Best of 2011 - Movies

1. The Artist. Director Michel Hazanavicius and stars Jean Dujardin and Berenice Bejo of OSS 117 fame re-teamed for this beautifully shot and lovingly rendered homage to the silent film era. A thoroughly entertaining film with a wonderful story at its heart. In a year where the love of cinema was an important theme in movies (see Hugo, Super 8, War Horse, Drive, for example)--just as moviegoers continue to show less interest in actually going to movies--this arty gem shined the brightest.

2. 50/50. Cancer is no laughing matter, but 50/50 managed the perfect balance of comedy and tragedy in this sweet portrait of a young man battling cancer and his allies that support him through it.

3. Drive. Drive manages the rather remarkable feat of paying homage to cheap '80s action flicks with a pitch-perfect production and all-star cast led by Ryan Gosling, with his best performance in a stand-out year. Let's also not forget Albert Brooks playing against type in a truly scary role.

4. Hugo. I didn't plan to see this movie and didn't know what to expect when I went into it. So I was pleasantly surprised that it was absolutely dazzling, telling love story about the movies that also pays tribute to the feats of engineering that make things work.

5. Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows Part 2. Harry Potter movies tend to be good but not great, until now. This no-holds-barred finale was a fitting end to the film series, masterfully depicting the books' thrilling and revealing conclusion.

6. The Descendants. George Clooney sheds his usual studly demeanor to play a flawed father struggling to keep his teenage daughters in check while his wife lays dying after a boating accident. Hawaii never looked this real.

7. War Horse. Sure it's a bit over the top, but it this gorgeously retro war film from Spielberg proves the director still knows how to manipulating our hearts like no one else. Since there are so many films about World War II, it's nice to see media turn to World War I more this year (see Downton Abbey).

8. Midnight in Paris. Woody Allen's moved on from London to Paris, spinning this whimsical time-traveling tribute to great figures in historical literature. Owen Wilson's great comeback.

9. Moneyball. I'm not really into baseball, so that this movie was so engrossing despite that, was really something. Another great performance from Brad Pitt.

10. Bridesmaids. Proving that gross-out humor isn't just for the guys, Kristen Wiig and the gang scored a major summer hit and a major star-making turn for Melissa McCarthy.

Honorable mention: Hanna, Shame, The Tree of Life, The Ides of March, Crazy Stupid Love, Super 8

Best of 2011 - Television

1. Downton Abbey (PBS/ITV). Season one deftly introduced us to the stately Crowleys and their servants, while season two pulled our heartstrings even tighter as the story progressed into the perils of World War I. Fast-paced, beautifully filmed and perfectly acted, Downton Abbey gave off-the-air Mad Men a run for its money for the title of television's best period serial.

2. Happy Endings (ABC). What started as a mid-season replacement with little buzz has, by now, grown to become the funniest show on television. The ensemble cast is uniformly great, especially the uber-expressive Damon Wayans Jr. (wisely choosing this series over the vastly inferior New Girl) and Casey Wilson as zany Penny. But of course I also love control-freak Jane, her goofy sister Alex (Elisha Cuthbert, finally moving past the cougar), wacko post-gay Max and straight-guy Dave.

3. Modern Family (ABC). Moving into its third season, Modern Family isn't as fresh as it used to be, but it's still the best family sitcom on television.

4. Parks and Recreation (NBC). Unlike most shows, Parks and Recreation just keeps getting better, with Amy Poehler proving she's a comic genius to rival her pal and former coworker Tina Fey. After a few cast tweaks last year, the show has really hit its stride.

5. Project Runway (Lifetime). Runway continues to prove itself the best reality show on television, making fashion's behind-the-scenes antics a compelling watch as guided by Heidi, Tim, Michael and Nina.

6. Walking Dead (AMC). Walking Dead may have felt like a stall this year, as the action took place almost exclusively in and around a rural farmhouse, but it was really the perfect boiler to watch the tensions between the characters simmer and boil over once they discovered the pastoral estate's secret.

7. Top Chef (Bravo). Tom, Padma, Gail and friends took their Project Runway in the kitchen to Texas this year for a spicy, southwestern third season.

