Some different music news things...

Well, I thought I'd post some news as I haven't done that for a while & I missed posting a song tonight...
That said:

Tooth & Nail Records announced just today their latest addition to their family, Abandoned Pools.  I haven't heard much, but I think someone may be onto something by describing the sound as a slight hybrid of Sainthood Reps vs. Swimming With Dolphins (both current T&N acts), with reminders of The Postal Service vs. Starflyer 59, & some Joy Electric (& yes, I did take these off of http://www.indievisionmusic.com/2012/01/30/tooth-nail-signs-abandoned-pools-ex-the-eels/ - but I do recognize most of the music to some extent, so I can back up the claims  ;)

Also: as always, there's some cool FREE (or by tip if you wish) music on NoiseTrade, & just today, Owl City/Adam Young put up a sampler for you if you wish...

& also as always, there's some good &/or anticipated/delivering releases that have come out lately including Blessed By A Broken Heart's "Feel the Power"[T&N; 2012], David Crowder*Band's "Give Us Rest (A Requiem Mass in C Major [The Happiest of All Keys])"[SixSteps; 2012], & Tidewater's "The Beautiful Life EP"[ROXR; 2012].

Enjoy & take care.

P.S. If you want a bit of a read, check out one of my friend's blogs - her latest concerning something called marriage & what precedes it.

Overture (&) Through the Fire - by Quick and the Dead

(not to be confused with UK band [that has since broken up])
So I've been a little lame in getting these posts out.  I've been a bit busy lately, & will continue to be, but I'm going to keep posting these (just not all with the details & the short bios I used to have time for).
That said, I found out about these guys sometime last year, & am enjoying what was.
Quick and the Dead was based out of Pleasonton, CA.  Their inception came in 2003, & included much touring & writing.  & I can't find all the specifics I would like, but I do know they released some demos in 2006 with the title "Left in the Silence", followed by their sophomore "Consider Your Options" in 2006, & two more full-length albums in their final years.  Since their time together that sadly ended in 2008, various members have gone on to be in numerous projects, including Advantage; The Threats; Jaymes Reunion; & more, including the still active Deadlines and Diamonds; & Troubled Coast.  This song is from their 3rd, but apparently unreleased album, "The Perfect Plan in Imperfect Hands", released also in 2006.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMuYN_Wjomk (<-- I can only find "Through the Fire", without the intro; but if you follow the links below, you can hear it..... I would've also posted "With Baited Breath", but I can't find that anywhere other than through IVM)

Also, you can download their entire discography (& then some) from Indie Vision Music (with whom they signed in 2007) for FREE.  Check it out:
http://www.indievisionmusic.com/2010/07/18/quick-and-the-dead-complete-collection/
But if you only wanted "The Perfect Plan...", then you can get that album for FREE on its own here:
http://www.indievisionmusic.com/2007/12/01/quick-and-the-dead-the-perfect-plan-in-imperfect-hands-free-album-download/

Hand Grenade - by The Almost

Listened (actually, still listening this minute [8.51p]) to this album for the first time in too long.  Love it.
(& I'm just going to post what I did last time about them as I've homework & can do such...).
The Almost is based out of Tampa, FL.  Fronted by singer/guitarist Aaron Gillespie (former drummer for Underoath), they formed in 2005, and released their debut LP "Southern Weather" (produced by Aaron Sprinkle) on Tooth & Nail Records on April 3rd, 2007.  The album debuted at 39 on Billboard's Top 200 & spent 20 weeks on the chart.  2 years and 2 EP's later ("No Gift to Bring" [2008], a Christmas EP, & "Monster" [2009]), they released "Monster Monster" on Nov. 3rd, 2009.  & as some fun trivia: in 2009, Gillespie hosted The Almost Culinary Contest, for which "the lucky contestant will be flown to the Capitol Tower in Los Angeles to cook the winning recipe on-camera with Aaron November 10th [2009]".  This song is from "Monster Monster".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUyvNTMEioo

