As the year draws to a close, I can’t help but do a list. There were many things that came out and took over the world of music by storm this year. Then there were certain artistes and albums that did disappoint. But we are not here to talk about that. Let’s just go down the list of some of the most in­novative albums I had the privilege of hearing in 2011.

First off, a lot of people are a huge fan of the Foo Fighters. Their last album, Wasting Light, certainly left a lot of people begging for more. But the obvious arena rock influences and melodies meant for a stadium audience managed to piss off a lot of people. But at the same time, Dave Grohl’s mellow, and at times, powerfully evocative voice fails to falter. A lot of the songs like Bridge Burning, I Should Have Known and Walk were a hit amongst the old crowd. Overall, the album exposed, yet again, Grohl’s personal side and powerful song writing skills that we all know and love.

Post rock juggernauts from Scotland, Mogwai, released their seventh album this year. Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will exposed Mogwai to be a force to be reckoned with in the world of instrumental music. The track album truly showed the band to be at the very summit of its powers. As soon as it begins, the album hurls the listener into the beautiful world of sound, devoid of lyrics. Tracks like White Noise, Rano Pano, San Pedro and How to Be a Werewolf truly stand out as classic Mogwai, but more immediate in feel.

New Delhi-based Menwhopause is a unique rock band. After 10 years of their ex­istence, being an EP (The Story Begins...) and an al­bum (Home) old, they released a new album this year. Titled, Easy, the album is a laidback, relaxed and smooth record. The men from Delhi are now sure of their sound, command attention. With tracks like Can’t We Be Dreaming, Floating, Solitude and Downtown, they are bound to be given a second listen.

Annie Erin Clark is an American multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter who performs as St Vincent. Already a critically acclaimed musician with two albums (Marry Me and Actor) under her belt, 2011 saw her releasing her third album, Strange Mercy. If you like strange, quirky guitar work layered with eccentric drum beats and bizarre keyboards, this album is for you. An alumni of Berklee College of Music, St Vincent’s music sounds like Annie is trying to deconstruct everything we know about music. Be sure to check out two tracks in particular — Cheerleader and Surgeon. This is for people who like their music just a little bit eccentric.

Sludge giants Mastodon also managed to squeeze their fifth studio album, The Hunter, before 2011 could end. A plethora of massive riffs, epic breakdowns and pentatonic goodness, The Hunter is not for the faint-hearted. The quartet from Atlanta bellow out great tracks like Black Tongue, Curl of the Burl and Blasteroid with ease. This should leave the average metalhead and prog-rock nerd frothing at the mouth for more.

2012 promises to be a promising year, too. With Queens of Stone Age, Soundgraden and the mighty Black Sabbath releasing their new albums soon, the fans can hardly wait to hear their favourite artistes rocking it out once again. Happy new year! zz

aazaranis

@mydigitalfc.com