To do a separate genre list would take forever. So here’s my personal favorite overall songs of 2011.

5. “Hanging On” by Active Child; A perfectly written song about being in a tired romance. The electronic vibe catches the emotional fatigue and Pat Grossi gives a haunting/beautiful vocal performance.

4. “Money Grabber” by Fitz and The Tantrums; Great song with an old school 70’s vibe to it. The bass tone was insane on this track and we all can relate to the lyrics. (male or female) I used this song for most of 2011 as my warm up vocal track.

3. “Risk” by Old City Lights; Mutual band emotions all pour in to this dark masterpiece. Disciplined drumming, A growling B3, and the most heartfelt solo I ever heard Oliver Valdez play, all make a perfect marriage to Victor Rosario’s lyrics and vocals.

2. “Grown Ocean” by Fleet Foxes; I love this song. Just a perfect piece of music that sticks in your brain for months. Vocals and harmonies are the highlights of this song.

1. “The Circle Married The Line” by Feist; How could Leslie Feist follow up 2007’s epic “The Reminder?” Of course with another epic album “Metals” This album has several gems, but “The Circle Married The Line” is my favorite. The first time I heard the “Realize what you know, that you know I know right now.” part, I dang near wept. The structure of this song blows me away with Feist’s vulnerable, heartfelt vocals and ends with a musical explosion of controlled chaos. Pure music, at it’s best.