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The Completely Unneccesary, Totally Irreverent Top 70 Albums of 2011 List

By Gary Wien

originally published: 01/02/2012


By Gary Wien

* NOTE: This list is based upon albums received at The Penguin's online radio station during 2011. Some of these titles were originally released in 2010. Since they were not considered for previous lists, they are considered for this one.

1) Jenny & Tyler - "Faint Not"
2) Ryan Adams - "Ashes & Fire"
3) The Waterboys - "Appointment With Mr. Yeats"
4) The Monacchio's - "Wedding Album"
5) Jon Caspi & The First Gun - "The Little Ones"
6) Sheli Aarden - "Kansas"
7) Vic Della Pello - "Broken Heart Tattoo"
8) Michael Brett - "Some Kind Of Solitude"
9) Emily Grove - "Way Across The Sea"
10) Jo Wymer - "Living With Scars"
11) Nicole Atkins - "Mondo Amore"
12) Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds
13) Israel Nash Gripka - "Barn Doors & Concrete Floors"
14) My Chemical Romance - "Danger Days: The True Lives Of The Fabulous Killjoys"
15) SPiN - "BELiEVE"
16) The Airbourne Toxic Event - "All At Once"
17) Army Navy - "The Last Place"
18) Fountains Of Wayne - "Sky Full Of Holes"
19) Beannacht - "Gra Na Firinne"
20) Michael Patrick - "Another Song You Never Heard"
21) Singing Bear - "Gold"
22) The Smithereens - "2011"
23) U.S. Rails - "Southern Canon"
24) Scott Bricklin - "Scott Bricklin"
25) The Amboys - "Led Into The Woods"
26) Linda Chorney - "Emotional Jukebox"
27) Tyrone Wells - "Metal & Wood"
28) Brian Molnar & The Naked Hearts - "Of The Fall"
29) The Head & The Heart - "The Head and the Heart"
30) The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - "Belong"
31) Val Emmich - "Aide Memoire"
32) Williamsboy - "Analog"
33) South Cry - "Blue Moon"
34) R.E.M. - "Collapse Into Now"
35) The Decemberists - "The King Is Dead"
36) Aryn Michelle - "Last One Standing"
37) Kelly Carvin - "Kelly Carvin & The Future"
38) Wilco - "The Whole Love"
39) Christine Martucci - "Sin & Redemption"
40) The Strokes - "Angles"
41) Steve Earle - "I'll Never Get Out Of This World Alive"
42) Anjelia - "Believe"
43) Readymade Breakup
44) Joanna Burns - "The Green Year"
45) Anthony Walker - "This City Won't Sleep"
46) Dawes - "Nothing Is Wrong"
47) Mother Mother - "Eureka"
48) Stevie Nicks - "In Your Dreams"
49) Ben Rector - "Into The Morning"
50) Danny White - "A Beautiful Crazy"
51) Eilen Jewell - "Queen Of The Minor Key"
52) Emma Dean - "Dr Dream And The Imaginary Pop-Cabaret"
53) Armand Margjeka - "Margo Margo"
54) The Civil Wars - "Barton Hollow"
55) Adele - "21"
56) Ha Ha Tonka - "Death Of A Decade"
57) Jonathan Andrew - "The Ropes"
58) Pure Grain - "Sowing Seeds"
59) David Arn - "Postmodern Days"
60) Don Lee - "Fool To Even Care"
61) Sloan - "The Double Cross"
62) The Gay Blades - "Savages"
63) Fiery Blue - "Our Secret"
64) Young The Giant
65) Gillian Welch - "The Harrow & The Harvest"
66) Michael Askin - "Here We Are Now"
67) The Lion And The Wolf
68) Kimon & The Prophets - "Trenton Blues"
69) WhiteCityLight
70) Gerald Edward - "Side B"




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About the author:

Gary Wien has been covering the arts since 2001 and has had work published with Jersey Arts, Upstage Magazine, Elmore Magazine, Princeton Magazine, Backstreets and other publications. He is a three-time winner of the Asbury Music Award for Top Music Journalist and the author of Beyond the Palace (the first book on the history of rock and roll in Asbury Park) and Are You Listening? The Top 100 Albums of 2001-2010 by New Jersey Artists. In addition, he runs New Jersey Stage and the online radio station The Penguin Rocks. His personal website is at lightyscorner.com. He can be contacted at [email protected].


