Ever look behind the counter at your local Beat Goes On store and think, “I wonder what that staff member’s favourite music, movies, games or concerts were this year?”

No?

Well … you should, because our staff have pretty good taste, and they’re nice, too.

So, without further ado, here’s The Beat Goes On Staff Picks for 2011!

Feel free to comment with yours!

 

HANK (LONDON)

TOP ALBUMS

1. TOM WAITS – BAD AS ME

2. PJ HARVEY – LET ENGLAND SHAKE

3. THE ICARUS LINE – WILDLIFE

4. THE BLACK KEYS – EL CAMINO

5. MOGWAI – HARDCORE WILL NEVER DIE, BUT YOU WILL

TOP DVDS*

1. DRIVE

2. 13 ASSASSINS

3. TREE OF LIFE

4. I SAW THE DEVIL

5. RANGO

*HANK’S NOTE: ‘I HAVE A 1-YEAR-OLD SON, SO MOVIE TIME HAS BEEN CUT DOWN BY 93%’

TYLER (KITCHENER, HIGHLAND RD.)

TOP ALBUMS

1. TRUE WIDOW – AS HIGH AS THE HIGHEST HEAVENS AND FROM THE CENTER TO THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE EARTH

2. BALANCE & COMPOSURE – SEPARATION

3. PIANOS BECOME THE TEETH – THE LACK LONG AFTER

4. PYGMY LUSH – OLD FRIENDS

5. OATHBREAKER – MAELSTROM

 

PATRICK (KITCHENER, HIGHLAND RD.)

TOP ALBUMS

1. CRAIG SMITH – HEAVY EARLY

2. J. MASCIS – SEVERAL SHADES OF WHY

3. RAMESSES – POSSESSED BY THE RISE OF MAGIK

4. DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS – UGLY BUILDINGS, WHORES & POLITICIANS

5. SAM ROBERTS BAND – COLLIDER

TOP RELEASES OUT OF KITCHENER-WATERLOO

1. STEVE PARKINSON & THE STONY LONESOME – LEAVING MY KEY

2. PAUL MCLEOD – GAUGE

3. NICOLE AUBE – PHILOSOFT

4. THE MUSIC BOX – VAMPIRE SONGS

5. HAWKEYES – HELLBENT FOR DENIM: SPACE SUITES

 

DAVID (BURLINGTON)

TOP ALBUMS

1. FLEET FOXES – HELPLESSNESS BLUES

2. JAMES BLAKE – ST

3. CULTS – ST

4. M83 – HURRY UP, WE’RE DREAMING

5. CUT COPY – ZONOSCOPE

TOP GAMES*

1. UNCHARTED 3: DRAKE’S DECEPTION

2. PORTAL 2

3. MORTAL KOMBAT

4. L.A. NOIRE

5. BATMAN: ARKHAM CITY

*DAVID’S NOTE: ‘I ASSUME SKYRIM WILL BE ON THE LIST ONCE I’VE PLAYED IT.’

 

JO (BURLINGTON)

TOP ALBUMS

1. FLEET FOXES – HELPLESSNESS BLUES

2. WU LYF – GO TELL FIRE TO THE MOUNTAIN

3. AUSTRA – FEEL IT BREAK

4. TIMBER TIMBRE – CREEP ON CREEPIN’ ON

5. THE DECEMBERISTS – THE KING IS DEAD

TOP GAMES

1. PORTAL 2

2. SKYRIM

3. L.A. NOIRE

4. LIMBO

5. LITTLE BIG PLANET 2

TOP DVDS

1. BLACK SWAN

2. BREAKING BAD: SEASON 3

3. THE ILLUSIONIST (ANIMATED)

4. CATFISH

5. HARRY POTTER & THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 2

 

EMERY (BURLINGTON)

TOP ALBUMS

1. TOM WAITS – BAD AS ME

2. FLEET FOXES – HELPLESSNESS BLUES

3. BON IVER – ST

4. THE DECEMBERISTS – THE KING IS DEAD

5. BEIRUT – RIP TIDE

TOP CONCERTS

1. JEFF MANGUM (TRINITY ST. PAUL’S, TORONTO)

2. MY DAUGHTER WILLOW’S SCHOOL BAND (DUNDAS)*

3. DODOS (PHOENIX CONCERT THEATRE, TORONTO)

4. THE DECEMBERISTS (SOUND ACADEMY, TORONTO)

5. DAN SAITH (SUPERCRAWL, HAMILTON)

* EDITOR’S NOTE: CUTEST. LIST. ENTRY. EVER.

