Craig McClellan

My Favorite Albums of 2011

I am generally not a fan of New Years. In my opinion, it is a lot of hype for something that is often a let down. One thing that I do look forward to around the holiday is publishing my annual favorite albums list (Check out last year’s post here).

So I present to you (in order of release) my favorite albums of 2011

Augustana - Augustana
Though this album was released before any of the others on this list, it is my most recent discovery. In November, while on the road with my friend Brett Rutledge late at night, everyone in the van was putting on their favorite albums to keep us awake. Brett put on this album, and I was hooked after the first minute.

This album is such a great pop rock album. The melodies are incredibly catchy. The production is great. Every time I listen to it, I can’t help but say “man, that’s a great album!” This is pop music at its best.

Standout Song - Shot in the Dark

Leagues - Leagues EP
Let me introduce you to my new favorite band. I was excited about Leagues before I ever heard a single song. They are a super group of 4 incredibly talented musicians, including one of my favorite singer/songwriters, Thad Cockrell. His solo album “To Be Loved” is one of my favorite albums of all time. Leagues Drummer, Jeremy Lutito, has played on many albums that I love as well.

Cockrell’s sense of melody and incredible voice combined with one of the best rhythm sections in music make for an amazing EP. It’s pop with some rock and old R&B as well. This EP was released to help raise funds to finish a full length album. These 3 songs definitely have left me wanting more from Leagues.

Standout Song - Magic

All Sons and Daughters - Brokenness Aside EP
I have already done a Music Monday Post on this EP, so I won’t speak too much more about it. However, I will say that I love this album as much today as I did in July. I can’t wait for the follow up to this album which will be released on January 17th!

Standout Song - Brokenness Aside

NEEDTOBREATHE - The Reckoning
NEEDTOBREATHE’s album, “The Outsiders” was on my top albums list in 2009. It remained in frequent rotation in my car from then until September of 2011 when “The Reckoning” was released. I was worried as to whether or not they would be able to create another album that I loved as much as “The Outsiders,” but “The Reckoning” put those fears to rest.

Needtobreathe has a very distinct sound that begins with Bear Rinehart’s powerful vocals. These are accompanied by a great combination of folk, country, and rock colors. I genuinely don’t know what else to say about this album. It’s amazing.

This is my most difficult album to pick 1 standout track for, but if I have to:
Standout Song - White Fences

Katie Herzig - The Waking Sleep
Another album which has already been featured in Music Monday. In that post, I said lookout for this album on my best of 2011 list. I was correct. This album has continued to be a musical inspiration to me over the last few months.

Standout Song - Lost and Found