1) I just can't freakin' decide and, when I do decide, I wind up changing my mind. Take, for example, last year's list. Given a little more time, I can guarantee Sufjan Stevens wouldn't be number one. I haven't listened to it once since posting that. I can honestly say that Mumford & Sons, Janelle Mónae, Matt & Kim, Robyn, and LCD Soundsystem have held up much better in the year since posting this list.

2) I forget something or someone. Like I did with Janelle Mónae last year and like I almost found myself doing with my number two album this year. Sometimes my eyes just completely gloss over the list and I miss it. I would've kicked myself if I missed this one this year. Thankfully, I caught it. But who knows what I'll be reminded of.

Anyway, I guess I should probably get crackin' here, don'cha think?

In reverse order from 10 to 1, here are the Kapgar Top 10 Albums of 2011.

10. Björk – Biophilia 
I've loved Björk for many years, through ups and downs, swan dresses and temper tantrums. There have been some truly great albums and a few stinkers. But Biophilia proves that our Icelandic hitmaker has not lost it in the slightest. I haven't had much of a chance to play with all the iPad apps she released in conjunction with this album as I don't have an iPad (yet), but the music is an aural treat... as it should be.
Track This: "Crystalline" and "Solstice"

9. Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross – The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
I don't know how Trent Reznor does it, but, in the last few years, he has managed to almost completely reinvent himself. Sure, both his industrial sound and the softer electronic sounds he has been creating since the release of Ghosts I-IV (while technically a NIN release, it's much more akin to the music he's done for soundtracks than his true NIN albums) are electronic, but they are light years apart. And, to the best of my knowledge, he hasn't really alienated any of his fans or made them scream out in a chorus of "SELLOUT!" I don't think so, at least. But, officially starting with The Social Network soundtrack last year, his collaboration with Atticus Ross has churned out some of the most memorable soundtrack music in several decades. Stuff that works with nearly any mood and leaves you wanting more while hoping he doesn't overextend himself and start writing for just any movie. Instead of just orchestrated soundtrack music, this album also contains a couple songs either with Karen O or his other side project, How to Destroy Angels.
Track This: "Immigrant Song" with Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs on vocals

8. Foo Fighters – Wasting Light
I once said that any year in which a new Foo Fighters album is released is a year you can guarantee that they can be found in my top 10 list. And here they are. But this album almost didn't make it, and that admission is going to find Sybil Law hurling some of the dirtiest words at me that you've ever read. Just check the comments. They'll be there. I swear. The reason why is that, while this is a good album, it just didn't hold me quite as much as their past releases. I really cannot explain why. It's their first album back after a couple year hiatus. They brought in Butch Vig as a producer. They promised and delivered an album full of rocking tracks. Maybe there were just that many other great albums this year. Oh well. Sorry my Foo boys. 
Track This: "White Limo" and "Walk"

7. Cut Copy – Zonoscope
At first, I wasn't particularly keen on Cut Copy's follow up to 2008's In Ghost Colours. It had a couple decent tracks, but wasn't nearly of a similar quality to the greatness of their second album. Then I saw them at Pitchfork 2011 and heard the music played live and felt the energy they put into it. And, despite being on the mend from low-grade heat exhaustion suffered earlier in the festival, I really loved it and gained a greater appreciation for this album as a whole.
Track This: "Take Me Over" and "Blink and You'll Miss a Revolution"

6. The Black Keys – El Camino
I was in a bit of disbelief when I heard The Black Keys were releasing yet another new album a mere year after the release of Brothers. But, hey, if Patrick Carney and Dan Auerbach are feeling productive enough to cobble together another studio release, I won't deny them that right. Clearly their other fans won't deny them either. This is a very good album despite some cries that it's a bit too accessible to the masses. But I don't really care. It continues their sound well and should produce a handful of singles beyond just "Lonely Boy." 
Track This: "Gold on the Ceiling" and "Little Black Submarines"

