Groovemine contributor, ADAM SHANLEY, presents his top ten picks for the most compelling records of the year:







Science Island by The Two Koreas
My go-to garage rock. This album is epic and dynamic and raw in a way that a lot of what I listened to this year was not. I barely read about this album at all during the year and can’t find anyone else that has heard it but it most certainly deserves to be heard.

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David Comes to Life by Fucked Up
What’s more compelling than a hardcore punk opera about love and loss? I am also fairly certain that this album set a record for "most guitars on an album". It’s catchy, heady, loud and emotional. Everything a great rock album should be.

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Diaper Island by Chad VanGaalen
That sound. VanGaalen’s voice, the world in which his sounds exist, the psychedelic and otherworldly subject matter...I couldn’t get enough of this album, and it filled the void left by not having an album by Women come out this year.










Wild Flag (self-titled)
This album was being talked about as having "album of the year" potential long before it was even released. Just the idea of this group forming had everybody excited. It’s good to have expectations fulfilled.










w h o k i l l by tUnE-yArDs
Rhythmically vibrant, wholly original with a propelling, outspoken, strong, creative voice that grabs everyone’s attention. Once I think about this album, I can’t help myself from listening to it again. There wasn’t anything else like this released this year, or any year in recent memory to be honest.

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Ravedeath 1972 by Tim Hecker
I’m a bit of a novice to ambient, drone, electronic music. It’s not that I don’t like it, it’s just that nothing ever seems to grab me and (for lack of a better word) compel me to listen front to back. That being said I have happily sat in wonder listening to Ravedeath 1972 many times this year, and I’m sure the coming year will be no different.

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New History Warfare Vol. 2: Judges
by Colin Stetson
I still remember listening to this album for the first time. Without exaggerating I can honestly say that my jaw dropped and remained that way until it ended, where I would promptly fire it back up again. I’m still amazed at the creativity contained in this album and the number of new musical discoveries that are uncovered with each listen.

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The King of Limbs by Radiohead
Every Radiohead album, to me is, at least, compelling. They seem to have an uncanny ability to create these sonic puzzles. Upon the release, I find myself poring over them to find some deep meaning. This album has received a fairly substantial amount of criticism, but to me that just makes it all the more worthwhile.









Mirror Traffic by Stephen Malkmus
and the Jicks
Great, straightforward song writing. Everybody spent all of their energy bitching about Pavement not making new music, meanwhile their lead songwriter never stopped. This album is every bit as good as Wowee Zowee or Brighten the Corners, maybe even better. Malkmus has never stopped and this album was my happy re-introduction to his solo music.









Reptilians by STRFKR (Starfucker)
Electronic, synth heavy and poppy music with emotion to spare. Not enough can be written about the interesting juxtaposition of danceable music with (that support) dire lyrics that consider our mortality. Bonus points for being fellow Oregonians.

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>> MORE COMPELLING MUSIC...

+ Read KYRSTEN BEAN's picks for The Most Compelling Music of 2011
+ Read ADRIAN ROJAS' picks for The Most Compelling Music of 2011
+ Read JENNIFER MILLS' picks for The Most Compelling Music of 2011