Rhapsody Streamnotes: Year 2011 Index

December 10

  1. Arthur's Landing: Arthur's Landing (2011, Strut) B+(**)
  2. Astronautalis: This Is Our Science (2011, Fake Four) B+(*)
  3. Danny Barnes: Rocket (2011, ATO/Red) B
  4. Childish Gambino: Camp (2011, Glassnote) B+(*)
  5. Kelly Clarkson: Stronger (2011, RCA) B
  6. Dessa: Castor, the Twin (2011, Doomtree) B+(**)
  7. Doomtree: No Kings (2011, Doomtree) B+(*)
  8. Drake: Take Care (2011, Universal Republic) B-
  9. Florence + the Machine: Ceremonials (2011, Universal Republic) B+(*)
  10. G-Side: Island (2011, Slow Motion Soundz) A-
  11. Chris Isaak: Beyond the Sun (2011, Vanguard) B
  12. Etta James: The Dreamer (2011, Verve Forecast) B+(**)
  13. Joy Kills Sorrow: This Unknown Science (Signature Sounds) B+(**)
  14. Korallreven: An Album by Korallreven (2011, Acephale) B+(**)
  15. Kuedo: Severant (2011, Planet Mu) B+(*)
  16. M83: Hurry Up, We're Dreaming (2011, Mute, 2CD) B
  17. Mac Miller: Blue Slide Park (2011, Rostrum) B+(***)
  18. Ana Moura: Coliseu (2008 [2011], World Village) B+(**)
  19. Zoe Muth & the Lost High Rollers: Starlight Hotel (Signature Sounds) B+(***)
  20. 9th Wonder: The Wonder Years (2011, Traffic Entertainment) A-
  21. Oneohtrix Point Never: Replica (Software) B+(***)
  22. Bill Orcutt: How the Thing Sings (2011, Editions Mego) C+
  23. Phonte: Charity Starts at Home (2011, HBD) B+(***)
  24. Pusha T: Fear of God II: Let Us Pray (2011, Decon) B+(**)
  25. Rihanna: Talk That Talk (2011, Def Jam) B+(**)
  26. Rocket From the Tombs: Barfly (2011, Fire) B+(*)
  27. The Roots: Undun (Def Jam) B+(**)
  28. Rustie: Glass Swords (2011, Warp) B
  29. Tegan and Sara: Get Along (2011, Vapor) B+(**)
  30. Wussy: Strawberry (2011, Shake It) A-
  31. Yelawolf: Radioactive (2011, Shady) B+(*)
  32. Ry Cooder: Pull Up Some Dust and Sit Down (Nonesuch) A-
  33. Tune-Yards: Whokill (4AD) B+(*)
  34. Eddy Current Suppression Ring: So Many Things (2003-04, Goner) A-
  35. El Rego: El Rego (1966-70s, Daptone) B+(**)
  36. Gorillaz: The Singles Collection 2001-2011 (2001-11, Virgin) B+(*)
  37. Jay-Z: Reasonable Doubt (1996, Roc-A-Fella) A-
  38. Jay-Z: In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 (1997, Roc-A-Fella) B+(***)
  39. Jay-Z: Vol. 2 . . . Hard Knock Life (1998, Roc-A-Fella) B+(**)
  40. Jay-Z: The Blueprint 2: The Gift and the Curse (2002, Roc-A-Fella) B+(**)
  41. Jay-Z: The Black Album (2003, Roc-A-Fella) A-
  42. Jay-Z: Kingdom Come (2006, Roc-A-Fella) B+(**)
  43. Jay-Z: The Hits Collection, Volume One (1998-2009, Def Jam/Roc Nation) B+(**)
  44. Søren Kjaergaard/Ben Street/Andrew Cyrille: Femklang (2011, ILK) B+(**)
  45. The Klezmatics: Brother Moses Smote the Water (2004, Piranha) B
  46. Mates of State: Team Boo (2003, Polyvinyl) B+(*)
  47. Mates of State: Re-Arrange Us (2008, Barsuk) B+(**)
  48. Matthew Shipp/Joe Morris: Broken Partials (2010, Not Two) B+(***)
  49. Sonore: Cafe Oto/London (2011, Trost) B
  50. Wussy: Funeral Dress (2005, Shake It) A-
  51. Wussy: Rigor Mortis (2008, Shake It, EP) B+(**)

November 9

  1. Alias: Fever Dream (2011, Anticon) B+(**)
  2. The Belle Brigade: The Belle Brigade (2011, Reprise) B+(*)
  3. The B-52s: With the Wild Crowd! (2011, Eagle) B+(***)
  4. Scott H. Biram: Bad Ingredients (2011, Bloodshot) B+(***)
  5. Björk: Biophilia (2011, One Little Indian) B-
  6. James Blake: Enough Thunder (2011, Atlas, EP) C
  7. The Bloody Hollies: Yours Until the Bitter End (2011, Alive) B+(*)
  8. The Cambodian Space Project: 2011: A Space Odyssey (2011, Metal Postcard) B+(***)
  9. Clams Casino: Instrumentals (2011, mixtape) B+(***)
  10. Class Actress: Rapprocher (2011, Carpark) A-
  11. J. Cole: Cole World: The Sideline Story (2011, Roc Nation/Columbia) B+(**)
  12. Comet Gain: City Fallen Leaves (2005, Kill Rock Stars) B+(***)
  13. Comet Gain: Howl of the Lonely Crowd (2011, What's Your Rupture?) B+(**)
  14. Jonny Corndawg: Down on the Bikini Line (2011, Nasty Memories, EP) B+(**)
  15. Crooked Fingers: Breaks in the Armor (2011, Merge) B+(**)
  16. DaVinci: Feast or Famine (2011, SWTBRDS, EP) B+(***)
  17. Kimya Dawson: Thunder Thighs (2011, Great Crap Factory) B+(**)
  18. Deer Tick: Divine Providence (2011, Partisan) B+(***)
  19. Dels: Gob (2011, Big Dada) B+(**)
  20. The Dirt Drifters: This Is My Blood (2011, Warner Brothers) A-
  21. DJ Shadow: The Less You Know, the Better (2011, Verve) B+(**)
  22. Electric Six: Heartbeats and Brainwaves! (2011, Metropolis) B-
  23. Robert Ellis: Photographs (2011, New West) B+(*)
  24. Emperor X: Western Teleport (2011, Bar/None) A-
  25. Evidence: Cats & Dogs (2011, Rhymesayers Entertainment) B+(**)
  26. Feist: Metals (2011, Cherrytree/Interscope) B
  27. Sallie Ford & the Sound Outside: Dirty Radio (2011, Partisan) B+(*)
  28. Ruth Gerson: Deceived (2011, Wrong) B+(**)
  29. Vince Gill: Guitar Slinger (2011, MCA Nashville) B+(**)
  30. Holly Golightly and the Brokeoffs: Nobody Will Be There (2007 [2011], Damaged Goods, EP) B+(*)
  31. David Guetta: Nothing but the Beat (2011, Capitol) B+(*)
  32. Merle Haggard: Working in Tennessee (2011, Vanguard) A-
  33. Mayer Hawthorne: How Do You Do (2011, Universal Republic) A-
  34. I Break Horses: Hearts (2011, Bella Union) B
  35. Justice: Audio, Video, Disco (2011, Elektra) C+
  36. Toby Keith: Clancy's Tavern (2011, Show Dog Nashville) B+(*)
  37. Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers: Gift Horse (2011, Vanguard) B+(**)
  38. Kitty, Daisy & Lewis: Smoking in Heaven (2011, Verve Forecast) B+(**)
  39. Ladytron: Gravity the Seducer (2011, Nettwerk) B+(*)
  40. Miranda Lambert: Four the Record (2011, RCA Nashville) A-
  41. Jeffrey Lewis: A Turn in the Dream-Songs (2011, Rough Trade) B+(***)
  42. The Lost Notebooks of Hank Williams (2011, Egyptian/Columbia) B+(**)
  43. Shelby Lynne: Revelation Road (2011, Everso) B+(*)
  44. Martina McBride: Eleven (2011, Universal Republic) B+(*)
  45. Lori McKenna: Lorraine (2011, Signature Sounds) B+(*)
  46. Murs: Love + Rockets, Vol. 1: The Transformation (2011, DD172) B+(*)
  47. Rod Picott: Welding Burns (2011, Welding Rod) B+(***)
  48. Real Estate: Days (2011, Domino) B
  49. Rivulets: We're Fucked (2011, Important) B+(*)
  50. Carrie Rodriguez and Ben Kyle: We Still Love Our Country (2011, Ninth Street Opus, EP) B+(*)
  51. Roots Manuva: 4everevolution (2011, Big Dada) B
  52. Scroobius Pip: Distraction Pieces (2011, Speech Development) A-
  53. Sims: Bad Time Zoo (2011, Doomtree) B+(***)
  54. Watermelon Slim/Super Chikan: Okiesippi Blues (2011, Northern Blues Music) B+(***)
  55. Wilco: The Whole Love (2011, Anti-) B+(**)
  56. Chet Baker: Chet Is Back! (1962 [2003], RCA) B
  57. The George Benson Quartet: It's Uptown (1966, Columbia) B+(***)
  58. Art Blakey: The Jazz Messengers (1956 [1997], Columbia/Legacy) A-
  59. Clifford Brown: The Beginning and the End (1952-56 [1973], Columbia) B+(***)
  60. Dave Brubeck: Jazz Goes to College (1954, Columbia) B+(***)
  61. Stanley Clarke: School Days (1976, Epic) C+
  62. Marilyn Crispell: Pianosolo -- A Concert in Berlin (1983 [1984], FMP) B+(**)
  63. Marilyn Crispell & Irène Schweizer: Overlapping Hands: Eight Segments (1990, FMP) B+(***)
  64. Paul Desmond: Desmond Blue (1961-62 [2002], RCA) B+(**)
  65. Bill Dixon: Berlin Abbozzi (1999 [2000], FMP) A-
  66. Duke Ellington and Count Basie: First Time! The Count Meets the Duke (1961 [2009], Columbia/Legacy) B+(***)
  67. Stan Getz: The Best of Two Worlds (1975, Columbia) B
  68. The Benny Goodman Quartet: Together Again! (1963 [1964], RCA) B+(**)
  69. Dexter Gordon: Round Midnight [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] (1986, Columbia) B+(*)
  70. Georg Gräwe Quintet: Pink Pong (1977, FMP) B+(*)
  71. Gumpert Sommer Duo Plus Manfred Herring: The Old Song (1973 [1974], FMP) B+(***)
  72. Ulrich Gumpert & Gunter 'Baby' Sommer: . . . Jetzt Geht's Kloß (1978 [1979], FMP) B+(***)
  73. Ulrich Gumpert/Günter Sommer: Versäuminisse (1979 [1980], FMP) B+(**)
  74. Herbie Hancock: Thrust (1974, Columbia) B+(**)
  75. Peter Kowald: Peter Kowald Quintet (1972 [1973], FMP) B+(*)
  76. Helen Merrill: Parole e Musica (1960, RCA [Italy]) B+(**)
  77. Gerry Mulligan/Chet Baker: Carnegie Hall Concert (1974, CTI) B
  78. Charlie Parker: Bird [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] (1945-88, Columbia) B+(*)
  79. Hans Reichel/Achim Knipsel: Erdmännchen (1977, FMP) A-
  80. Return to Forever: Romantic Warrior (1976 [1991], Columbia) C+
  81. Sonny Rollins: Sonny Meets Hawk! (1963 [2002], RCA Victor) A-
  82. Wayne Shorter: Native Dancer (1974 [1991], Columbia/Legacy) B-
  83. Sarah Vaughan: In Hi-Fi (1949-53 [1997], Columbia/Legacy) B+(*)
  84. Weather Report: Heavy Weather (1977, Columbia) B-