An Epiphany - by The Send

Again, about all I can say is "Mmmmm". (& also that I'm probably going to be keeping these posts shorter as I've [school]work to do, & so don't have as much time to do this... that is, if I still want sleep  ;)
The Send was from Albany, OR.  Joseph Kisselburgh, originally of the band Falling Up, was the sole runner behind the project, which sadly only got 1 release out before going on an unforeseen hiatus.  The mentioned release was called "Cosmos" - produced by Aaron Sprinkle & released on Tooth & Nail Records on July 31st, 2007.  This song is from that album.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtpjTUZp-BA&ob=av2e - the music video

http://www.toothandnail.com/thesend/ecard/ - where you can find a higher quality & full version of the song (you just have to click on the link, allow the intro video to play, then it should be the first track to play)

The Catacombs - by Northern Abbey

Mmmmm...
Northern Abbey is based out of Seattle, WA.. I think...  I can't find much offhand, but the leading man is Nick Lambert, who, "born as a baby, ... lives his life getting older each day"*.  He also appears to be friends with Jessy Ribordy & Falling Up, & the crew from The River Empires & The Gloomcatcher.  This song is part of a 3 song self-titled EP released January 13th, 2012.
http://northernabbey.bandcamp.com/ (<--it's the first track)
Also, it would seem that it was put on Noisetrade, too (which means FREE download - check it)
http://noisetrade.com/northernabbey

* - http://northernabbey.bandcamp.com/

Everything - by Watashi Wa

I'm only just kinda finally starting to dig into them a bit more, & I'm liking what I'm hearing... Hope you do too.

Watashi Wa was based out of San Luis Obispo, CA.  The band formed while the members were still in their teens, with lead singer Seth Roberts having started writing songs by age 13.  They started in the late 1990's & were signed to Tooth & Nail Records by their 3rd LP "The Love of Life" - produced by Garth Richardson (son of Jack Richardson) & released in 2003 - the prior 2 were on Bettie Rocket Records in 2000 & 2001 ("Lost a Few Battles... Won the War" & "What's In the Way", respectively).  Their next project would be their final project as Watashi Wa: "Eager Seas" - released on T&N on January 24th, 2006.

Since then, however, the band has gone their separate ways, but (at least some?) are still working in music - notably, Roberts is currently in a band by the name of Lakes.  As for Watashi Wa, there was a post made by them on their Facebook & Twitter stating that there was to be one reunion show & a new EP, but the show has since been cancelled, & sadly, no word has followed concerning the EP.  This song is from "The Love of Life", released on June 24th, 2003.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEwr3VOEH1s

You can download 2 of their songs for FREE from their PureVolume page, too:

http://www.purevolume.com/watashiwa

Forever - by Blessed By A Broken Heart

I don't have much time, so I can't say much other than: the more I hear from these guys, the more I'm liking their music.
Blessed By A Broken Heart is from Montréal, QC.  They were only last year signed to Tooth & Nail Records with whom they are releasing their new album "Feel the Power" in one week, on January 24th.  This song is from that album.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xztb6BfAk8E  <-- & this music video was released just today

Spark - by The City Harmonic (in honour of Martin Luther King day)

This song crossed my mind today as I was seeing these posts about MLK, & thought I should share it...
That said, this song is from The City Harmonic's newest album "I Have a Dream (It Feels Like Home)" - the title of course inspired from the powerful speech made by Martin Luther King Jr. himself.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfcDVIjGQQg (<-- this song also incorporates some of the speech).

Also, as a side note, TCH made an announcement concerning their bassist Eric Fusilier - he was recently diagnosed with ALL: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.  You can read more about the situation here; but otherwise: keep him & his family in your prayers...

Just a spark...

To finish 2011 (& look ahead to 2012)...

As with many top lists, there can often be found an 'honourable mention' tidbit.  Such is the case with mine.

So, down to it:
Honourable Mentions of 2011 (mostly just because I wanted to list 11, so I can't fit everything onto there...) :
-  "Swings & Cloves" - by Mosquito Fleet (ind; 01/11) (<--listen on linked Bandcamp page)
-  "Covers EP" - This Beautiful Republic (ind; 03/09) (Oasis' "Wonderwall" as covered by TBR)
-  "Streamstory" - by Jesse Sprinkle (ind; 02/25) ("Color of the First Light")
-  's/t' - by Holding Onto Hope (Come&Live; 10/04) ("Forsaken: Take 1") (free album from Come&Live Records)
-  "Bryce Avary, His Instruments, Your Voices" - by The Rocket Summer (ind; 05/24) (free album from his website)

