tis the season

Well, December's here, and if you have some down time between all the crazy shopping mobs and other seasonal stresses, you may notice a spate of 'Best of 2011' lists starting to make their way into the world. There's the best news stories, the best books and movies, the best and worst dressed, the best cars, etc. ad nauseum.

But my favorite lists are the best albums, songs, artists, basically the best music! There will be many sources that sum up their favorites, from Pitchfork to the NY Times, but the real authority of course is JID!

So to kick off the list season, here's a list of 10 albums I've only heard snippets of that might have made my other list if only I had the time/money to hear them all:

Damu - Unity

Montreal electronic producer, whose song "Don't Cry In My Bed" is simply excellent.

Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks - Mirror Traffic

2008's Real Emotional Trash is already a classic in my mind, and apparently the Pavement frontman is doing just fine these days.

Paul Simon - So Beautiful or So What

This was acclaimed as Simon's best solo album since Graceland, so I'm still curious about it, and did I mention it's Paul Simon?

Balam Acab - Wander/Wonder

Delicate and exquisite beauty, one could get lost in the song 'Motion' for hours, so maybe the rest of the album is just as good.

Machinedrum - Room(s)

This NY artist's handle is appropriate, as he has some of the hardest hitting drum tracks anywhere, and his mixtapes are difficult to not dance to. This album was praised as incorporating strands of ambient pop and restraint into its style.

Oneohtrix Point Never - Replica

Check out the hypnagogic video for the title track by this ambient artist, who makes a personal stamp on a potentially bland genre.

Cut Copy - Afro Noise Vol. 1

From FACTmag: "Fusing caustic electronics with frenzied, polyrhythmic percussion played on instruments sourced from Ghana, the Congo and Haiti... at times strangely reflective, even spiritual, too."

Bon Iver - Bon Iver

Universally praised and nominated for the Album of the Year Grammy, the first single 'Calgary' did not impress me, but I'm thinking that hearing the album might be worthwhile.

Araabmuzik - Electronic Dreams

Hip-hop influenced underground dance/bass music, you can tell right away this artist has skills, and can represent the cutting edge of electronic music.

Venetian Snares - My So-Called Life

More of the same from this glitchy breakcore master, but if it ain't broken...