October 5

  1. Afrikan Sciences: Means and Ways (2011, Deepblak) B+(**)
  2. Apparat: The Devil's Walk (2011, Mute) B
  3. Katy B: On a Mission (2011, Columbia) B+(*)
  4. BLNRB: Welcome to the Madhouse (2011, Out Here) A-
  5. Blood Orange: Coastal Grooves (2011, Domino) B+(*)
  6. Bombay Bicycle Club: A Different Kind of Fix (2011, Island) B
  7. A.A. Bondy: Believers (2011, Fat Possum) B
  8. Jeff Bridges: Jeff Bridges (2011, Blue Note) B
  9. Kate Campbell: Two Nights in Texas (2010 [2011], Large River Music) B+(***)
  10. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah: Hysterical (2011, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah) B
  11. Das Racist: Relax (2011, Greedhead) A-
  12. Brigitte DeMeyer: Rose of Jericho (2011, BDM Music) B+(***)
  13. DJ Diamond: Flight Muzik (2011, Planet Mu) B+(*)
  14. The Drums: Portamento (2011, Frenchkiss) B+(*)
  15. Dum Dum Girls: Only in Dreams (2011, Sub Pop) B
  16. Baxter Dury: Happy Soup (2011, Regal) B+(**)
  17. Game: The R.E.D. Album (2011, DGC/Interscope) B
  18. Girls: Father, Son, Holy Ghost (2011, True Panther Sounds) A-
  19. Grouplove: Never Trust a Happy Song (2011, Canvasback/Atlantic) B+(*)
  20. Grace Jones: Hurricane (2004-07 [2011], PIAS America) B+(**)
  21. Grace Jones: Hurricane Dub (2011, PIAS America) B+(*)
  22. Robert Earl Keen Jr.: Ready for Confetti (2011, Lost Highway) B+(**)
  23. Kid Creole and the Coconuts: I Wake Up Screaming (2011, Strut, 2CD) B+(*)
  24. Lenny Kravitz: Black and White America (2011, Roadrunner) B+(*)
  25. Jens Lekman: An Argument With Myself (2011, Secretly Canadian, EP) B+(***)
  26. Lil Wayne: Tha Carter IV (2011, Motown/Cash Money) B+(*)
  27. Lydia Loveless: Indestructible Machine (2011, Bloodshot) A-
  28. Nick Lowe: The Old Magic (2011, Yep Roc) B
  29. Mastodon: The Hunter (2011, Reprise) B-
  30. Mates of State: Mountaintops (2011, Barsuk) B+(**)
  31. Megafaun: Megafaun (2011, Hometapes) B+(*)
  32. Mekons: Ancient & Modern (2011, Bloodshot) A
  33. Nikki Jean: Pennies in a Jar (2011, S-Curve) B
  34. Note of Hope: A Celebration of Woody Guthrie (2011, 429 Records) A-
  35. Owl City: All Things Bright and Beautiful (2011, Universal Republic) C+
  36. Radioclit Presents: The Sound of Club Secousse, Vol. 1 (2010, Crammed Discs) B+(***)
  37. The Rapture: In the Grace of Your Love (2011, DFA) B+(**)
  38. Richmond Fontaine: The High Country (2011, El Cortez) B
  39. Connie Smith: Long Line of Heartaches (2010 [2011], Sugar Hill) A-
  40. St. Vincent: Strange Mercy (2011, 4AD) B+(**)
  41. George Strait: Here for a Good Time (2011, MCA Nashville) B+(***)
  42. Wild Flag: Wild Flag (2011, Merge) B+(**)
  43. Hank [Williams] III: Hillbilly Joker (2011, Curb) B-
  44. Withered Hand: Good News (2009 [2011], Absolutely Kosher) B+(***)
  45. YACHT: Shangri-La (2011, DFA) B+(**)
  46. Uri Caine Trio: Siren (2010 [2011], Winter & Winter) B+(***)
  47. Glen Campbell: Big Bluegrass Special (1962, Capitol) B+(*)
  48. Rodney Crowell: Ain't Living Long Like This (1978, Warner Brothers) B+(***)
  49. Willis Jackson/Von Freeman: Lockin' Horns (1978 [2000], 32 Jazz) B+(*)
  50. Keith Jarrett: Bop-Be (1976 [1978], Impulse) A-
  51. Cheryl Lynn: Cheryl Lynn (1978 [2010], Reel Music) B+(**)
  52. Stephin Merritt: Obscurities (1992-99 [2011], Merge) B+(**)
  53. McKinley Mitchell: The Complete Malaco Collection (1977-81 [1992], Waldoxy) B+(***)
  54. Sun Ra: Disco 3000: Complete Milan Concert 1978 (1978 [2009], Art Yard, 2CD) A-
  55. The Residents: Duck Stab!/Buster & Glen (1978, Ralph) B+(**)
  56. Son Seals: Live and Burning (1978, Alligator) B+(**)
  57. Paul Simon: Paul Simon in Concert: Live Rhymin' (1974 [1987], Warner Brothers) C-
  58. Warren Vaché: Ballads and Other Cautionary Tales (2011, Arbors) B+(**)

September 6

  1. Active Child: You Are All I See (2011, Vagrant) B-
  2. AraabMUZIK: Electronic Dream (2011, Duke Productions) B+(**)
  3. Beirut: The Rip Tide (2011, Pompeii) B
  4. Big Sugar: Revolution Per Minute (2011, Bread & Water) B
  5. Luke Bryan: Tailgates & Tanlines (2011, Capitol Nashville) B
  6. Richard Buckner: Our Blood (2011, Merge) B-
  7. Glen Campbell: Ghost on the Canvas (2011, Surfdog) C+
  8. Gary Clark Jr.: The Bright Lights EP (2011, Warner Brothers, EP) B+(**)
  9. Guy Clark: Songs and Stories (2011, Dualtone) B+(*)
  10. Ry Cooder: Pull Up Some Dust and Sit Down (2011, Nonesuch) B
  11. The Cool Kids: When Fish Ride Bicycles (2011, Green Label Sounds) B+(**)
  12. Steve Cropper: Dedicated: A Salute to the 5 Royales (2011, 429) A-
  13. Da Cruz: Sistema Subversiva (2011, Six Degrees) B+(**)
  14. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.: It's a Corporate World (2011, Warner Brothers) B+(*)
  15. Willie Evans Jr.: Introducin' (2011, High Water Music) B+(*)
  16. Fountains of Wayne: Sky Full of Holes (2011, Yep Roc) B+(***)
  17. John Hiatt: Dirty Jeans and Mudslide Hymns (2011, New West) B+(*)
  18. Jazz Spastiks and Junclassic: Mode 7 (2011, Hipnott) B+(***)
  19. J-Rocc: Some Cold Rock Stuf (2011, Stones Throw) B+(**)
  20. Natalia Kills: Perfectionist (2011, Interscope) B+(**)
  21. Kendrick Lamar: Section.80 (2011, Top Dawg Entertainment) B+(**)
  22. Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks: Mirror Traffic (2011, Matador) B+(*)
  23. Tom Morello: The Nightwatchman: World Wide Rebel Songs (2011, New West) B+(**)
  24. Nine 11 Thesaurus: Ground Zero Generals (2011, The Social Registry) B+(***)
  25. Pistol Annies: Hell on Heels (2011, Columbia Nashville) B+(**)
  26. Portugal. The Man: In the Mountain in the Cloud (2011, Atlantic) B
  27. Preservation Hall Jazz Band & the Del McCoury Band: American Legacies (2010 [2011], McCoury Music) B+(***)
  28. J. Rawls: The Hip-Hop Effect (2011, Green Streets) B+(**)
  29. Dex Romweber Duo: Is That You in the Blue? (2011, Bloodshot) B
  30. Ximena Sariñana: Ximena Sariñana (2011, Warner Brothers) B+(**)
  31. Jill Scott: The Light of the Sun (2011, Blues Babe/Warner Bros.) A-
  32. Soft Metals: Soft Metals (2011, Captured Tracks) B+(**)
  33. Sole and the Skyrider Band: Hello Cruel World (2011, Fake Four) B+(*)
  34. Poly Styrene: Generation Indigo (2011, Future Noise Music) A-
  35. The Summer Set: Everything's Fine (2011, Razor & Tie) B-
  36. Sunny Sweeney: Concrete (2011, Republic Nashville) B+(*)
  37. Tech N9ne: All 6's and 7's (2011, Strange Music) B-
  38. Terakaft: Aratan N Azawad (2011, World Village) A-
  39. Tinariwen: Tassili (2011, Anti-) A-
  40. Vieux Farka Touré: The Secret (2011, Six Degrees) B+(***)
  41. Viceversah: Shine Not Burn (2011, AR Classic) A-
  42. The War on Drugs: Slave Ambient (2011, Secretly Canadian) B+(**)
  43. Abigail Washburn: City of Refuge (2011, Rounder) B
  44. Kanye West/Jay-Z: Watch the Throne (2011, Roc-A-Fella) A-
  45. Chris Young: Neon (2011, RCA Nashville) B+(*)
  46. Zebrahead: Get Nice (2011, Rude) B-
  47. Mahmoud Ahmed & Imperial Bodyguard Band: Éthiopiques, Vol. 26: 1972-74 (1972-74 [2010], Buda Musique) B+(***)
  48. Gerry Beaudoin: The Return: The Gerry Beaudoin Trio With Harry Allen (2011, Francesca) B
  49. Rob Brown/Daniel Levin: Natural Disorder (2008 [2010], Not Two) B+(*)
  50. Terri Lyne Carrington: The Mosaic Project (2011, Concord) B+(**)
  51. Grin: The Very Best of Grin Featuring Nils Lofgren (1969-73 [1999], Spindizzy/Epic Associated/Legacy) A-
  52. The Jayhawks: Tomorrow the Green Grass [Legacy Edition] (1995 [2011], American/Legacy, 2CD) B
  53. Mamani Keita: Yelema (2005 [2006], No Format) A-
  54. Paul Motian: The Windmills of Your Mind (2010 [2011], Winter & Winter) B+(*)
  55. Andreas Schmidt/Samuel Rohrer/Thomas Heberer: Pieces for a Husky Puzzle (2009, Jazzwerkstatt) B+(*)
  56. Frank Tate: Thanks for the Memory: Frank Tate's Musical Tribute to Bobby Short (2011, Arbors) B+(*)
  57. Ebo Taylor: Life Stories: Highlife & Afrobeat Classics 1973-1980 (1973-80 [2011], Strut, 2CD) B+(***)
  58. True Soul: Deep Sounds From the Left of Stax (1960s-70s [2011], Now-Again) B+(***)
  59. True Soul: Deep Sounds From the Left of Stax, Volume 2 (1960s-70s [2011], Now-Again) B+(**)

