Via: P-O-P-I-S-D-E-A-D

Thanks to P-O-P-I-S-D-E-A-D, we can finally bring you, our viewers, a year’s end list of the best (by opinion) in music. What you are about to read is a list of the 50 best albums of 2011. It’s a mix of the best indie, “mindie” and mainstream collections of work put out by today’s brightest artists, artistes, musicians, entertainers, Pop acts, entertainers, etc… So join us and hit the jump for what we think is an unbiased list of 2011′s best.

50. Mac Miller – Blue Slide Park

Notes: One of the most impressive, consistent Hip-Hop debuts of 2011.

iPod food: “One Last Thing”

49. The Black Keys – El Camino

Notes: A wild, fun and ballsy follow up record from the indie heroes.

iPod food: “Gold On The Ceiling”

48. Ghostpoet – Peanut Butter Blues and Melancholy Jam

Notes: An introspective alternative hip hop debut from the promising Brit.

iPod food: “Us Against Whatever Ever”

47. Britney Spears – Femme Fatale

Notes: Ms. Spears best release since ‘Blackout’. An outstanding, experimental, forward-thinking pop record.

iPod food: “How I Roll”

46. Radiohead – King of Limbs

Notes: As expected, Radiohead delivers another exquisite album to rest alongside their acclaimed discography.

iPod food: “Lotus Flower”

45. Lights – Siberia

Notes: A surprisingly beautiful, electro-pop sophomore album from the Canadian singer. Might be the year’s most improved artist.

iPod food: “Siberia”

44. The Roots – Undun

Notes: Have The Roots ever made an album that wasn’t worthy of mention on a year-end list?

iPod food: “Make My”

43. Toro Y Moi – Underneath The Pine

Notes: Chillwave artist makes an amazing record to get blazed dance to.

iPod food: “New Beat”

42. Curren$y – Weekend at Burnie’s

Notes: On this release, tapped as a mixtape and an album, Curren$y matures and delivers his best release to date.

iPod food: “#jetsgo”

41. Washed Out – Within and Without

Notes: One of the year’s best electronic debuts.

iPod food: “Amor Fati”

40. St. Vincent – Strange Mercy

Notes: I never really ‘got’ St. Vincent’s music…before this album.

iPod food: “Cruel”

39. The Beastie Boys – Hot Sauce Committee: Part Two

Notes: The Hip Hop veterans, 30 odd years in the game, make their best album in ages. One of the most underrated hip hop albums of the year.

iPod food: “Too Many Rappers” feat. Nas

38. Anna Calvi – Anna Calvi

Notes: A moody, haunting, Mercury-Prize-nominated debut by the English chanteuse.

iPod food: “No More Words”

37. Feist – Metals

Notes: A gorgeously sung, heartbreaking album heavy on ballads detailing lost love, grief and sadness.

iPod food: “Caught a Long Wind”

36. Kendrick Lamar – Section.80

Notes: Lamar lives up to the hype and proves he is a force to be reckoned with on this impressive Hip-Hop debut.

iPod food: “Tammy’s Song (Her Evils)”

35. Tyler, The Creator – Goblin

Notes: The arguable new king of shock-rap returns with an album so misogynist, so obscene, so violent, so weird, so revolting, so controversial, so uncomfortably revealing…you can’t help but wonder if the joke is really on us. A fascinating self-examination on record.

iPod food: “Nightmare”

34. Frank Ocean – Nostalgia, Ultra

Notes: The eldest of the OFWGKTA-clan releases a mixtape that showcases his phenomenal talent for singing and songwriting. Might have one of the most anticipated records to come out next year.

iPod food: “Novacane”

33. Björk – Biophilia
Notes: Biophilia is the ambitious, multi-media brain child of everyone’s favourite Icelander. It may also be Bjork’s most ambitious musical offering yet. Using a plethora of custom-made instruments (including one that makes harmonies out of the Earth’s gravitational pull), Bjork is one of the few artists that would know how to use them to create these otherworldly tracks.

iPod food: “Mutual Core”

32. A$AP Rocky – LiveLoveA$AP

Notes: By far, the most spectacular, promising Hip-Hop mixtape of 2011 courtesy of the young Harlem native. I cannot wait to hear what else A$AP Rocky has in store for us in the new year!

iPod food: “Bass”

31. Cut Copy – Zonoscope

Notes: Another solid, colourful album from the Aussie electropop-masters. Would we expect anything less?

iPod food: “Blink and You’ll Miss a Revolution”

30. The War On Drugs – Slave Ambient

Notes: One of the most critically acclaimed rock albums of 2011, and deservedly so. Similar to last year’s “The Suburbs” by The Arcade Fire.

iPod food: “Come to the City”

29. TV On The Radio – Nine Types of Light

Notes: Another impressive album by the Indie gods. This one is a little more experimental than their earlier releases and it pays off!

iPod food: “New Cannonball Blues”

28. Zomby – Dedication

Notes: One of the most critically acclaimed artists of the post-dubstep movement makes a haunting, schizophrenic, minimal masterpiece on this largely instrumental album.

