Best of 2011: Albums: Haiku Edition

Okay, so I definitely fell behind this year when it came to album posts and reviews. But that's not going to stop me from subjecting you to yet another Best of 2011 list, which will be my favourite albums of 2011, in -- what else? -- haiku form. It's actually going to be less of a "best of" and more of a "personal favourite". I completely acknowledge that there may have been, technically, better albums this year; but some of those "better" ones I just couldn't get into for some reason *cough*Feist*cough*
So here it is. While the list is not numbered, it is in a vague order of "least-best" to "best", and I've included EPs as well as LPs because why not, that's why.

The King Is Dead by The Decemberists
Back down to basics
Strong songwriting from Meloy
As you would expect

Diaper Island by Chad VanGaalen

Refined and focused
Soaring vocals, instruments
On top of his game

Days Into Years by Elliott BROOD

Suitably toned down
War memorial inspired
Brilliant songwriting

Portage & Main by Portage & Main

A solid debut
Strong folk rock, heartfelt lyrics
Great blend of voices

Eureka by Mother Mother

Infectious and fun
But not without some darkness
Stellar shared vocals

Orchard by Jess Hill

Incredible voice
Beautiful and haunting songs
Mesmerizing folk

Michigan Left by Arkells

A bit more polished
But still more fun rock and roll
A strong follow-up

The Whole Love by Wilco

More adventurous
Bookended with two great songs
Their best in a while

Let's All March Back Into The Sea by The Liptonians

Cacophonous sound
A whole host of instruments
And clever lyrics

Summer of Lust by Library Voices

Energetic songs
Sharp, intelligent lyrics
Pop at its finest

No Bad Days by Wide Mouth Mason

Six years since their last
New bassist Gordie Johnson
Haven't missed a step

We're All Friends & Lovers Until It Falls Apart EP by Redbird

Strong, lovely voice
Coupled with great songwriting
Wonderful debut

Seeds by Hey Rosetta!

Heartbreaking lyrics
Symphonic and grandiose
Complex yet catchy

We're All Dying To Live by Rich Aucoin

Highly ambitious
Perfect, cinematic flow
Brilliantly unique

Apocalyptic Radio Cynic by Sidney York

Insanely catchy
Clever, sexy, sometimes dark
Power-pop with depth

Temporary Resident by Imaginary Cities

Take one stellar voice
One stupendeous musician
For near perfect pop

Kaputt by Destroyer

Rich, dense, and jazz-y
Lyrically ambiguous
Very beautiful

Oh Fortune by Dan Mangan

Darker and more dense
Rich music, poignant lyrics
Exponential growth

Take Care, Take Care, Take Care by Explosions in the Sky

Crashing crescendos
Breathtaking rises and falls
Far beyond "epic"

High School EP by We Are The City

More going on here
Than most have in a full length
Nearly perfection

Degeneration Street by The Dears

All-star Dears line-up
From the brink of destruction
Better than ever

Lights of Endangered Species by Matthew Good

Full of emotion
Amazingly orchestral
A career highlight

top 26 songs of the first 20 weeks of 2011

I don't normally like doing the whole list-making thing -- I don't even think I did one for best songs/albums of last year -- but procrastination breeds, uh... random lists... and I had seen a couple lists and discussions lately that got me thinking. So here is it.
Not surprisingly, it's pretty local and/or Canadian-centric... but to be honest, nothing much international has caught my attention so far this year. A few things just came out, and I have my eye on a few more, but this is what I've got so far.
And why 26 you ask? I counter that question with another question: why 25?

Apocalypse Pop Song by Memphis
Exactly what the title implies, a near-perfect pop song with Torquil's usual brand of excellent lyrics. (and optimism.)
Blood by The Dears
From the first time I heard this, I loved it. And every subsequent time, I loved it more. Definitely one of my top-favourites of the year thus far.
Bystander by Jets Overhead
A couple years ago, JO did an acoustic show here. They played this. I loved it but could never find it. And then the EP came out and I was happy.
Growing Old in the City by The Liptonians
Great all around album, but this vaguely sinister, horn-and-accordion-fueled chant is such a fun song.
Happy New Year by We Are The City
So hard to pick just one off this EP. Can I put them all?
I'd Never Climbed A Mountain by Portage & Main
I loves me a song with a good build up, and this has that in spades.
Mischievous Moon by Jill Barber
Adore the strings. This song (and whole album) makes me want to be drinking fine whiskey in a dimly lit room, while about to start of a wild romance. 
No Future Shock by TV on the Radio
Exactly the kind of awesomeness you would expect from TVOTR.
One By One by The Trews
Another song I immediately loved. A bit softer than usual from The Trews, but amazing harmonies.
Ride This Out by Imaginary Cities
What was that about songs with a good build up? Another perfect example, from another album packed with excellent songs.
Stagger by Jess Hill
Recorded live off the floor, yet another good build, a stellar voice and damn catchy. Were I ranking these, it would be near the top.
Suicide Demo for Kara Walker by Destroyer
Would put Bay of Pigs had it not been on the EP last year, but this one is just so hauntingly beautiful.
Problems by Mother Mother
If you hate The Stand's quirkiness... you'll probably hate this too. But it's such a fun song.
This Is Why We Fight by The Decemberists
Another top-favourite I was immediately taken by. If I am ever in a battle of epic proportions, I want this to be my song. It would be playing while I charge through a field, sword in hand, towards my foes.
Tiny Valentine by Peter Elkas 
The hooks... the hooks! I dare you to not get this stuck in your head after hearing it.
When I Get Grown by Treelines
I don't think I expected anything this... well, beautiful and heartbreaking from Treelines. But there it is.
Yer Fall by Hey Rosetta!
Another tough-to-choose-from-a-great-album, but you know when there is one single, small moment in a song that most people will miss, but makes you love the song? This has one of those for me.
Zombie Delight by Buck 65
It's Buck. With a song about zombies. How can you not love it? (Also, the video is pretty sweet)

(the following are pre-album songs, and there is a chance I'll like another song better when it comes out)
Circuital by My Morning Jacket
It feels like it's been way too long since new MMJ, and this has me so excited for the eponymous album.
Empire by Rococode
First time I saw them I had this stuck in my head for days. Same as every other time after that. Glad it's finally out, but still very much looking forward to the full album.
I Feel You by Sam Roberts Band
The song seems like it is simultaneously exactly what you'd expect, and creeping into interesting new directions. Hopefully the rest of the album is like that (my favourite Sam Roberts song sounds nothing like the rest)
In A Place of Lesser Men by Matthew Good
I would be the first to admit I'm a Matt Good fanboy, but I really liked the single. Something about a song that combined flute, lap steel, piano and guitar... and pulls it off.
Shut Up & Kiss Me by Wide Mouth Mason
Been waiting forever for new WMM, and it did not disappoint. Especially with Gordie Johnson now the full time bass player.
The Prime Minister's Daughter by Library Voices
"Pop as Fuck!" indeed, Library Voices. A catchier song will be hard to find.
Trembling Hands by Explosions In The Sky
There needs to be a new word for "epic" to describe EITS. What "epic" is to normal music, they are to "epic".

(the following are not yet released in any format, and I have only seen live and/or because I'm special)
No Game by Redbird
This song does not even appear anywhere on the interwebs, apparently. I have heard it live with a full band and acoustic, and both -- which are pretty different -- are quite awesome, and features one of my favourite lyrics of the year thus far.