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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

(WARETOWN, NJ) -- Albert Music Hall will be filled with peace, pickin' and harmonies on Sunday, August 9, 2026 as Pineystock returns for a "far out" afternoon celebrating the sounds and spirit of the late 1960s and early 1970s.
The Newton Theatre presents Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives  on August 12th

The Newton Theatre presents Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives on August 12th

(NEWTON, NJ) -- The Newton Theatre presents Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives on Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at 7:00pm. In a career spanning over 50 years, dozens of albums, and too many shows to count, Marty Stuart charts a course through new territory at every chance possible.
BoDeans - 40th Anniversary Tour comes to Newton Theatre in August

BoDeans - 40th Anniversary Tour comes to Newton Theatre in August

(NEWTON, NJ) -- BoDeans are celebrating the 40th anniversary of their critically acclaimed debut album, Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams, in 2026. In honor of the anniversary, the band has a special tour planned which comes to The Newton Theatre on Friday, August 14, 2026 at 8:00pm.
Music Box at the Borgata presents The Marshall Tucker Band on August 14th

Music Box at the Borgata presents The Marshall Tucker Band on August 14th

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Music Box at the Borgata presents The Marshall Tucker Band on Friday, August 14, 2026 at 7:30pm.

Christone "Kingfish" Ingram to Headline 2026 Morristown Jazz & Blues Festival

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Christone "Kingfish" Ingram has been announced as the headliner for the 2026 Morristown Jazz & Blues Festival. The free festival will be held on Saturday, August 15th on the Green. The music begins at noon and runs until 10:00pm. The lineup also includes James Langton New York All-Star Big Band, Richard Baratta Gotham City Latin/Jazz Septet, LaBamba and the Hubcaps, and Dylan Triplett.
The Newton Theatre presents Supernova: A Tribute to Oasis on August 15th

The Newton Theatre presents Supernova: A Tribute to Oasis on August 15th

(NEWTON, NJ) -- Supernova: A Tribute to Oasis comes to The Newton Theatre on Saturday, August 15, 2026 at 8:00pm. They are an Oasis tribute band obsessed with recreating the raw energy, intensity and swagger of a real Oasis gig.

Rob Garrett's Neil Diamond: The Tribute comes to Atlantic City

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- The Grand at Golden Nugget Atlantic City presents Rob Garrett's Neil Diamond Tribute on Saturday, August 15, 2026 at 8:00pm. The longtime Las Vegas performer has been called "the best of the best" when it comes to tribute acts.
Showboat Resorts Garden Pier hosts RE-WIND 69

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(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- The inaugural RE-WIND 69' Music Festival at Showboat Resorts Garden Pier takes place August 14-16, 2026 - the anniversary weekend of the original Woodstock 1969 festival. This is a spectacular revival of a moment in American history when music united generations, healed communities, and sparked cultural change. For three unforgettable days, Atlantic City becomes a living time capsule, bringing the spirit of Woodstock and 1969 back to life through world-class recreations of the now legendary musical performances by a dynamic mix of New Jersey musicians along with national and international touring acts.

Widespread Panic to Play Three Nights at Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Widespread Panic is taking over Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena for three nights from August 14-16, 2026 with shows at 8:00pm each night. The popular jam band has been together over three decades. Tickets are available for each show individually or as a 3-Day Pass.

The Temptations to Bring the Motor City to the Ocean City Boardwalk on August 18th

(OCEAN CITY, NJ) -- Legendary Motown group The Temptations look to continue their celebrated touring schedule with a summer stop at America's Greatest Family Resort, Ocean City, New Jersey on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famers and multiple GRAMMY Award winners celebrate more than six decades of hits with their acclaimed live performances, remain one of the most enduring and influential groups in American popular music. Renowned worldwide for their signature harmonies, impeccable choreography, and an iconic catalog of timeless hits, their legacy continues to span generations.

 

FEATURED EVENTS


EagleMania – The World’s Greatest Eagles Tribute Band

Wednesday, August 12, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
Morristown, NJ


Cimarron 615

Thursday, August 13, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton, NJ


Niko Moon - Mayor's Summer Concert Series

Thursday, August 13, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) - Main Stage
Rahway, NJ


Totally 2000's Party - Y2K Night

Friday, August 14, 2026 @ 9:00pm
Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center
Carteret, NJ


The Janis Joplin Experience starring Lisa Polizzi

Friday, August 14, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton, NJ



 

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