Now we are *drumroll please* inside my Top 20 albums of the year! Hooray!
The last entry saw brilliant albums from the likes of disco hipsters
Hercules and Love Affair, J-Pop meets electro from
Ami Suzuki and a fair bit of soul from
Estelle,
Erykah Badu and
Conya Doss.
These top 20 albums each have something special in them and I'm popping in a mini-commentary as to why it is I lessthanthree them. Enjoy!
20.
Yo Majesty -
Futuristically Speaking...Never Be Afraid
The first entry into my top 20 comes from
Yo Majesty, a lesbian hip-hop duo hailing from Florida. These two were introduced to me by the lovely George, and I'm glad they were. The
Kryptonite Pussy - EP is just as tasty, with 5 tracks you won't find on the album. Their track
Kryptonite Pussy is also available for free download here at last.fm. They aren't normally the kind of act I would go for, what with hip-hop having an image of "guns, bling, hos", however these two ladies, while they do sing about fingering hos, have some pretty intelligent lyrics mixed with crunked-up beats suitable for party time!
Favourite tracks:
Break Bread (from the EP),
Get Down On The Floor,
Club Action and
Hey There Girl (also from the EP).
19.
Santogold -
Santogold
There's been a lot of hype surrounding Santi White and her latest incarnation as
Santogold and it's not hard to see why. It's music for hipsters, but she has the goods to back it up. Vocally distinct and blessed with some top-notch producers, this is one hell of a debut and one that is rightly featuring in so many best-of lists for 2008.
Favourite tracks:
Shove It,
I'm a Lady,
Anne,
Unstoppable and
Creator.
18.
Stereo MC's -
Double Bubble
There's one reason and one reason alone I love this album enough to put it in the top 20 of the year - the funky, funky basslines. You listen and you can't help but dance. Or tap your toes, if you're on public transport and there happen to be a lot of people around. This album is pure quality and it's a shame that more people haven't noticed it. Some serious party tuneage is present here!
Favourite tracks:
City Lights,
Get On It and
Pictures.
17.
Zeigeist -
The Jade Motel
It's
The Knife meets electro
Kate Bush - and it works beautifully. These Swedish oddballs have delivered an electro treat - it's rabid and disjointed, yet it works magnificently. It has also delivered one of my favourite tracks of the year in the form of
The Lake.
Favourite tracks:
The Lake,
Tar Heart,
Dawn // Night and
Humanitarianism.
16.
Sam Sparro -
Sam Sparro
Funky pop from an Australian gayboy - what could be better? Well, a few of the album tracks - Sam admitted it was a pretty rushed affair putting the album out when
Black and Gold blew up earlier in the year. As such, there are a number of tracks he doesn't like (as such, he refused to perform them on tour - he's great live by the way), and that's what has prevented this album from being placed higher. But when it's good, it's oh-so-good. It has echoes of
Prince, but somehow I don't think Sam is going to declare himself as anti-gay marriage unlike the aformentioned midget prick.
Favourite tracks:
Sally,
21st Century Life,
Sick,
Black and Gold and
Cut Me Loose.
15.
The Saturdays -
Chasing Lights
They may look like human Smarties in their music videos, and their music is just as sweet, yet these girls have substance too. New girl groups always have trouble getting themselves established, however their stint supporting
Girls Aloud on their 2008 tour was a very shrewd move by their label. The girls have been embraced by the public, and had a far more successful 2008 than the girl group on the wane that are currently the
Sugababes. I think they'll go from strength to strength in 2009, and would be surprised if a mid-sized venue tour for 2009 (read: numerous Carling Academies) isn't announced.
Favourite tracks:
Work,
Keep Her,
If This Is Love,
Up and
Vulnerable.
14.
Britney Spears -
Circus
Despite
that disastrous performance on The X Factor (she clearly had no idea what the show was), Britney has churned out yet another quality album in 2008, which is on a par with the equally delicious
Blackout released last year. It's a welcome return to form, and I have tickets for the 2009 tour. She better sing live though - her position with the UK public is tricky after that performance, as surely a singer paid millions to sing should be able to, well, sing live. Still - top notch pop here, and less vocoder. Top marks.
Favourite tracks:
Out From Under,
Blur,
Radar (I know we've heard it before, but it's still amazing!),
Phonography and
Lace And Leather.
13.
Emiliana Torrini -
me & armini
I went to see her perform live in early October with the lovely Alex, and she was simply brilliant. Great vocals, great audience interaction, and she was sipping straight vodka between the songs. This little lady has some serious talent and there are some big songs here to back it up. The sound is like her second album peppered with the first, and it works. Seriously under-rated as an artist - more people need to check her out.
Favourite tracks:
Gun,
Jungle Drum,
Fireheads,
Big Jumps and
Bleeder.
12.
Alphabeat -
This Is Alphabeat
Next we have Danish cheesemongers
Alphabeat. They're very much a love-them-or-loathe-them kind of act. I love them. I find it impossible to resist their charms, their vibrant in-your-face happiness, it's infectious. Seeing them live was a treat - they rocked the place, and the new tracks they performed sounded stunning. Pop done to perfection.
Favourite tracks:
Boyfriend,
Go-Go,
Fascination,
What Is Happening and
10,000 Nights.
11.
Beyonce -
I Am...Sasha Fierce
Narrowly missing out on my top 10 is the lovely
Beyonce, who has finally released an album worthy of a "best of" list.
Dangerously in Love was shoddy,
B'day half-hearted with a smattering of good tracks, however this one has a couple of blips but nothing too severe. When it's great, it's phenomenal, and the album contains the best track of
Beyonce's career in the form of
Halo. I still think she can do better, but this is the first time she has truly proved her mettle as an album artist as opposed to a singles artist.
Favourite tracks:
Halo,
Diva,
Sweet Dreams,
If I Were A Boy and
Disappear.
So there you have it. Only ten more to go now. Agree with any of the comments? Disagree? Choices of album tracks - love it or hate it? As always, let me know. Big love.
Stereo MC's
