Oh hello to you, my old chums. What a veritable thrill to see you all again. How are you, how were the last 3 months and a half for you? Well you don’t comment and I’m not interested so back to me. I kid, I kid. Now, previously in my life, I’ve blogged about the fun things that happened this year, so I won’t go and write a long ass depressing post about everything that’s been bothering me for the past few months.
Instead, I’ll write the traditional “Best Albums Of The Year” post. And let me tell you, 2011 has been a great year for music, so great I can’t even rank them. Instead, I’ll group them into a few categories…
The WTF Award
This is a special category that only one album gets. I’m talking about Korn‘s tenth album, The Path Of Totality. Yes, I know it’s difficult after so many years of activity to still make something that everyone loves. After the disappointing (for me), Korn III: Remember Who You Are, they quickly decided to make something they’ve never done before. Combine the genre that made them famous with what is popular today – dubstep. So the result is some “metalstep” that sounds plain weird. The whole time I was listening, I was like “da fuq is this? da fuq is that?” Don’t get me wrong, it’s not horrible, it’s just…weird. I don’t know if they’ll ever release something as good as my favorite album of theirs, Untouchables, but hey, we can only wait and see.
The “Welcome To The Music Scene, Please Don’t Ever Leave Me” category
I’m talking here about artists that released their first album in 2011. It’s difficult nowadays to breakthrough, but some managed to gain an unexpected number of fans, getting praised by critics, while others already have a smaller, but loyal fanbase. I think this is the place to rant about how annoyed I am when I hear people claim that only artists with many years of activity made good music and everything released nowadays sucks. Wrong, my dear closed minded friends acquaintances, if you ignore all the LMFAOs or Justin Biebers out there, you’ll be surprised to discover some talented folks. Won’t go debating the lyrics of some songs, because some will never understand that music can also be just mindless fun.
Anyway, here are the new artists that impressed me this year with their very first album.
Jessie J – Who You Are
I absolutely adore Jessie and it seems like I’m not the only one, in such a short time she became a worldwide famous popstar, opening for Katy Perry or being a coach on The Voice UK.
Eli Lieb – Eli Lieb
Ever since I heard his the first time singing a Lady Gaga song, this guy charmed me and I kept waiting not-so-patiently for his album with original songs. You should all hear it, I hope you’d like it as much as I do.
Claire Maguire – Light After Dark
I have a friend who loves her a lot so he kept tweeting about her, I became curious so I listened to a song, The Last Dance, and I fell in love instantly. It’s odd, her album wasn’t too critically acclaimed, but who cares, her fans love her no matter what.
Katy B – On A Mission
I’ve heard of her, but was never really curious until I read a NME magazine when I was in London that spoke very highly of her. Then again, the people at NME are some pretentious douchebags hipsters, so I was a bit skeptical. But I listened and liked it quite a lot.
Nicola Roberts – Cinderella’s Eyes
Why is it that out of the 5 artists that I mentioned, 4 are British? Anyhow, Nicola was once part of Girls Aloud, a band that I never really liked. Actually, I didn’t like her first debut single either, Lucky Day was the one that convinced me to give the album a listen. Now I love all the songs, it’s an album that has its fun moments, but also some depressing ones. Aka my favorite kind of albums.
To make this post shorter, here are some other albums that I liked this year and a few words about them….
- Patrick Stump – Soul Punk – Formerly the singer in Fall Out Boy, Patrick’s solo album didn’t impress me as much as I thought it would when I heard the first song released, Spotlight.
- Amaranthe – Amaranthe - I hate the term “metal pop”, but this is the best way to describe them, oddly, Andreas’ screams blend really well with Jake E’s metal voice and Elize’s sweet voice.
- Anna Calvi – Anna Calvi – A strong voice that seemed to have gone unnoticed this year, such a pity…
- Christina Perri – lovestrong. – Okay, who doesn’t know that famous “Who do you think you are, running around leaving scars…” song. Christina is someone we’ll hear about for a while, especially now that she’s been featured on the soundtrack of a Twilight Song
- James Blake – James Blake – I never thought I could like an album like this, but James has a certain je ne sais quoi and now his album is on my shelf.
- Ed Sheeran – + - Lovely is the best way to describe this album and Ed’s voice, whenever I listen, it makes me lay in bed and dream with my eyes wide open.
- Birdy – Birdy – This 15 year old British girl impressed me with her sweet voice and album full of covers. Check out Skinny Love, you won’t regret it.
- Oh Land – Oh Land – Look at that, YouTube ads do work, I wouldn’t have heard their calm, dreamy album if it weren’t for them.
- Cocknbullkid – Adulthood – Anita, or Cocknbullkid, is a genuine nice person with a great voice and I’m lucky enough to have a signed copy of her album. You should all listen and you’ll thank me later.
The “They’re Back, But Were They Really Gone?” category
I’m afraid the title of this category will be misunderstood so let me clear it up: it’s about artists who released a new album this year, but who were either in the spotlight the whole time they were recording or simply I had other things on my mind to notice their absence.
Lady Gaga – Born This Way
Yes, I do think Born This Way is the best thing she’s ever released. (I’m talking about the album in general here). I’m sorry, but people who say The Fame was way better don’t know a thing about music. Songs like Marry The Night, You And I, The Edge Of Glory, Americano or Hair are the highlights of Mother Monster’s career so far. If there’s one artists that I HAVE TO see live next year, it’s her. I could talk about this album a long time, argue with everyone who thinks they know better, but I have many others on the list and I’d like to finish this post before 2012.
