Back to The Best Albums of 2011

8. Bon Iver, 'Bon Iver'

Amazon

After scoring street cred from Kanye West, Justin Vernon returned to discover his Bon Iver folk guise had grown big enough to nearly top the pop charts and surprisingly score four Grammy nods. Luckily, his sophomore record withstands and occasionally transcends heightened expectations with intricate prettiness and sleeve-worn heart. -- J.O.