Sadly, we only have roughly 8,765.81 hours in a year, & considering that we sleep for several hundred (I'm going to suggest perhaps 2,500) hours, plus all the other times we're doing something where we are not able to listen to music, plus the fact that there's so much stuff that's often on repeat, there isn't all that much time in the end to catch everything.  Over the past year, there's been a number of releases that I've heard are good, or amazing, or I'm just simply curious about.  That said, here's a few (11, as it turns out) that I'd like to catch up on...
"Vice Verses" - by Switchfoot;          "Patterns" - by Run Kid Run;
"Guide to an Escape" - by Rue Royale;          "Ad Astra Per Aspera" - by Abandon Kansas;
's/t' - Bon Iver;          "The Reckoning" - by NEEDTOBREATHE;
"Until We Have Faces" - by Red;          "Wrath" - by Preson Phillips;
"You're All Going to Die" - by Grave Robber;          "Odd Souls" - by Mutemath;
"The Keys to Open Gates" - by Mattie Montgomery
(there are others too, but these are some of the more noted ones &/or I forget the some of the others I was interested in throughout the past 379 days [379 in compensation for the fact that it's now Jan. 14th)

All this said & done, though, I can't not look ahead & be unenthusiastic about what I hope to hear in the next year...
"Mean What You Say" - by Sent By Ravens (Tooth & Nail; 02/28) ("Learn By the Night")
"The End is Where We Begin" - by Thousand Foot Krutch (ind.; sometime March 2012) ("War of Change")
"Now" - by Fireflight (Flicker; 03/06) ("Stay Close")
[untitled] - by Project 86 (ind.; sometime June)
[untitled] - by tobyMac (Forefront; late 2012)
[untitled] - by Anberlin (Universal; ??)
[untitled] - by Anchor & Braille (ind.; ??)
[untitled] - by Capital Lights (Tooth & Nail; ??)
[untitled] - by House of Heroes (Gotee; ??)
"The Peace of Wild Things" - by Paper Route (Universal Motown; ??) ("Better Life"; "Better Life" live)
[untitled] - by Poema (Tooth & Nail; ??)
"Cancer" - by Showbread (Come&Live; ??)
[untitled] - by The Rocket Summer (??; ??)

&, as announced yesterday:
[untitled] - by Falling Up (ind; ??)

(dates are of course subject to change; & I've just filled this out to the best of my ability; feel free to notify me otherwise).

But for now: enjoy.

Gentle Slope - by sosaveme

I'm going to post some additional stuff tomorrow just to finish the wrap-up of 2011, & also a little of what I'm excited for in the new year...
But for now & with that: I'm back into the regular postings, I guess.  Start off with a song that I've recently re-discovered.
sosaveme is based out of Owosso, MI.  They started in 2005 (I think officially formed in 2006, though?), but their origins trace back to 2000, when a couple of the members started playing together in high school, & by 2004/5, they had everyone starting to come together.  They released two EP's from 2006-08, before releasing a debut EP, "A Ghost at Sea" in 2009; all the while touring & playing "shows for two kids, [playing] shows for hundreds of kids, & [battling] life on the road"*.  They've even performed at such big ticket events like the Big Ticket, Ichthus, & Cornerstone festivals.
Last year, ssm started & successfully completed a KickStarter project to help fund their next LP, "The Garden", which was released on October 4th, 2011.  For the album itself, they got Tyler Orr (As Cities Burn; Hawkboy; The Chariot) to fill the position of producer; & as of December 2011, they've hoped to be on the road as much as possible in 2012.  This song is from "The Garden".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGZuykmrDRI (<-- also: I believe this is their first music video, too)

(& if you wish, you can download this song for FREE as a part of a ginormous compilation from the French music website Beehave.fr...
http://www.beehave.fr/telechargements/another-way-to-fight-vol-4.html <-- & you can download parts of the whole compilation, if you wish)

* - https://www.facebook.com/sosaveme?sk=info

"Your Sparkling Death Cometh" - by Falling Up (top 11 of '11 - 1)