8. Glee (Fox). Glee has definitely slid in quality. The third season got off to a particularly rocky start, although it picked up near the end. About the best decision they made this year was making Darren Criss a regular. He's fantastic.

9. American Horror Story (FX). The most bizarre show on television, with credible actors Dylan McDermott, Connie Britton, and especially Jessica Lange making the gruesome head-scratcher a tasty treat.

10. 30 Rock (NBC). It's not what a it used to be, but when it's on, it's great TV.

Best of 2011: Albums

1. Adele - 21. This year, Adele's 21 proved resolutely that the pop album is not dead. That a young woman from Britain can release an album to near universal acclaim and appeal is really something, recalling the great pop albums of the '80s. In an era where tastes are sliced, diced, dissected, genred and market-tested to death, it's nice to know we can still all come together around something that we all like because it's just that good. Best: Someone Like You.

2. Lady Gaga - Born This Way. Lady Gaga is basically the polar opposite of Adele, but I have plenty of space for her and her dazzling third album in my year-end top 10. Born This Way was funkier and more ambitious than The Fame or Fame Monster, ultimately proving to be her best and most cohesive work yet. Even if the singles aren't all hitting #1 anymore, she's still got the touch. Best: Born This Way.

3. PJ Harvey - Let England Shake. This was the critics' favorite album of 2011, but don't let that stop you from enjoying it too. History buffs will appreciate Harvey's historical references to specific World War I battles. Music fans will just enjoy her eclectic mix of sounds and clever lyrics. Best: The Glorious Land.

4. The Strokes - Angles. This is the one album among my favorites that I'm surprised to see missing from most other year-end lists. I thought Angles, The Strokes' fourth album, was a winning return to form form the band many consider the most "important" of the '00s indie rockers, putting in some of their trademark simple arrangements but also exploring new wave and other territory. Best: Machu Picchu.

5. Foster the People - Torches. I'll give Torches the award for the year's best debut. Foster the People--aka this year's MGMT--dominated pop radio this fall with "Pumped Up Kicks," but their lively debut has lots of other gems from the indie band. I'm surprised they haven't scored a follow-up hit yet. Best: Helena Beat.

6. Will Young - Echoes. Here's one I'm not surprised isn't on a lot of year-end lists, but it's a shame, for Will Young turned out another fine pop album with Echoes, employing producer Richard X to give his love-spurned pop songs a pleasing electronic veneer. Best: Jealousy.


7. Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto. Coldplay continue to earn their keep on this fifth album. Although at times it feels that Chris Martin & company are too eager to please, they still churn out their brand of pop/rock uplift effectively. Best: Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall.


8. Florence + the Machine - Ceremonials. On their second outing, Florence Welch & co. rocked out with even bolder and better songs than on their 2009 debut Lungs, with a larger than life sound that proves everything and the kitchen sink can be a god thing. Best: Shake It Out.


9. The Weekend - House of Balloons/Thursday/Echoes of Silence. The modern R&B mix tape became a staple of 2011, as artists too cool for things like labels, albums and selling their music, took to the internet to give us free tastes of their remakes, remixes and original songs. The Weekend's House of Balloons was the best of that set, but his follow-up Thursday was interesting too, and although I'm just starting to enjoy his third set, Echoes of Silence, it's clear already that it ranks up with the other two. Best: What You Need.

10. Beyoncé - 4. With I Am...Sasha Fierce, Beyoncé proved she could put out a blockbuster two-disc concept album that stocked radio with hits and earned her critical acclaim at the same time. With her fourth album, 4, she didn't have to prove anything, freeing her to buck the electro trend and put out a mostly acoustic set ranging from the manic "Countdown" to the Prince-worthy "1+1." Although it didn't sell as well, it showed a great deal of artistry and continued growth. Best: Countdown.

11. Foo Fighters - Wasting Light. Along with Adele and Lady Gaga, this is one of three albums released this year nominated for the Grammy Award for Album of the Year. Although some said it was a surprise, I thought it was totally deserving, representing a solid set of muscular guitar-rock. Best: These Days.

