Most Listened to Albums of 2011

This isn't really a list of my most listened to albums of 2011. It may not even be a list of my favorite albums that came out this year. This is a list, in order, of my most listened to albums of the year that came out this year. Wha? If I'm listening to music, there is a 99% chance that the song is being sent to Last.fm. If you're not in the know, Last.fm keeps track of what you listen to and lets you keep track of favorite bands, albums, songs, etc.

So I ran a list of the albums I've listened to the most this year and then filtered out any albums that didn't have a 2011 release date. Here's what it came up with:

1 ) The Joy Formidable - The Big Roar

One of the great features of Last.fm is the recommendations. Some services are hit or miss for me; Pandora knows my music taste to a T, where as I get downright confused at what Rdio thinks I should listen to. Looking for a new band to listen to, I got recommended The Joy Formidable and was floored. The Big Roar's loud guitars, high energy, and infectious hooks were right up my alley. Throughout the year, this album has had a spin at least once a week for me. I'm always looking for a chance to use "Cradle" in a video.

"Whirring" is now a jukebox staple for me.

2 ) Fucked Up - David Comes to Life

This recommendation came from Pitchfork's Best New Albums. David Comes to Life tells David's story over 18 tracks. Although Hardcore is no where near my favorite genres, I love sprawling albums that you can listen to straight through without skipping a song.

3 ) M83 - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming

What's not like about M83? 2008's Saturday's = Youth was my go-to album when it was released - played on every late night long drive. Interest was piqued when this teaser for a new album was released back in June. When Hurry Up, We're Dreaming was finally released, I wasn't disappointed (Victoria's Secret commercial notwithstanding).

4 ) Bon Iver - Bon Iver

A Winter Album released in the middle of the Summer. It really is an outstanding follow up to For Emma, Forever Ago that would be higher in my list if the temperature was a little lower.

5 ) The Kills - Blood Pressures

Rhythmic, dirty rock that always gets me groovin'. Listen to this album and try to sit still.

6 ) Foo Fighters - Wasting Light

Foo Fighters are back and absolutely killed it with their new album. They'll never be able to top 1997's The Colour and the Shape, but it's so good to see them go back to their roots.

7 ) Wye Oak - Civilian

First found this band via The AV Club's Undercover series. Their haunting albums are more "rainy day" tunes, but absolutely beautiful.

8 ) Radiohead - King of Limbs

I don't think I need to say much about this album.

9 ) Washed Out - Within and Without

I got in to this album only because all of my Rdio friends were playing it so much. It's a terrific album to put on in the background while you're plugging away making internet money, so that's why it even placed on the list.

No music video for this guy.

10 ) Eddie Vedder - Ukulele Songs

This album could have been 16 tracks of Eddie Vedder just tuning his ukelele and I still would have bought it.

Honorable Mentions: Volcanic Sunlight by Saul Williams, The Family Sign by Atmosphere, Gloss Drop by Battles, You Are All I See by Active Child, Ceremonials by Florence + The Machine, We Are Rising by Son Lux, How Do You Do by Mayer Hawthorne, and Hot Sauce Committee Part Two by Beastie Boys.