagger”
Carlos Andujar
Best Song of 2011: “Ice Choir” – Ice Choir
This will kind of be a 2012 thing, but since the single just recently came out this year, I’m going with this. Thanks to Philip Pietri for showing this band to me, I can’t WAIT to see what they’re going to do in 2012!
Best Album of 2011: Ford & Lopatin Channel Pressure.
For those who know me, this is no big surprise, but to be honest it was a toss-up between this album and M83′s Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming. Channel Pressure was unique in that it had such high expectations from fans of Games who wanted more of That We Can Play, but ultimately got something quite different in Channel Pressure. Compare this toHurry Up, We’re Dreaming which fans were also highly anticipating, yet not surprised when they heard the album. True, Gonzalez is definitely mixing it up a bit on Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming, but overall, it’s about what you would expect from him in this day and age. For that reason, I went with Channel Pressure, because for me, an album that actuallyearns your love and respect with each listen lasts so much longer than an album that attracts you at first listen.
Best Record Label of 2011: Synconation!
Best “Oh Girl That’s My Jam” Jam of 2011: Wasn’t quite sure how to answer this but… I’m guessing, Chrissy Murderbot’s “Bussin Down”.
Best Guilty Pleasure Song of 2011: Frank Ocean “Thinking of You”.
I don’t really listen to contemporary R&B, but Frank Ocean is doing something right. I’m just too embarrassed to admit it…
Jon Bosworth
Best Song of 2011: “Niggaz in Paris” Jay-Z & Kanye – Watch the Throne
Best Album of 2011: Sunbears! – You Will Live Forever
Best Record Label of 2011: Grooveshark
Best “Oh Girl That’s My Jam” Jam of 2011: “Ice Cream” – Battles
Best Guilty Pleasure Song of 2011: “Super Bass” by Niki Minaj / “Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster the People
Bryan Duffy
Best Song of 2011: “Fall Skull” – Little Wings
Best Album of 2011: Little Wings - Black Grass
Best Record Label of 2011: Can’t possibly answer this
Best “Oh Girl That’s My Jam” Jam of 2011: “Celebrated by Singing” – Karl Blau – Max EP
Best Guilty Pleasure Song of 2011: Can’t possibly answer this
Micah Redmond
Best Song of 2011: Bon Iver – “Holocene”
Best Album of 2011: Bon Iver – Bon Iver
Best Record Label of 2011: Anticon
Best “Oh Girl That’s My Jam” Jam of 2011: Battles – “Ice Cream”
Best Guilty Pleasure Song of 2011: Chillwave : )
Joanna Szymczyk
Best Song of 2011: M83 – “Midnight City” (and Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep”)
Best Album of 2011: Tycho – Dive
Best Record Label of 2011: Synconation!
Best “Oh Girl That’s My Jam” Jam of 2011: Rihanna – “We Found Love”
Best Guilty Pleasure Song of 2011: Blaqstarr – “Handstand”
Julian Bravard
Best Song of 2011: Neon Indian – “Polish Girl”
Best Album of 2011: Real Estate – Days
Best Record Label of 2011: Fat Possum Records – Oxford, MI
Best “Oh Girl That’s My Jam” Jam of 2011: M83 – “Midnight City”
Best Guilty Pleasure Song of 2011: Alex Winston – “Sister Wife”
Ama Reynolds
Best Song of 2011: Tie = “Lippy Kids” – Elbow + “Pumped Up Kicks” – Foster the People
Best Album of 2011: Build a Rocket Boys! by Elbow (Fiction/Downtown) | Wild Flag Self-Titled
Best Record Label of 2011: Merge. Because They Released Wild Flag
Best “Oh Girl That’s My Jam” Jam of 2011: Adele – “Rolling in the Deep”
Best Guilty Pleasure Song of 2011: Lady Gaga – “Edge of Glory”
Jude Kahle
Best Song of 2011: I dare say Rihanna’s “We Found Love” because that’s mostly what I hear poppin’ from other cars while I’m in traffic. I dare say it because if I do, I might get fired from Synconation, or beat up, and getting beat up by a bunch of chubby music nerds in tight clothing is especially embarrassing.. for all. That much exposed butt crack would shame even Rihanna fans.
Best Album of 2011: I noticed 2011, for many people, was a year of nostalgia for music. It was also a year of notably great albums, but the comfort of the nostalgic jams ruled, IMO. Your favorite album that you cut your teeth on, or the record that brings you right back to the one huge, life-changing phase of your life; THAT album may easily be your top album for 2011, I have noticed. Ode to that. Mine was Pavement’s Wowee Zowee. Build A Rocket Boys! by Elbow was a great release of 2011.
Best Record Label of 2011: Arguably, bandcamp. But rapidshare and megaupload, though not labels either, are both honorably mentioned as close runners up, and a great source for free music. There, I said it. And, though it’s all I can afford, I hardly ever use the junk. Blue ribbons around! Who do we give them to? I have no idea. Whoa! Hate the game, not the player.
Best “Oh Girl That’s My Jam” Jam of 2011: “Try A Little Tenderness” – Otis Redding. Not a song released in 2011 but a song still released as of 2011 because no one has taken it off the market yet, because the Dictionary Of Soul, and most soul music, remains a valid love language- as romantic as doing the dishes (you married guys know what I’m sayin’). Some songs are timeless and therefore fair game for a best of any year top whatever list.
Best Guilty Pleasure Song of 2011: I’ve proven that I lived under a rock this year, but hey, I have a 1 1/2 year old daughter and a newborn, give me a break. My guilty pleasure is that I know more kids songs by heart than anybody I know. and I also know all the lyrics to the theme of Dinosaur Train. Be jealous.
Tierney Tough
Best Song of 2011: St. Vincent – “Surgeon”
Best Album of 2011: Chad VanGaalen – Diaper Island
Best Record Label of 2011: Fat Possum
Best “Oh Girl That’s My Jam” Jam of 2011: Neon Indian – “Hex Girlfriend”
Best Guilty Pleasure Song of 2011: Lana Del Ray – “Video Games”
Cash Carter
Best Song of 2011: “Senator” – Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks (the chorus has the word “blowjob” in it, how could it notbest awesome?)
Best Album of 2011: “Form a Sign” – Grape Soda (go buy this album, NOW!!!! )
Best Record Label of 2011: Merge (DUH!), with a Synconation records a close second.
Best “Oh Girl That’s My Jam” Jam of 2011: I don’t know what “jam jam” means, but I am assuming it means a a song that makes me shake it, so….. “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F)” - Katy Perry
Best Guilty Pleasure Song of 2011: Well, the Katy Perry song is one, but the other is… ”Pumped Up Kicks” – Foster the People. I want to hate this song, it’s totally worth hating, but I always catch myself singing it and I hate myself for it.
Martin Bishop
Additional Bests from 2011:
Best Music Video of 2011: “Little Egypt Wavy” – Robert Raimon Roy
Best Remix of 2011: “Elizabeth Fraser” (Cocteau Twins Remix) – Star Slinger
Best EP of 2011: Steady Drift by Navigateur
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