One of my absolute all-time favourite bands released an amazing album after their dis- & re-banding.  How can this not be my #1? (I know, it's perhaps technically a little bias; but these are my favourites & it really is an incredible album).
("Blue Ghost" - now one of my absolute all-time favourite songs)
Falling Up is based out of Portland, OR.  They started as a 6-piece alt-rock band back in 2001, & had their first label release "Crashings" in 2004 on BEC Recordings (a subsidiary of Tooth & Nail Records).  The album, produced by Aaron Sprinkle, was well received & made it up to #42 on Billboard's Heatseekers Albums chart.  In total, they released 5 albums with BEC, including their 3rd, "Exit Lights"[2006] - a remix album; plus their "Discover the Trees Again: The Best of Falling Up"[2008] before their final signed album "Fangs"[2009] - part one of two in a conceptual science fiction/fantasy story (part two has never been made known concerning the rest of the story) written by lead singer/guitarist/keyboardist Jessy Ribordy.
Fast forward to January 2010, after years of touring (with such acts as Ruth, Hawk Nelson, & KJ-52), member switches & music, they announced that the now 3 piece band were taking a 'permanent break'.  However, that was not the end - as in October of the same year (only 9 months later), they announced that new music happening.  They went independent, & with the help of their fans through a KickStarter project, they were able to raise enough funds to help with their new album.

"Your Sparkling Death Cometh" was independently released on June 28th, 2011.  As aforementioned, with the help of fans & support, they pulled the album together, & while there were originally no plans for shows or tours, they have since changed that & in December 2011, they performed their first show since their Fangs! tour.

I don't usually get super excited over most things, but this was most definitely one exception.  As mentioned, they are & have been one of my all-time favourite bands (for some time, too), & so when they announced they were releasing new music & they delivered, I was quite ecstatic.  The production behind the album was well done to create an epic (epic in a somewhat literal sense, not just because "it's awesome" but because of how everything is) tone.  I've found myself connecting with much of the lyrics still, &, all things said & done, this will remain one of my top albums for a very, very long time.
You should listen to the whole thing, but here are a couple of other highlights for you to listen to: "Circadian"; "Oceans"; "Mscron" (<-- again, you can just listen to the whole thing on their BandCamp page).

Also: you can download the Quadra remix of "Blue Ghost" for FREE from NoiseTrade:
http://noisetrade.com/fallingup

"Love & War & The Sea Between" - by Josh Garrels (top 11 of '11 - 2)

Another album I heard about through NoiseTrade.  If I got stuck on an island with only a handful of albums to keep with me, this would be one of them. Always.
("White Owl" - stunningly beautiful; & the video was done incredibly well, too
"The Resistance" - fantastically well done)
Josh Garrels is from Pontiac, MI, but now resides in Portland, OR.  Born 1980, Mr. Garrels has since released a collection of albums - 2 of them (starting in 2002) before he set up his own label - Small Voice Recordings - in 2006 alongside his 3rd album "Over Oceans".  3 more LP's have come since, & all through it all, he has maintained the position of the main producer, engineer, writer, & distributor on all his works (however, he is not completely alone as his wife & some others also helps with producing & graphic design for album covers & the like).
"Love & War & The Sea Between" was released on June 15th, 2011 on his Small Voice Recordings.  Through fan-based funding, he was able to raise enough funds to pay for the album as an advance, & in return, he is giving the entire album away for free - you can read a bit more about his decision here - in an interview NoiseTrade did with Mr. Garrels (& here's another cool write-up about where he has come from & about the album).  The album has been noticed by many, & has received album of the year in multiple lists (& kinda has in mine; it's only #2 because I need to have some sort of order to do something like this; it shares the top spot in this floating twilight zone of amazingness), & is nothing short of amazing.

I honestly don't know what more to say about the album other than every single part of it fits & flows so wonderfully - the lyrics, the melodies, the music, the honesty & authenticity...  You really shouldn't miss out on this album if you can help it...
Some other (of the many) highlights: "Flood Waters"; "Farther Along"; "Ulysses" (<-- you can listen to all the tracks on BandCamp....

& concerning the album being FREE!, it's only for a year - so you have until June 2012 to pick it up for free.  But, as always, donations will always be accepted, & if you want to tip for the album, you can do that too.  You can get the album from a few different places:
Josh Garrels' BandCamp
on NoiseTrade (where you can add a tip)
on CDBaby
on iTunes (if that's your style)

"With Shivering Hearts We Wait" - by Blindside (top 11 of '11 - 3)

Getting close to the end (of my list, anyways)...