 

JULIE (BURLINGTON)

TOP ALBUMS

1. LADY GAGA – BORN THIS WAY

2. ADELE – 21

3. TIMBER TIMBRE – CREEP ON CREEPIN’ ON

4. THE DECEMBERISTS – THE KING IS DEAD

5. FEIST – METALS

TOP DVDS

1. THOR

2. BAD TEACHER

3. THE SOCIAL NETWORK

4. X-MEN: FIRST CLASS

5. GREEN HORNET

 

RYAN (KITCHENER, FAIRWAY RD.)

TOP ALBUMS

1. TOM WAITS – BAD AS ME

2. WILCO – THE WHOLE LOVE

3. MY MORNING JACKET – CIRCUITAL

4. OPETH – HERITAGE

5. PRIMUS – GREEN NAUGAHYDE

TOP CONCERTS

1. HAWKEYES (THE HIVE, KITCHENER)

2. ROMEO SEX FIGHTER (THE BOATHOUSE, KITCHENER)*

3. MATT ANDERSEN (THE BOATHOUSE, KITCHENER)*

4. THE SPEAKEASIES & DELAINEY (RAY’S BAKERY, ALTON)

5. RUN WITH THE KITTENS (THE BOATHOUSE, KITCHENER)*

*RYAN’S NOTE: ‘YOU KNOW WHAT? THE BOATHOUSE WAS PRETTY DAMN SOLID THIS YEAR.’

 

KRISTEN (KITCHENER, FAIRWAY RD.)

TOP ALBUMS

1. SERJ TANKIAN – IMPERFECT HARMONIES

2. PRIMUS – GREEN NAUGAHYDE

3. DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS – GO GO BOOTS

4. RADIOHEAD – THE KING OF LIMBS

5. THE DECEMBERISTS – THE KING IS DEAD

TOP CONCERTS

1. DRIVE-BY TUCKERS (THE STARLIGHT, WATERLOO)

2. MUSIC FOR MENTAL HEALTH (CHAINSAW, WATERLOO)

3. HAWKEYES (THE HIVE, KITCHENER)

4. JAKALOPE (GUELPH)

5. RUN WITH THE KITTENS (THE BOATHOUSE, KITCHENER)

 

MATT (KITCHENER, FAIRWAY RD.)

TOP ALBUMS

1. KID CONGO & THE PINK MONKEYBIRDS – GORILLA ROSE

2. MANOREXIA – DINOFALGELLATE BLOOMS

3. VOIVOD – WARRIORS OF ICE

4. TOM WAITS – BAD AS ME

5. OPETH – HERITAGE

TOP DVDS

1. SUPER

2. RITUALS

3. SANTA SANGRE

4. CRAZY STUPID LOVE

5. CAVE OF FORGOTTEN DREAMS

 

YASMIN (KITCHENER, FAIRWAY RD.)

TOP ALBUMS

1. PUSCIFER – CONDITIONS OF MY PAROLE

2. PRIMUS – GREEN NAUGAHYDE

3. BEASTIE BOYS – HOT SAUCE COMMITTEE PART II

4. MOGWAI – HARDCORE WILL NEVER DIE, BUT YOU WILL

5. BATTLES – GLASS DROP

TOP DVDS

1. HARRY POTTER & THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 2

2. THE HANGOVER PART II

3. CAVE OF FORGOTTEN DREAMS

4. SUCKER PUNCH

5. HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN

 

BRYAN (KITCHENER, FAIRWAY RD.)

TOP ALBUMS

1. LISTENER – WOODEN HEART

2. PIANOS BECOME THE TEETH – THE LACK LONG AFTER

3. COUNTERPARTS – THE CURRENT WILL CARRY US

4. LIFESTORY: MONOLOGUE – DRAG YOUR WHITE FUR, MAKE IT GREY

5. ARKELLS – MICHIGAN LEFT

TOP DVDS

1. HORRIBLE BOSSES

2. RANGO

3. HUMAN CENTIPEDE 2 (FULL SEQUENCE)

4. X-MEN: FIRST CLASS

5. HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN

TOP GAMES

1. TRANSFORMERS: WAR FOR CYBERTRON

2. BATTLEFIELD 3

3. DEAD ISLAND

4. PORTAL 2

5. UNCHARTED 3

TOP CONCERTS

1. THE BLACK KEYS W/ CAGE THE ELEPHANT (MOLSON AMPHITHEATRE, TORONTO)

2. TOUCHE AMORE W/ PIANOS BECOME THE TEETH (SNEAKY DEE’S, TORONTO)

3. CHARIOT W/ LISTENER (ANNEX WRECKROOM, TORONTO)

4. COMEBACK KID (WAX, KITCHENER)

5. EVERY TIME I DIE (WAX, KITCHENER)

 

PETER (GUELPH)

