In keeping with the time honored (4-ish years) tradition of my people (me), here’s a tracklisting for a mix of the best songs of 2011, as judged by the most rigorously objective standards available (my personal taste).

1. Hugh Laurie – St. James Infirmary (6:25)
2. TV On The Radio – Will Do (3:45)
3. The Decemberists – Calamity Song (3:48)
4. Destroyer – Chinatown (3:49)
5. Art Brut – Sealand (4:02)
6. The Long Winters – Connections In Nashville (4:46)
7. Gillian Welch – Scarlet Town (3:38)
8. Sonic Youth – Alice et Simon (2:38)
9. The Mountain Goats – Damn These Vampires (3:24)
10. Iron & Wine – Rabbit Will Run (5:30)
11. Thurston Moore – Illuminine (4:02)
12. Allo, Darlin’ – Let’s Go Swimming (4:31)
13. PJ Harvey – The Last Living Rose (2:21)
14. Bright Eyes – Jejune Stars (4:10)
15. Death Cab for Cutie – Codes And Keys (3:21)
16. Foo Fighters – Arlandria (4:27)
17. large prime numbers – for those about to galavant (13:38)

Happy New Year, everyone! 2011 was an absolutely killer year for music, and here’s hoping 2012 is even better.