Albums Of The Year

Well it's that time of the year again, my top 20 albums of this year!

It's been a great 12 months in the music world. We have seen some fantastic new artists, namely Ellie Goulding, Lissie, Hurts and Delphic who have released some amazing albums.

I do at times become disillusioned with the music scene, maybe I'm getting old or maybe theres just a lot of shit out there, whatever the case the following reaffirm my faith in everything lyrical.

So looking forward I'm excited about new albums from Darren Hayes, Leona Lewis and Ellie Goulding plus, hopefully, some new and exciting talent just bursting to get out...

1. Ellie Goulding Lights

Originally released in February 2010 this album has been on rotation ever since, never leaving my car stereo. The sheer scope and brilliance of this album still astounds me now. It has songs to sing to, songs to dance to and songs to cry to. The lyrics make you think, her voice is mesmerising and the production almost flawless. Then it got a rerelease as ‘Bright Light’ earlier this month with the addition of seven new songs including the beautiful ‘You Song’ and a reworked version of ‘Lights’. I’m not one for the rerelease cash in but this is a masterpiece that is made better by the new songs. They don’t dilute its brilliance but make it possibly one of the best albums I have ever brought. It’s defiantly, in my humble opinion, the greatest and most accomplished debut album since Jagged Little Pill.

2. Kylie Aphrodite

Given the fact that I am a huge Kylie fan most would expect this to be number one, I’m not going to make it number one just because it’s Kylie though. This is possibly Kylie’s best all round album and contains brilliant classic pop songs that will stand the test of time, much like she has herself. This is more the comeback album that X should have been. Although X was experimental it flitted between genres that confused the listener and made for an album that you spent more time skipping through than you did listening to. Aphrodite is Kylie at her camp best, keeping to one style of music that resonates with her fans old and new, all out dance floor disco pop!

3. Hurts Happiness

For me, the most anticipated album EVER. I have been a Hurts fan for well over 12 months and after the release of Better Than Love at the beginning of the year I had to wait another 6 months for this to finally be released. It didn’t disappoint. Considered by themselves as ‘dance music for depression’ this couldn’t be closer to the mark. Many may think that the songs production and vocal style is depressed but once you strip away the angst you are left with a collection of beautiful songs that speak from the heart. Borrowing heavily from 80’s synth pop Hurts manage to produce an album that is musically wonderful with lyrics that truly mean something. It’s certainly not perfect but it’s a bloody good start!

4. Delphic Acolyte

This came out in January and I played it to death on it’s release and I still love it now. Again borrowing heavily from the 80’s this is a group that, if New Order made love to Depeche Mode Delphic would be their bastard love child! Storming dance infused rock is mixed with beautiful and inspired instrumentals that makes this one of the most exciting albums I have ever listened to.

5. Diana Vickers Songs From The Tainted Cherry Tree

I haven’t been a huge X Factor ambassador for a few years now but every now and again they find some good talent. When she was on the show I hated her and her performances, her voice grated and I wanted to switch it off. When she was booted off Simon wanted he on his label but she refused and went away, signed with the label she chose, wrote some song s and did it all her way. The result is an album with such depth and beauty that if this is her at 19 we are in for a treat as she matures as a person and an artist.

6. Sarah Mclachlan Illusions Of Bliss

One of my favourite artists made a return to form this year with this little gem of an album. Not a commercial success in this country but a triumph in production non the less. Beautiful written and sung as usal, music for the heart and the head!

7. Lissie Catching A Tiger

Another new female artist to emerge this year, Lissie’s effortless vocal and heartfelt lyrics make this an album of the year. Perfect summery American soft rock, ideal driving music.

8. Amy Macdonald A Curious Thing

Understated, under rated! This Scotish singer went all out on this album. Great lyrically and musically, a must for any lover of modern music.

9. Cee Lo Green The Lady Killer

Every one has heard, and no doubt loves, Forget You and this album delivers a huge slice of sixties tinged rhythm and blues. Not normally my cup of tea but absolutely one of the feel good albums of the year.

10. Plan B The Defamation Of Strickland Banks

Again I wouldn’t normally buy this kind of album but he has managed to produce an album that is gritty, raw and beautiful all at the same time. A triumph in every sense of the word.

11. Take That Progress
12. Joshua Radin Simple Times
13. James Blunt Some Kind of Trouble
14. Alesha Dixon The Entertainer
15. The Script Science and Faith
16. Duffy Endlessly
17. Natasha Bedingfield Strip Me
18. Eminem Recovery
19. Lene Marlin Twist the Truth
20. Goldfrapp Head First

This years epic fail award must go, again, to Chery Cole with Messy Little Raindrops. Boring, dull and pointless. Smelt like a rush job from 20 miles away. A piss poor X Factor cash in!

Other mentions here must be;

Robyn and Body Talk (1,2 and 3) Not a bad piece of work but the concept was always stupid and the execution was even worse. A rip off of epic proportions!

If any of this has inspired you to buy any of these albums then my work here is done!

Happy New Year all!