1. Coldplay 'Mylo Xyloto' -
The happiest these have ever sounded results in yet another remarkable album, inhabited with fervency, bald-faced pop and one typically heartening concept.
2. Beirut 'The Rip Tide' -
Stupendous effort from Zach Condon and his reliable trumpet. Rest of world music, over to you.
3. Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds 'Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds' -
Who needs a lairy front when the songs are this sturdy? So worth the wait.
4. Bombay Bicycle Club 'A Different Kind of Fix' -
Accomplished, thoughtful indie from the most exciting band on the planet.
5. Elbow 'Build a Rocket Boys!' -
Pressure? What pressure? Guy Garvey's men prosper under that Mercury win with this.
6. Bon Iver 'Bon Iver' -
Loaded, wholehearted harmonies make for the year's most life-affirming album.
7. Chapel Club 'Palace' -
Pure proof that bands with no strings can still make the grade.
8. Lykke Li 'Wounded Rhymes' -
Kooky silk-pop but with the choons to match. Lady who?
9. Yuck 'Yuck' -
Loud-quiet schmaltz makes one heck of a comeback. So out-of-place, it's refreshing.
10. Blink-182 'Neighborhoods' -
Not quite the masterpiece we craved, but very nearly.
Friday, December 9
Albums Of 2011 - No. 10 to No. 1
Albums Of 2011 - No. 20 to No. 11
11. The Wombats 'This Modern Glitch' -
Much, much too fun to care about the haterz.
12. Panic! at the Disco 'Vices & Virtues' -
A hooks-stuffed reminder of what made these so striking in the first place.
13. Death Cab for Cutie 'Codes and Keys' -
Fresh enough to lock down their place in history.
14. The Lonely Forest 'Arrows' -
Warm and fuzzy indie how it's sposed to be made.
15. Laura Marling 'A Creature I Don't Know' -
2011's preeminent folk record (from a woman).
16. White Lies 'Ritual' -
The new leaders of depressingly feel-good indie.
17. Example 'Playing in the Shadows' -
Fun, pompous and infectious as a cold.
18. Bright Eyes 'The People's Key' -
Conor returns to his delicate ways via a 'lectro sidewalk.
19. The Streets 'Computers and Blues' -
Skinner goes out with one triumphant bang.
20. Radiohead 'The King of Limbs' -
Soothing like 'In Rainbows' but surveys new ground, too.
Thursday, December 8
Albums Of 2011 - No. 30 to No. 21
21. Benjamin Francis Leftwich 'Last Smoke Before The Snowstorm' -
2011's preeminent folk record (from a man).
22. Manchester Orchestra 'Simple Math' -
Intense and tranquil all the same. Stunning.
23. You Me at Six 'Sinners Never Sleep' -
Boys grow into men for prime pop-punk.
24. The Vaccines 'What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?' -
Tuneful anthemia from a band here to stay.
25. Arctic Monkeys 'Suck It and See' -
Welcome back, boys. Finest since 'Whatever...'.
26. The Joy Formidable 'The Big Roar' -
Irksome frontlady aside, this is top.
27. Pete And The Pirates 'One Thousand Pictures' -
More sugary sweet indie ditties.
28. The Throne 'Watch the Throne' -
This could only have ever been masterly.
29. Ben Howard 'Every Kingdom' -
Still room for another folk supremo after this.
30. The Naked And Famous 'Passive Me, Aggressive You' -
Exciting debut. Could conquer all.
Wednesday, December 7
Albums Of 2011 - No. 40 to No. 31
31. Beady Eye 'Different Gear, Still Speeding' -
Actually not that shit at all.
32. Kaiser Chiefs 'The Future Is Medieval' -
Actually not that shit at all.
33. TV on the Radio 'Nine Types of Light' -
Probably their best album yet.
34. Rihanna 'Talk That Talk' -
Half is ace. The rest is not.
35. Florence + the Machine 'Ceremonials' -
Typically entrancing but at points too much.
36. Other Lives 'Tamer Animals' -
Captivating listen with bags' potential.
37. Snow Patrol 'Fallen Empires' -
Strongest since 'Eyes Open'.
38. Beyoncé '4' -
Not enough great shakes.
39. Adele '21' -
Just a lil' bit overrated.
40. British Sea Power 'Valhalla Dancehall' -
Another fine BSP instalment.
Tuesday, December 6
Albums Of 2011 - No. 50 to No. 41
41. Kasabian 'Velociraptor!' -
Not as good as they think it is.
42. M83 'Hurry Up, We're Dreaming' -
Double album? Really?
43. The Strokes 'Angles' -
A sadly underwhelming comeback.
44. Red Hot Chili Peppers 'I'm with You' -
More of the same.
45. Noah and the Whale 'Last Night on Earth' -
Overly ambitious for album three.
46. The Drums 'Portamento' -
Too many misses. Not enough hits.
47. Glasvegas 'EUPHORIC /// HEARTBREAK \\\' -
Decent, if forgettable.
48. Lady Gaga 'Born This Way' -
Everything but the matter.
49. Tom Vek 'Leisure Seizure' -
Not worth the six-year wait.
50. R.E.M. 'Collapse into Now' -
A so-so goodbye.
