Top Ten Recordings of 2011, By Andrew Hamlin

1. Joe Rigby Quartet: For Harriet

A saxophonist meets a bagpiper and they circle each other almost but not quite (more rudeness) the way the heavens circle each other when you suck down too much of the good stuff. There’s two guys banging on things too, but I’ll leave you to discover them.

2. Freddie Hubbard: Pinnacle Live & Unreleased: From Keystone Korner

A dead trumpeter from a dead club and liver than most of us ever manage (though I like to think we could if we tried). Freddie never cared for categories, fine and dandy—so here’s the OCD of bop changes plus the all-feet-on-the-one of funk, the fanaticism of free jazz, and semper, semper swagger.

3. They Might Be Giants: Join Us

I’d forgotten how much I missed these fellows. Their first “adult” record in awhile, but “adult” really does mean “grown up.” The history of twentieth-century music in adorable nibbles, never flaunting it, filled with the breadth of qudodian wit.

4. Fountains Of Wayne: Sky Full Of Holes

I can’t get anyone I care about to care about this at all, which leads me to wonder about the future for Cheever-finessed short-story rock and roll.

5. Gang Of Four: Content

They admit failure, but on their own terms. They know they’re right, but not on the world’s terms. The sound of that crack crime team failing, finally, to drill the safe and beat the alarm.

6. Frank Fairfield: Out On The Open West

The living embodiment of the Old, Weird America tries writing his own songs for a change. Shockingly enough he becomes weirder organically. Fresh murder for the fresh butter of fresh murder ballads.

7. New York Dolls: Dancing Backward In High Heels

They pick up Blondie’s guitarist, who doesn’t strum nearly so loud. This allows their rudimentals, as Lester Bangs would have called it, to shine through. A charming tour through doo-wop, girl-group, Latin, and swing boogie, though David Johansen throws in a few swear words to let us know this is the twenty-first century. David’s body could use a few sandwiches. His spirit endures.

8. The Mekons: Ancient & Modern 1911-2011

The DJ who called it full of ghosts, cobwebs, and spirit writing called it right. My favorite song is sung “by” a fellow who drowned. I almost feel like I know him…

9. Various Artists: Wallahi le zein! Wezin, Jakwar And Guitar Boogie From The Islamic Republic of Mauritania

Still not sure what to make of this except that it hits. The look-ma-no-hands of the best Chuck Berry transplanted into what in America would constitute revival-meeting fervor.

10. Yes: Fly From Here

I know what you’re thinking, and I’m sad. The new singer sounds even more like the old one than the last new one they tried—and that guy even came back to produce! No names, but except for the new singer, they’re all ones you should know. Oh, and that opening half-hour-or-so suite should be a must-listen for geeks, geniuses, and the genus.

– Andrew Hamlin