Best of 2011

Best of 2011

Tori Hyland

So 2011 is coming to an end, and what an amazing year it was. Over the past few weeks I have collected my favourites in music wise. See you on the other side! 2012 :)  

Best 5 Albums (No Particular order)

Requiem – The Getaway Plan

After four piece Australian rock band, The Getaway Plan, announced their reformation, we were all excited to hear the new album, Requiem. Would it be the same sound? Immensely different? No one really knew. After they recorded in Toronto with renowned producer, David Bottrill, The Getaway Plan finally delivered the goods in November. With a range of different effects, sounds, instruments and energy; the album turned out to be one of my favourites from 2011.

Dirty Work – All Time Low

One of the best pop punk bands around today, All Time Low, released their fourth full length album, Dirty Work in 2011. An album every pop punk fan had been waiting for, it had taken two years to create and prior to its release songs were leaked. When the album finally hit the shelves, it got a range of different reviews; basically you’re either going to love it or hate it. Some people had claimed it was like a ‘Nothing Personal 2’ where others thought they were sell outs. It had a softer sound and more ‘pop’ sound but still had the All Time Low flair in it. A party album, with very catchy rhythms and lyrics, while still maintaining some slow songs.

Set The World On Fire – Black Veil Brides

Hollywood’s own glam metal rockers, Black Veil Brides, hit back with their second album, Set The World On Fire, in 2011 with a softer sound while gaining them a lot more popularity. Having trouble over the past few disjointed years organising their band line up and sound, this seemed to be their first solid album. Still maintaining the catchy and uplifting lyrics while including their known rock and roll style guitar solos. An album I could have on repeat for days.

Go Now & Live – We Are The Ocean

One of my favourite bands of the year comes along English fellas, We Are The Ocean. In April this year, they came out with their second full length album, Go Now & Live. A softer sound then their previous, the unclean vocalist Dan Brown experimented with clean vocals rather than his usual grunt. The album seemed to get some criticism for their similarity to now disbanded, Alexisonfire. I on the other hand highly enjoyed it, having a good amount of slow and fast songs, and harmonistic vocals between the two leads.

The Drug In Me Is You – Falling In Reverse

After being released out of prison, Ronnie Radke, jumped right back into the music industry. After losing his position of the lead singer for his original band, Escape The Fate, he came back better with his new band, Falling In Reverse. The album, The Drug In Me Is You, dropped in July. It was an album that couldn’t be pinpointed a genre; it was a mixture and was referred as Pop Metal in magazines. On the lyrical side of the album, it wasn’t exactly friendly; a lot of it was directed towards his past and people in his past.

Special mentions to:

Feel Good Now [EP] – The Ready Set

Reece Mastin – Reece Mastin

Heartbound – Dream On Dreamer

Biggest Disappointment

Time Travel – Never Shout Never

I and many others were keen to hear Christofer Drew better known as Never Shout Never’s new album, Time Travel. It came out in September, and I might just say I am so glad I saw him live before this album came out. Now if you’ve listened to Never Shout Never, you would know he’s mostly acoustic based and has this addictive energy about him. Time Travel, came along as well as the music video for the song Time Travel, and I can understand that he has grown up and matured, but it was like something had sucked all the energy and happiness from him. All the songs seemed to be long, dragged on and depressing. I thought if I gave it a few more listens then I’d enjoy it, still hasn’t happened. Some people will highly enjoy the album if that’s what you’re into, but it missed the cut for me.

Special Mentions To:

Sunshine State Of Mind – We The Kings

Most Played 2011 Song on My iPod

What Makes You Beautiful – One Direction

Now before you judge me, we all have guilty music pleasures and well One Direction are mine. Although I do enjoy a large range of music from hardcore to rock to mainstream to even Latin. One Direction came on board in 2011 after finishing third on The X Factor in the UK. Their debut single What Makes You Beautiful was released in September and went viral around the world, because it’s just so damn catchy! Along with some of my friends we all became big fans and within two weeks of the song being on my iPod, it gained 400 plays. Its hit about 500 now, making it the most played song on my iPod altogether.

Special Mentions to:

Gotta Be You – One Direction

February – The Getaway Plan

Rebel Love Song – Black Veil Brides

Best Live Performance

All Time Low – Counter Revolution

One of the biggest reasons I attended Counter Revolution was to see, All Time Low. Every time they had come to Australia previously, there was always a reason I couldn’t go. I had heard constant great reviews on their live show as well as seeing it on my screen in their ‘Straight to DVD’ film. Many other teenagers sported All Time Low shirts. They took the stage late at about 7pm, and I really understood all the great reviews. They ticked every box a band could tick for a live performance, they were humorous, they interacted with audience, and they made the whole experience a tonne of fun, while every song was performed perfectly. They left you wanting more and more. Although Panic! At The Disco were the main headliners that night, All Time Low owned that night! Easily the best band I had seen all year, and definitely would go again!

Special mentions to:

The Getaway Plan – Requiem Tour

Escape The Fate – Dead Masquerade Tour

We Are The Ocean – Counter Revolution

Plans for 2012

2011 has been an amazing year for music and me also. I began this blog at the beginning of the year thinking nothing of it, but it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made. It’s helped me work towards something and have hope and dreams. I’ve learnt so much this year and although I’m still searching I’ve found a part of me through this. I really like to thank everyone who has somehow contributed or read my writing or blog!

Anyway to the 2012 plans, I’m currently on holidays meaning I have a lot of time on my hands. Next year:

-          I have organised and completed interviews with some musical acts to create a feature for them. Definitely look out for those!

-          I will be promoting my Music Journalism around a lot more

-          I will be writing reviews for a few other places as well as my old music places

-          Favourite Bands of The Week will still be running every Monday. Tune in if you want to find some new bands

-          I’m spending most of my summer finding a lot more music and developing my music knowledge.

A lot of my holidays will be spent putting all these into action to set me up for 2012.

Thank you to everyone who has read my blog throughout 2011, and I hope to see you again next year! Also if you want drop me a line at my email, red.and.black.rockstar@gmail.com or on my Facebook page, I love hearing from you guys!

Happy & Safe Holidays!

-          Red + Black Rockstar