Best of 2011: The First Half

THE BEST ALBUMS

1) The Sandwitches :: Mrs. Jones' Cookies
"In 2011, there is perhaps no band more aggressively honest and loyal to their distinctive sound than the Sandwitches." Review
The Sandwitches - "Lightfoot"

Hooray For Earth - "No Love"

Grand, lush, and out of this world, Hooray For Earth's debut LP True Loves will be a very welcome addition to the coming warm summer months. Whether it's the warm arpeggiated techno and anthemic chorus of "Sails," the Elephant-sized bass synth and upstroked reggae guitar on the title track, or the "Eye of The Tiger"-style muted guitar and giant celebratory brass of "No Love," this album is eager to please—and it does, at every turn. Frontman Noel Heroux clearly has an affinity for some of the finer pop moments of the 1980s, as at times, True Loves feels akin to dropping your Greatest Hits of The 80s compilation into a blender, injecting a healthy dose of steroids, and the for good measure, pouring a vile of acid into it. If "Bring Us Closer Together" doesn't remind you of Laura Branigan's "Gloria," then you should probably re-watch Flashdance. A more dynamic, expansive, and plain fun record hasn't passed this way in 2011.

True Loves is out on June 6th via Dovecote Records. Pre-order here. Download the band's recent Daytrotter session here.

Hooray For Earth - "No Love" (from True Loves)
Hooray For Earth - "Surrounded By Your Friends" (Daytrotter)

Stream "True Loves" and "Sails" after the jump.

"In the end, you're surrounded by your friends."

Judging solely on their name, it would be easy to dismiss New York City band Hooray for Earth as agents from Greenpeace or some other scheming do-gooders. But to pass over their Momo EP—especially its lead track, "Surrounded By Your Friends"—would be a terribly unwise decision. These electronic architects wield sunny and spacey jams brimful of tambourines and chorusing voices. It's not Brian Eno. It's not Animal Collective. But they might one day be neighbors.

Hooray For Earth - "Surrounded By Your Friends" (from Momo EP)

Grab it at exclusively at Emusic.