Rihanna – Talk That Talk
Rihanna, hands down, wins this category. Not that she has the best album, but it seems like she had just released Loud when she announced a new album. I think that if you go to a record store to ask about Rihanna’s new album, they’ll tell you to be more specific. Also, not in the million years have I thought I’d write about Rihanna. Funny how people can change.
Lady Antebellum – Own The Night
Same as Gaga or Rihanna, Lady Antebellum took advantage of their unexpected recent success and released Own The Night soon after their critically acclaimed Need You Now. I actually like it better than the previous one and I predict another Grammy for them, at least for Just A Kiss. (PS: you must watch the video below, call me a hopeless romantic, but I simply ADORE it)
Other albums worth mentioning in this category are: Cobra Starship – Night Shades,You Me At Six – Sinners Never Sleep,Kristin Chenoweth – Some Lessons Learned,Foo Fighters – Wasting Light, Daughtry – Break The Spell,Simon Curtis – Ra,Company of Thieves – Running From a Gamble,Patrick Wolf – Lupercalia,Leaves’ Eyes – Meredead and Lena – Good News
The “Sweets For Santa” award
She & Him – A Very She & Him Christmas
2011 looks like it’s been Zooey Deschanel’s year (in the career department anyway). She has a successful show on FOX, New Girl, and she’s just released a Christmas album with M Ward. Oddly enough, this could have easily been called Volume Three, all the songs sound very She & Him like. And even though the Christmas has passed, have a nice song from the album.
The “OMFG THEY’RE BACK” category
Believe it or not, some people take more than one year to make an album, but it’s usually worth the wait. This year, a lot of my favorite artists came back to the music scene, some of them discovering there’s a whole new world since they last released something.
Evanescence – Evanescence
Yes, they’re back, omg! For those of you who don’t know, Evanescence have been (and probably still are) my favorite band so it’s been a painfully long break between their 2nd album and the new self titled one. Was it worth the wait? Hells yes! Is it perfect? No… If I had one complain, it’s that, like many other albums released this year (Florence, Panic, read below), it lacks diversity and that’s something I very much appreciate in music. BUT, at least they’re back and touring, that’s all that matters right now.
Kelly Clarkson – Stronger
Cross my heart and swear to die, this is not only Kelly’s best album yet, it’s my favorite album of 2011. It combines the catchiness of All I Ever Wanted, the raw strong vocals of My December and Breakaway-like lyrics to make one hell of a record.
Darren Hayes – Secret Codes & Battleships
It’s been 4 years since we’ve last heard something from the ex Savage Garden member, but it was well worth the wait, from the minute I heard Black Out The Sun I knew it was going to be an album worth listening over and over again.
Panic! At The Disco – Vices & Virtues
Probably the catchiest, most danceable record in this category, Vices & Virtues is the Panic’s first album since the departure of their two members, including the main songwriter. Did they make it through though? Yes. But just like Evanescence, a lot of the songs are similar, they have the same atmosphere. Don’t get me wrong, it’s one of my most played albums of 2011!
Within Temptation – The Unforgiving
Within Temptation released their very first concept album, alongside a series of comics, short movies, and a full length movie coming up soon. Not only are the comics a page turner, but they sound better than ever. And of course, I missed them playing in my country this time too, now I have to wait another few years till they make a new record….
Terra Naomi – To Know I’m Okay
Terra fans will be like “What is she doing in this category?”, non Terra fans will be like “Who the hell is she?”. But it’s been so long since she’s released a full length album, there were a few EPs over the years. It’s a big deal to make a record the way you like it nowadays, it’s an even bigger deal to make a record funded all by your fans. However, I was a bit disappointed at the tracklist, but it doesn’t matter as the result sounds great.
Adele – 21
I’m sure for most people this is the record of the year. I mean, what human with a heart doesn’t like Someone Like You? I don’t even think Adele was expecting it would get this successful. Though I do find it a tad annoying how people worship her now but had no idea about her when she was releasing Chasing Pavements.
Florence + The Machine – Ceremonials
There was SO much hype about this album since Florence released the first single, What The Water Gave Me. And it should, it’s everything I thought it would be and much more, I do love every single song. Notice I said “song”, not “album”. Because as a whole, I don’t like the album. There. I think it lacks diversity, that all the songs are the same. I should hide now from all the hipsters trying to prove me otherwise, but I did like Lungs better.
Other notable releases this year that I won’t talk about cause I have a train to catch were: Dana Fuchs – Love To Beg, The Pierces – You And I, Avril Lavigne – Goodbye Lullaby, Nightwish – Imaginaerum, Guano Apes – Bel Air.
The “Y U NO Release Album? Y U only release songs?” category
As the title suggests, I wanted to talk about those artists that released a few songs this year, promising us a comeback in 2012. Speaking of 2012, I’m sure it will be a year full of good new music, a few bands have already set a release date for their new album.
Paramore – Busy year for Paramore, they lost two of their original members, they kept touring and released four new songs to make their fans patient for their upcoming album. And if those songs are a taste of what’s to come….it’s gonna be one kick ass record!
Marina & The Diamonds – Although she was supposed to release her Electra Heart album this year, Marina later said it should be out in February, but we did hear two songs and a demo that I swear it was inspired by my life…
Lana Del Ray - Lana seems to have appeared out of nowhere. I remember I first heard Video Games in Ringer and then I watched everyone posting on Facebook videos of hers. She has a strong voice and her Born To Die album is one I’m looking forward the most next year.
