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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

(RED BANK, NJ) -- Low Cut Connie was going to play the ParkStage show on July 3, 2026, but it was rescheduled due to the heat. Instead, he will celebrate the release of his latest album Livin' In The USA at The Vogel. Doors are at 6:30pm, showtime is 7:30pm.
Flamingosis to Bring Bright Moments 10th Anniversary Tour to Newark Culture Club

Flamingosis to Bring Bright Moments 10th Anniversary Tour to Newark Culture Club

(NEWARK, NJ) -- Flamingosis is the stage name of Aaron Velasquez, a New Jersey-based DJ, beatboxer, and electronic music producer who is coming to Newark Culture Club on Friday, July 3, 2026 at 10:00pm. A special set by one world's leading DJs/producers!
The Sandbox at Seastreak presents Badfish on July 4th

The Sandbox at Seastreak presents Badfish on July 4th

(HIGHLANDS, NJ) -- Badfish is a vibe. Badfish is a sonic house party complete with plenty of gyrating fans sipping libations and enjoying various extracurricular activities. Simply put, Badfish is feel-good music. See for yourself when Badfish performs at The Sandbox at Seastreak on Saturday, July 4, 2026 at 7:00pm. It's a great way to celebrate the holiday!

Carteret PAC presents Hellfest

(CARTERET, NJ) -- Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center presents Hellfest from July 3-5, 2026 with over 18 bands performing each day! Tickets are available per day or with a three day pass.
MPAC presents Darren Criss on July 9th

MPAC presents Darren Criss on July 9th

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe winner Darren Criss returns to Mayo Performing Arts Center for an all-new solo show on Thursday, July 9, 2026 at 8:00pm. Since bursting onto the pop-culture landscape over a decade ago in Fox's hit TV show Glee, Darren Criss has embodied the kind of kaleidoscopic artistry that's entirely uninhibited by form or genre.

Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Bell Bottom Blues on July 10th

(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- Bell Bottom Blues returns to the Lizzie Rose Music Room on Friday, July 10, 2026. The band was formed in 2007 with the vision of providing an audience with a true Eric Clapton Experience. Showtime is 7:30pm.
Asbury Lanes presents There, There (A Tribute to Radiohead) on July 11th

Asbury Lanes presents There, There (A Tribute to Radiohead) on July 11th

(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- There, There (A Tribute to Radiohead) will perform at Asbury Lanes on Saturday, July 11, 2026. Doors open at 7:00pm, showtime is 8:00pm.

Newton Theatre presents Dio Rules: Tribute to Rainbow, Black Sabbath & Dio on July 11th

(NEWTON, NJ) -- One voice. Three legendary bands. One unforgettable decade of rock. DIO RULES is a powerful live concert experience celebrating the music and legacy of Ronnie James Dio, one of the most influential voices in the history of hard rock and heavy metal. See for yourself when the band comes to The Newton Theatre on Saturday, July 11, 2026 at 8:00pm.
2026 Maplewoodstock Music + Art Festival to Take Place July 11-12

2026 Maplewoodstock Music + Art Festival to Take Place July 11-12

(MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- Going on 20+ years, the annual, free, two-day Maplewoodstock Music + Art Festival will take place the weekend of July 11-12, 2026, in Memorial Park in Maplewood. The festival features performances by Anders Osborne, Lettuce, Slap Dragon, and Megan Jean's Secret Family. It kicks off with music at noon and ends around 9:30pm each night. As always, it is free and welcomes the entire community.

bergenPAC presents Warrant on July 12th

(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) presents Warrant on Sunday, July 12, 2026 at 7:00pm. The California band first hit it big in 1989 with their album Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich.

 

FEATURED EVENTS


Michael Allman Band - Matinee Show

Sunday, July 05, 2026 @ 3:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton, NJ


Michael Allman Band - Evening Show

Sunday, July 05, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton, NJ


Joe Jackson + Band

Wednesday, July 08, 2026 @ 7:30pm
State Theatre New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ


Chris O'Leary Band

Thursday, July 09, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton, NJ


Damn The Torpedoes Matinee Show

Saturday, July 11, 2026 @ 3:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton, NJ


Deadgrass

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



 

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