Sanakan's Top 20 Albums of 2011

Yep, this year I decided to post my picks for 2011. I usually keep my lists confined to my last.fm page and haven’t posted them here in the past but fuck it.

I went with a main top 20 list plus a separate demos + EPs and splits list with less detail — despite the fact that a few EPs show up in my main list. Usually everything from the top 5 stays solidified at their spots the others may go up and down the list occasionally.

2011 was another great year for music, there was so much great shit released by hard working groups and labels that again it was a tough year to make a list. I always feel as though I should wait like a month or two after the new year to make a list like this since I do usually miss an amazing record and regret not putting it on the list. On that note: if I miss something it’s cool if you post a suggestion in the comments, but please try to hold off on the “You forgot _______, not good enough for ya?!” type of comments — you guys have your own lists to do justice to those albums you feel I’ve missed.

Do post suggestions though. I have added a huge Honorable Mentions and More Good Shit list for recommended albums that aren’t in the top 20 but are great. Anything not on that list I didn’t feel like mentioning, haven't heard it or I just missed it.

Enjoy and GFYS.

SubRosa - No Help For The Mighty Ones (2011)

Full Length, Profound Lore Records
March 1st, 2011

Genre: Sludge/Doom Metal
Region: USA

Better late then never on this one. I haven't heard any of SubRosa's previous releases but this has left a definite impression on me.

Soft and clean, folk-like droning female vocals (reminiscent of sedated Nerissa Campbell) pull you into the gloomy dark while fuzzy and slow guitar/bass leads lift you up into a hazey peak, crashing back down riff after riff. Among these elements are the excellent placement of the electric violin used by two of the ladies which sound eerily like trumpets, never overused and accent the drugged out atmosphere. Pacing is set by slow and steady doom drum beats. The forlorn, intoxicated atmosphere boarders on psychedelic with the wavy violins and subtle wah/noise effects but the constant, slow groans of the guitars and very abrupt sections of coarse growls from the singer keeps this in the realm of dreamy sludge. A noticeable and unique sound, well composed and executed. "No Help For The Mighty Ones" is extremely catchy and heavy.

Some of the musical and melancholic lyrical themes are inspired by books ("The Road" and "War Against The Weak") and Russian fairy tales, and there are subtle touches of a hammered dulcimer, harmonica, chime, and thumb piano. There are a few guest musicians the contribute to various songs and one of the closing tracks ("House Carpenter") is an acapella rendition of a Celtic folk song.

I've seen comparisons to Neurosis but I would place them more along side early A Storm of Light if they were more stoner oriented. Definitely recommended. Pick it up from Profound Lore or from SubRosa's store. Listen to it on their bandcamp page.

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