Matthew Morgis

Just about every newspaper, periodical and website is releasing their staff picks and “Best Of…” issues. I figured I would jump on that bandwagon and release my personal top-10 albums and live shows I saw or listened to in 2011. 

2011 Albums:

10.) Blink-182 - Neighborhoods

Blink fans are fickle about what their favorite records — one’s “Enema of the State,” is another’s self-titled. Some favor Tom DeLonge’s earlier angst-filled material, and other’s prefer the reflective lyrics of the husband and father he has become. Neighborhoods has a little something of everything. It shows a new side to Blink that is more arena “U2” rock than punk (Ghost of the Dance Floor, Wishing Well), but sticks to its roots (Hearts All Gone, MH 4.18.2011). These 14 tracks can get me through a day.

9.) Dropkick Murphy’s - Going Out in Style

The Dropkick Murphy’s get better with age. The band is now a veteran when it comes to writing music and it showed how well it can compose with this album. It was has the standard irish-punch, but it also has ballads that will catch your ear. Of course it has the sing-a-long drinking tunes as well.

8.) Chuck Ragan - Covering Ground

“A collection of road songs” is how Ragen described his newest masterpiece. Ragan mastered the folk genre, yet still packed a punch big enough to tour with Social Distortion and Dropkick. This trio might have put together one of the most underrated records this year had to offer. There’s also no denying that Ragan has the coolest voice ever recorded.

7.) Title Fight - Shed

These hardcore-punk kids must’ve had the time of their life this year. After recently signing to SideOneDummy records, the hard-working group put out the record they wanted to and made sure to cater to no one — and found success. “Shed” is filled with quick blasts of punk rock and hometown references, and worth every good review it has earned.

6.) Yellowcard - When You’re Through Thinking, Say Yes

It was going to be hard to top the band’s last record “Paper Walls,” and I’m still debating on whether it happened, but WYTTSY was the perfect record for the California band’s return. It was nostalgic, yet well-written and throughly composed. Looking forward to what 2012 brings from these guys.

5.) Wilco - The Whole Love

Wilco released this album on their own label. Maybe without pressure from music executives and deadlines, the band flourished. But whatever the writing process was for “The Whole Love,” Wilco should stick to it. A final stable line-up, Jeff Tweedy wrote a gem.

4.) The Black Keys - El Camino

This is one of those “listen and hear for yourself” type of records. Nothing bad has ever come from this duo, in my opinion, and this is no exception.

3.) The Joy Formidable - The Big Roar

The Joy Formidable may have released rollicking tracks like “Austere,” “Whirring” and “Cradle” over the past few years, but in 2011, the songs found a proper home on the Welsh indie rockers’ aptly-titled debut, “The Big Roar.” Dave Grohl, who would later take the band on tour, called “Whirring” the song of the year — but “The Big Roar” stands on its own, thanks to frontwoman Ritzy Bryan’s breathy vocals and the juxtaposition of shoegaze- style guitars with pop harmonies. 

2.) Foo Fighters - Wasting Light

This album was all the rave when it was released. The fact that it was recorded on analog equipment in a garage was nominated for a grammy is remarkable. Over all, Wasting Light brings that throbbing rock everyone needs in their life once in a while. Well-written and a good listen from start to finish.

1.) The Decemberists - The King is Dead

An instant love at first spin. Released early in the year, it would be hard to leave it’s mark, but “The King is Dead” is one of those albums you keep going back too — even 11 months later. To capture the love and passion Colin Meloy packed into this album, simply listen.

2011 Best Concerts:

6.) Mac Miller - Electric Factory, Philadelphia

Mac Miller did away with the fancy light shows and production that normally comes with a hip-hop concert. He carried the energy of a rock show and bounced around stage all night, creating an energy in the crowd like no other.

5.) Less Than Jake - Sherman Theater, Strousburg 

These music vets ran through 22 of my favorite songs before closing the curtain. It was filled with jokes, banter, mohawks, yeah, music. I was most impressed that after many years, they still pour tons of effort into each show.

4.) Bayside/Saves the Day - Trocadero, Philadelphia

A true punk rock show at its finest. Two nights in a row the band came out and killed it with co-headliners Saves the Day. It was filled with energy, moshing, excitement and any other element that is suppose to be at a punk rock show.

3.) Four Year Strong/Title Fight/The Swellers - Trocadero

A great showcase of where punk rock music is headed. The Swellers rocked the stage, Title Fight blew it up, and FYS put it back together. A quality showcase of some of the hottest bands in the country right now.

2. Blink-182/My Chemical Romance/Matt & Kim - Susquehanna Bank Center, Camden, NJ

I saw this band twice as well. The set list did not change, but the line up did. No matter who the support acts were, Blink blew them off stage. It had flying drum rigs, lasers, and lots of immature jokes. The set a good balance of greatest hits and “new blink.” Back from hiatus, the group still can put on a show.

1.) Yellowcard 

I saw this band twice in 2011 and it was amazing. I believe every concert should be modeled after its performance. Violin players were doing back flips and the audience was forming circle pits. It had ballads that can make girls swoon, and rock riffs that can make your heart race. Throughly impressed each time.