August 9

  1. Trace Adkins: Proud to Be Here (2011, Show Dog Universal) B
  2. AgesandAges: Alright You Restless (2011, Knitting Factory Works) B+(**)
  3. Jason Aldean: My Kinda Party (2010, Broken Bow) B-
  4. Battles: Glass Drop (2011, Warp) B+(**)
  5. Blackie and the Rodeo Kings: Kings and Queens (2011, FU:M) B-
  6. Bombino: Agadez (2011, Cumbancha) A-
  7. Colbie Caillat: All of You (2011, Universal Republic) B+(**)
  8. Kasey Chambers: Little Bird (2010 [2011], Sugar Hill) B+(**)
  9. Eric Church: Chief (2011, Capitol Nashville) B+(**)
  10. Death Grips: Exmilitary (2011, Third Worlds) B+(*)
  11. Brian Eno: Small Craft on a Milk Sea (2010, Warp) B+(**)
  12. Eleanor Friedberger: Last Summer (2011, Merge) B+(*)
  13. Fruit Bats: Tripper (2011, Sub Pop) A-
  14. Ghostpoet: Peanut Butter Blues and Melancholy Jam (2011, Brownswood) B+(***)
  15. Grieves: Together/Apart (2011, Rhymesayers Entertainment) B+(**)
  16. Hail Mary Mallon: Are You Gonna Eat That? (2011, Rhymesayers Entertainment) A-
  17. The Horrors: Skying (2011, XL) B-
  18. Idaho: You Were a Dick (2011, Talitres) B+(*)
  19. Imelda May: Mayhem (2010 [2011], Decca) B+(**)
  20. Killer Mike: PL3DGE (2011, SMC) B+(***)
  21. Seun Anikulapo Kuti & Egypt 80: From Africa With Fury: Rise (2011, Knitting Factory) B+(***)
  22. Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three: Middle of Everywhere (2011, Continental Song City) B+(**)
  23. Amy LaVere: Stranger Me (2011, Thirty Tigers) B+(**)
  24. Lil B: I'm Gay (I'm Happy) (2011, BasedWorld) B+(**)
  25. Little Dragon: Ritual Union (2011, Peacefrog) B+(*)
  26. Lloyd: King of Hearts (2011, Interscope) B-
  27. LMFAO: Sorry for Party Rocking (2011, Interscope) B
  28. Theophilus London: Timez Are Weird These Days (2011, Reprise) B
  29. John Maus: We Must Become the Pitiless Censors of Ourselves (2011, Ribbon) B-
  30. MellowHype: BlackenedWhite (2010 [2011], Fat Possum) B+(*)
  31. Memory Tapes: Player Piano (2011, Carpark) B+(*)
  32. MIA: Vicki Leekx (2010, mixtape) B+(**)
  33. Frank Ocean: Nostalgia, Ultra (2011, mixtape) A-
  34. Old 97's: The Grand Theatre Vol. 2 (2010 [2011], New West) B+(**)
  35. Dolly Parton: Better Day (2011, Dolly) B
  36. Pinetop Perkins/Willie "Big Eyes" Smith: Joined at the Hip (2010, Telarc) B+(***)
  37. Radiohead: The King of Limbs (2011, TBD) B-
  38. Rainbow Arabia: Boys and Diamonds (2011, Kompakt) A-
  39. SBTRKT: SBTRKT (2011, Young Turks) B+(***)
  40. SebastiAn: Total (2011, Big Beat/Atlantic/Ed Banger/Because) B-
  41. Serengeti: Noticeably Negro (2006, Audio 8) A-
  42. Serengeti: Family & Friends (2011, Anticon) A-
  43. Blake Shelton: Red River Blue (2011, Warner Brothers) B
  44. Ashton Shepherd: Where Country Grows (2011, MCA Nashville) B-
  45. Skrillex: Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites (2010 [2011], Big Beat/Atlantic, EP) B+(***)
  46. Skrillex: More Monsters and Sprites (2011, Big Beat/Atlantic, EP) B+(**)
  47. Peter Stampfel and Jeffrey Lewis: Come on Board (2011, self-released) A-
  48. Street Sweeper Social Club: Street Sweeper Social Club (2009, Street Sweeper) B+(**)
  49. Street Sweeper Social Club: The Ghetto Blaster EP (2010, Street Sweeper, EP) B+(***)
  50. Sun Araw: The Phynx (2008, Not Not Fun) B+(*)
  51. They Might Be Giants: Join Us (2011, Idlewild) B
  52. Com Truise: Galactic Melt (2011, Ghostly International) B+(**)
  53. Chad VanGaalen: Diaper Island (2011, Sub Pop) B+(*)
  54. Washed Out: Within and Without (2011, Sub Pop) B+(***)
  55. Gillian Welch: The Harrow & the Harvest (2011, Acony) B+(**)
  56. Bill Wells & Aidan Moffat: Everything's Getting Older (2011, Chemikal Underground) B+(***)
  57. William Elliot Whitmore: Field Songs (2011, Anti-) A-
  58. Wiley: 100% Publishing (2011, Big Dada) B+(**)
  59. Zomby: Dedication (2011, 4AD) B+(***)
  60. Ambrose Akinmusire: When the Heart Emerges Glistening (2010 [2011], Blue Note) B+(**)
  61. Sorry Bamba: Volume One 1970-1979 (1970-79 [2011], Thrill Jockey) A-
  62. Harrison Bankhead Sextet: Morning Sun Harvest Moon (2010 [2011], Engine) A-
  63. Ran Blake: Grey December: Live in Rome (2010 [2011], Tompkins Square) B
  64. Uri Caine/Arditti String Quartet: Twelve Caprices (2010 [2011], Winter & Winter) B+(*)
  65. Harris Eisenstadt: Woodblock Prints (2010, NoBusiness) B+(**)
  66. Harris Eisenstadt: Canada Day II (2010 [2011], Songlines) B+(***)
  67. Paul Gonsalves/Earl Hines: Paul Gonsalves Meets Earl Hines (1970-72 [1992], Black Lion) B+(*)
  68. Johnny Griffin: You Leave Me Breathless (1967 [1972], Black Lion) B+(*)
  69. Freddie Hubbard/Ilhan Mimaroglu: Sing Me a Song of Songmy (1971, Atlantic) B+(*)
  70. Freddie Hubbard: Pinnacle: Live & Unreleased From the Keystone Korner (1980 [2011], Resonance) B+(*)
  71. Billy Jenkins: Jazz Gives Me the Blues (2011, VOTP) B+(**)
  72. Alexey Lapin/Yury Yaremchuk: Anatomy of Sound (2010, SoLyd) B+(*)
  73. Paul McCartney: McCartney (1970 [2011], Hear Music, 2CD) B+(*)
  74. Paul McCartney: McCartney II (1979 [2011], Hear Music, 2CD) C+
  75. Marius Neset: Golden Xplosion (2010 [2011], Edition) B
  76. Evan Parker & Konstrukt: Live at Akbank Jazz Festival (2010 [2011], Re:konstrukt) B+(*)
  77. Matana Roberts: Coin Coin Chapter One: Gens de Couleur Libre (2010 [2011], Constellation) B+(**)
  78. Wadada Leo Smith: Lake Biwa (2002-04 [2004], Tzadik) B+(*)
  79. Johnny Varro: Speak Low (2011, Arbors) B+(**)
  80. Neil Young: International Harvesters: A Treasure (1984-85 [2011], Reprise) A-
  81. Rave On: Buddy Holly (2011, Hear Music) B-