("Our Love Saves Us" - the official full-length apocalyptic music video
& here's a cool acoustic version of this song, too; starts at 1:20 or so)
Blindside is from Stockholm, Sweden.  Their name took its place in 1996 with the release of a demo EP, after having gone under the name Underfree.  Shortly after, Solid State Records got a hold of their EP & they signed a deal; a self-titled album dropped in 1997 followed by "A Thought Crushed My Mind" in 2000.  Since that time, they've been switched around between a couple of labels, but continued to release music, releasing 3 more LP's (including their attention garnering breakthrough 3rd album "Silence"[Elektra; 2002]) & another EP before this one.  That said...:

"With Shivering Hearts We Wait" was released on June 7th, 2011 on INO Records after the band's slow fade that resulted with a bit of a hiatus that lasted 3 years longer than any of their fans had really wanted.  They released their "Black Rose EP" in 2007 on WASA Records, & later announced that they were going into the studio with producer Howard Benson, & (if I remember correctly...) the album originally slated for release in 2009.  However, no news started to come, & the poster advertising for it had a date set for summer 2010; but nothing new seemed to come about.
Later that year, on their Twitter page, they stated that they had played Papa Roach their new record, & they loved it.  Promotions started to show, & more & more videos leading to the release dates (an underground release & international release) hit YouTube, including this video series concerning their 'Silence' (ha! pun intended  :P).  Nonetheless, when the album came out, people were excited, & most were not disappointed.

Sadly for me, I only started to catch onto their music just before their hiatus, so when they did come back with this release, I, too, was excited (& certainly not disappointed).  The dynamics in the album & the different experimentations in terms of 'vibes' (<-if you will) & moods is a nice surprise.  Even lyrically, I find the album easy to follow, & its overall sound & production made up for the longer wait.  Good job guys!
Some other highlights: "All I Have"; "Bring Out Your Dead"; "There Must Be Something In the Wind"

"Love is Patient" - by Brianna Gaither (top 11 of '11 - 4)

Not gonna lie: this album kinda caught me by surprise - I had never heard of it before until it was on NoiseTrade (for a limited time), & was like 'wow'.
("Find You" - speechless)
Briaana Gaither is from Edmond, OK.  She was born in 1989 & began learning piano by the age of 5, but it wasn't until she was 16 when it really hit her what she can do.  In 2009, at age 20, she independently released her debut, an EP by the name of "New Thoughts EP", which she toured in support for.
"Love is Patient" was independently released on January 29th (Feb. 1st on iTunes), 2011.  Ms. Gaither went into the studio to record this album in the summer of 2010 with producer/engineer Chris Freels (Matt Redman, Charlie Hall).  She has garnered a lot of local attention, & has a number of shows upcoming.

When I first heard from NoiseTrade about the album, I looked it up, listened to the opening track (which is "Find You"), & was... I dunno; but I absolutely loved it.  Ms. Gaither has such precision in her voice, & album is lyrically & musically soothing.  It's another one of those indie releases that I will forever 'cherish'/hold on to.
Some other highlights: "Let It Go"; "Harvest Moon" (<-- there you can stream the whole album there -->); "Faithful".

& for kicks: here's some fantastic live videos, including one done inside a 1977 VW Vanagon..
Chevy Bricktown Showcase: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5b-h61lVZsg
In the Vanagon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLFb2dV3N5o

& you can download a 2 track sampler (includes "Find You") for FREE from NoiseTrade.com:
http://noisetrade.com/briannagaither

"Prodigal Again" - by Rigoletto (top 11 of '11 - 5)

I was hoping to keep the list to LP's, but if the EP's are that good, y'know...
("Introducton" into "Absconder" - you should be able to just click play & have it play both...)
Rigoletto is from of Chattanooga, TN.  They are a 4-piece band who 'kicked' off their recording career (they had already been playing for roughly a year by this point) by raising $2,500 through a KickStarter campaign & subsequently recorded an EP in May of 2011.  Sadly, that's about all I can find offhand, but they are continuing to tour & play shows, & as of right now, they have a date set to play later this month with sosaveme, & SONS.
"Prodigal Again" was recorded in the early summer of 2011, & released independently August 1st, 2011.  The album was produced & recorded by Stephen Nichols, & is available for free or a tip/donation from their BandCamp page.

