Though it was released in the summer -- and both the album and band take their names from the French bon hiver, meaning "good winter" -- "Bon Iver, Bon Iver" is infallibly a record for the autumn months.

RIP to one of the greatest musicians ever to draw a breath: Earl Scruggs has died at the age of 88.

RIP Michael Davis, bassist for the MC5.

High on both the CMJ and Americana charts is "Voyageur," the latest release from singer-songwriter Kathleen Edwards. This from-the-heart batch of songs is her most developed work yet.

Here's my list of top 10 favorite albums and favorite songs of 2011. Enjoy and happy new year!

While 2011 certainly provided plenty of top-shelf records, I want to do KDHX readers a solid, and as opposed to you running out and buying every album I mention, like I know you certainly would, I put together a cheat sheet of some of my favorite songs.

RIP producer and A&R man Don DeVito.

The Pageant was filled. This has happened before, but probably not quite like this. There was this current humming through the blood and words of the crowd and the musicians that suggested this night was something special.

Bon Iver is not going away anytime soon. Back with his self-titled second album and a slew of sold-out U.S. tour dates, Justin Vernon and his bandmates have offered up a well-conducted, melodic piece of art.