Along with a bevy of great music over the year, 2011 marked the return of 120 Minutes with Matt Pinfield and along with it, Hive’s spin-off series, 120 Seconds. Matt’s been known for years as one of alternative music’s premiere tastemakers, so it wouldn’t be a proper year end without his picks for what stood out this year.

Visit Hive’s 120 Hub for full episodes of MTV2′s 120 Minutes with Matt Pinfield and more.

1. Foo Fighters, Wasting Light (RCA)

Their best record since There Is Nothing left to Lose; recorded on analog, produced by Butch Vig, and a duet with Bob Mould on “Dear Rosemary” make this the Foos most consistent record ever.

2. The Black Keys, El Camino (Nonesuch)

They spent a lot of time listening to ’70s glam and old rockabilly and you can hear the T.Rex all over this record. “Little Black Submarines” would have been at home on Led Zeppelin III.

3. Yuck, Yuck (Fat Possum)

The ’90s are new again-as this London (with one guy from New Jersey) band sound like a toss up between Dinosaur Jr., Sonic Youth and the Lemonheads.

4. Ryan Adams, Ashes & Fire (Pax Am Records/Capitol)

People have been waiting years for an “Adams worthy” follow up to Heartbreaker and here it is, but now we find Ryan in a much happier place celebrating his relationships. Married life is agreeing with him.

5. Kurt Vile, Smoke Ring For My Halo (Matador)

The second album from the Philly troubadour … great Sunday morning record.