December is always a time of reflection and nostalgia for me; some of it sweet, some not so much. But revisiting my favorite music of the year always falls on the sweeter side of the spectrum and inevitably puts a smile on my face as I trace back all the music that moved me through the course of the year. Whether it’s musing over the hype and hyperbole of a buzz band that’s come and gone (ahem, The Vaccines) or rediscovering a gem that time almost forgot (read: Lia Ices), compiling my annual ‘Best Of’ list has become a ritual I cherish.

So, without further ado, here are my favorite albums of 2011. My 2011 rewind. Kinda sorta listed in order but I find the process of ranking music to be like splitting hairs. All that really matters is that this is the music that moved me this year. The albums I came back to again and again. I enjoyed them. Immensely. Hope you will too.

Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Self Titled

Kurt Vile, Smoke Ring for My Halo

Mikal Cronin, Self Titled

Washed Out, Within and Without

Widowspeak, Self Titled

Ty Segall, Ty Rex

Abbe Mae, Design Desire

The Sandwitches, Mrs. Jones Cookies

Vetiver, The Errant Charm

Blouse, Self Titled

Fungi Girls, Some Easy Magic

Quilt, Self Titled

Thurston Moore, Demolished Thoughts

Nick Waterhouse, Is That Clear EP

Charles Bradley, No Time for Dreaming

Lia Ices, Grown Unknown

Thee Oh Sees, Carrion Crawler/The Dream

Shannon and the Clams, Sleep Talk

Wooden Shjips, West

Papercuts, Fading Parade

That Ghost, Songs Out Here

Tune-Yards, WHOKILL

Yuck, Self Titled

Jeff the Brotherhood, We are the Champions

Black Lips, Arabia Mountain

Future Islands, On the Water

Radiohead, King of Limbs

Yellow Ostrich, The Mistress

White Denim, D

Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks, Mirror Traffic