12. The Decemberists - The King Is Dead. Gotta love a good indie band from my hometown, especially when they start the year off with putting out a great album like this. When I reviewed this album, I said they reminded me of a folksier, more backwater R.E.M. Best: Down by the Water.

13. St. Vincent - Strange Mercy. This was my first exposure to American musician St. Vincent, who put out this highly compelling set of eclectic and deftly produced tunes. Best: Chloe in the Afternoon.



14. James Blake - James Blake. Another important trend this year was dubstep, which, frankly, I still have trouble identifying, but apparently this was one example. Whatever you want to call it, I thought it was crafty, soulful electronic that recalled both The XX and Bon Iver. Best: The Wilhelm Scream.

15. Lykke Li - Wounded Rhymes. Joining the long line of Swedish pop tradition (Abba, Roxette, Ace of Base, Max Martin, Robyn) this year was Lykke Li, whose lo-fi production style was, in many ways, the antithesis of the usual Nordic gloss, but still with an ear for a good pop tune. Best: Sadness Is a Blessing.

16. Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds. Sure, Oasis split last year, but they all kept making music. You'll find the rest of the gang further down this list. Both were very good, but I felt that Noel Gallagher's songwriting skills meant that his album was just a little bit better. Best: If I Had a Gun...

17. Take That - Progressed. Take That's album Progress was one of my favorite albums of 2010. In fact, it's one of my favorite pop albums of all time. This follow-up EP was a welcome second helping of that album's greatness. Best: When We Were Young.



18. Amy Winehouse - Lioness: Hidden Treasures. Posthumous releases should always be viewed with suspicion, but thankfully this one manages to be an appropriate tribute to an amazing singer gone before her time. Her modern take on '60s soul remains one of pop music's most interesting tricks in recent years. Best: Our Day Will Come.

19. Jessie J - Who You Are. Jessie J received so much hype that it would be hard for the singer to live up to it. And yes, her album wasn't "all that," but it was still pretty decent pop from the strutting "Do It Like a Dude" to the affecting title track. She's got a lot of people in her corner. Album #2 could be even more interesting. Best: Who You Are.

20. The Civil Wars - Barton Hollow. Like Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss and Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, The Civil Wars achieves a beautiful alchemy with the tried-and-true formula of a male/female vocal harmony over a lovelorn folksy sound. And then they kicked up their heels with the album's title track. Moving and fun. Best: Poison & Wine.

21. The Black Keys - El Camino. These southern-influenced blues rockers from Ohio shifted their sound more toward classic rock & roll for this seventh album. More and more they sound less like the stopgap for The White Stripes' absence and more like that duo's worthy successor. Best: Dead and Gone.


22. Ed Sheeran - +. I didn't get around to reviewing this album, since I only recently got it (consider it a 4/5 rating). Although I wasn't initially sold on Sheeran via "The A Team," in the end, I was ultimately won over by his acoustic-leaning pop debut, particularly its more upbeat tracks. Best: Lego House.

23. Radiohead - The King of Limbs. That Radiohead's eighth album is more of an exercise in sounds than in songs means this album won't be for everyone, but for those who like Kid A and Amnesiac because of that, then should be up your alley. Best: Bloom.


24. Kasabian - Velociraptor!. Fourth album by British rockers Kasabian finds them mining familiar '60s territory but with a bolder take than on their last album. Best: Days Are Forgotten.



25. Death Cab for Cutie - Codes and Keys. For their seventh album, these indie rockers from Bellingham, Washington, make their sound lighter and more modern than their recent works. Hints of Arcade Fire permeate the buoyant title track with its deep mix of strings, piano, guitar, bass and drums. Best: Codes and Keys.

26. Bon Iver - Bon Iver. The last thing Wisconsinite folk singer Justin Vernon probably thought when he released his 2008 debut, For Emma, Forever Ago, was that a few years later he'd be a major influence in alternative rock music. Even Kanye West got into him. On this second Bon Iver album, he gets a little more adventurous and manages to still please, even despite the deafening hype. Best: Towers.

27. Gil Scott-Heron and Jamie XX - We're New Here. Serving as an effective stopgap before the hotly anticipated second album from The XX, its member Jamie XX remixed nearly every track from the late soul and jazz poet Gil Scott-Heron, reinterpreting his quirky, final spoken-word album into a satisfying dose of late-night electronica. Best: The Crutch.

