Best 10, plus one, I’ve heard this year:
1. Hard Bargain, Emmylou Harris: A longtime fan, I was still stunned by the beauty and poignancy of this record. Dark but not despairing lyrics that hold a wealth of experience and ring 
true. Spare instrumentation expertly chosen, and a clear, full production by Jay Joyce. Harris, whose voice — gorgeous and penetrating — is one of the best in not only country but contemporary music today, has consistently released quality albums, but this is the best of recent vintage.
2. Revelator, Tedeschi Trucks Band: A delectable brew of blues, R&B and southern soul. Tedeschi’s voice is suited well for the material and Trucks is stellar on his signature slide or single string guitar playing. Augmented by a fine horn section, the material, from slow burners to infectious grooves, brings out the best in the musicians with opener Come See About Me, Until You Remember and Learn How To Love standouts from a quality set.
3. Buddy Miller’s The Majestic Silver Strings: Miller leads a dream guitar band of Marc Ribot, Bill Frisell and Greg Leisz with guest singers, including Ann McCrary, Patty Griffin, Lee Ann Womack, Emmylou Harris and Shawn Colvin through a roots-style outing with western, country, jazz and rock overtones. The playing is a joyful listen, as expected, on material in part from Lefty Frizzell, Libby Cotton, Tex Owens and traditional pieces.
4. Mayhem, Imelda May: May’s follow-up to the big success of debut Love Tattoo sees her stretching out from her rock-a-billy base to show jazz and R&B leanings. Don’t worry there’s plenty of ’50s and early ’60s rocking material on hand. She’s been attracting a lot of attention for her collaborations with Jeff Beck in the past two years, but her own steamy, proficient delivery shines here.
5. Let England Shake, PJ Harvey: With each new album it seems Harvey perfects her playing on an instrument or learns a new one and for this one it’s autoharp, last seen with the Lovin’ Spoonful in the late 1960s. Much has been made of the lyrics on this record being more outwardly directed and socially conscious rather than a reflection or Harvey’s inner self. That’s true, but it’s Harvey’s wonderful vocals, melodies, instrumentation, arrangements and production that make this another compelling addition to her strong catalogue.
6. Angles, The Strokes: At one time overhyped now somewhat underrated band shows it can play with extreme deftness in a variety of styles and rhythms. Always melodic, always driving, they continue to surprise with their range and adeptness at producing a rocking record with modern sensibilities.
7. Raven In The Grave, The Raveonettes: As always racous guitars, trash can drums and echo-drenched vocals inform an array of fascinating compositions from this unusual duo.
8. Rock ‘n Roll Submarine, Urge Overkill: Amazingly reunited after an acrimonious and personally-demonized break-up, two standing members of the Chicago band that produced several top-notch albums, one classic in Saturation, in the early-to-mid 1990s, is back with more of its hard-driving, dark rock stylings. How long will it last? Who knows. Enjoy for now.
9. The Party Ain’t Over, Wanda Jackson: Jack White lends production to this rock-a-billy ’50s rocking legend, who is still as entertaining and relevant as she has always been. Shakin’ All Over a surprising and rowdily appropriate choice for the opener.
10. Blessed, Lucinda Williams: Another inspired entry from one of our best country-rock songwriters. Driving, hard-edged opener in Buttercup and plenty of world-weary vocals on yet another batch of compelling tunes.
Bonus album: Hawk, Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan: Released in 2010 in Great Britain but seems release here was 2011 because it was impossible to find as anything other than an import last year. More Americana-flavored, sparsely arranged Campbell tunes, with some covers, that expand the instrumentation to include drums this time complementing Lanegan’s bass vocal and Campbell’s songbird pipes. Campbell’s voice much more in evidence this time around although spotlight is still on Lanegan.
Reissue: Come And Get Me: The Complete Liberty and Imperial Singles Volume 2, Jackie DeShannon: Second installment of Ace’s compilation of mostly reissued tracks with a few rarities. Exquisite. Can’t wait for Volume 3.
Surprising discovery of 2011: Spotify, free version. I resisted but a friend said I must do it. The free version is a good tool to discover new artists or unknown parts of catalogues of your favorites. This version has limitations but I find it’s just fine. Allows you to listen to entire tracks rather than short samples.