EVENT PREVIEWS

(EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ) -- American Dream will celebrate the region's opening World Cup match between Brazil and Morocco with the debut of its newest venue, the Dream Live Performing Arts Center, with a postgame concert by French Montana on June 13, 2026 at 9:00pm.
Outlaw Country Comes to the Jersey Pines at Albert Music Hall on Saturday

Outlaw Country Comes to the Jersey Pines at Albert Music Hall on Saturday

(WARETOWN, NJ) -- The outlaw spirit of classic Country music will ride into Albert Music Hall on Saturday, June 13, 2026, as the historic Waretown venue presents a special evening dedicated to the songs, stories, and the independent spirit of Outlaw Country.
Marc Ribler & Friends to perform Paul McCartney birthday tribute "When I

Marc Ribler & Friends to perform Paul McCartney birthday tribute "When I'm 84" at Axelrod PAC

(DEAL, NJ) -- As a tribute to Sir Paul McCartney's upcoming 84th birthday in June, Jersey Shore musician Marc Ribler has put together an all-star lineup to perform "When I'm 84" at the Axelrod Performing Arts Center on Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14, 2026.

Levoy Theatre presents Paul Thorn on June 18th

(MILLVILLE, NJ) -- The Levoy Theatre presents Paul Thorn on Thursday, June 18, 2026 at 7:30pm. When it comes to songwriting, less is more, and simplicity is strength. Just ask Paul Thorn, who’s spent three decades turning soulful grooves and small syllables into songs that pack a big wallop.

Erin Harpe & Countryman Jim Bring Award-Nominated Country Blues to Lizzie Rose Music Room on June 18th

(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- Award-nominated country blues duo Erin Harpe & Countryman Jim will bring their captivating blend of traditional country blues, folk, and Americana to the Lizzie Rose Music Room on Thursday, June 18, 2026 at 7:30pm.
The Black Crowes and Whiskey Myers to Perform at Prudential Center

The Black Crowes and Whiskey Myers to Perform at Prudential Center

(NEWARK, NJ) -- Genre-defying rock legends The Black Crowes bring their massive co-headlining Southern Hospitality Tour with modern rock's boundary-pushing powerhouse Whiskey Myers to Prudential Center in Newark on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 8:00pm.

Carteret PAC presents Los Lobos and Los Lonely Boys on June 20th

(CARTERET, NJ) -- Los Lobos and Los Lonely Boys bring The Brotherhood Tour to Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 8:00pm. Tickets range from $58-$108.
The North Jersey Blues Society presents "Blues & Brews" featuring BBD Rhythm & Blues Band on June 21st

The North Jersey Blues Society presents "Blues & Brews" featuring BBD Rhythm & Blues Band on June 21st

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- The North Jersey Blues Society presents "Blues & Brews" featuring BBD Rhythm & Blues Band at the Montclair Brewery on Sunday, June 21, 2026. The event runs from 5:30pm to 7:30pm.

Going Acoustic at Quig's to Mark 4 Years with Featured Sets from Emily Drinker and Gina LC on June 22nd

(PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- Four years in, Going Acoustic at Quig's is still doing what it does best: creating a welcoming space where artists feel comfortable to take risks, and audiences are lucky enough to hear it unfold. On Monday, June 22, 2026 the beloved open mic series returns to Quig's Pub for its 4th Anniversary Show, with featured performances from Emily Drinker and Gina LC, alongside the series' signature blend of emerging voices and open mic performers.
Cape May Point Arts and Science Center presents Grammy-Nominated Blues artist Guy Davis on June 24th

Cape May Point Arts and Science Center presents Grammy-Nominated Blues artist Guy Davis on June 24th

(CAPE MAY POINT, NJ) -- On Wednesday, June 24, 2026, musician, storyteller and two-time Grammy Nominee for Best Traditional Blues, Guy Davis, will perform at The Cape May Point Arts and Science Center.

 

FEATURED EVENTS


Carole King Celebration with Alice Leon

Saturday, June 13, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton, NJ


Ben Folds in Concert with New Jersey Symphony

Sunday, June 14, 2026 @ 2:00pm
State Theatre New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ


Chicago

Sunday, June 14, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
Morristown, NJ


Free Summer Event: Bollywood Dance Party with DJ Arjun

Tuesday, June 16, 2026 @ 6:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) - Pioneer Park at Headquarters Plaza
Morristown, NJ


"The Antoinette Montague Experience: Here's to the Ladies Who Swing and Bling" as part of North to Shore

Wednesday, June 17, 2026 @ 6:00pm
Newark Culture Club
Newark, NJ



 

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