My Top 30 Records of 2011: 30-21

I've already shared my top 31 songs of the year (see here, here, and here!) -- now it's time to break down my 30 favorite records. Here's the first batch:

Sometimes music has to be cruel to be kind

30. The Go! Team, Rolling Blackouts
There is no one in the biz making records quite like The Go! Team and Rolling Blackouts is a fun, variegated romp through hip-hop beats, kitchen-sink percussion, and joyful party-rock anthems. (No, not like that.) "Secretary Song" is a sweet, sparkling gem of indie pop, while "Ready to Go Steady" hearkens back to '60s girl groups. Did I mention there's a guest appearance from Best Coast too? Awesome.

29. Dom, Family of Love
I've seen Dom preform twice this year and both times front man Dom stood with his hair covering his face, seemingly too cool to even make eye contact. It's the type of gesture that might piss me off...if Dom (the band) weren't purveyors of a new breed of lazy, snot-nosed electro-pop that holds too cool to care as its mantra. That being said, Family of Love is a surprisingly dense record of lush synths and catchy melodies that might be vapid in content, but still sounds damn good.

See also: Haiku Review: Dom

28. Xylos, Xylos
The self-titled debut from Brooklyn band Xylos, Xylos is a shimmering record of crepuscular pop, ranging from breezy and light to scintillating and dance-y. Front woman Monika Heidemann has a deep, rich voice which lends a sense of balance to otherwise blithe, floaty concoctions. It's only a matter of time before these guys make it big.

See also: Best New Music: Xylos

27. Man Man, Life Fantastic
The 4th full-length from Philly gypsy-punk collective Man Man, Life Fantastic is perhaps their most nuanced yet, as the band employs their trademark oompah beats and bar band keys to paint a portrait of something dark, and foreboding. The title track is a swinging, skulking account of children discovering a dead body at a picnic (yes, really) -- while "Dark Arts" is a spooky escapade through guitar runs and front man Honus Honus's growly vocals. And of course, "Piranha's Club" -- with its mischievous lyrics and upbeat feel -- provides some much needed levity.

See also: Best New Music: Man Man; The Top 31 Songs of 2011: 31-21

26. Dominant Legs, Invitation
A quirky, glittery record of Talking Heads-inspired pop, Invitation is a feel-good listen meant for sunny days, open roads, first kisses and running through sprinklers giggling. Band creators Ryan Lynch and Hannah Hunt hail from San Francisco, where the gorgeous weather and laid-back lifestyle must have rubbed off on their songwriting. I'm not complaining.

See also: Best New Music: Dominant Legs; The Top 31 Songs of 2011: 31-21

25. Hunx and his Punx, Too Love To Be in Love
A jangly record of vintage-inspired garage rock jamz, Too Love To Be in Love both pays tribute to and subverts early '60s stereotypes with song titles like "He's Coming Back" (that would be "my boyfriend," of course), "Bad Boy" and "The Curse of Being Young" -- re-imagining these classical tropes with a punk bent. Front man Seth Bogart has a talk-y, winking way of singing that's more playful than sarcastic, while Shannon Shaw (of Clams fame) contributes smoky vocals and bass skillz.

24. St. Vincent, Strange Mercy
A darkly elegant, and at times harshly creative record, Annie Clark -- the quirky force behind St. Vincent -- offers a twisted, seductive collection of intimate, electro-rock anthems, from the bouncy, orchestral "Cruel" to the lush, slinky "Surgeon" ("Must find a surgeon....come cut me open," croons Clark serenely.) Occasionally discomforting and yet bewitching.

See also: Best New Music: FALL 2011 ESSENTIAL LISTENING

23. The Rosebuds, Loud Planes Fly Low
So Kelly Crisp and Ivan Howard -- formerly married, and making music together as the Rosebuds -- split up. Luckily, their band didn't, and Loud Planes Fly Low -- their first post-break-up record -- is a stunning collection of dark, dreamy melodies to get lost in, from wistful, otherworldly opener "Go Ahead" to clanking, strings-laced lullaby "Second Bird of Paradise" and head-y release "Woods."

See also: The Top 31 Songs of 2011: 31-21

22. Mister Heavenly, Out of Love
A collaboration between two of my fave zany music makers -- that would be Islands' Nick Diamonds and Man Man's Honus Honus -- along with veteran drummer Joe Plummer -- Mister Heavenly offers a unique amalgam of old-skool doo wop, circus rock and neo-psychedelia that is rollicking, playful, giddy and instantly recognizeable. They even invented a new word for it: doom wop. Let's hope this album isn't a one-off!

See also: Best New Music: Mister Heavenly

21. The Horrors, Skying
The third full-length from Britain's most capricious buzz band, Skying sees the Horrors abandoning past styles to create a lush, sweeping record of gorgeous '80s synths and visceral post-punk anthems. From the Interpol-meets-arena-rock grandeur of "Endless Blue" to the poppy, Simple Minds feel of "Still Life," Skying is a trippy journey through the best of the era many of hope to forget.

See also: Best New Music: The Horrors; The Top 31 Songs of 2011: 20-11

That's it for the first batch -- stay tuned for numbers 20-11 soon!

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