June 10

  1. 13 & God: Own Your Ghost (2011, Anticon) B+(**)
  2. Dave Alvin: Eleven Eleven (2011, Yep Roc) A-
  3. Archie Bronson Outfit: Coconut (2010, Domino) B+(***)
  4. Arctic Monkeys: Suck It and See (2011, Domino) B-
  5. Austra: Feel It Break (2011, Domino) B+(*)
  6. Bad Meets Evil: Hell: The Sequel (2011, Shady/Interscope) B+(**)
  7. Battles: Mirrored (2007, Warp) B
  8. Beyoncé: 4 (2011, Columbia) C
  9. Black Lips: Arabia Mountain (2011, Vice) B+(*)
  10. Blaqstarr: Divine EP (2011, NEET) A-
  11. Bon Iver: For Emma, Forever Ago (2006-07 [2008], Jagjaguwar) B
  12. Bon Iver: Bon Iver (2011, Jagjaguwar) B+(*)
  13. Laura Cantrell: Kitty Wells Dresses: Songs of the Queen of Country Music (2011, Spit & Polish) B+(***)
  14. Country Mice: Twister (2011, Woo Woo) B+(**)
  15. Cults: Cults (2011, In the Name Of/Columbia) B+(**)
  16. Death Cab for Cutie: Codes and Keys (2011, Atlantic) B+(***)
  17. Joe Ely: Satisfied at Last (2011, Rack 'Em) B+(**)
  18. Ford & Lopatin: Channel Pressure (2011, Mexican Summer) B-
  19. Fucked Up: David Comes to Life (2010 [2011], Matador) A-
  20. Handsome Furs: Sound Kapital (2011, Sub Pop) B+(**)
  21. Iceage: New Brigade (2011, What's Your Rupture?) B+(***)
  22. Ida Maria: Katla (2010 [2011], Mercury) B+(*)
  23. Sarah Jarosz: Follow Me Down (2011, Sugar Hill) B+(**)
  24. Garland Jeffreys: The King of In Between (2011, Luna Park) B+(***)
  25. Junior Boys: It's All True (2011, Domino) B+(*)
  26. Ledisi: Pieces of Me (2011, Verve Forecast) B+(*)
  27. Let's Wrestle: Nursing Home (2011, Merge) B+(**)
  28. Thurston Moore: Demolished Thoughts (2010 [2011], Matador) B+(*)
  29. Matt Nathanson: Modern Love (2011, Vanguard) B-
  30. Youssou N'Dour: Dakar-Kingston (2010 [2011], Decca) B+(*)
  31. Randy Newman: The Randy Newman Songbook Vol. 2 (2011, Nonesuch) B+(**)
  32. Planningtorock: W (2011, DFA) B
  33. The Russian Futurists: The Weight's on the Wheels (2010, Upper Class) B+(***)
  34. Shabazz Palaces: Of Light (2009, Switchblade Music, EP) B+(***)
  35. Shabazz Palaces: Shabazz Palaces (2009, Switchblade Music, EP) B+(**)
  36. Shabazz Palaces: Black Up (2011, Sub Pop) B+(**)
  37. Sloan: The Double Cross (2011, Yep Roc) B
  38. Corey Smith: The Broken Record (2011, Average Joe's) B+(*)
  39. Teddybears: Devil's Music (2010 [2011], Big Beat/Atlantic) A-
  40. Tedeschi Trucks Band: Revelator (2011, Masterworks) B+(***)
  41. Touché Amoré: Parting the Sea Between Brightness and Me (2011, Deathwish, EP) B
  42. Frank Turner: England Keep My Bones (2011, Epitaph) B+(***)
  43. The Unthanks: Last (2011, Rough Trade) B
  44. Chris Barber: Memories of My Trip (1958-2010 [2011], Proper, 2CD) B+(**)
  45. Till Brönner: Chattin' With Chet (2000 [2011], Verve) B
  46. Johnny Hodges: Blues-A-Plenty (1958 [2011], Verve) A-
  47. Kate & Anna McGarrigle: Odditties (1973-90 [2010], Querbeservice) A-
  48. The Reatards: Teenage Hate/Fuck Elvis Here's the Reatards (1998 [2011], Goner) B+(***)
  49. Leo Smith: Human Rights (1982-85 [2009], Kabell) B+(*)
  50. Wire: 25 Oct 1978 Bradford University [Legal Bootleg Series] (1978 [2010], Pinkflag) A-
  51. Wire: 21 July 1988 Astoria, London [Legal Bootleg Series] (1988 [2010], Pinkflag) B+(*)
  52. Wire: 08 Dec 2000 Queen's Hall, Edinburgh [Legal Bootleg Series] (2000 [2010], Pinkflag) B+(***)
  53. Wire: 14 Sept 2002, Metro, Chicago [Legal Bootleg Series] (2000 [2010], Pinkflag) A-
  54. Neil Young/International Harvesters: A Treasure (1984-85 [2011], Reprise) B+(***)

June 7

  1. The Antlers: Burst Apart (2011, Frenchkiss) B+(***)
  2. Architecture in Helsinki: Moment Bends (2011, V2) B+(***)
  3. Art Brut: Brilliant! Tragic! (2011, Cooking Vinyl) B+(***)
  4. David Bazan: Curse Your Branches (2009, Barsuk) B+(*)
  5. Beastie Boys: Hot Sauce Committee Part Two (2011, Capitol) B+(***)
  6. Bibio: Mind Bokeh (2011, Warp) A-
  7. Blu: Her Favorite Colo(u)r (2009 [2011], Nature Sounds) B+(*)
  8. Kate Bush: Director's Cut (2011, Fish People/EMI) B+(*)
  9. The Cars: Move Like This (2011, Hear Music) B
  10. Cold Cave: Cherish the Light Years (2010 [2011], Matador) B-
  11. Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi: Rome (2011, Capitol) B
  12. Darwin Deez: Darwin Deez (2010 [2011], Lucky Number) B+(*)
  13. EMA: Past Life Martyred Saints (2011, Souterain Transmissions) B+(***)
  14. Explosions in the Sky: Take Care, Take Care, Take Care (2011, Temporary Residence) B+(*)
  15. The Felice Brothers: Celebration, Florida (2011, Fat Possum) B+(*)
  16. Fight Like Apes: The Body of Christ and the Legs of Tina Turner (2011, Model Citizen) B+(**)
  17. Fleet Foxes: Helplessness Blues (2010 [2011], Sub Pop) B-
  18. Foster the People: Torches (2011, Columbia) B
  19. Friendly Fires: Pala (2011, XL) B
  20. Gang Gang Dance: Eye Contact (2011, 4AD) B
  21. Jimmie Dale Gilmore/The Wronglers: Heirloom Music (2011, Neanderthal Noise) A-
  22. Warren Haynes: Man in Motion (2011, Stax) B
  23. Keri Hilson: No Boys Allowed (2010, Mosley) B+(*)
  24. Isolée: We Are Monster (2005 [2011], Pampa) A-
  25. Isolée: Well Spent Youth (2011, Pampa) B+(***)
  26. Kode9 and the Spaceape: Black Sun (2011, Hyperdub) B+(**)
  27. Lady Gaga: Born This Way (2011, Streamline/Interscope) B+(***)
  28. The Lonely Island: Turtleneck & Chain (2011, Universal Republic) B
  29. Jennifer Lopez: Love? (2011, Island) B
  30. Magnetic Man: Magnetic Man (2010 [2011], Columbia) B+(**)
  31. Cass McCombs: Wit's End (2011, Domino) B+(*)
  32. Moby: Destroyed (2011, Mute) B+(**)
  33. Gurf Morlix: Toad of Titicaca (2000, Catamount) B+(**)
  34. Gurf Morlix: Last Exit to Happyland (2009, Rootball) B+(**)
  35. Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers: Rambler's Call (2010, Rebel) B+(***)
  36. Stevie Nicks: In Your Dreams (2011, Reprise) B
  37. Okkervil River: I Am Very Far (2011, Jagjaguwar) B-
  38. Brad Paisley: This Is Country Music (2011, Arista Nashville) B+(*)
  39. Lee "Scratch" Perry: Rise Again (2011, MOD Technologies) B+(*)
  40. Shilpa Ray and Her Happy Hookers: Teenage and Torture (2011, Knitting Factory Works) B-
  41. Raphael Saadiq: Stone Rollin' (2011, Columbia) A-
  42. Screeching Weasel: First World Manifesto (2011, Fat Wreck Chords) B
  43. Paul Simon: So Beautiful or So What (2011, Hear Music) B+(***)
  44. Tinie Tempah: Disc-Overy (2011, Capitol) B+(***)
  45. Times New Viking: Dancer Equired! (2011, Merge) B+(**)
  46. William Tyler: Behold the Spirit (2010 [2011], Tompkins Square) B+(**)
  47. Tyler, the Creator: Goblin (2011, Odd Future) B+(*)
  48. The Weeknd: House of Balloons (2011, mixtape) A-
  49. White Denim: D (2011, Downtown) B+(**)
  50. Wild Beasts: Smother (2011, Domino) B+(*)
  51. Robag Wruhme: Thora Vukk (2011, Pampa) B+(***)
  52. Chris Barber: Memories of My Trip (1958-2010, Proper, 2CD) B+(**)
  53. Brazilian Groove Band: Anatomy of Groove (2009, Far Out) B
  54. The Cars: Greatest Hits (1978-85 [1985], Elektra) B+(**)
  55. Johnny Cash: Bootleg Vol I: Personal File (1973-83 [2011], Columbia/Legacy, 2CD) A-
  56. Johnny Cash: Bootleg Vol II: From Memphis to Hollywood (1955-69 [2011], Columbia/Legacy, 2CD) B+(**)
  57. The Crystals: Da Doo Ron Ron: The Very Best of the Crystals (1961-63 [2011], Phil Spector/Legacy) B+(**)
  58. Blaze Foley: Duct Tape Messiah [Soundtrack From the Documentary Film] (1975-89 [2011], Lost Art) B+(**)
  59. The Tubby Hayes Quintet: Late Spot at Scott's (1962 [2006], Verve) B+(**)
  60. Ladytron: Best of 00-10 (2000-10 [2011], Emperor Norton) B+(*)
  61. Darlene Love: The Sound of Love: The Very Best of Darlene Love (1962-75 [2011], Phil Spector/Legacy) B+(**)
  62. Elvis Presley: An Afternoon in the Garden (1972 [1997], RCA) B
  63. Don Pullen: Plays Monk (1984 [2010], Why Not?) B
  64. Matana Roberts: Live in London (2009, Central Control) B+(***)
  65. The Ronettes: Be My Baby: The Very Best of the Ronettes (1963-66 [2011], Phil Spector/Legacy) B+(***)
  66. Wall of Sound: The Very Best of Phil Spector 1961-1966 (1961-66 [2011], Phil Spector/Legacy) A

