Quinta-feira 4 Ago 2011, 16h:32
It's hard to believe that half of the year 2011 is over. There have been some very good albums released in the first two yearly quarters, spanning all genres. Some have been highly publicized, others are sleeper hits, and the rest are just hidden gems. Nonetheless, all the present albums are deserving of their position on my Top 10.
Eligible period is January 1, 2011 to June 30, 2011, counting official release date.
Without further ado, let's begin.
10. Brad Paisley - This Is Country Music (May 23)
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A solid album that showcases exactly why Brad Paisley is CMA Entertainer of The Year. A Man Don't Have To Die is genius, but the star of the show is definitely Remind Me, the duet with Carrie Underwood. A song so emotional, perfect for this album, with fabulous chemistry and vocals from both. So far, this is the best thing in country music this year.
9. The Script - Science & Faith (Jan 18)
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A magnificent record overall from a band that rarely disappoints. For The First Time became a huge hit, and its a song that can be on repeat all day long - the ending is pure epic.
8. The Decemberists - The King Is Dead (Jan 14)
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This album is like marmite - you either love it or hate it. Most would say that this is their worst, others defend the opposite. I support the latter crowd. A lot of harmonica and country roots are present, and songs like Don't Carry It All, January Hymn, June Hymn and Down By The Water define it. Country music lovers will enjoy this stripped down album, although it still is inside the Alternative genre. Still, whichever "side" you're on, the truth is that The Decemberists's worst album is better than a lot of bands' best album.
7. Britney Spears - Femme Fatale (Mar 25)
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One of the many artists to make a comeback. And this album is good, very good. It's hard to believe this is her 7th album, but it's impressive how she can still influence millions in a Gaga-dominated era. Fantastic dance album.
6. Andy Grammer - Andy Grammer (Jun 14)
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A breakthrough artist with a hidden gem of an album. Incredibly catchy and great lyrics set the tone of this album, with Miss Me, Biggest Man In Los Angeles, Lunatic and Fine By Me deserving honors, but it is Keep Your Head Up that has captivated many listeners. If you enjoy meaningful pop music, look no further.
Get used to hearing his name.
5. Owl City - All Things Bright And Beautiful (Jun 14)
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The simple definition of Adam Young? Dreamy, catchy, creatively brilliant. This album is no exception, it features naturally pleasing music that one cannot hope but smile at (hence the album's name). He has transcended all limits of his previous album and wrote songs that are just pure amazing. Highlights go to The Real World, Deer In The Headlights, Angels, Galaxies and Alligator Sky.
4. Avril Lavigne - Goodbye Lullaby (Mar 8)
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Another comeback by an artist that influenced and rocked the early-mid 2000s. This is an meditative, reflective album, full of mature songs that really make you think. It's an album for you to LISTEN, cherish and take seriously. Avril has matured so much, while still retaining elements from all her previous albums, and this is evident throughout Goodbye Lullaby's listening process.
Picture this album as a long spiraling staircase that starts high up. Black Star is at the top, and Goodbye is the very pit. As you make your way down, you'll encounter a lot of different emotions that twist and turn, increasingly darker, but they are all necessary to understand the album completely, just like each step is essential in a staircase to complete it.
3. Lady Gaga - Born This Way (May 23)
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Moving into the podium spots, we have Gaga, which many could say is the current queen of pop. She has taken the world by storm, especially with this album - proof are album sales, with over 1 million just in the first week of release. This album marks Gaga down as one of only 5 women to ever sell a million albums on debut week.
Musically and lyrically, she is a genius. The simple fusion of pop and dance with rock and metal elements is fantastic, and this albums spans nearly all genres - from the industrial sounding Judas, bubblegum pop Hair nirvana, international Americano and Scheiße, country-style Yoü And I, and finishing with jazz perfection, we can easily say that Gaga isn't on The Edge Of Glory - she's already in it.
2. Ellie Goulding - Lights (Mar 8)
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Marking a firm presence in the UK with this album, Ellie is an artist with an ethereal voice and lyrics to boot, writing/co-writing all songs with astounding lyrical perfection, with the obvious exception of Your Song, by Sir Elton John (which is the best cover I've ever heard). She masterfully dominates the electronic side of pop, making her into a female Owl City of sorts.
Make no doubt about it, this is pop magic. Every single song is unique and perfect (and there are no fillers whatsoever), making this an extremely deserving album of second place. The lights of the music industry will definitely continue to shine bright for Ellie, after she delivered such a magnificent debut album.
1. Adele - 21 (Feb 22)
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What a breathtaking album. Adele's voice is powerful, vulnerable, assured and heartbreaking all in one fell swoop. While most of today's pop stars rely on auto-tune, flashy video pyrotechnics, and guest rappers, Adele takes music back to its core and makes you feel, live and have an opinion on every single word. Dripping with raw emotion, it's hard to believe someone so young could produce such a masterpiece.
She is an artist to be treasured - with a voice beyond compare, and lyrical capacity beyond belief, this album deserves nothing less than a Grammy for Album of Year at next year's Grammy Awards. On this countdown, however, Adele has already taken gold.
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Honorable Mentions:
Beyoncé - 4
Eric Church - Chief
Selena Gomez & The Scene - When The Sun Goes Down
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Well, it seems that UK artists are definitely leaving a mark all over the world, with Ellie Goulding and Adele showcasing excellent albums for this first half of 2011, even though Gaga's album proved her worthy of the Queen of Pop title.
What were your favorites? Do you have other suggestions for great albums released this year? Leave a comment below!