John Rodriguez top-five albums of 2011

With the help of my trusty iPod, I set out to pick my favorite albums of 2011. The following is a countdown of my top five picks. If you don’t agree with the list – blame the iPod.

5. Maroon 5 – Hands All Over

Adam Levine and crew aren’t necessarily creating some great industry-changing opus with their third studio album, but that doesn’t mean “Hands All Over” can’t put a nice spring in your step. Lyrics aside, the album opens with radio favorite, “Misery.” Levine flexes his vocals with “Never Gonna Leave This Bed” but doesn’t overdo it, letting the music guide the boat. Of course, fans of NBC’s “The Voice,” and anyone with a radio, has heard the ever-poppy “Moves Like Jagger” featuring Levine’s “Voice” co-judge, Christina Aguilera. Okay, I admit, I have been known to shake my ass to this while doing the dishes or working on photos. I can’t help it; it makes me move like Jagger.

4. Rev Theory – Justice

Released early last year, Rev Theory’s sophomore offering is a solid rock album. My complaint with it is that they didn’t really evolve from the hit debut Light it Up. Justice does offer, like I said, some good rock tracks like “Loaded Gun” and “Justice.” My favorite, though, is the ballad-ish “The Fire.” It brings emotion as well as a hard-edge you’d want from the bands lead singer, Rich Luzzi.

3. Lady Gaga – Born This Way

She has worn a meat dress, been carried down the red carpet in an egg, and in 2011 released one of the best pop albums in many-a-year. I didn’t want to like Lady Gaga, and I definitely didn’t want to like this album. I was dead set against it. But after giving the title track a listen, and then see it performed by a drag queen at last year’s Pink Prom, I developed a strange liking. The album opens up with the energy-filled “Marry the Night” and really doesn’t let up from there, ending with two of my faves, “You and I” and “Edge of Glory.” Don’t look at me that way. There’s nothing wrong with a few guilty pleasures, and she’s one of mine. Besides, chick’s got a voice. I said stop looking at me with those judgmental eyes.

2. Adele – 21

2011 was the year of Adele. Her voice carries an already great collection of songs into space, singing with the kind of power and emotion of which most vocalists can only dream. The ever popular – if not overplayed (thank you radio) – “Rolling in the Deep” kicks off the album with a great energy, the next three tracks build on that momentum until the first of two musical climaxes, “Set Fire to the Rain.” The album continues on giving your heart a bit of a flutter-break before peaking again with “Someone Like You.” The subtle squeaks and cracks in her voice during this song only add to the raw emotions that it conjures. I love this album, and look forward to many more from across the pond.

1. Foo Fighters – Wasting Light

This album is at the top of my list for one simple reason – It fucking rocks! That’s right I’m dropping f-bombs. Holy crap, this is what rock used to be, and Dave Grohl and company went out and said it still is this way. The band teamed up with veteran producer Bruce Vig, who by the way, worked with Grohl on a little album called “Nevermind” by that band Nirvana. Heard of them? The standout tracks are of course the singles “Rope” and “Walk”, which are both great rock tracks. Upon hearing them I immediately went to the web to find guitar tabs for them. The not-too-surprising favorites for me are “These Days” and “Dear Rosemary,” which reunites Grohl with Nirvana bassist, Krist Novoselic. “Wasting Light” also brings guitarist Pat Smear back into the fold. I can’t say enough good things about this album, so I’ll just stop now. Wait one more thing … Get this album.
What, what have I been listening to while typing this list? Foo Fighters and Lady Gaga. Hey, I said quit judging me.