I’m going to start this right off with an unpopular opinion. I do not think that Bon Iver, Bon Iver is the best album of 2011. As a matter of fact, I liked For Emma, Forever Ago more, even if I do think Justin Vernon is one of the most talented people making music right now and his sophomore effort was certainly one of the best of year, it was not the best. There. I said it. I feel like a weight has been lifted.

Oh yeah, my pick also isn’t Adele’s 21. Though I do love 21 more than I loved 19, so, yeah, kudos to Adele. And there is no Amy Winehouse or Michael Jackson on my list, as much as their music will be missed, I never really felt the whole ‘posthumous release’ thing.

No, I won’t keep you in suspense. My favorite album, hands down without flinching, of 2011 is Ceremonials by Florence + The Machine. I went into listening without any real expectations, to be honest. I hadn’t liked Lungs that much, except the reaching-for-operatic “Cosmic Love”. I figured Florence Welch was one of those hipster indie music queens (ala Zooey Deschanel, Imogen Heap, and Feist) that I just want nothing to do with. The world has enough whimsy without them forcing it upon us, not to mention that as a Manic gal, I really can’t stand anything to with the Manic Pixie Dream Girl syndrome that has infected our society. But I digress, I didn’t have great hopes, right?