Favorite Ten Albums of 2011

The new musical decade featured an entertaining mix of young bands and old hands. While veteran artists such as Paul Simon and Alice Cooper released new material, some relatively new groups and popular indie rockers helped mold the musical direction of the next ten years.

Here are my favorite ten albums from the year 2011.

Sky Full of Holes by Fountains of Wayne: Though Adam Schlessinger and Chris Collingwood have been writing songs together for nearly twenty years, their band still sounds fresh, sometimes funny and sometimes frail. The highlights here are "Dip in the Ocean," "Road Song," and "The Summer Place."

Gimme Some by Peter, Bjorn and John: This Swedish indie trio has made some pretty good albums, but they put it all together for their latest, which is instantaneously addictive and fun. One of the best tracks, "Second Chance," has been used as the theme for the new sitcom hit Two Broke Girls. starring Kat Dennings and Beth Behrs.

Torches by Foster the People: "Pumped Up Kicks" was all over the airwaves, but there are even better tracks throughout this CD. Front man Marc Foster adds cryptic lyrics over the energetic rhythms on tunes like "Don't Stop" and "Houdini."

Nursing Home by Let's Wrestle: The indie band's sophomore album has more depth than 2010's In the Court of the Wrestling Let's, but the electric guitar sounds just as solid on tracks like "I am Useful" and "In the Suburbs."

The People's Key by Bright Eyes: Rumored to be the band's last album, this disc is Conor Oberst's best effort yet. The novelty of the band's unique sound has become mainstream, but in its place are image-laden lyrics atop danceable beats.

Circuital by My Morning Jacket: Jim James keeps growing as a songwriter, as exemplified in most of the tracks on his band's latest disc. James has become amusedly self-reflective, especially on tracks such as "Holding on to Black Metal" and "Outta My System."

Welcome to My Nightmare 2 by Alice Cooper: The classic rocker's second nocturnal fantasy is nearly as inviting as its predecessor of 35 years ago. The combination of humor and horror stands out on tracks such as "The Congregation" and "Disco Blood Bath Boogie Fever."

Grand Theater Volume 2 by Old 97s: The alt-country band could very well be pre-Hotel California Eagles, especially with Rhett Miller's beautiful vocal on "How Lovely All It Was." The more rolicking tunes, like "Manhatten" and "No Simple Machine," are just as delightful.

Page One by Steven Page: On his first solo disc since leaving Barenaked Ladies, Page shows off his penchant for word play and his ear for melody. Though "Indecision" received more attention, the standout track here is the catchy "Over Joy."

The Whole Love by Wilco: Jeff Tweedy continues to take his indie band across the music spectrum, from country to psychedelia to rock and pop. The latest album has a little of it all, and the best is the 60's sounding "Standing O."