iPod food: “Mozaik”

27. Kasabian – Velociraptor!

Notes: Another stellar collection by the beloved rock act.

iPod food: “Neon Noon”

26. Saigon – The Greatest Story Never Told

Notes: Saigon finally released his forever-and-a-day delayed debut album and it may have the title of most critically acclaimed hip hop album of 2011. This is as close to ‘real’ hip hop as you’ll hear in the mainstream.

iPod food: “Come On Baby” feat. Jay-Z

25. Yuck – Yuck

Notes: Another critically acclaimed rock debut released this year, and deservedly so. Yuck transports me back to the 90s, they have a style that is somewhere between Smashing Pumpkins and Nirvana. They also get the award for best band name.

iPod food: “Stutter”

24. Rustie – Glass Swords

Notes: A mesmerizing electronic debut this was. From beginning to end it is a sonic onslaught that never ceases to bring a smile to your face and a desire to dance. After releasing a few EPs, it was nice to finally have a full length by this promising artist.

iPod food: “Ultra Thizz”

23. Cults – Cults

Notes: I remember first listening to the entirety of this album riding the metro and being blown away by their 60s-nostalgic vibe. I personally think this was one of the strongest debuts in any genre this year.

iPod food: “You Know What I Mean”

22. SBTRKT – SBTRKT

Notes: The mystery of the man behind SBTRKT is appealing, though not nearly as intriguing as the music itself (which is a good thing). This horribly underrated electronic album explores 90s-era British dubstep, drum-and-bass, house, r&b and just about everything else. A really enjoyable listen!

iPod food: “Right Thing To Do”

21. Kate Bush – 50 Words for Snow

Notes: Veteran singer-songwriter Kate Bush recently released her tenth album in almost thirty-five years and it was expectedly brilliant. Bush seems to be only getting better with age on this experimental, wintery concept album.

iPod food: “Among Angels”

20. Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues

Notes: A stunning, lush sonic adventure. This is the best the band has ever sounded. No year-end list would be complete without this one.

iPod food: “Lorelai”

19. Wilco – The Whole Love

Notes: An album that covers many different styles, Wilco has provided us with a memorable return-to-form.

iPod food: “Art Of Almost”

18. Katy B – On a Mission

Notes: Hot off the heels of two brilliant singles, Katy B, now the official queen of dubstep, crafted what turned out to be one of the best debuts of 2011. Armed with a beautiful voice, charisma and songwriting skills, expect this young lady to become a household name in the near future.

iPod food: “Katy On A Mission”

17. The Horrors – Skying

Notes: A top-notch, melancholic album by a band that sounds more like Radiohead than Radiohead does. An underrated gem.

iPod food: “Endless Blue”

16. Girls – Father, Son, Holy Ghost

Notes: This album as a whole sounds like a bi-polar, bluesy, hypersensitive romp through depression (or aggression). At one moment it is loud and electrifying, only to be followed up by a song so heartfelt and touching it could bring a tear to the eye. A laudable achievement.

iPod food: “Vomit”

15. John Maus – We Must Become the Pitiless Censors of Ourselves

Notes: An expectantly weird album from the lo-fi crooner. This is not a record for everyone, but if you appreciate musical experimentation and boundary-pushing, look no further. This might also have to be my favorite album title of the year.

iPod food: “Keep Pushing On”

14. Metromony – The English Riviera

Notes: Finally listened to this album a few weeks ago and saw what all the hype was about. A hypnotic listen from beginning to end. What it lacks in production value is made up for in heart.

iPod food: “Corinne”

13. Das Racist – Relax

Notes: Though Das Racist may have started out as a joke, their album is seriously good. With lyrical sharpness, an eclectic, genre-bending musicality, the guys are at once hilarious, eye-opening and innovative. Now that is impressive. There is definitely more than meets the eye to this band. May be the “Arular” (via M.I.A.) of the ’10s.

iPod food: “Girl”

12. Lykke Li – Wounded Rhymes

Notes: I always knew Lykke Li was capable of something great. While her debut album was endearing, one couldn’t help but feel there was still a load of untapped potential there. Wounded Rhymes is the fulfillment of that promise. On this sweepingly gorgeous, wall-of-sound, soul-bearing album it’s hard not fall in love with the Swede. A beautiful record.

iPod food: “Love Out Of Lust”

11. Jay-Z & Kanye West – Watch The Throne

Notes: It’s Jay-Z and Kanye West. Need I say more?

iPod food: “Otis”

10. Raphael Saadiq – Stone Rollin’
Notes: Raphael Saadiq is THE most underrated artist in R&B. Nobody in the genre consistently churns out phenomenal albums like he does. Stone Rollin is no exception, covering everything from country, jazz, soul, r&B and everything in between. Also of note is his voice, silky smooth and with a wide range, effortlessly gliding over the taut productions. He is the arguable leader of the retro soul movement now that Amy Winehouse has passed, though he does it with a flair that is uniquely his.

iPod food: “Just Don’t”

