The end of 2011 is nigh, and we've listened to tons of great albums (also: 'Lulu'). Picking favorites is never easy, but this year seemed especially difficult.We heard some amazing debuts, a sprawling punk masterpiece, a singer-songwriter hitting it big after some high-profile hip-hop dalliances, a long-lost album finally seeing the light of day, a growling old favorite making welcome return and a jilted singer dominating the charts, airwaves and hearts of millions while pouring her heart out.