May 7

  1. Adebisi Shank: This Is the Second Album of a Band Called Adebisi Shank (2011, Sargent House) B
  2. Amadou & Mariam: Remixes (2011, Nonesuch) B+(**)
  3. An Horse: Walls (2011, Mom & Pop) B+(***)
  4. Atmosphere: The Family Sign (2011, Rhymesayers Entertainment) B+(***)
  5. Aurelio: Laru Beya (2011, Sub Pop) B+(**)
  6. Susana Baca: Afrodiaspora (2011, Luaka Bop) B+(*)
  7. Rory Block: Shake 'Em on Down: A Tribute to Mississippi Fred McDowell (2011, Stony Plain) B+(**)
  8. Blueprint: Adventures in Counter Culture (2011, Rhymesayers Entertainment) B+(**)
  9. Chris Brown: F.A.M.E. (2011, Jive) B-
  10. Burial: Street Halo (2011, Hyperdub, EP) B+(**)
  11. Bootsy Collins: Tha Funk Capital of the World (2011, Megaforce) A-
  12. Edwyn Collins: Losing Sleep (2011, Heavenly) B
  13. Crystal Stilts: In Love With Oblivion (2011, Slumberland) B-
  14. Dengue Fever: Cannibal Courtship (2010-11 [2011], Fantasy) B
  15. DJ Quik: The Book of David (2011, Mad Science) B+(**)
  16. Duran Duran: All You Need Is Now (2010 [2011], Tape Modern) B
  17. Steve Earle: I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive (2011, New West) B+(***)
  18. Egyptrixx: Bible Eyes (2011, Night Slugs) B+(***)
  19. Elbow: Build a Rocket Boys (2011, Fiction/Polydor) B
  20. The Feelies: Here Before (2011, Bar/None) B+(*)
  21. Colt Ford: Every Chance I Get (2011, Average Joe's) B
  22. Garage à Trois: Always Be Happy, but Stay Evil (2011, The Royal Potato Family) B
  23. Emmylou Harris: Hard Bargain (2010 [2011], Nonesuch) B
  24. Hauschka: Foreign Landscapes (2010, Fat Cat) B+(**)
  25. Holy Ghost!: Holy Ghost! (2011, DFA) B+(*)
  26. Hunx & His Punx: Too Young to Be in Love (2011, Hardly Art) B+(**)
  27. Lia Ices: Grown Unknown (2011, Jagjaguwar) B
  28. Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit: Here We Rest (2011, Lightning Rod) B+(*)
  29. Jessie J: Who Are You (2011, Universal Republic) B
  30. Joan as Police Woman: The Deep Field (2011, PIAS) B+(*)
  31. Kool Keith: The Legend of Tashan Dorsett (2011, Junkadelic) B+(*)
  32. Kool Keith: Tashan Dorsett (2009, Junkadelic) B+(**)
  33. Alison Krauss & Union Station: Paper Airplane (2011, Rounder) B+(***)
  34. Low: C'mon (2011, Sub Pop) C+
  35. J Mascis: Several Shades of Why (2011, Sub Pop) A-
  36. Metronomy: The English Riviera (2011, Because) B+(*)
  37. Middle Brother: Middle Brother (2011, Partisan) A-
  38. Nuriya: Tanita (2011, Musica Almaya) B+(**)
  39. Obits: Moody, Standard and Poor (2011, Sub Pop) B+(***)
  40. Panda Bear: Tomboy (2011, Paw Tracks) B
  41. Josh T. Pearson: Last of the Country Gentlemen (2011, Mute) B
  42. Pet Shop Boys: The Most Incredible Thing (2011, Parlophone, 2CD) B
  43. Plan B: The Defamation of Strickland Banks (2010 [2011], 679/Atlantic) B
  44. Rainbow Arabia: Kabukimono (2009, Manimal Vinyl, EP) B+(***)
  45. Gil Scott-Heron/Jamie XX: We're New Here (2010 [2011], XL) B
  46. Phoebe Snow: Live (2008, Verve Forecast) B+(**)
  47. The Streets: Computers and Blues (2011, Vice) B+(**)
  48. The Streets: Everything Is Borrowed (2008, Vice) B+(**)
  49. Swollen Members: Dagger Mouth (2011, Suburban Noize) A-
  50. Those Darlins: Screws Get Loose (2011, Ow Wow Dang) B+(*)
  51. Tune-Yards: Whokill (2011, 4AD) B+(***)
  52. TV on the Radio: Nine Types of Light (2011, Interscope) A-
  53. Generation Bass Presents: Transnational Dubstep (2011, Six Degrees) A-
  54. The Karindula Sessions: Tradi-Modern Sounds From Southeast Congo (2011, Crammed Discs) B
  55. Ben Allison: Action-Refraction (2011, Palmetto) B+(***)
  56. Billy Bang Sextet: The Fire From Within (1984 [1985], Soul Note) A-
  57. Banquet of the Spirits: Caym: The Book of Angels Volume 17 (2010 [2011], Tzadik) B+(**)
  58. Marilyn Crispell: Live in Berlin (1982 [1984], Black Saint) B+(**)
  59. Neil Diamond: The Bang Years 1966-1968 (1966-68 [2011], Legacy) B+(*)
  60. Dave Douglas: United Front: Brass Ecstasy at Newport (2010 [2011], Greenleaf Music) B+(***)
  61. Bob Dylan: In Concert: Brandeis University 1963 (1963 [2011], Columbia/Legacy) B+(**)
  62. The Flying Burrito Brothers: Authorized Bootleg: Fillmore East, New York, N.Y.: Late Show, November 7, 1970 (1970 [2011], Hip-O Select) B
  63. Ron Horton: It's a Gadget World . . . (2009, Abeat) B+(**)
  64. I, Brute Force: Confections of Love (1966-67 [2010], Bar/None) D+
  65. Okkyung Lee: Noisy Love Songs (2011, Tzadik) B+(**)
  66. David Murray: Live at the Lower Manhattan Ocean Club (1977 [2010], Jazzwerkstatt) B+(**)
  67. David Murray: Children (1984 [1986], Black Saint) B+(**)
  68. David Murray: Recording NYC 1986 (1986 [1995], DIW) B+(**)
  69. David Murray/Jack DeJohnette: In Our Style (1986 [1989], DIW) A-
  70. David Murray: Lovers (1988 [1989], DIW) A-
  71. David Murray Quintet: Remembrances (1990 [1991], DIW) B+(***)
  72. David Murray: Death of a Sideman (1991 [2000], DIW) A-
  73. David Murray Octet: Picasso (1992 [1995], DIW) B+(**)
  74. David Murray Quartet: Love and Sorrow (1993 [2000], DIW) A-
  75. David Murray: Circles: Live in Cracow (2003, Not Two) B+(***)
  76. Ruth Olay: Olay! O.K.! (1963 [2009], Essential Media Group) B+(*)
  77. Phoebe Snow: The Very Best of Phoebe Snow (1974-91 [2001], Columbia/Legacy) B+(**)
  78. String Trio of New York: Area Code 212 (1980 [1981], Black Saint) B+(*)
  79. String Trio of New York: Common Goal (1981 [1982], Black Saint) B+(***)
  80. String Trio of New York: Rebirth of a Feeling (1983 [1984], Black Saint) B+(**)
  81. String Trio of New York: Natural Balance (1986 [1987], Black Saint) B+(*)
  82. X-Ray Spex: Live @ the Roundhouse London 2008 (2008 [2009], Year Zero) A-
  83. John Zorn: Nova Express (2010 [2011], Tzadik) B+(**)

