Robert Howell is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Southern Methodist University. He holds a Ph.D. in philosophy from Brown University. In addition to writing a few books, Robert knows a thing or two about music. Here are his Top 11 Albums of 2011:

11. Cults, Cults (In the Name of/Columbia)

10. St. Vincent, Strange Mercy (4AD)

9. M83, Hurry Up We’re Dreaming (Mute)

8. Other Lives, Tamer Animals (TBD Records)

7. Atlas Sound, Parallax (4AD)

6. Wye Oak, Civilian (Merge)

5. Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Unknown Mortal Orchestra (Fat Possum)

4. tUnE-yArDs, W H O K I L L (4AD)

3. PJ Harvey, Let England Shake (Vagrant)

2. Peter, Bjorn and John, Gimme Some (Almost Gold/Startime International)

1. Low, C’mon (Sub Pop)