The most beloved albums, and their associated memories,that I listened to in 2011, in no particular order:

Beastie Boys - Ill Communication

So James got me this album for Christmas. I don’t know, it’s the only gift that I didn’t know about in advance and it was one of the few things I really enjoyed. That startling moment when you are reminded people know and care about you.

Battles - Gloss Drop

Superb album, high energy, not something I expected to like, put me in a whole new mindset in terms of receiving music. I remember listening to this, first week after I moved into college, and having my roommate go, out of nowhere, “this is awesome!” and we got down to something I considered strange or just generally unknown.

Joseph McNulty - Trail Running

Extraordinary. Can barely describe with words. Retroactively considering this one of my favorite albums, despite me disregarding it for over a year. Being sick, in bed, 103 fever hadn’t broken for a week, and having Julie and Kaleigh come by and just hang around me and my sickness. Kaleigh, before leaving, tucked me in, and put this album on, where I could just listen and dream as I gazed at the ceiling, flashing with the lights of passing emergencies. Surreal.

Bomb The Music Industry! - Vacation

Damnit, Jeff Rosenstock did it again. “Hold on to your hope, because sorrow doesn’t answer problems.” It doesn’t matter how old I get, I always have an angst ridden teenager living in me that needs a drunken BTMI hug sometimes. I cried when I saw them live, at the end of their set. Two strangers saw me, threw their arms over my shoulders, and we all swayed, supporting each other.

Nelsonvillains - Our Evil Inside Joke

Nelsonvillains is another one of those “my soul needed this right now” bands. I show them to a ton of people, laud the shit out of them, and no one else really seems to stop and listen with me. I try to tell people, you need to feel it. It’s a catharsis, Bright Eyes with less banjos and blue blood. They don’t listen. I hope they do soon.

James Blake - James Blake

Lying in a bed in New Jersey, cut off the the world except for James Blake. Made me think about what I want out of myself, and how do I get it.

Spiritualized - Ladies And Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space

First time I ever heard a perfect album and recognized it at the first glance. Blew open my mind. Picked this up on a whim via record store owner’s advice.

Wavves - King Of The Beach

Summer.

People Under The Stairs - OST

Cocaine and Cigarettes, joints from schizophrenics.

BADBADNOTGOOD - BADBADNOTGOOD

Losing the will to actually write this badass album a decent write up. It’s badass.

{Tyler, The Creator - Bastard

Wu-Tang Clan - Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers}

Thank you for making hip-hop and rap good. Eye opening.

ok to lazy to finish happy new year whatever