April 13

  1. Arbouretum: The Gathering (2011, Thrill Jockey) B
  2. Marcia Ball: Roadside Attractions (2011, Alligator) B+(***)
  3. Beady Eye: Different Gear, Still Speeding (2011, Dangerbird) B-
  4. Anna Calvi: Anna Calvi (2011, Domino) B+(*)
  5. Marshall Chapman: Big Lonesome (2010, Tall Girl) B+(**)
  6. Cornershop: Cornershop and the Double-O Groove Of (2011, Ample Play) A-
  7. Delicate Steve: Wondervisions (2009 [2011], Luaka Bop) B
  8. Beth Ditto: EP (2011, Columbia, EP) A-
  9. The Dodos: No Color (2011, Frenchkiss) B
  10. Dropkick Murphys: Going Out in Style (2011, Born & Bred) B+(**)
  11. FaltyDL: You Stand Uncertain (2011, Planet Mu) B+(*)
  12. Lupe Fiasco: Lasers (2011, Atlantic) A-
  13. Ellie Goulding: Lights (2010 [2011], Cherrytree/Interscope) B
  14. Sierra Hull: Daybreak (2011, Rounder) B+(***)
  15. Peter Karp/Sue Foley: He Said, She Said (2010, Blind Pig) B+(**)
  16. Wiz Khalifa: Rolling Papers (2011, Atlantic) B+(*)
  17. Kid606: Songs About Fucking Steve Albini (2010, Important) B+(**)
  18. The Kills: Blood Pressures (2011, Domino) B+(**)
  19. Avril Lavigne: Goodbye Lullaby (2011, RCA) B+(*)
  20. Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears: Scandalous (2011, Lost Highway) B
  21. Low Cut Connie: Get Out the Lotion (2011, self-released) A-
  22. Buddy Miller: The Majestic Silver Strings (2011, New West) B+(*)
  23. Mogwai: Hardcore Will Never Die, but You Will (2011, Sub Pop) B+(**)
  24. Pharoahe Monch: WAR (We Are Renegades) (2011, WAR) B+(**)
  25. Mountain Goats: All Eternals Deck (2011, Merge) B+(***)
  26. New York Dolls: Dancing Backward in High Heels (2010 [2011], 429) A-
  27. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart: Belong (2011, Slumberland) B+(*)
  28. REM: Collapse Into Now (2011, Warner Brothers) B
  29. Showbiz ft. KRS-One: Godsville (2011, DITC) B+(**)
  30. The Soft Moon: The Soft Moon (2010, Captured Tracks) B+(***)
  31. Britney Spears: Femme Fatale (2011, Jive) A-
  32. The Strokes: Angles (2011, RCA) C-
  33. Telekinesis: 12 Desperate Straight Lines (2011, Merge) B+(**)
  34. Kurt Vile: Smoke Ring for My Halo (2010 [2011], Matador) B
  35. Lucinda Williams: Blessed (2011, Lost Highway) A-
  36. Lucinda Williams: Blessed: Kitchen Tapes (2011, Lost Highway) B+(*)
  37. Patricia Barber: Monday Night: Live at the Green Mill Vol. 2 (2010 [2011], Fast Atmosphere) B
  38. Han Bennink Trio: Parken (2009, ILK) B+(***)
  39. Willem Breuker Kollektief: Live in Berlin (1975, FMP) A-
  40. Peter Brötzmann/Fred Van Hove/Han Bennink Plus Albert Mangelsdorff: Live in Berlin '71 (1971, FMP, 2CD) B+(**)
  41. Peter Brötzmann/Misha Mengelberg/Han Bennink: 3 Points and a Mountain . . . Plus (1979 [1999], FMP, 2CD) B+(***)
  42. Peter Brötzmann: 14 Love Poems (Plus 10 More) (1984 [2004], FMP) B+(*)
  43. Rüdiger Carl: Zwei Quintette (1987 [1988], FMP) B+(**)
  44. Chris Connor: Chris Connor (1956, Atlantic) B+(*)
  45. Chris Connor: He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not (1956, Atlantic) B+(**)
  46. Chris Connor: I Miss You So (1956-57 [1958], Atlantic) B+(**)
  47. Chris Connor: A Jazz Date With Chris Connor (1956, Atlantic) B+(**)
  48. Chris Connor: Chris Craft (1958, Atlantic) B+(***)
  49. Chris Connor: Sings Ballads of the Sad Cafe (1959, Atlantic) B+(*)
  50. Chris Connor: Witchcraft (1959, Atlantic) B+(***)
  51. Andrew Cyrille/Peter Brötzmann: Andrew Cyrille Meets Brötzmann in Berlin (1982 [1983], FMP) B+(***)
  52. Agustí Fernández Quartet: Lonely Woman (2004 [2005], Discmedi) B+(**)
  53. Globe Unity Special '75: Rumbling (1975 [1991], FMP) B+(***)
  54. Charlie Haden Quartet West: Sophisticated Ladies (2011, Decca) B+(***)
  55. Noah Howard: Noah Howard Quartet (1966 [1993], ESP-Disk) B+(*)
  56. Noah Howard: Schizophrenic Blues (1977 [1978], FMP) A-
  57. Noah Howard: Berlin Concert (1975 [1977], FMP) B+(***)
  58. ICP-Tentet: In Berlin (1977 [1979], FMP) B+(**)
  59. Peter Kowald/Wadada Leo Smith/Günter Sommer: Touch the Earth -- Break the Shells (1979-81 [1997], FMP) A-
  60. Steve Lacy & Evan Parker: Chirps (1985 [1991], FMP) B+(**)
  61. Erik Lawrence: Erik Lawrence & Hipmotism (2007, CDBaby) B+(*)
  62. Carmen McRae: Carmen Sings Monk (1988 [2001], RCA Bluebird) A-
  63. Carmen McRae: Sarah: Dedicated to You (1990 [2003], RCA Bluebird) B+(***)
  64. Misha Mengelberg/Han Bennink: Eine Partie Tischtennis (1974, FMP) B+(*)
  65. Misha Mengelberg/Steve Lacy/George Lewis/Harjen Gorten/Han Bennink: Change of Season (Music of Herbie Nichols) (1984 [1986], Soul Note) B+(***)
  66. Misha Mengelberg/Steve Lacy/George Lewis/Ernst Reÿseger/Han Bennink: Dutch Masters (1987 [1994], Soul Note) B+(***)
  67. Misha Mengelberg Quartet: Four in One (2000 [2001], Songlines) A-
  68. Misha Mengelberg: Senne Sing Song (2005, Tzadik) A-
  69. Willie Nelson/Wynton Marsalis: Here We Go Again: Celebrating the Music of Ray Charles (2009 [2011], Blue Note) B+(**)
  70. Don Pullen: Plays Monk (1984 [2010], Why Not?) B
  71. Sam Rivers: Portrait (1995 [1997], FMP) B+(*)
  72. Heikki Sarmanto: A Boston Date (1970 [2008], Porter) A-
  73. Heikki Sarmanto: Counterbalance (1971 [2008], Porter) B+(*)
  74. Heikki Sarmanto: Moonflower (2007, Porter) B+(***)
  75. Alexander von Schlippenbach: The Living Music (1969 [2002], Atavistic) B+(**)
  76. Schlippenbach Quartet: Hunting the Snake (1975 [2000], Atavistic) B+(*)
  77. Schlippenbach Trio: Elf Bagatellen (1990, FMP) B+(**)
  78. Cecil Taylor/William Parker/Tony Oxley: Celebrated Blazons: The Feel Trio (1990 [1993], FMP) A-
  79. Keith Tippett: Mujician I & II (1981-86 [1988], FMP) B+(*)

March 8

  1. Adele: 21 (2010 [2011], XL) B-
  2. Gregg Allman: Low Country Blues (2011, Rounder) B+(*)
  3. Allo Darlin': Allo Darlin' (2010, Fortuna Pop) B+(***)
  4. . . . And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead: Tao of the Dead (2011, Superball Music) B
  5. Natacha Atlas: Mounqaliba (2010, World Village) B
  6. The Baseball Project: Vol. 2: High and Inside (2011, Yep Roc) A-
  7. James Blake: James Blake (2011, Atlas) B
  8. Alpha Blondy & the Solar System: Grand Bassam Zion Rock (1996 [2011], VP) B+(*)
  9. Bright Eyes: The People's Key (2011, Saddle Creek) B+(*)
  10. Hayes Carll: KMAG YOYO (& Other American Stories) (2011, Lost Highway) A-
  11. Carolina Chocolate Drops: Carolina Chocolate Drops/Luminescent Orchestrii (2011, Nonesuch, EP) B+(***)
  12. Circa Survive: Blue Sky Noise (2010, Atlantic) B
  13. Cut Copy: Zonoscope (2011, Modular) B
  14. The Decemberists: The King Is Dead (2011, Capitol) B
  15. The Dirtbombs: Party Store (2011, In the Red) B+(**)
  16. John Doe and the Sadies: Country Club (2008 [2009], Yep Roc) B-
  17. Drive-By Truckers: Go-Go Boots (2009-10 [2011], ATO/Red) A-
  18. T-Model Ford and GravelRoad: Taledragger (2011, Alive) B+(***)
  19. Gay for Johnny Depp: What Doesn't Kill You, Eventually Kills You (2011, Shinebox) B-
  20. Gigi: Maintenant (2008 [2010], Tomlab) B+(**)
  21. The Go! Team: Rolling Blackouts (2011, Memphis Industries) B+(**)
  22. Gold Motel: Summer House (2010, Good as Gold) B+(*)
  23. Patty Griffin: Downtown Church (2010, Credential) B+(*)
  24. Happy Birthday: Happy Birthday (2010, Sub Pop) B+(**)
  25. P.J. Harvey: Let England Shake (2011, Vagrant) B+(***)
  26. Tim Hecker: Ravedeath 1972 (2011, Kranky) B+(*)
  27. Hot Club of Cowtown: What Makes Bob Holler (2010 [2011], Proper) B+(*)
  28. Nicolas Jaar: Space Is Only Noise (2011, Circus) B+(***)
  29. Wanda Jackson: The Party Ain't Over (2011, Nonesuch) B-
  30. Jaill: That's How We Burn (2010, Sub Pop) B+(**)
  31. Kode9: DJ-Kicks (2010, !K7) B+(**)
  32. Talib Kweli: Gutter Rainbows (2011, Duck Down Music) B+(**)
  33. The Low Anthem: Smart Flesh (2011, Nonesuch) B+(*)
  34. Lykke Li: Wounded Rhymes (2011, Atlantic) B-
  35. Jessica Lea Mayfield: Tell Me (2011, Nonesuch) B+(*)
  36. Minks: By the Hedge (2011, Captured Tracks) B+(**)
  37. Motörhead: The World Is Yours (2010 [2011], UDR) B+(***)
  38. Aaron Neville: I Know I've Been Changed (2010, Tell It) A-
  39. Old 97's: Mimeograph (2010, New West, EP) B+(*)
  40. Parlovr: Parlovr (2009 [2010], Dine Alone Music) B+(***)
  41. Saigon: The Greatest Story Never Told (2011, Suburban Noize) B+(**)
  42. Ty Segall: Melted (2009 [2010], Goner) B+(*)
  43. Smile Smile: Truth on Tape (2010, Kirtland) A-
  44. Sonic Youth: Simon Werner A Disparu (2010 [2011], SYR) B+(**)
  45. Kelley Stoltz: To Dreamers (2010, Sub Pop) B+(**)
  46. Jazmine Sullivan: Fearless (2008, J) B+(**)
  47. Mark Sultan: $ (2009 [2010], Sultan) B
  48. Teddy Thompson: Bella (2011, Verve Forecast) B
  49. Thompson Square: Thompson Square (2011, Stoney Creek) C-
  50. Toro y Moi: Underneath the Pine (2011, Carpark) B+(**)
  51. The Upsidedown: The Town With Bad Wiring (2010, Reverb) B+(***)
  52. Vagrants: I Can't Make a Friend 1965-1968 (1965-68 [2011], Light in the Attic) B
  53. Yuck: Yuck (2011, Fat Possum) B+(**)
  54. Howard Alden: I Remember Django (2010, Arbors) B+(*)
  55. Artvark Saxophone Quartet: Truffles (2010, Challenge) B+(**)
  56. Gilad Atzmon and the Orient House Ensemble: The Tide Has Changed (2010, World Village) B+(***)
  57. Vinicius Cantuária & Bill Frisell: Lágrimas Mexicanas (2011, E1) B+(*)
  58. Mike Clark: Carnival of Soul (2010, Owl Studios) B+(***)
  59. Avishai Cohen: Introducing Triveni (2009 [2010], Anzic) B+(***)
  60. Kenny Dorham: The Flamboyan, Queens, NY, 1963 (1963 [2010], Uptown) B+(***)
  61. Taylor Eigsti: Daylight at Midnight (2010, Concord) B-
  62. Kurt Elling: The Gate (2010 [2011], Concord) B-
  63. Scott Hamilton/Rossano Sportiello: Midnight at NOLA's Penthouse (2010 [2011], Arbors) B+(***)
  64. David Hazeltine: Inversions (2010, Criss Cross) B+(**)
  65. George Jones: The Great Lost Hits (1965-72 [2010], Time Life, 2CD) B+(**)
  66. Soweto Kinch: The New Emancipation (2010, Kinch) B
  67. Joe Morris: Camera (2010, ESP-Disk) B+(*)
  68. Joe Morris/Luther Gray: Creatures (2010, Not Two) B+(**)
  69. Charanjit Singh: Ten Ragas to a Disco Beat (1982 [2010], Bombay Connection) B+(***)
  70. Walt Weiskopf: See the Pyramid (2010, Criss Cross) B+(*)
  71. Palenque Palenque! Champeta Criolla & Afro Roots in Colombia 1975-91 (1975-91 [2010], Soundway) A-
  72. The Sound of Siam: Leftfield Luk Thung, Jazz & Molam in Thailand 1964-1975 (1964-75 [2010], Soundway) B+(**)

