That's My Dad.

The Lumineers - The Lumineers

In the line of increasingly popular indie folk outfits, the key aspects are sentiment and charm. It’s the formula that builds the fundamentals for your Edward Sharpe’s, Mumford and Sons, Head and the Heart’s, Avett Brothers, etc. Whether or not their approach to the basics of folk is watered-down, uninteresting or artistically imprecise, without appropriate adoration and theatrics in a band’s performance, the act will crumble in a thousand pieces. And on all points on this basic criteria, The Lumineers fall short by a mile. A near half dozen listens through their self-titled debut record induces nothing but cringe-worthy lyrics, laughable vocal performance and a snooze-fest of “deep cuts”. Upon adored records, I’m always ready to hear a hardcore fan’s over-drawn opinion so I can assess from both ends of a spectrum. But for my sake, “The Lumineers” will be this year’s fair exception. I see no potential or scope for anything creative to grow from, it’s impossible to make a case against that, for me. The Lumineers are the poorest American band of this year, both in musical ability and ideas. (5/10)

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The Avett Brothers - The Carpenter

It must be winter in my heart. 

Saying no to an Avett Brothers album is the social equivalent of shoving someone down a flight of stairs because they wanted to give you a hug. In terms of the “aw-shucks” scale, this North Carolina bluegrass/punk group earn full marks time and time again, particularly with their crown jewel record “I and Love and You” back in 2009. Following up three years later comes their 7th studio album, “The Carpenter”: a proficiently sweet collection of love songs and existential troubles, particularly with facing or actualizing death. ‘Carpenter’ certainly plays out appropriately in terms of its artistic progressions with subject matter, but falls a notch or two short of fresh musical ideas or wholesome lyrics; traits its predecessor album offered bouts of. “The Carpenter” may not the most accomplished release under the brothers repertoire, but certainly not dismal enough to be dismissed or despised. (7/10)

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The Avett Brothers - Emotionalism

The Avett Brothers’ “Emotionalism” is a different flavor of their trademark bluegrass-gone-indie folk style; more of the embarrassingly honest, unapologetic and cutesy type. While “Emotionalism” comes speckled with gems of poesy and basks with irrefutable sentiment, this fourteen-song set feels bloated from a few loose, unnecessary lyrical points, causing what could have been a classic album to fall short. (8/10)

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Young the Giant - Young the Giant

To be perfectly honest, I’m a little too young to be a full-fledged music snob. At my age (being that I am 17), there can sometimes be room for contrived rock music. Sure, it might only be good for background music or for your run-of-the-mill, adolescent “indie” soundtrack. And yes, no matter how hard you try, this record this devoid of any true personality. Yet, criticizing a band like Young the Giant would be the social equivalent of punching a stranger who compliments your outfit in the face. Young the Giant is a pleasant, straight-forward indie rock routine that doesn’t necessarily go outside the box, but resonates with an indulgent and theatrical level of emotion. Upon every listen, lead singer Sameer Gadhia charms us over with captivating hooks and choruses. I can’t despise Young the Giant for standing by its basic rock elements because the end result something like a box of Fruit Loops: bad for you, yet hopelessly enjoyable. (8/10)

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Top 25 Albums of 2011 (1-10)

1. The Weeknd - House of Balloons

2. St. Vincent - Strange Mercy

3. Battles - Gloss Drop

4. Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues

5. Frank Ocean - Nostalgia, Ultra 

6. The Head and the Heart - The Head and the Heart

7. Shabazz Palaces - Black Up

8. James Blake - James Blake

9. Bon Iver - Bon Iver

10. Florence and the Machine - Ceremonials

Top Five Albums of 2011 (So Far)

1. The Weeknd - House of Balloons

Takes R&B and drowns it in a nightlife colored in with hopeless, narcotic-abusive, sex-addicted, disturbing surroundings. It’s the darkest thing that’s happened to the genre. Inventive, smooth and as addicting as the world it lives in. 

2. James Blake - James Blake

A broken man (former dub-step producer James Blake) shares himself in shattered abstract pieces through his idea of mixing pleasure and art. It’s a vision layered with dense, extremely subtle genius. 

3. The Head and the Heart - The Head and the Heart

A blessed album with the sweetest of intentions. The spiritual equivalent of trekking a range of northern mountains in the fall, searching for yourself and maybe something meaningful in your point of view on things. 

4. Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues

Naturalistic poetry and enormously scenic thoughts will get you as close Mother Nature’s finest creations without having to take your headphones off.  

5. Beastie Boys - Hot Sauce Committee Part 2

One of the most polished albums from the oldest of reckless rappers of this year. It’s hip as fuck and supplies all the catchy jams you’ll need for awhile.