Paqman's Top 10 Albums Of 2011 - The Year Of The Mixtape

Tens of thousands of albums have been released this past year, so P&B are taking on the arduous task of breaking down our very own Top 10 Albums of 2011 List. This is the second of a 2-part series (Turnbull's first, with Paqman's second). We'll break down the albums, EPs, and mixtapes, etc, that made for quintessential listening throughout the year. If you don't see something on here that you feel should've made the lists, feel free to leave a comment or send us an email about it!

10) Foo Fighters - Wasting Light

The Foo had one hell of a year. They reestablished themselves as the premiere stadium rock band with a massive sold out tour. If you haven't checked out the "Back and Forth" documentary which chronicles the band's history and the making of "Wasting Light", it's a must for any fan of the Foo Fighters and modern rock.

P&B Approved Cuts: Bridges Burning, Rope, Arlandia

 9) Drake - Take Care

Canada's hottest export did not fail with his sophomore release. With longtime producer Noah "40" Shebib, Just Blaze and T-Minus, Drake proved that his star continues to rise as he delivers his trademark introspective lyrics over fantastically produced beats.

P&B Approved Cuts: Buried Alive Interlude, Under Ground Kings, Take Care

8) Noel Gallagher - Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds

Those Gallagher Brothers sure know how to get their name up in the press! Out of the ashes of the world's most dysfunctional band comes Noel's first solo album. If you're a fan of Oasis, you'll dig on "High Flying Birds" as there are some similarities, but the vibe is very different (and the lack of a nasally Liam is a welcome change).

P&B Approved Cuts: Everybody's On The Run, The Death Of You And Me, Soldier Boys And Jesus Freaks

7) Portugal, The Man - In The Mountain In The Cloud

Portugal, The Man came out of nowhere for me this year. It's the first time that I get into the Portland, OR band and I couldn't be more pleased with In The Mountain In The Cloud. What kept me coming back for more were the similarities to David Bowie, with splashes of Scissor Sisters (sans the over the top-ness).

P&B Approved Cuts: So American, Got It All (This Can't Be Living Now), All Your Light (Times Like These)

6) Feist - Metals

Canadian songstress Feist came out with my favorite singer/songwriter effort in '11. I'm always a sucker for a dark record and Leslie delivered it in spades. As I mentioned this year in my review of her album, she filled the void from my expectations for the self titled Bon Iver record. And I am grateful to her for that.

P&B Approved Cuts: The Bad In Each Other, Anti-Pioneer, Cicadas And Gulls

5) Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues

There was huge buzz on Fleet Foxes when they released their full length self titled album in 2008, but it took a second one for me to get it (and on it). They are in a league of their own as they created their own niche in the indie ecosystem that I like to call Ba-rock Music. Throw this on when you need a break from...pretty much anything and everything!

P&B Approved Cuts: Bedouin Dress, The Plains / Bitter Dance, The Shrine / An Argument

4) Radiohead - King Of Limbs

Straight up, Radiohead could release an album of white noise and I would talk about it for days, claiming it to be the most important album of our generation. Am I a "stan" fan? Absofuckinglutely. This album took a few spins for me to feel, and the From The Basement Session took the "Limbs" tracks to the next level.  

P&B Approved Cuts: Lotus Flower, Bloom, Little By Little

3) Jay-Z and Kanye West - Watch the Throne

I'm with Turnbull regarding my initial sampling of Jay and Ye's highly anticipated Hip Hop Couture: I wanted to smash the mp3 on the virtual pavement. I felt the exact same way when Radiohead released "Kid A". I was pissed off as hell! But the combination of listening to the record for 2 straight weeks (when it was released) and The Throne concert experience in Toronto pushed this one into my top 3.

P&B Approved Cuts: Murder To Excellence, No Church In The Wild, New Day

2) Frank Ocean - Nostalgia, Ultra

Frank Ocean's incredible mixtape has been a staple in the Paqman household since it was released in Spring 2011. His membership in OFWGKTA, with controversial leader Tyler, the Creator leading the way, helped him gain some notoriety. It got his name out to the masses, but his collection of songs speak for themselves. Silky, sexy and groovy. I expect nothing but greatness from Mr. Ocean in 2012. 

P&B Approved Cuts: Swim Good, Lovecrimes, There Will Be Tears, We All Try

1) Kendrick Lamar - Section.80

Who would've thought that 2 mixtapes own the top slots on my list? Definitely not me. With that said, Kendrick Lamar floored me in 2011. I've never heard someone so young with such control and mastery of his art. Each cut on the Section.80 mixtape has amazing hooks and oozes with swag. The Compton born 24 year old is poised to bring the hip hop crown back to the west coast without challenge. Listen to Rigamortus and tell me I'm wrong.

P&B Approved Cuts: Hol' Up, A.D.H.D, No Make-Up (Her Vice), Rigamortus