As I've mentioned before, I've been getting really big into the indie scene lately, & I'm loving finding all sorts of different bands here & there.  Sadly, I forget exactly how I found out about Rigoletto, but however it was, I do not regret it.  The EP starts off wonderfully with an introduction that nicely opens up the album, flowing into pure indie talent.  I think they have their genre listed nicely on their Facebook page: "not too heavy, not too soft" - they seem to have found a pleasant balance between the two.
Some other highlights: ... well, it is a 5 track EP, so I think you should just go & listen to the whole thing.  :P
http://rigoletto.bandcamp.com/album/prodigal-again
As mentioned, it is FREE, but feel free to chip in & support the band (from the BandCamp page listed above)

"I Have a Dream (It Feels Like Home)" - by The City Harmonic (top 11 of '11 - 6)

There's a reason why I said that there's not necessarily a particular order in my top 11 - I have too hard of a time ranking music... but nonetheless, I will press on...
("I Have a Dream (It Feels Like Home)" - the amazing title track from the album)
The City Harmonic is from Hamilton, On (with one member originally hailing from Texas).  The 4-piece band started in 2009 & were signed to Kingsway Music to release their debut EP, appropriately titled "Introducing The City Harmonic", on November 23rd, 2010.  Within their [so-far] two year existence, they've released a music video that has 1.22 million YouTube hits (linked below), & have already won - in the 2011 GMA Canada Covenant Awards - Recorded Song of the Year (for "Manifesto"); New Artist of the Year; & Modern Worship Song of the Year (also for "Manifesto").  They currently have dates set with the Newsboys for their 'God's Not Dead World Tour' this spring; & singer/pianist Elias Dummer also celebrated the birth of his baby girl yesterday morning.

"I Have a Dream (It Feels Like Home)"* was released on Kingsway Music on October 18th, 2011.  The title obviously inspired from Martin Luther King Jr.'s 1963 speech.  In a blog post, TCH described the song it as such:  -  "In many ways, 'I Have a Dream...' is inspired by this very speech. But with it we seek to communicate a sense of the Christian dream. & so it is also inspired by the Christian story (and, strangely, the Wizard of Oz - a familiar story of a strange world & the longing to awake & find yourself at home)...".  -  They also drew inspiration from Revelation 21; you can read the post here on their website.

When I first heard the title song, I told myself I was going to get the album as a Christmas present for myself (I know, a little greedy, but needless to say...), & when I did: I absolutely loved it.  They kinda picked up from where they left off in their EP, with epic melodies, intelligent & understandable writing, & beautiful melodies & orchestral arrangements.  I look forward to seeing this band in the years to come.
Some other highlights: "Wake Me Up"; "Holy (Wedding Day)", & of course their radio edit of "Manifesto" from their debut EP.

Also: you can download "I Have a Dream (It Feels Like Home)" for FREE from their Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/thecityharmonic?sk=app_261137620592117

* - & of course, the iTunes link, if that's your style: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/i-have-dream-it-feels-like/id467729984

"His+Hers" - by The Hawk In Paris (top 11 of '11 - 7 pt. 1)

So, I'm gonna cheat today, because I could not choose.  I see it as kinda choosing between a black forest cake, & cherry cheesecake - both so wonderful & delightful... like, why should anybody have to decide between the two?
"The New Hello (Hers)" (it's currently the 5th track in the playlist) - when I heard the album open with this, I was like, 'this is pretty cool'; then by the time the rest of this song started playing, I was like 'absolutely fantastic!' [or something to that extent])
& then this song ["Put Your Arms Around Me"] came on, & I was like '!!   :D'

The Hawk in Paris is based out of Nashville, TN.  They started in 2009 when "the three musical friends reunited after nearly a decade"*.  Members Dan Haseltine - coming from Jars of Clay; Jeremy Bose - another writer & programmer who has worked with the likes of Point of Grace, Michael W. Smith, & even David Archuleta; & Matt Bronleewe - a producer who has worked with the likes of Leeland, Casting Crowns, & Rebecca St. James - came together in this side project as a means to create something outside of what they regularly did, drawing much influence from Depeche Mode, New Order, & other similar artists.  Just last year, they released their debut EP, & now they are working on a full-length album to be released later this year.
"His+Hers"** was officially released [independently] on September 13th, 2011, & you can read more about the project in the interview with Dan Haseltine & NoiseTrade.com: http://blog.noisetrade.com/2011/09/the-hawk-in-paris-an-interview-with-dan-haseltine/

