Best of 2011: Music
Wilco's two-night stay at the State Theatre was worth the wait. Their new album, 'The Whole Love,' was also one of the year's best.
Image credit: Photo by Patrick Dunn
As 2011 comes to a close, METRO is taking a moment to reflect on the year that was. All this week, we’ll be featuring our favorite finds of the years – the shows that made us laugh (or cry), the music that made us swoon and the dishes that made up salivate.
We think it’s safe to say it was a good year, and that 2012 promises to bring even more good tidings. Today, we’re looking at the best music 2011 had to offer.
Best concerts of 2012
+ Ryan Adams at the State Theatre, Dec. 13. Shaggy hair and black t-shirt notwithstanding, Ryan Adams isn’t the brooding guy-with-guitar from his Gold record days anymore.
+ Wilco at the State Theatre, Dec. 6-7. After bypassing the Twin Cities for years, Jeff Tweedy came to Minneapolis for a two-night stay. We hope he comes back again soon.
+ Wild Flag at the Varsity Theater, Oct. 3. A new band and a new tour for the queens of indie rock.
+ Brother Ali’s Day of Dignity, Oct. 1. Part concert, part community outreach, this North Minneapolis concert reminded us why we’re proud to call Brother Ali our friend and neighbor.
+ Stevie Nicks at Mystic Amphitheater, Aug. 24. The best thing about Stevie Nicks is that she knows she's a rockstar and she's not afraid to say it.
+ Adele and Wanda Jackson at Xcel Energy Center, Aug. 24. Wanda Jackson is a little bit country, a little bit rock ’n’ roll and, at age 73, is still a whole lot of sweet, nasty fun.
+ Bill Callahan at the Cedar Cultural Center, July 9. Dry stage banter and an unceremonious encore left no question that Callahan is a true professional.
+ My Morning Jacket at the Walker Art Center (Rock The Garden), June 18. Kentuckians My Morning Jacket salvaged this year’s Rock the Garden from the dreary weather and less-than-engaging earlier sets. making the 9th year of the festival one of the best yet.
+ Honorable mention: Low at the Cedar Cultural Center, The Besnard Lakes at the Triple Rock Social Club, Biffy Clyro at the 7th Street Entry, St. Vincent at the Walker Art Center, Phantogram at First Avenue, Foo Fighters at the Xcel Energy Center.
Local artists to watch in 2012
+ Polica. For the first time in years, we’re actually looking forward to Valentine’s Day. thisispolica.com
+ Pony Trash. Word is their EP is almost finished. facebook.com/PonyTrash
+ Crimes. Garage + Surf + Ambient = one great band. crimesmpls.bandcamp.com
+ The Cloak Ox. It’s good to have you back, Mr. Broder. thecloakox.bandcamp.com
+ Is/Is. Three’s a party. myspace.com/isthisisisyesitisis
Best local albums
+ Low – C’mon (Sub Pop) chairkickers.com
+ The Blind Shake – Seriousness (Learning Curve) theblindshake.com
+ The Cloak Ox – Prisen [EP] (Totally Gross National Product) thecloakox.bandcamp.com
+ National Bird – Veteran Beginners [EP] (Susstones) cdbaby.com/Artist/NationalBird
+ M.anifest - Immigrant Chronicles: Coming to America (self-released) manifestmc.com
Honorable mentions: Mason Jennings, Minnesota; Doomtree, No Kings.
Best non-local albums
+ Wilco - The Whole Love (ANTI)
+ My Morning Jacket - Circuital (ATO)
+ Foo Fighters - Wasting Light (RCA)
+ Atlas Sound – Parallax (4AD)
+ Kurt Vile - Smoke Ring For My Halo (Matador)
+ PJ Harvey – Let England Shake (Vagrant)
+ Thee Oh Sees – Castlemania (In the Red)
+ The Joy Formidable - The Big Roar (Atlantic/Canvasback)
+ Death Cab For Cutie - Codes And Keys (Atlantic)
+ Radiohead – The King Of Limbs (TBD)
Best festival
+ Soundset, Canterbury Park, May 29. Atmosphere, Doomtree, Big Boi and De La Sol gave us an another reminder that Midwest hip-hop is truly a collaborative affair. See you next year. soundsetfestival.com
Best concert series
+ Subway Music in the Zoo series at the Minnesota Zoo’s Weesner Family Amphitheater. Justin Townes Earl, Bela Fleck, Los Lonely Boys, Grace Potter – and tigers. What could possibly go wrong? suemclean.com/zoo
+ See METRO's complete Year in Review here, and find more music coverage here.
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