2007 was easier to pick.
I knew for sure my favorites because I played the hell out of them. A lot of these, I've only played two or three times and am going by what I rated them on itunes because I don't know it by heart yet.
Anyway, top albums:
Robyn - self-titled
An early favorite. Kick-ass in its own rights, but I loved it even more coming from an artist I enjoyed in the 90's and who's appearance hasn't changed at all. Made me feel ~*~young again~*~. More importantly, the songs are really,
really good. "With Every Heartbeat" and "Be Mine!" break your heart, "Bum Like You" is great fun, then "Cobrastyle", "Handle Me" and "Who's That Girl" are for blarin' on the dance floor. I spent most of the year craving techno and electronica because of the beats on this album. As someone described after her recent Grammy nomination, Robyn has put out the only dance album of the year that will make you cry. The only other person I can think of that is this fierce, hilarious, and vulnerable, is P!nk, whom I also love but can't dance to as easily.
September - self-titled
Some of the catchiest songs I've ever heard. If you like to move, listen to this. I mean it.
Lady GaGa - The Fame
The whole thing is good, but "Poker Face" just rocks my world. Anyone who sings about their muffin gets laugh points from me.
Also, I am really amused by how fug she is. Most dance skanks have a certain look about them, but ten pounds of makeup couldn't hide that face. The oversized shades and thick bangs do nicely, though.
3Oh!3 - Want
Still not a big fan of hip-hop, but I'm playing around with it more often. Usually I enjoy a track in spite of the rapping if it's catchy enough, but with these guys, the rapping is as enjoyable as the tune. They compliment each other so well, and are massive loads of fun. I gotta crank this stuff every time it's on, and just sit there dancing and giggling at certain lyrics. Dunno where they came, but I've tried two albums so far and both are winners. Hope to find more like them, and hear more
from them!
Within Temptation - The Black Symphony
Can't wait to watch this DVD, as apparently they went all out on the production values and included lots of pyrotechnics and choirs, etc. As an aural experience, they are fantastic as always. I never would have guessed that a voice like hers wasn't at least fine-tuned in a studio, but now that I've heard them live a few times, I still can't believe she sings as perfectly as she does. Very thrilling to hear performances of songs from their most recent album, as that may be my favorite. High praise, considering their small but impressive catalogue.
Shiny Toy Guns - Season of Poison
Still very new to, but I really like their style. The song, "Frozen Oceans" is absolutely stunning.
Paramore - The Final Riot
Why not?
They're my favorite band these days, and the lead singer has another voice I'm surprised by how great it is live. Especially since she jumps around a lot, and that tends to affect vocal performance. I bought the CD/DVD for my brother, but need to borrow it from him soon because I want to watch it as well.
James Morrison - Songs For You, Truths For Me
Still learning most of the tracks on it, but his duet with Nelly Furtado on "Broken Strings" is a lovely stand-out. Plus he has a ton of goodwill leftover from '07, since his was my favorite album from it.
I could listen to that voice sing the phone book and still be a fan, so yeah.
The Dark Knight soundtrack
Didn't seem like that huge a deal when I first saw the film, though I did recognize the insane amounts of tension it drew out of certain scenes. After picking up a copy, I soon became a huge fan of the track "Harvey Two Face", and most of the themes that follow any Joker scene. It's like the hard-hitting awesomeness of Iron Man with more conventional but still gorgeous orchestration. I like it.
Group 1 Crew - Ordinary Dreamers
Sort of a Christian version of Black Eyed Peas. Very new to me, but I'm grooving on it for sure.
David Archuletta - self-titled
Gorgeous, mature voice. Catchy songs. I couldn't really ask for more. Loved it right away.
City and Colour - Bring Me Your Love
For better or for worse, almost nothing like his debut album. I'm alright with that, even though no particular song is a favorite on here so far. They're easy to listen to, and his voice could make anything sound pretty.
Benny Benassi - Rock N Rave
Only played once, but has such hard-hitting dance beats on it, I am quite in love.
Ace Young - self-titled
Didn't really like him on American Idol, but he does seem to have a passion for music, which comes out in his material if not his personality. He also wrote some songs with Daughtry. Was surprised by how good his debut album is. Some funky stuff, some slow stuff. I liked it.
Caleb Kane - This Day In History
Just an assumption here.
It's still in the mail, but features the only seven songs of his I'd been able to find in three years, all of which I adore. He's probably the highest-ranking artist on my last.fm who I don't own two or three albums by. NO MORE!!! Hooray for some record labels having a brain cell.
The shuffle button is great, but can make it hard to remember specific albums one enjoyed, cuz it's such an interrupted experience.
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