As mentioned, I was listening to it, & being drawn deeper & deeper into the music.  I love every part of it as it writes out a story that nearly everyone can relate to in some way or other.
A couple more highlights: "Science Fiction"; "The New Hello (His)" - easiest way to hear them is probably on their Facebook BandPage
But: good news: there's still their 3 track sampler on NoiseTrade that you can download for FREE - you should do it!  http://www.noisetrade.com/thehawkinparis/ (contains "Put Your Arms Around Me", "Curse the Love Songs", & "Between the World & You")

* - https://www.facebook.com/thehawkinparis?sk=info
** - or through Amazon MP3

(See the post below for pt. 2)

"Fall Like Roses" - by of Verona (top 11 of '11 - 7 pt. 2)

So here's the 2nd part of #7...
"Castles" - another fabulous opening track
of Verona is based out of Los Angeles, CA; with members coming from Toronto, ON, & Brooklyn, NY.  The 3 piece band set up a page through PledgeMusic.com in 2010 to help fund them through their early stages with getting the band to SXSW, & putting together a debut EP, with some of the funds going towards brain cancer research (as Mandi Perkins' - lead vocals & the Toronto connection - brother was diagnosed a few years ago with inoperable brain cancer).  Since then, of Verona has been touring & are preparing to release a new EP - with MTV/Sony - entitled "White Apple" this winter.

"Fall Like Roses"* was their 7 track EP released sometime July 2011, & really highlights their abilities as a band.

One of my friends showed me their music a while back, & I came back to listen to them again, & became hooked.  The album has some wonderful sonic elements to it, creating a well-constructed ambience.  I look forward to what else they can put forward with the new EP...
Some other highlights: "The Enemy" (track 3); "Take Me"; "Raining" (track 5)

* - I'm not sure where you can access it from - the link itself doesn't even work for me, but I think it should link to the album on iTunes... otherwise, you can listen from their SoundCloud page.

re:creation - by Steven Curtis Chapman (top 11 of '11 - 8)

I've been a fan of his ever since I got my first CD of his over a decade ago - it was his 1999 release "Speechless", & here I am today still loving every piece of music he puts out.
("Long Way Home" - the first song he ever wrote with the ukelele; & here is a live version from the K-LOVE station)(also some more details on the song itself here)
Steven Curtis Chapman was born in 1962 in Paducah, KY.  Music has been a part of Chapman's life from early on, especially after a revival of sorts in his hometown in 1969.  He started playing guitar at the age of 7, & was also in his dad's choir; by the time he was 15, Chapman was writing songs, starting with his very first called "Well Done" - the title itself even appropriately foreshadowing his life to come.  After being in the music industry for some time, Chapman & his wife, Mary-Beth, established what has come to be Show Hope - originally named after their first adopted daughter Shaohannah Hope Chapman.   Sadly, however, in 2008, Maria Sue Chunxi Chapman - the Chapmans' third adopted daughter - passed away after being struck by a car in their driveway.  Through much grief & trial though, they've stepped forward again & again, with much of her memory in their minds*.

"re:creation"** was his 17th studio album (including his 3 Christmas albums) that hit the streets on August 9th, 2011 with Sparrow Records.  It was an idea that he had for a number of years - the concept: release an album in which they essentially 'recreated' a few of his classic, older songs alongside some new tracks.  This was the result, & also the album in which Chapman uses a ukelele for the first time.  You can find out more behind the album on YouTube.

As mentioned, I've been a fan of his ever since I heard his song "Dive" from "Speechless", & so it's only natural that I would find myself here loving "re:creation", too.  There are some nice, freshly updated versions of some of his older classics, & all in all I find it to be an enjoyable, relaxing album.
Some more highlights: "Do Everything" (<-- for which he has received another Grammy nomination); "Dive (Deeper)"; "Live Out Loud (re:created)"; "Morning Has Broken (ft. Caleb Chapman)/Sing Hallelujah" (<-- they flow beautifully into each other - you have to listen to them together)

* - you can read more about Maria's story here: http://www.showhope.org/AboutUs/RememberingMaria/HerStory.aspx
** - http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/re-creation/id445184575

"We Do What We Want" - by Emery (top 11 of '11 - 9)