TOP ALBUMS

1. JULIAN LYNCH – TERRA

2. BRITNEY SPEARS – FEMME FATALE

3. THE FIELD – LOOPING STATE OF MIND

4. EMA – PAST LIFE MARTYRED SAINTS

5. ALELA DIANE & THE WILD DIVINE – ST

TOP BLU-RAY

1. FLCL

2. FISH TANK (CRITERION COLLECTION)

3. KISS ME DEADLY (CRITERION COLLECTION)

4. SUBMARINE

5. THE ILLUSIONIST (ANIMATED)

TOP SINGLES

1. SEX WORKER – NEXT TO YOU

2. ZOMBY – NATALIA’S SONG

3. GANG GANG DANCE- MINDKILLA

4. KAVINSKY & LOVEFOXXX – NIGHTCALL

5. OLD APPARATUS – SIDE A

 

KYLE (GUELPH)

TOP ALBUMS

1. PRIESTBIRD – BEACHCOMBERS

2. TIMBER TIMBRE – CREEP ON CREEPIN’ ON

3. LANIE LANE – TO THE HORSES

4. YUCK – ST

5. CULTS – ST

TOP CONCERTS

1. THE FLAMING LIPS (OSHEAGA FESTIVAL, MONTREAL)

2. TIMBER TIMBRE (DUBLIN ST. UNITED CHURCH, GUELPH)

3. ST. VINCENT (PHOENIX CONCERT THEATRE, TORONTO)

4. RUSSIAN CIRCLES (LEE’S PALACE, TORONTO)

5. KYUSS (GUELPH CONCERT THEATRE, GUELPH)

TOP SINGLES

1. BLACK LIPS – NEW DIRECTION

2. GIRLS – VOMIT

3. TORO Y MOI – NEW BEAT

4. TWIN SISTER – SPAIN

5. ST. VINCENT – SURGEON

 

CRYSTAL (GUELPH)

TOP ALBUMS

1. ANTLERS – BURST APART

2. SEBASTIAN – TOTAL

3. NURSES – DRACULA

4. AUSTRA – FEEL IT BREAK

5. CRYSTAL STILTS – RADIANT DOOR EP

 

SCOTT (GUELPH)

TOP ALBUMS

1. BILL CALLAHAN – APOCALYPSE

2. PJ HARVEY – LET ENGLAND SHAKE

3. ST. VINCENT – STRANGE MERCY

4. TOM WAITS – BAD AS ME

5. MAN MAN – LIFE FANTASTIC

 

KEVIN (HEAD OFFICE)

TOP VINYL-ONLY RELEASES*

1. SLOAN – IS THAT ALL I GET? (LIVE 1993)

2. THE WHITE STRIPES – LIVE IN MISSISSIPPI

3. THE SMITHS – UNRELEASED DEMOS & INSTRUMENTALS (BOOTLEG)

4. BEST COAST / JEFF THE BROTHERHOOD – SPLIT 7″

5. THE NATIONAL – THINK YOU CAN WAIT / EXILE VILIFY 7″

TOP CONCERTS

1. JEFF MANGUM (TRINITY ST. PAUL’S, TORONTO)

2. THE NATIONAL W/ NEKO CASE (AIR CANADA CENTRE, TORONTO)

3. ELVIS COSTELLO (SONY CENTRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, TORONTO)

4. BEST COAST / WAVVES (PHOENIX CONCERT THEATRE, TORONTO)

5. STEVE PARKINSON & THE STONY LONESOME W/ ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS (THE BOATHOUSE, KITCHENER)

*KEVIN’S NOTE: ‘YES, I REALISE HOW PRETENTIOUS THIS LIST IS.’

 

JADE (HEAD OFFICE)

TOP DVDS*

1. HARRY POTTER & THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 2

2. BRIDESMAIDS

3. TREE OF LIFE

4. THE BEGINNERS

5. 127 HOURS

*JADE’S NOTE: ‘I SUSPECT THAT IF I HAD SEEN 50/50, IT WOULD HAVE MADE THE LIST.’

