Ultra5280's Best of 2011: Albums and Shows
It has been a wonderful year here at Ultra5280, what started as a music blog between two people after a trip to SXSW in 2011 has blossomed into one of Denver's most respected sources for music and film. Putting together our Top 5 albums and shows truly showcases the diversity that defines our musical taste, and while there were many albums and shows out there; we had the task of narrowing them down to our Top 5. With big things ahead in 2012, we will continue to provide our readers with the best information, reviews, interviews and exclusive "Sessions". A big thanks to House In Motion Studios, Love Lasts Longer Than Life, Ultra8201, Apple (Love y'all), Greg Boggs, Courtney Urie, Bree Davies, Ramon Corro, Isaac Camargo, Kevin McCulloch, Alex Acevedo, Ryan Boulding, Tim Tebow, Anya Strauss, Mr. Right, Reviving Cecilia, Air Dubai, Churchill, Traitors To The Queen, The Hundred, Swagger, Everyday In The Mile High, Danny Sax, I Fight Dragons, Florida peeps, Texas peeps, California peeps, Instagram fans...and anybody else I forgot, we couldn't do it without you.
Robert Castro: Managing Editor/Writer/Photographer
Top Albums
1. M83: Hurry Up We're Dreaming
2. Bon Iver: Bon Iver
3. Jay-Z and Kanye West: Watch The Throne
4. The Weeknd: House of Ballons
5. Fleet Foxes: Helplessness Blues
Top Shows
1. Kanye West-Coachella Music Festival
2. Pretty Lights-The Fillmore
3. Arcade Fire-Coachella Music Festival
4. Future Islands-Larimer Lounge
5. (Tie) Lykke Li-The Ogden Theater and Foster The People-The Bluebird
Laura Millerick: Writer/Photographer/Media
Top Albums:
1. M83: Hurry Up, We're Dreaming
2. Bon Iver: Bon Iver
3. SBTRKT: SBTRKT
4. Mansions On The Moon: Light Years
5. We Were Promised Jetpacks: In The Pit of The Stomach
Top Shows:
1. Pretty Lights- Red Rocks
2. Paper Diamond-The Ogden
3. Signal Path-The Bluebird
4. Jazz Aspen Snowmass-Aspen
5. Snake Rattle Rattle Snake-The Bluebird
Amanda Spilos: Editor In Chief/Writer
Top Albums:
1. The Black Keys: El Camino
2. My Morning Jacket: Circutial
3. Starfucker: Reptilians
4. Jay-Z and Kanye West: Watch The Throne
5. Fleet Foxes: Helplessness Blues
Top Shows:
1. Ratatat-The Ogden
2. My Morning Jacket-Red Rocks
3. Ghostland Observatory-The Fillmore
4. Pretty Lights-The Fillmore
5. George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic -Fillmore
Maddie Casey: Writer/Photographer/Locals Only
Top Albums:
1. Adele: 21
2. Blink 182: Neighborhoods
3. Air Dubai: Day Escape
4. Foster The People: Torches
5. Death Cab For Cutie: Codes & Keys
Top Shows:
1. Incubus-Red Rocks
2. Jimmy Eat World/Blink 182-Tempe Arizona
3. The Fray (Secret Show)-The Fox
4. Bop Skizzum's King and Queen of Summer Ball-The Gothic
5. Popcult and Mr. Right ((what's better than seeing two of your friends play on your birthday??!)
Kyle Risner: Writer/Photographer/Media
Top Albums:
1. M83: Hurry Up We're Dreaming
2. Paper Diamond: Levitate
3. Bon Iver: Bon Iver
4. SBTRKT: SBTRKT
5. OnCue: Can't Wait
Top Shows:
1. Big Gigantic-Snowball Music Festival
2. Zed's Dead-The Ogden
3. Pretty Lights-Red Rocks
4. Bag Raiders-Larimer Lounge
5. Skrillex-First Bank Center
