Top Albums of 2012: Numbers 10, 9, and 8

Here we go. This is the first post of the “Top Albums of 2012” series. I hope I don’t confuse anyone by going in descending order – I think that it’s more fun because it’s suspenseful in a way. Albums ranked 10-8 are up!

10. Lotus by Christina Aguilera

            Some of my friends would be surprised by this pick because I haven’t been fond of Aguilera in the past. But once I got past her image I found some really beautiful vulnerable or toned down songs. The music video for her first single, Your Body, highlights the over-sexualized image that puts me off but the creators of the visual were quite creative and unique. They managed to make the video interesting instead of just off-putting – I still can’t decide if I like it or not. My favorite songs off “Lotus” include lead single, ‘Your Body’; brazen kiss-off to naysayers, ‘Circles’; and a sweet ode to her fans, ‘Sing To Me.’

9. Push And Shove by No Doubt

            The band’s sixth album was a long time coming and not just because of their break and lead singer Gwen Stefani’s foray into a solo career and other ventures. The album took two years to make. The cover art is a very intricate painting done by an artist named El Mac. I also liked the concept for the music video for first single ‘Settle Down’ because it showed the band members driving personally stylized trucks to rendezvous in the middle of nowhere so they can jam out. Adrian Young’s drum set was really well done; I’ve never seen a more interesting drum set in my life. My favorite songs off the album are the ska title track featuring Busy Signal and Major Lazer and the second single ‘Looking Hot’, a fun track that teenaged girls everywhere will be singing into their brushes to while they pose in front of the mirror.

8. Our Version Of Events by Emeli Sandé

            Before her music career, Emeli Sandé went through college to become a doctor because her parents had instilled in her the importance of an education. With a medical degree to fall back on, Sandé began writing songs for other artists before receiving a record deal as an artist. I don’t like drawing comparisons between artists because everyone is a unique individual, but Sandé’s soulful and emotionally charged songwriting has earned her a comparison to Adele. Ironically, Sandé’s given name is Adele; when Adele gained worldwide acclaim as an artist, Sandé started going by her middle name, Emeli. I love Sandé because she is dynamic in her performance and her songwriting. She has slow, moody songs as well as upbeat songs. My favorite songs from her debut are the moody ‘Easier In Bed’, the uplifiting ‘Wonder’ (which would be perfect for use in a movie if you ask me), and the brutally honest and unwavering declaration, ‘My Kind Of Love’. You should also check out the delightfully dark ‘Kill The Boy’, which she performed acoustically for Angel Studio Session. In a behind the scenes video tour diary, Sandé expressed her gratitude to her fans for her success and while she is enjoying her success here and now, she is very eager to make sure that album number two is just as solid as her debut. I can’t wait to see what she has in store for the future.

            Your Body by Christina Aguilera

                      Settle Down by No Doubt

 Wonder ft Naughty Boy by Emeli Sandé

I hope that you enjoy at least one of the artists or one of the mini-bios I did on them, but I know I won't please everyone. Feel free to let me know what you think of these artists and who your picks would be. As always, comment respectfully.

Thank you,

Nico Black