28. Frank Ocean - Nostalgia, Ultra. Singer Frank Ocean has been tipped to be a major breakout star next year. This year, however, he's already racked up a lot of acclaim for his self-released mix tape, a winning mix of original songs and remakes where he sings over popular songs with his own new lyrics. Best: Strawberry Swing.

29. Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues. Like Bon Iver, this is another indie act that achieved significant acclaim with its folksy debut and followed it up this year with a second album of similarly great material. Title track "Helplessness Blues" proves that, like Mumford & Sons have shown, folk music doesn't equate always with slow and quiet. Best: Helplessness Blues.

30. Raphael Saadiq - Stone Rollin'. Retro R&B is a trend right now for sure, but with so many great examples of it, like this eclectic set from Raphael Saadiq, I'm not ready for it to end. Stone Rollin' is an eclectic, decade-jumping work with a of heart and soul. Best: Go to Hell.


31. Wilco - The Whole Love. Wilco's eighth album delivers much of the same from the band as what we've heard before--accomplished alt. rock with influences from country and '70s rock. But it's the dynamite 7-minute opener, which dabbles a bit in Radiohead Kid A electronica and delivers a 2-minute guitar solo, that makes this album worthwhile. Best: Art of Almost.

32. The Naked and Famous - Passive Me, Aggressive You. Although "this year's MGMT" ended up being Foster the People, New Zealand's The Naked and Famous auditioned for the role with this lively, at times moody debut of new wave revival pop. Best: Young Gun.


33. Kanye West & Jay-Z - Watch the Throne. Two kings of rap show they can effectively share the throne with this collaboration, one of the year's most hotly anticipated albums. As you'd expect, modesty is rarely displayed on this album chock full of ego and big-name guests (including two acts named above). Best: Why I Love You.

34. Beady Eye - Different Gear, Still Speeding. One fourth of the former Oasis is up at #16 and the rest are here at #34. It might sound corny to say these albums sound like brothers, except for the fact that they literally are made by brothers, so its fitting. Oasis fans should find solace in the fact that both albums are pretty great, with this being the bolder and more upbeat of the two. Best: If I Had a Gun...

35. Rihanna - Talk That Talk. Another year, another Rihanna album. On her sixth outing, the Barbadian singer continued global chart domination with her most risque work yet, continuing to churn out frothy dance pop and laid back island-inspired grooves. Best: We Found Love.

36. Britney Spears - Femme Fatale. Britney got her career back on track with 2008's Circus and she continued her hit streak this year with this unabashedly frothy dance pop album. She slowed down a bit for the album's final track, "Criminal," and that proved to be interesting too. Best: Till the World Ends.

37. Katy B - On a Mission. Those needing a lesson on contemporary dance music styles could do worse than listen to Katy B's debut album, on which she explores a variety of contemporary and (recently) retro dance styles, including dubstep, garage and drum 'n' bass. Best: Lights On.

38. Real Estate - Days. On Days, Brooklyn-based Real Estate's second album, the band churns out mellow and melodic rock. They don't produce much in the way of variety, but have a pleasant sound--the kind of music that's a nice soundtrack to a sunny Sunday afternoon. Best: Green Aisles.

39. Washed Out - Within and Without. Washed Out wears its influences on its sleeves--its ambient electronica evokes names like Moby and Chemical Brothers. Another "chill" album that lives up to that nickname. Best: Eyes Be Closed.


40. Glee: The Music Presents - The Warblers. With The Warblers release, Glee came as close as it may ever come to putting out a proper album, since the group, which is really actor/singer Darren Criss and Tufts University's male singing group The Beelzebubs, sing all these songs a cappella, effectively imitating a bevy of instruments. Best: Teenage Dream.

Worst Album of the Year

Moby - Destroyed. I supposed it's unlikely this is actually the worst album of the year. Hopefully I never had a chance to hear that. Still, I was awfully disappointed by this bland release, which only recycled his old sounds.