 

IAN (WATERLOO)

TOP ALBUMS

1. DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT – DECONSTRUCTION

2. UNEVEN STRUCTURE – FEBRUUS

3. OPETH – HERITAGE

4. TOM WAITS – BAD AS ME

5. VILDHJARTA – MÅSSTADEN

 

SHANE (WATERLOO)

TOP ALBUMS

1. DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS – UGLY BUILDINGS, WHORES & POLITICIANS

2. DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS – GO-GO BOOTS

3. FLEET FOXES – HELPLESSNESS BLUES

4. THE DECEMBERISTS – THE KING IS DEAD

5. SHARON JONES & THE DAP-KINGS – SOUL TIME

TOP DVDS

1. FUTURAMA – VOLUME 6

2. SUPER 8

3. BLACK SWAN

4. X-MEN: FIRST CLASS

5. THE WALKING DEAD – SEASON ONE

TOP CONCERTS

1. DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS (STARLIGHT, WATERLOO)

2. PLORK (CONRAD CENTRE, KITCHENER)

3. MUSIC FOR MENTAL HEALTH (CHAINSAW, WATERLOO)

4. BILLS CHOICE (KOOL HAUS, TORONTO)

5. STEVE PARKINSON & THE STONY LONESOME (THE BOATHOUSE, WATERLOO)

 

ESRA (WATERLOO)

TOP ALBUMS

1. BON IVER – ST

2. ALEXANDER EBERT – ALEXANDER

3. FLEET FOXES – HELPLESSNESS BLUES

4. PANDA BEAR – TOMBOY

5. TYLER, THE CREATOR – GOBLIN

TOP CONCERTS

1. BONNAROO (MANCHESTER, TENNESSEE)

2. BON IVER (MASSEY HALL, TORONTO)

3. ODD FUTURE (SOUND ACADEMY, TORONTO)

4. DEEP DARK WOODS W/ HARLAN PEPPER (VAN GOGH’S EAR, GUELPH)

5. EXPLOSIONS IN THE SKY (SOUND ACADEMY, TORONTO)

 

JOEL (CAMBRIDGE)

TOP ALBUMS

1. OVER THE RHINE – THE LONG SURRENDER

2. JOSH T. PEARSON – LAST OF THE COUNTRY GENTLEMEN

3. ASTRONAUTALIS – THIS IS OUR SCIENCE

TOP DVDS

1. CERTIFIED COPY

 

LISA (CAMBRIDGE)

TOP ALBUMS

1. FOO FIGHTERS – WASTING LIGHT

2. TOM WAITS – BAD AS ME

3. THE SHEEPDOGS – LEARN & BURN

4. BEASTIE BOYS – HOT SAUCE COMMITTEE PT. II

5. ADELE – 21

TOP DVDS

1. LINCOLN LAWYER

2. BRIDESMAIDS

3. X-MEN: FIRST CLASS

4. FAST FIVE

5. SCREAM 4

TOP GAMES

1. L.A. NOIRE

2. SAINTS ROW 3

3. MORTAL KOMBAT

4. ELDER SCROLLS V

 

JAY (CAMBRIDGE)

TOP ALBUMS

1. CAGE THE ELEPHANT – THANK YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY

2. COUNTERPARTS – THE CURRENT WILL CARRY US

3. STRUCTURED – DIVIDED BY

4. DINOSAUR BONES – MY DIVIDER

TOP GAMES

1. POSTAL 2

2. ELDER SCROLLS V

3. BATTLEFIELD 3

4. DEUS EX: HUMAN REVOLUTION

5. MORTAL KOMBAT

 

SEAN (CAMBRIDGE)

TOP ALBUMS

1. TOM WAITS – BAD AS ME

2. SHEEPDOGS – LEARN & BURN

3. BLACK KEYS – EL CAMINO

4. WEEKND – HOUSE OF BALLOONS

5. BLACK LIPS – ARABIA MOUNTAIN

TOP DVDS

1. BLUE VALENTINE

2. DRIVE

TOP CONCERTS

1. BLACK LIPS (SOUND ACADEMY, TORONTO)

2. ODD FUTURE  (MOD CLUB, TORONTO)

3. GODSPEED YOU! BLACK EMPEROR (LEE’S PALACE, TORONTO)

 

CORY (CAMBRIDGE)

TOP ALBUMS

1. BALANCE & COMPOSURE – SEPARATION

2. ARKELLS – MICHIGAN LEFT

3. DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE – CODES & KEYS

4. ADELE – 21

5. MANCHESTER ORCHESTRA – SIMPLE MATH

 

CHUCK (CAMBRIDGE)

TOP ALBUMS

1. WILCO – THE WHOLE LOVE

2. THE SHEEPDOGS – LEARN & BURN

3. SHARON JONES & THE DAP-KINGS – SOUL TIME

4. THE BLACK KEYS – EL CAMINO

5. TOM WAITS – BAD AS ME

TOP DVDS

1. X-MEN: FIRST CLASS

2. CAPTAIN AMERICA

3. HARRY POTTER & THE DEATHLY ALLOWS: PART 2

4. SUPER 8

TOP CONCERTS

1. ELVIS COSTELLO (SONY CENTRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, TORONTO)

2. SLOAN (STARLIGHT, WATERLOO

 

 

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