9. Little Dragon – Ritual Union
Notes: The Swedes have produced another stunning collection of songs that deal with themes related to love, fidelity and commitment. From start to finish, you will instantly be struck by the range of production and vocal techniques, not to mention the experimental instrumentation that the band is famous for. The band would not be the same without the vocal prowess of Yukimi Nagano, the lead vocalist who breathes life into the hypnotic productions.

iPod food: “Seconds”

8. Bon Iver – Bon Iver
Notes: This multi-Grammy-nominated album by Bon Iver is certainly his best album yet. It is a clear demonstration of his genius. An exceptional vocalist, songwriter, and producer, Iver is one of the most talented of our generation. He is a sensitive and sincere person which is exemplified throughout the album with devastating, and refreshing, candor. If this is any indication of what is to come in what is only a young career, we should be very, very enthusiastic of the prospect of even more masterpieces in the future.

iPod food: “Best/Rest”

7. Shabazz Palaces – Black Up

Notes: This was a massive release for underground hip hop. Being the first signed rappers on the Sub Pop record label, Shabazz Palaces seemingly came out of nowhere to deliver a landmark rap album that is so surreal, ghostly and ethereal, it plays almost like a dream with tracks melting into one another as if by magic. If Kanye hadn’t taken it earlier, the perfect name for this album would be My Dark Beautiful Twisted Fantasy. Alas, this is a bold and brilliant statement from a promising rap act.

iPod food: “An Echo From the Hosts That Profess Infinitum”

6. James Blake – James Blake
Notes: This is an album so uncomfortably introspective that it is best described as the aural equivalent to schizophrenia (or depression). Think of it as the post-dubstep cousin of The Eraser by Thom Yorke. Lyrics like “My brother and my sister don’t speak to me, and I don’t blame them” are sung with such pain that you just want to give the guy a hug after it’s all done. The minimal instrumentation and dark sonic landscape perfectly compliment Blake’s soulful vocoded vocals. Post-dubstep has officially arrived.

iPod food: “Limit To Your Love”

5. Adele – 21
Notes: The populists choice. Clearly Adele has achieved something great with her sophomore album, which is the best-selling album of 2011 (she also has the best-selling song), and her gimmick-free persona has resonated with millions. A frank, honest collection of heart-broken songs, this may be the best break-up album since Beck’s Sea Change. And let’s face it…she has one of the best voices in the game. What sets her apart from many of her contemporaries is the fact that her voice also conveys emotion, as opposed to just being another strong but passionless vocalist. This will be remembered as the album that shot Adele to super-stardom.

iPod food: “Set Fire To The Rain”

4. Drake – Take Care

Notes: Take Care is the album Drake should have made the first time around but perhaps it was necessary to go through an album cycle in order to draw on experiences for material for this new record. If you thought Drake was sensitive before, this album may make you think he needs some serious therapy. It is fascinating to hear Drake’s rise to stardom from his perspective, detailing encounters with gold-digging women, family issues, daddy abandonment, the dark side of fame, lost love and just about everything else. Love him or hate him, Drake looks as if he has a long career ahead of him. After making what turned out to be the best mainstream hip hop album of this year, he has proven himself to be a true artist.

iPod food: “The Ride” (feat. The Weeknd)

3. M83 – Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming
Notes: This is an album dripping with nostalgia – a yearning for a childhood gone all too quickly. It has the ability to make you feel young again. Little on words and big on heart, these tracks are best heard from beginning to end, and are so imaginative (and moving), you may just encounter that feeling of wanting to be a kid again. Quite simply, a wonderful record.

iPod food: “Wait”

2. The Weeknd – House Of Balloons (Mixtape)
Notes: This is the future of music. A perfect blend of r&B, dubstep, pop, rock, hip hop all presented in a flawless package available to to everyone for no money, what’s not to love here? Released as a mixtape (but is arguably a full-length album) earlier this year, The Torontonians have created one of the best R&B records of this century, complete with silky smooth vocals, lyrics that reflect modern romance and top-notch production from a band that came out of nowhere. It was the most surprising and innovative release of this year.

iPod food: “The Party & The After Party”

1. PJ Harvey – Let England Shake
Notes: What is there to say about this album? On this, PJ Harvey’s 10th studio album, she and her band have truly outdone themselves. This happened to be one of the best-reviewed albums of 2011, and a personal favorite of mine since its release this past February. It was also the winner of the prestigious Mercury Prize (the second time PJ Harvey has won the award). Let England Shake transports you to the England of yesteryear where wars were fought and life was hard. This is not a protest album as much as it is a love/hate letter to her home country of England in what might now be considered the quintessential British album. It’s elegant lyrics reference war, violence, loss and alienation by comparing how it was then and how it is now as a British citizen. Her voice shifts effortlessly from a high-pitched shrill to a low, heartbreaking coo over complex arrangements that will haunt the listener long after the final song is played. This is an album that everyone can should appreciate; it is a timeless masterpiece that fully shows the musical genius of PJ Harvey. It is without a doubt the best album of 2011.

iPod food: “England”

There you have it, the top 50 albums of 2011. This was another year for great music which has us hoping for even more greatness in 2012.