Billboard Hot 100: Year-End 2011

Billboard has all of its year-end charts up now. Here's a rundown of the top 10 with peak positions of the year-end Hot 100:


1. Rolling in the Deep - Adele (#1, 7 weeks). 2011 belonged to Adele. No contest. "Rolling in the Deep" is the year's biggest hit, no surprise there. The song spent the most weeks at #1 on the Hot 100 and was a fixture on the chart all year long (it's still in the top 40). Her album, 21, was also the #1 album on the Billboard 200. Other #1 honors for Adele: Artist of the Year, Billboard 200 Artist, #1 Digital Song ("Rolling in the Deep"), #1 Digital Album (21), #1 Digital Albums Artist, #1 Adult Pop Song ("Rolling in the Deep").


2. Party Rock Anthem - LMFAO (feat. Lauren Bennett & GoonRock) (#1, 6 weeks). "Party Rock Anthem" was the summer hit of 2011. Like "Rolling in the Deep," this song stuck around a loooong time. "Party Rock Anthem" is #1 on Pop Songs.


3. Firework - Katy Perry (#1, 4 weeks). "Firework" was atop the Hot 100 when the 2011 calendar year began (Billboard's chart year runs from the beginning of December 2010 to the end of November 2011). It was her third #1 hit from Teenage Dream, following summer 2010's biggest hit "California Gurls" (the #4 hit of 2010) and fall #1 hit "Teenage Dream." Katy Perry was the year's #1 Radio Songs Artist, Digital Songs Artist, Pop Songs Artist and Adult Pop Songs Artist.


4. E.T. - Katy Perry (feat. Kanye West) (#1, 5 weeks). The fourth #1 hit from Katy Perry's Teenage Dream was also the fourth biggest hit of the year (the album's fifth #1 hit, "Last Friday Night (TGIF)" is just outside the top 10 at #14). The single version added a new rap from Kanye West, helping to propel the single's immense popularity last spring. Katy Perry is the only artist who appears more than once in the year-end top 10. For her effort, she is this year's #1 Hot 100 Artist. "E.T." is also the #1 Dance/Club Song and Perry is the #1 Dance/Club Songs Artist.


5. Give Me Everything - Pitbull (feat. Ne-Yo, Afrojack & Nayer) (#1, 1 week). Although this spent only 1 week at #1, it was a massive hit, especially at radio, where it was one of top 40's ubiquitous hits. In fact, the song is the year's #1 hit on Radio Songs.


6. Grenade - Bruno Mars (#1, 4 weeks). This, along with "Rolling in the Deep" and "Firework," is one of three Grammy Record of the Year nominees from 2011 in the year-end chart (a fourth from 2010 appears at #7 below). After he hit #1 with the sweet love song "Just the Way You Are," which is #15 on the year-end chart (penalized for having its chart run split between 2010 and 2011), he followed it up with this darker and even better pop hit.


7. Fuck You! - Cee Lo Green (#2). The F-word was big in 2011, forming the title of three top 5 hits from early this year. While Enrique Iglesias's "Tonight (I'm Fucking You)" is #16 and Pink's "Fuckin' Perfect" is #19, this Grammy nominee for Record of the Year was the year's biggest. Released in the summer of 2010, it slowly climbed the Hot 100 becoming a proper hit early this year.


8. Super Bass - Nicki Minaj (#3). Watching Nicki Minaj's career unfold this year was a magical thing. The buzz was deafening at the end of 2010, raising the stakes as to whether she'd live up to it. Initial singles failed to become big hits, but slowly but surely Minaj transformed into a star, with this single becoming far and away her biggest hit.


9. Moves Like Jagger - Maroon 5 (feat. Christina Aguilera) (#1, 5 weeks). The biggest late-year hit, "Moves Like Jagger" became Maroon 5's biggest hit in 7 years. Their 2004 smash, "This Love" was that year's fourth-biggest hit. Christina Aguilera appeared at #7 on the 1999 year-end chart with her #1 debut hit, "Genie in a Bottle."


10. Just Can't Get Enough - Black Eyed Peas (#3). Black Eyed Peas are no newcomers to the year-end top 10. In 2009, they had the year's biggest hit, "Boom Boom Pow," as well as the third-biggest hit, "I Gotta Feeling."