#10 – Brandon Heath – “Leaving Eden”
Genre: Adult Contemporary, 12 Tracks
Favorite Songs: “Your Love”, “Leaving Eden”
I didn’t really care for Brandon Heath when he first came out, but since I’ve listened to this album, I really have found myself liking it more and more. It has a different sound to it and the hit single, “Your Love” has gotten some fantastic radio play to really grab people’s attention. At ACC, we also used the title track “Leaving Eden” for our 9-11 series “Attacked!!”.
#9 – 7th Time Down – “Alive In You”
Genre: Rock, 10 Tracks
Favorite Songs: “What About Tonight”, “Love Parade”
“Aargh! Enough with the Nickelback clones…..Oh wait, these guys also sound like Bon Jovi and Daughtry. Okay, maybe I can put up with them for a while.” Those were my initial thoughts listening to this one. Since then, it has become a staple for me on my shuffle list. I can’t get enough of the infectious guitar riffs and I feel like I’m listening to what Nickelback should have been. Pick this one up if you’re a fan of any of the three bands I mentioned above, and I dare you not to sing along with the gang vocal harmony on “Love Parade”.
#8 – Mark Schultz – “Renaissance”
Genre: Instrumental, 11 Tracks
Favorite Songs: “Road to Girona”, “Cathedrals”
As a writer, one of things I enjoy doing while I write is listen to music. Since words get in the way when I’m creating words of my own, instrumental music serves me best and Mark Schultz, in his debut instrumental offering, has created a masterpiece. If you like relaxing music, or need something to calm you after a long day, this album is perfect. It is very classical and the mix of Grand Piano with strings and panflutes makes this one feel as though you’re watching a cinematic flyover of grand landscapes.
#7 – Jeremy Soule – “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Soundtrack”
Genre: Soundtrack, 200+ Tracks
Favorite Songs: “Sons of Skyrim”, “Alduin the World Eater”
On the flip side, as a gamer, there is nothing I enjoy more than a sweeping soundtrack that matches and then enhances a fantastic game. Jeremy Soule has taken an actual 120 piece symphony orchestra and a 60 voice choir and manufactured what is quite possibly the finest gaming soundtrack ever devised. The Viking/Norse undertones in the orchestral pieces mixed with the haunting choir adds to the game and is fantastic for listening and writing to as well. It’s a great find if you like instrumental or soundtrack pieces.
#6 – Foo Fighters – “Wasting Light”
Genre: Alternative Rock, 11 Tracks
Favorite Songs: “Bridge Burning”, “Dear Rosemary”
Ah, finally a Foo Fighters album worth the name of the band. The Foo Fighters have consistently put out albums that have one or two fantastic tracks and then the rest of the album is mediocre at best. I haven’t heard a fantastic Foo Fighters album since The Colour and the Shape, but that all changed with Wasting Light. Dave Grohl has found his muse again and the band seems to have put something extra special in to crafting this one.
#5 – Journey – “Eclipse”
Genre: Classic Rock, 12 Tracks
Favorite Songs: “Edge of the Moment”, “City of Hope”
Journey has been a band that has been on a rollercoaster ride for most of their career. Chances are, you all heard at least one journey song, even if you didn’t recognize it at the time. With hits such as “Open Arms”, “Any Way You Want It”, and “Don’t Stop Believin’” Journey has set the gold standard for how to write successful songs, but lately, they’re going through lead singers like politicians go through suits. However, 2011 saw the return of my personal favorite band from the 80’s. Neil Schon’s guitar has finally been unleashed and their new lead singer is finally growing into the big shoes left by former lead singer, Steve Perry. Fantastic Riffs, elegant keys, and catchy rhythms make this a must have for any Journey fan.
#4 – Abandon – “Control”
Genre: Electronic Rock/Pop, 13 Tracks
Favorite Songs: “S.O.S.”, “Feel It In Your Heart”, “Let Go”
Never heard of these guys? Neither had I until 2011 rolled around. Cara and I love this band’s sound and their lyrics are filled with passion for Jesus and the Cross and what it means to them personally. They are very culturally relevant and their hit single “Feel It In Your Heart” seems to be on the radio every time I go anywhere in the car. I dare you to listen to them and A) not like them, and B) not tap your foot along with their music.
#3 – Red – “Until We Have Faces”
Genre: Hard Rock, 12 Tracks
Favorite Songs: “Feed The Machine”, “Faceless”, “The Outside”, “Not Alone”
Red debuted back in the year 2005 with their smash hit album, “End of Silence”, since then, they commercialized themselves and their image and the result was less than stellar. 2008’s “Innocence and Instinct”, while not a total failure, left many of their fans disgruntled and felling as if Red had sold out to commercialism. Enter 2011 and their new album “Until We Have Faces”. While still not quite “End of Silence,” Red has dropped all pretenses and very deftly molded their signature sound with refined finesse. Until We Have Faces is a very good return to Red’s roots and shows their maturity and lyrical passion for reaching the lost.
#2 – Coldplay – “Mylo Xyloto”
Genre: Contemporary Rock/Pop, 14 Tracks
Favorite Songs: “Charlie Brown”, “Every Teardrop is a Waterfall”, “Princess of China”, “Us Against the World”
Coldplay gets better with each new album and 2011’s Mylo Xyloto is no exception. Coldpplay once again defines a signature sound as few would be able to do. Toe tapping beats, coupled with more instruments and sounds than you can shake a stick at make this album a very enjoyable listening experience. Pick it up if you’re in the mood to sing along with music, or discover a new sound that you may have never heard before. I guarantee you’ll like it – and that’s saying something.
#1 – Switchfoot – “Vice Verses”
Genre: Rock, 12 Tracks
Favorite Songs: The Whole Album
It is rare that an album comes along that I can listen to over and over again. To like every song on the CD is near a virtual impossibility for me because I am very critical of music, however Switchfoot has accomplished what few others can, and that’s not only create some astounding music with sweeping passionate lyrics, but tug at the strings of my heart so deeply that I am moved to emotion. I didn’t even like this band when I first heard them over 15 years ago, but I can definitively say that they are easily in my top 3 bands of all time after their last three albums they have put out. This album, “Vice Verses” is no exception. Jon Foreman is a master of lyrics and the band’s instrumentation is refined and precise and the package they deliver is both impressive and phenomenal. Everyone should own this album because at least one song on this album is meant for you. Try it – you will not be disappointed.
So, agree or disagree? Didn’t see your favorite album from 2011 on here? Leave me a comment and tell me what you would have added or taken away. I’ll be back soon with my preview of 2012’s musical offerings.