5. M83 – Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming
Anthony Gonzalez, the creative soul behind M83 and currently its only member, may have taken his time writing and recording the follow up to Saturdays = Youth, but the two album set that constitutes Hurry Up, We're Dreaming was well worth the wait. Many of you may already be familiar with the track "Midnight City" that currently serves as commercial music for the Victoria's Secret holiday ad campaign, but there is so much more to this album and I highly recommend you check it out. Now. Go. 
Track This: "Midnight City" and "Claudia Lewis"

4. Red Hot Chili Peppers – I’m With You
Here's another band that, like Björk, I've been listening to for many years through ups and downs and roster changes and rehab stints, rah rah. While this album isn't as good as some of their early stuff and certainly showcases a new sound on many tracks, it's a VERY solid album. One I found myself listening to straight through several times. Happy to have you back, boys. And welcome aboard, Josh Klinghoffer, you're the first guitarist to successfully replace our beloved John Frusciante. I hope you're in for the long haul. 
Track This: "Monarchy of Roses" and "Brendan's Death Song"

3. Foster the People – Torches
Once in a while, a band comes along with a single so strong that you're left drooling in anticipation of the full album. Doesn't hurt when basically EVERY SINGLE ONE of your friends is also of the same mindset. This happened earlier this year when Sirius/XM began playing a little song called "Pumped Up Kicks" with its rock meets electronic sound and catchy vocals and highly controversial lyrics. Then came the EP with the follow-up single "Helena Beat" and finally the full album with the third single "Don't Stop (Color on the Walls)." I haven't been this entranced by a band since the lead-up to Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix a couple years back.
Track This: "Helena Beat" and "Houdini"

2. Wild Flag – Wild Flag
My friend Eric had been trying for years to turn me into a fan of the band Sleater-Kinney. They were okay, but I never really got into them hardcore until a couple years ago. Then I started picking up as much of their music as I could find only to discover that the band had, er, disbanded. Ack! I was really digging their edgy sound and raw lyrics. To say I was relieved to hear that Carrie Brownstein and Janet Weiss, formerly of S-K, had joined up with Mary Timony and Rebecca Cole to form Wild Flag would be an understatement. Up to the point where the album met the public, I had only heard "Romance" but I loved it. And the rest of the album rocks my world. I've listened to it so many times, you could almost class me as certifiable. But I don't care. They're coming to Chicago in April and I really want to go see them.
Track This: "Romance" and "Glass Tambourine"

1. Neon Indian – Era Extraña
Oh Eric, you have made my music-listening life both heaven and hell. I curse him because my hard drive hates me, but I praise him because I've discovered so much new stuff. He introduced me to Neon Indian with their album Psychic Chasms, released in 2009, and it took me a while to truly appreciate their sound. This year's release, Era Extraña, grabbed hold of me quickly and didn't let go. It is just all kinds of experimental electronic goodness. If you don't know Neon Indian, you should. Do yourself a favor and check them out.
Track This: "Hex Girlfriend" and "Polish Girl"

Some other strong contenders (in no particular order) include Girls – Father, Son, Holy Ghost; Lykke Li – Wounded Rhymes; St. Vincent – Strange Mercy; Eleanor Friedberger – Last Summer; Amon Tobin – ISAM; TV on the Radio – Nine Types of Light; Grouplove – Never Trust a Happy Song; Dum Dum Girls – Only in Dreams; Adele – 21; and Cults – Cults. Some didn't make it just because they weren't quite strong enough, others because I was introduced to them too late to make an honest assessment.

Among my personal disappointments are Radiohead – King of Limbs; Paul Simon – So Beautiful or So What; Beastie Boys – Hot Sauce Committee, Pt. 2; and Jane’s Addiction – The Great Escape Artist. All of these albums come from artists that I love and whose albums I own several of. But these ones, even upon multiple listenings, just aren't up to snuff in my honest estimation.

Got any recommendations for me? I'd love to hear them!