February 8

  1. Akala: Doublethink (2010, Illa State) B+(***)
  2. Rahim AlHaj: Little Earth (2010, Ur Music, 2CD) B+(*)
  3. The Beets: Spit in the Face of People Who Don't Want to Be Cool (2009, Captured Tracks) B
  4. The Beets: Stay Home (2011, Captured Tracks) B
  5. Bike for Three!: More Heart Than Brains (2009, Anticon) B+(***)
  6. The Black Angels: Phosphene Dream (2010, Light in the Attic) B+(***)
  7. Buck 65: 20 Odd Years (2010 [2011], WEA Canada) A-
  8. The Budos Band: The Budos Band III (2010, Daptone) B-
  9. Cloud Nothings: Cloud Nothings (2011, Carpark) B+(*)
  10. Codeine Velvet Club: Codeine Velvet Club (2009 [2010], Dangerbird) B+(**)
  11. Currensy: Pilot Talk (2009-10 [2010], DD172) B+(**)
  12. Currensy: Pilot Talk II (2010, DD172) B+(**)
  13. Daft Punk: Tron: Legacy [Original Soundtrack] (2010, Walt Disney) B
  14. Das Racist: Shut Up, Dude (2010, mixtape) B+(***)
  15. Das Racist: Sit Down, Man (2010, mixtape) A-
  16. Deerhoof: Deerhoof vs. Evil (2011, Polyvinyl) B-
  17. Jason Derülo: Jason Derülo (2010, Warner Brothers) B
  18. Destroyer: Kaputt (2011, Merge) B+(***)
  19. Disappears: Guider (2011, Kranky) B+(***)
  20. The Extra Lens: Undercard (2010, Merge) B+(***)
  21. Fang Island: Fang Island (2010, Sargent House) B-
  22. The Fresh & Onlys: Play It Strange (2010, In the Red) B+(*)
  23. Fujiya & Miyagi: Ventriloquizing (2011, Yep Roc) B+(*)
  24. Gang of Four: Content (2011, Yep Roc) B+(***)
  25. Goldfrapp: Head First (2010, Mute) B+(***)
  26. The Henry Clay People: Somewhere on the Golden Coast (2010, TBD) A-
  27. Iron & Wine: Kiss Each Other Clean (2011, Warner Brothers) B+(*)
  28. R. Kelly: Love Letter (2010, Jive) B+(**)
  29. Kings of Leon: Come Around Sundown (2010, RCA) B+(**)
  30. Klaxons: Surfing the Void (2010, Polydor) B-
  31. Lady Antebellum: Need You Now (2010, Capitol Nashville) B-
  32. Lightspeed Champion: Life Is Sweet! Nice to Meet You (2010, Domino) B+(**)
  33. Nellie McKay: Home Sweet Mobile Home (2010, Verve) B
  34. Lloyd Miller/The Heliocentrics: (OST) (2010, Strut) B+(*)
  35. Mimicking Birds: Mimicking Birds (2009 [2010], Glacial Pace) B+(*)
  36. OFF!: First Four EPs (2010, Vice, 4CD) A-
  37. Danilo Pérez: Providencia (2010, Mack Avenue) B+(*)
  38. Joe Pug: Messenger (2010, Lightning Rod) B+(**)
  39. Punch Brothers: Antifogmatic (2009-10 [2010], Nonesuch) B
  40. Rakaa: Crown of Thorns (2010, Decon) A-
  41. Max Richter: Infra (2010, Fat Cat) B+(*)
  42. Darrell Scott: A Crooked Road (2010, Full Light, 2CD) B-
  43. Serengeti & Polyphonic: Bells and a Floating World (2010, Anticon) B+(**)
  44. The Service Industry: Calm Down (2010, Saustex) B
  45. Shining: Blackjazz (2010, Indie) B+(*)
  46. Skyzoo & Illmind: Live From the Tape Deck (2010, Duck Down Music) B+(***)
  47. Smith Westerns: Dye It Blonde (2011, Fat Possum) B
  48. Todd Snider: Live: The Storyteller (2010 [2011], Thirty Tigers/Aimless, 2CD) A-
  49. Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin: Let It Sway (2010, Polyvinyl) B+(***)
  50. Ebo Taylor: Love and Death (2009 [2010], Strut) B+(*)
  51. Ana Tijoux: 1977 (2009 [2010], Nacional) B+(**)
  52. Weekend: Sports (2010, Slumberland) B+(***)
  53. Wet Dog: Frauhaus! (2009 [2010], Captured Tracks) B+(**)
  54. Wire: Red Barked Tree (2011, Pink Flag) B+(***)
  55. Steve Wynn & the Miracle 3: Northern Aggression (2010, Yep Roc) B+(**)
  56. YU: Before Taxes (2010, Mello Music Group) B+(*)
  57. Geri Allen & Timeline: Live (2009 [2010], Motéma Music) B+(**)
  58. Dmitry Baevsky: Down With It (2010, Sharp Nine) A-
  59. Bedrock: Plastic Temptation (2009 [2010], Winter & Winter) B
  60. John Bunch: Do Not Disturb (2010, Arbors) B+(***)
  61. Chubby Checker: The Best of Chubby Checker: 1959-1963 [Cameo Parkway] (1959-63 [2005], ABKCO) A-
  62. Sylvie Courvoisier/Mark Feldman: Oblivia (2009 [2010], Tzadik) B+(*)
  63. Neil Cowley Trio: Radio Silence (2009 [2010], Naim Jazz) B+(**)
  64. Dave Douglas & Keystone: Spark of Being: Expand (2010, Greenleaf Music) B+(***)
  65. The Dovells: The Best of the Dovells: 1961-1965 [Cameo Parkway] (1961-65 [2005], ABKCO) B+(**)
  66. Lorraine Feather: Ages (2008-09 [2010], Jazzed Media) B+(***)
  67. Erik Friedlander: Fifty: Miniatures for Improvising Quintet (2008 [2010], Skipstone) B+(**)
  68. Charlie Gracie: The Best of Charlie Gracie: 1956-1958 [Cameo Parkway] (1956-58 [2006], ABKCO) A-
  69. Alan Jackson: 34 Number Ones (1989-2008 [2010], Arista, 2CD) B+(***)
  70. Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra With Wynton Marsalis: Vitoria Suite (2009 [2010], Decca, 2CD) B+(***)
  71. Norah Jones: . . . Featuring Norah Jones (2001-10 [2010], Blue Note) B
  72. Stacey Kent: Raconte-Moi . . . (2010, Blue Note) B+(*)
  73. Irene Kral: Second Chance (1975 [2010], Jazzed Media) B+(***)
  74. Russell Malone: Triple Play (2010, MaxJazz) B+(***)
  75. Lloyd Miller: A Lifetime in Oriental Jazz (1960s-80s [2009], Jazzman) B+(**)
  76. Ted Nash: Portrait in Seven Shades (2010, Jazz at Lincoln Center) B+(**)
  77. The Orlons: The Best of the Orlons: 1961-1966 [Cameo Parkway] (1961-66 [2005], ABKCO) A-
  78. Jay Phelps: Jay Walkin' (2010, Specific Jazz) B+(**)
  79. ? and the Mysterians: The Best of ? & the Mysterians: 1966-1967 [Cameo Parkway] (1966-67 [2005], ABKCO) B+(***)
  80. Bobby Rydell: The Best of Bobby Rydell: 1959-1964 [Cameo Parkway] (1959-64 [2005], ABKCO) B+(**)
  81. Dee Dee Sharp: The Best of Dee Dee Sharp: 1962-1966 [Cameo Parkway] (1962-66 [2005], ABKCO) B+(***)
  82. Tommy Smith/Scottish National Jazz Orchestra: Torah (2010, Spartacus) B+(**)
  83. The Tommy Smith Youth Jazz Orchestra: Exploration (2007, Spartacus) B+(*)
  84. The Tymes: The Best of the Tymes: 1963-1964 [Cameo Parkway] (1963-64 [2005], ABKCO) B+(***)
  85. Chucho Valdes & the Afro-Cuban Messengers: Chucho's Steps (2009 [2010], Four Quarters) B+(***)
  86. Matt Wilson: Matt Wilson's Christmas Tree-O (2010, Palmetto) B+(**)
  87. John Zorn: Interzone (2010, Tzadik) A-
  88. John Zorn: What Thou Wilt (2009 [2010], Tzadik) B
  89. [various]: Cameo Parkway: The Greatest Hits (1956-66 [2006], ABKCO) A
  90. [various]: Spiritual Jazz: Esoteric, Modal and Deep Jazz From the Underground 1968-77 (1968-77 [2008], Jazzman) B+(**)

