2011 was a good year for alternative music.There were so many new artists and albums that could have been worthy of ending up on my list. So instead of Greybeards scoring system, I just went off a couple of factors; How many plays where on my ipod, how the album is on a whole and how good the individual songs are. So here we go..

10. Metronomy – The English Riveria

This was a really good album but the only drawback was this was the kind of album you have to listen to has a whole, not just individual songs. My Favorite Song: The Bay.

9.The Horrors- Skying

Not what I was expecting from a band called The Horrors. I finally started listening to these guys this year and I’m really glad that I did. Favorite Song: Still Life

8. Smith Westerns- Dye It Blonde

I’m sure everybody has heard their song Weekend in the Tommy Hilfiger commercial. So I expected that Weekend was going to be the only song on the album that was listenable. But the album is like a  glam rock love letter. I loved it after one listen and couldn’t put it down. Favorite Song: All Die Young

7. Bombay Bicycle Club- A Different Kind Of Fix

Bombay Bicycle Club are really consistent and fantastic at what they do, making good indie pop. So it came as no surprise that A Different Kind Of Fix was just as good as their last two albums. Favorite Song: Lights Out, Words Gone.

6. The Black Keys- El Camino

Would we expect anything less from The Black Keys? After the phenomenal album Brothers, they out do them self with their Danger Mouse produced 7th album. It’s just fantastic bluesy rock. Favorite Song: Gold On The Ceiling

5. Florence + The Machine-Ceremonials

Florence is the queen of when it comes to dramatic and haunting pop songs. Nobody else could write songs about ghosts and hangovers and still have it work. Favorite Song: Shake It Out

4. Foster The People-Torches

There is more than Pumped Up Kicks on this fantastic debut album. The album has so much energy that you can’t just listen to this album once. Favorite Song: Call It What You Want

3. Arctic Monkeys-Suck It And See

What could we expect from the monkeys on their fourth album. Was it going to be more like Humbug or Favorite Worst Nightmare? What we got was a blending of all the things that made there last three albums great to make one great rock record. Favorite Song: The Hellcat Spangeled Shalalala

2. The Vaccines- What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?

What did I expect from The Vaccines? After NME said their album was the return of the great British rock band i was expecting a lot. And they delivered. With an album not even an hour long, The Vaccines got to the point and told us what they were all about. They are a great rock n roll band with the songs to match. Favorite Song: Norgaard

1. Friendly Fires- Pala

I’m not a huge fan of dance/electronic music. I was a little skeptical when i heard all of the hype surrounding Friendly Fires. But I was wrong.So wrong. They put out one of the most addictive albums of the year. I couldn’t stop listening or dancing to this album. There is no other word but phenomenal to describe this album. Favorite Song: Hawaiian Air