Albums Of The Year 2011

Well I'm a bit late with this, but better late then never!  Musically I think it's been a bit of a boring year in music, although some good albums have been released very little has grabbed me by the throat, and indeed much of what has been released has been by established artists, very little new talent has made me stand up and take notice like Ellie Goulding, Hurts and Frank Musik before, but here we are, my top 20 albums of 2011;

1. Darren Hayes Secret Codes And  Battleships
Darren Hayes doesn't just release an album, he creates an event.  The build up for it was phenomenal with months of YouTube videos, teasers and single releases before the final product was finally unleashed.  He is, to me, one the most under rated male artists in the world and he deserves much more success then he gets.  This collection of pop songs sees him return to a more commercial sound reminiscent of the Savage Garden days but there is still a hint of the electronica he so loves.  This is what I love about him, the lyrics and melodies are complex yet easy to listen to, his songs are so multi-layered that you can listen to them over again and find something new and refreshing.  
This album didn't sell well in the UK and I think that's a shame because Darren Hayes is one the most refreshing and exciting artists around today.


2. Olly Murs In Case You Didn't Know
Proof that sometimes the X Factor can find some talent.  Runner up Olly returned with this second album of infectious and quite brilliant pop songs that surpassed his debut and then some.  Olly is a nice guy and this comes across in his music, but he can also do heartbreak as well and this makes for a richly rewarding and fun second album.


3. Jennifer Lopez Love?
The best album released over the summer made even better by the selection of bonus tracks floating around.  Here JLo made a triumphant return to music and it's her best album since 'JLo' with infectious beats and haunting ballads.  This also includes our first dance song from our wedding and so will always hold a special place in my heart.


4. Lady GaGa Born This Way
Anyone who reads my Facebook will know that Lady GaGa often pisses me off but strip back the BS and bravado and you can see she can make a damn good pop album.  This LP was always going to sell a lot of copies and deep down I wanted to hate it, but I couldn't.  With songs like Hair, Scheibe, and Edge Of Glory this is a hard album not to like!


5. Frank Musik Do It In The AM
The second album from Vince saw him take on a much more commercial route and for all intents and purposes it didn't work, commercially anyway.  I guess the record company wanted some payback and pushed him in this direction but it's still a good album filled with many great pop songs.  What I love about Vince is his apparent hate of the record industry and by giving away a further 12 tracks free was a massive up yours to Island Records.
Vince has now split up with himself and Frank Musik is no more, which is a shame because he is a very talented young man who can produce excellent pop music.


6. Dionne Bromfield Good For The Soul
Another album that was commercially a flop but to me is a fantastic slice of British R'n'B.  Amy Winehouse's god daughter clearly gained a lot from her god mother and produced a very grown up and classy album that stands up against any album in it's genre.


7. Far East Movement Free Wired
Another album that didn't sell well but it's possibly the most fun album of 2011 and there's not one dud track to be found.  A great party album and much better then anything the Black Eyed Peas have done recently.


8. Rebecca Ferguson Heaven
Another X Factor runner up runs circles around the winner Matt Cardle with an album so beautiful it can reduce you to tears.  Classy, elegant and heartfelt, simply breathtaking.  


9. Britney Spears Femme Fatale
A good enough album but is no where near as good as Circus or Blackout, the promotional tour was nothing but a disappointment as well.  The album has it's moments but I expect better from the self proclaimed Queen Of Pop.  


10. Beyonce 4
When I first heard this I was disappointed to say the least but it really grew on me.  An album full of classy and well produced pop songs that will stand as her best all round album.


11. Clare Maguire Light After Dark
12. Kate Bush 50 Words For Snow
13. Adele 21
14. Melanie C The Sea
15. Panic! At The Disco Vices And Virtues
16. Hard Fi Killer Sounds
17. The Saturdays On Your Radar
18. Kelly Clarkson Stronger
19. Will Young Echoes
20. Matt Cardle Letters