Needless to say, this highly anticipated album did not disappoint.
("The Cheval Glass" - I think this is a fair representation of the album)
("I Never Got to See the West Coast" - & this - this is one of the darkest - but perhaps most uplifting in the end - songs I've ever heard about suicide & never being alone)
Emery is from Rock Hill, SC.  "The band was named after a first grader that Toby Morrell (lead voc's; guitar, bass) met while working as an intern for a teacher in college"*; they formed in 2001, & moved to Seattle, WA later in the year where they released an EP independently the year after ("The Columbuss EEP Thee").  Not long after, they were signed to Tooth & Nail Records & have since released 5 LP's, another EP, & a couple of compilations.
"We Do What We Want"** hit the streets on March 29th, 2011 on Solid State Records (a daughter company of T&N where Emery was recently moved).  The recording itself - with producer Aaron Sprinkle - took place from April through to December 2010, making this album the one that took the longest for them to do to date.  During the recording process, their other lead singer & bassist decided it was time to move on, & so without any hard feelings, as described in the AltPress's article, they were down a singer & writer.  The remaining members decided to take the album in a bit of a different direction, & "We Do What We Want" is what came out.
For more details on the tracks & what they mean to the band, go here (the AltPress article).

Listening to the album, it's drawn attention for many [good] reasons - catchy hooks, the heavy & melodic sounds with deep lyrics & the right amount of dynamics that Emery is known for.  It's been listed as many others' top album of 2011, & it's one of mine, too.
Some other highlights: "Scissors"; "The Curse of Perfect Days"

* - http://www.last.fm/music/Emery
** - alternatively, on iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/we-do-what-we-want-deluxe/id424466783

"Malleable" - by Bigfoot Wallace (top 11 of '11 - 10)

This past year, I've really gotten into a lot of indie music, & this was one of my favourites...
("Noontime" <-- track 3 in playlist/album)
Bigfoot Wallace is from Chandler, AZ.  Jon Hubbell is the solo guy behind the project (potentially named after William A.A. 'Bigfoot' Wallace - a Texas ranger from the 1800's known for his parts in multiple military-based conflicts; his nickname comes originally from a large Indian chief who had the name 'Bigfoot'), coming from an Arizona band that started in 2008, called Bearhug.
"Malleable" is his debut album, released independently on May 14th, 2011.  It consists of what I'd (& others) say is 'relaxing & refreshing' & as another reviewer put it, "anthemic yet intimate, sorrowful yet jubilant, subtle yet jarring".  Me? I'd say it's all the above & more.  I'm excited to keep in my 'recently played' list for a long time.

Some other highlights to look up: ... ok, well, I'm gonna cheat & say you should just listen to the whole thing.  They're all in order on his BandCamp page (where you'll also find a free download of his Christmas cover).

"10,000 Reasons" - by Matt Redman (top 11 of '11 - 11)

So, without further ado: I'm gonna kick off the list with Matt Redman's "10,000 Reasons".
("We Are the Free" - the opening track, & I figure not too shabby of a song to start the list with as well)
Matt Redman bases himself in Brighton, East Sussex (England).  Born 1974, he has been leading worship ministries since he was 20, & found himself around the world to share his music & message.  His debut album "Wake Up My Soul"[Kingsway] came in 1993, & he's since released 11 more releases plus 2 compilations.
"10,000 Reasons" was released July 12th, 2011 on sixstepsrecords & Sparrow Records.  It's a live album (just the music - no speaking in between) recorded in mid-February, 2011 at the LIFT conference in Atlanta, GA.  It charted at #66 on the Billboard 200 chart & made it up into another couple charts, too (including a couple of #1's).

I'm not going to lie, I don't generally listen to much of this sort of music, but when a friend gave me this album as a gift (thank you very much, again!) & I listened to it, something clicked & it's something I'm not going let go of.  That said: here's a couple more highlights I'd like to share with you:
"Magnificent"; & "Endless Hallelujah"

Top 11 of '11...

Well, it's that time of year I suppose when these top __ lists of 2011 start popping up... I suppose I'm due for one, too... you know, if I absolutely must...    :D

That said, I'm going to post one per day so I can hopefully highlight them a bit better, & also leave you in some suspense.

That too said, these are currently my personal favourites album releases from this past year & not exactly in a particular order as I'm terrible at choosing an order.

But otherwise, I hope that in some way you too can connect with them all & perhaps even find a new favourite of yours..?

Enjoy.   :)