January 15

  1. 7L & Esoteric: 1212 (2010, Fly Casual) A-
  2. Gary Allan: Get Off on the Pain (2010, MCA Nashville) B-
  3. Anika: Anika (2010, Stones Throw) B+(**)
  4. Atmosphere: To All My Friends, Blood Makes the Blade Holy: The Atmosphere EPs (2010, Rhymesayers Entertainment) B+(**)
  5. Band of Horses: Infinite Arms (2010, Fat Possum) B+(*)
  6. Beach Fossils: Beach Fossils (2010, Captured Tracks) B+(**)
  7. Natasha Bedingfield: Strip Me (2010, Epic/Phonogenic) B-
  8. Dierks Bentley: Up on the Ridge (2010, Capitol) B
  9. Black Mountain: Wilderness Heart (2010, Jagjaguwar) B+(*)
  10. Bonobo: Black Sands (2010, Ninja Tune) B+(**)
  11. Laura Bell Bundy: Achin' and Shakin' (2010, Mercury Nashville) B-
  12. Calle 13: Entren Los Que Quieran (2010, Sony Music Latin) A-
  13. Care Bears on Fire: Get Over It! (2009 [2010], S-Curve) B+(***)
  14. Care Bears on Fire: Girls Like It Loud (2010, S-Curve, EP) B+(***)
  15. Celph Titled & Buckwild: Nineteen Ninety Now (2010, No Sleep) B+(**)
  16. Chromeo: Business Casual (2010, Big Beat) A-
  17. Deadbeat: Radio Rothko (2010, The Agriculture) B+(***)
  18. El DeBarge: Second Chance (2010, Geffen) B+(**)
  19. Deftones: Diamond Eyes (2009 [2010], Reprise) B-
  20. Disappears: Lux (2010, Kranky, EP) B+(***)
  21. DJ Roc: The Crack Capone (2010, Planet Mu) B-
  22. Dr. Dog: Shame, Shame (2010, Anti-) B+(*)
  23. Electric Wire Hustle: Electric Wire Hustle (2009 [2010], BBE) B+(*)
  24. Far East Movement: Free Wired (2010, Interscope) B+(***)
  25. Future Islands: In Evening Air (2010, Thrill Jockey) B+(*)
  26. Gayngs: Relayted (2010, Jagjaguwar) B+(*)
  27. Girl Talk: All Day (2010, Illegal Art) A-
  28. Glasser: Ring (2010, True Panther Sounds) B+(*)
  29. Grass Widow: Past Time (2010, Kill Rock Stars, EP) B+(*)
  30. Harlem: "Hippies" (2010, Matador) B+(**)
  31. Ray Wylie Hubbard: A. Elightenment B. Endarkment (Hint: There Is No C) (2010, Bordello) B+(***)
  32. Ikonika: Contact, Love, Want, Have (2010, Hyperdub) B+(**)
  33. Kings Go Forth: The Outsiders Are Back (2010, Luaka Bop) B
  34. Kno: Death Is Silent (2010, Venti Uno) B+(***)
  35. Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs: God Willin' & the Creek Don't Rise (2010, RCA) B+(**)
  36. The Last Electro-Acoustic Space Jazz and Percussion Ensemble: Miles Away (2010, Stones Throw) B+(**)
  37. Lissie: Catching a Tiger (2010, Fat Possum) B
  38. The Love Language: Libraries (2010, Merge) B
  39. Lower Dens: Twin-Hand Movement (2010, Gnomonsong) A-
  40. Madlib: Madlib Medicine Show #5: The History of the Loop Digga (2010, Madlib Invazion) B
  41. Madlib: Madlib Medicine Show #7: High Jazz (2010, Madlib Invazion) B+(*)
  42. Gucci Mane: The Appeal: Georgia's Most Wanted (2010, Warner Brothers) B+(*)
  43. Master Musicians of Bukkake: Totem Two (2009 [2010], Important) B
  44. Onra: Long Distance (2010, All City) B+(*)
  45. Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark: History of Modern (2010, Blue Noise) B+(**)
  46. Oval: O (2010, Thrill Jockey, 2CD) B+(**)
  47. Parralox: Metropolis (2010, Conzoom) B+(***)
  48. Eli "Paperboy" Reed: Come and Get It (2010, Capitol) B+(**)
  49. Mark Ronson & the Business Intl: Record Collection (2010, RCA) B
  50. Rusko: O.M.G.! (2010, Mad Decent) B+(**)
  51. Guilty Simpson: OJ Simpson (2010, Stones Throw) B+(**)
  52. Standard Fare: The Noyelle Beat (2010, Bar/None) B+(***)
  53. Marty Stuart: Ghost Train: The Studio B Sessions (2010, Sugar Hill) B+(***)
  54. Teebs: Ardour (2010, Brainfeeder) B+(**)
  55. Teengirl Fantasy: 7AM (2010, Merok) B+(**)
  56. Terror Danjah: Undeniable (2010, Hyperdub) B+(**)
  57. Toro y Moi: Causers of This (2010, Carpark) B+(*)
  58. Twin Shadow: Forget (2010, Terrible) B+(*)
  59. Two Door Cinema Club: Tourist History (2010, Glassnote) B+(**)
  60. Usher: Raymond V Raymond (2010, LaFace) B+(*)
  61. Usher: Versus (2010, LaFace, EP) B+(*)
  62. Lars Vaular: Helt Om Natten, Helt Om Dagen (2010, Bonnier/Cosmos) A-
  63. Wildbirds & Peacedrums: Rivers (2010, The Control Group) B+(*)
  64. Wolf Parade: Expo 86 (2010, Sub Pop) B
  65. Fucked Up: Couple Tracks (2002-09 [2010], Matador, 2CD) B+(**)

January 4

  1. King Sunny Ade: Bábá Mo Túndé (2009-10 [2010], Indigedisc, 2CD) A-
  2. Baths: Cerulean (2010, Anticon) B+(***)
  3. James Blake: Klavierwerke (2010, R&S, EP) B+(*)
  4. B.o.B. Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray (2010, Grand Hustle/Atlantic) B-
  5. Broken Social Scene: Forgiveness Rock Record (2010, Arts & Crafts) B+(*)
  6. Crystal Castles: Crystal Castles (II) (2010, Last Gang/Universal Motown) B+(***)
  7. Delorean: Subiza (2010, True Panther Sounds) B+(*)
  8. Diddy: Last Train to Paris (2010, Bad Boy) B-
  9. Rose Elinor Dougall: Without Why (2008-10 [2010], Scarlett Music) B+(*)
  10. The Drums: The Drums (2010, Moshi Moshi) B+(**)
  11. Dum Dum Girls: I Will Be (2010, Sub Pop, EP) B
  12. Efterklang: Magic Chairs (2010, 4AD) B+(**)
  13. Flying Lotus: Cosmogramma (2010, Warp) B+(**)
  14. Foals: Total Life Forever (2010, Sub Pop) B+(**)
  15. Free Energy: Stuck on Nothing (2010, Astralwerks/Caroline) B+(**)
  16. Frightened Rabbit: The Winter of Mixed Drinks (2010, Fat Cat) B+(*)
  17. The Gaslight Anthem: American Slang (2010, Side One Dummy) B+(*)
  18. Ghostface Killah: Apollo Kids (2010, Def Jam) A-
  19. LCD Soundsystem: London Sessions (2010, Virgin) B+(*)
  20. The Left: Gas Mask (2010, Mello Music Group) A-
  21. Local Natives: Gorilla Manor (2009 [2010], Frenchkiss) B-
  22. LoneLady: Nerve Up (2009 [2010], Warp) A-
  23. Marina & the Diamonds: The Family Jewels (2010, Chop Shop/Atlantic) B+(**)
  24. Anaïs Mitchell: Hadestown (2010, Righteous Babe) B-
  25. The Morning Benders: Big Echo (2010, Rough Trade) B-
  26. Owen Pallett: Heartland (2010, Domino) B+(*)
  27. Phosphorescent: Here's to Taking It Easy (2010, Dead Oceans) B+(***)
  28. The Radio Dept.: Clinging to a Scheme (2010, Labrador) B+(***)
  29. Sade: Soldier of Love (2010, Epic) B
  30. Salem: King Night (2010, IAmSound) B
  31. School of Seven Bells: Disconnect From Desire (2010, Vagrant) B+(**)
  32. Scissor Sisters: Night Work (2010, Downtown) A-
  33. Secret Cities: Pink Graffiti (2010, Western Vinyl) B+(*)
  34. Jazmine Sullivan: Love Me Back (2010, J) B
  35. Superchunk: Majesty Shredding (2010, Merge) B+(*)
  36. The Tallest Man on Earth: The Wild Hunt (2010, Dead Oceans) B
  37. Tracey Thorn: Love and Its Opposite (2010, Merge) B+(**)
  38. T.I.: No Mercy (2010, Grand Hustle) A-
  39. Sharon Van Etten: Epic (2010, Ba Da Bing) B
  40. Waka Flocka Flame: Flockaveli (2010, Warner Brothers) B-
  41. Warpaint: The Fool (2010, Rough Trade) B+(*)
  42. Wild Nothing: Gemini (2010, Captured Tracks) B
  43. YelaWolf: Trunk Muzik 0-60 (2010, Universal) B+(**)
  44. Yellow Swans: Going Places (2010, Type) B+(*)
  45. Zola Jesus: Stridulum (2010, Sacred Bones, EP) B+(*)
  46. Zs: New Slaves (2010, The Social Registry) A-