2011 was a very good year for music, especially in the metal scene. There were a lot of good things about this year, like Five Iron Frenzy coming back, Blindside returning from the dead, and all of the new young bands that came out with GOOD debuts. As with every year there were the bad things as well, like Haste the Day calling it a day, and Thrice going on hiatus. Looking back I still think 2011 turned out to be a much better year for releases than I anticipated. Here are my top 15 albums of 2011.

1. Emery - We Do What We Want
2. Hands - Give Me Rest
3. Phinehas - thegodmachine
4. A Plea for Purging - The Life and Death of A Plea for Purging
5.Saving Grace - The King is Coming
6. Blindside - With Shivering Hearts We Wait
7. In the Midst of Lions - Shadows
8. Switchfoot - Vice Verses
9. Thrice - Major/Minor
10. August Burns Red - Leveler
11. The Devil Wears Prada - Dead Throne
12. Life in Your Way - Kingdoms
13. A Hope for Home - In Abstraction
14. My Epic - Broken Voice
15. Red - Until We Have Faces

Honorable Mentions:
Memphis May Fire - The Hollow
Grave Robber - You're All Gonna Die

7"'s of the year:
1. A Plea for Purging - Fat Pride
2. Saving Grace/One Choice - Now the Fight Has Two Sides

Albums I'm Looking Forward to in 2012:
Project 86
mewithoutYou
War of Ages
For Today
Norma Jean
Five Iron Frenzy
Skillet
P.O.D.
Emery

With 2011 coming to an end, it's hard not to think about how amazing this year has been with music. Though mostly good there were some cases when hearing certain things about the industry made it tough to swallow (i.e. Thrice hiatus). But when you reflect on the good things, most of the time you feel excited about how the next year will top it. Here are my picks for the best of 2011.

Best EP’s 2011
1. Neurology-Worker
2. Opposition- Altars
3. Loss Of Innocence-Jawbone
4. Fear. Anger. Strife-Divide The Sea
5. We Are The Ones-Wolves at the Gate

Top 15 Albums of 2011
1. Separation-Balance and Composure
2. Major/Minor-Thrice
3. Let Go-Hundredth
4. Kingdoms-Life In Your Way
5. Waves-Moving Mountains
6. Costs-Gideon
7. Thegodmachine-Phinehas
8. Broken Voice-My Epic
9. Give Me Rest-Hands
10. Dead Throne-The Devil Wears Prada
11. The Life And Death Of A Plea For Purging-A Plea For Purging
12. Unturned-Ironwill
13. Parting The Sea Between Brightness and Me-Touche Amore
14. Empty Days and Sleepless Nights-Defeater
15. Empty Hands and Heavy Hearts-Close Your Eyes

Honorable Mentions:
In Abstraction-A Hope For Home; The King Is Coming-Saving Grace; Shadows-In The Midst of Lions; Under Soil & Dirt-The Story So Far; Suburbia I’ve Given You All and Now I’m Nothing-The Wonder Years; Divided By-Structures; Wildlife-La Dispute; Simple Math-Manchester Orchestra; Volition-As Hell Retreats; Elsie-The Horrible Crowes

Artist: John Reuben
Album: Zappin
Release Date: 9/14/10
Label: Gotee Records

I'd have to say that most of the time, greatest hits albums can come off a bit unnecessary, but Zappin from John Reuben has pulled it off rather nicely. An 18 track collection of songs spanning Reuben's ten year career thus far, this album chronicles his musical journey well, from his early days as a fresh face in Christian hip-hop, to his more experimental, alternative sound that he currently resides in, that still does contain some rhythmic beats thrown in here and there.

Some of the opening tracks, such as "Him Her He She" and "Do Not" are from Reuben's debut album, Are We There Yet?, and have more of a fun hip-hop flavor, which is considerably different from his more recent works on Sex, Drugs and Self-Control which released not even a year ago. There are also a few tracks from that album on Zappin as well, being three of the album's singles, "No Be Nah," "Town Folk" and "Jamboree." These three tracks are a good representation of what to expect from John Reuben and his current sound.

Another three interesting tracks would be "Nuisance," "Life Is Short" and "Out of Control." The first track of those, "Nuisance," may be John Reuben's biggest song to date, containing an alternative sound and guest vocals from Matthew Thiessen of Relient K. "Life Is Short" adds vocals from tobyMac, whose influence on the song certainly shows. One of my favorites from John Reuben is also included, with "Out of Control." Tim Skipper of House of Heroes takes a turn on vocals for the song's chorus, adding an eerie depth.

Not forgotten are tracks like "Hindsight" that has a message that really makes you think. The banjo-laden, witty "Make Money Money" is filled with an interesting beat as well. To top off Zappin, the packaging also allows you to download all ten of John Reuben's music videos from over the years as well.

Rating: 7/10 If you're new to John Reuben, this greatest hits album Zappin would be a good introduction to his music. A very well chosen selection of songs spanning Reuben's career is a good way to define this album.

Tracklisting:

1. Him Her He She
2. Do Not
3. Doin'
4. Make Money Money
5. Nuisance (ft. Matthew Thiessen of Relient K)
6. Move
7. No Be Nah
8. Gather In
9. Hindsight
10. All I Have
11. Word Of Mouth
12. Town Folk
13. Divine Inspiration
14. Life Is Short (ft. tobyMac)
15. Out of Control (ft. Tim Skipper of House of Heroes)
16. Jamboree
17. Thank You
18. Good Evening

(Buy Here)