Stephen’s Top Albums of 2011~

It is the end of the year which means end-of-the-year lists! Wooo!! I must say, though, I didn’t listen to much music this year — college really fucked with my priorities. Instead of keeping up with all the latest in pop music I was busy studying, you know? Even when you look at my lastfm – which I used to brag about but now keep hidden away most of the time – chart of the albums I’ve listened to in the past 12 months, many of them on the list aren’t even from this year. Regardless, here is the list of what I think were the best albums of the handful I listened to this year.

10. Rihanna – Talk That Talk

I reviewed this album back when it leaked and I wasn’t too impressed with it. But, just like 2010′s Rihanna offering, Loud, it’s a grower, not a shower. It somehow managed to worm its way into my heart and I have come to like it. I still hold that it’s too brashy and aggressive to reach its ~full of sexuality~ credential everyone keeps giving it. It, however, remains the weakest record on this list, rightfully securing its spot at the bottom.
Listen to: “Where Have You Been,” “Birthday Cake,” “Roc Me Out,” “Red Lipstick,” “Fool In Love”

09. Beyoncé – 4

Beyoncé remains one of my least favourite popstars. Her thievery is unacceptable and I’ve not been able to warm up to her at all. That being said, the woman puts out highly enjoyable music. With the exception of this album’s lead single, “Run The World (Girls),” a jarring, jerking, non-stop hot mess of a track that basically molested Major Lazer’s “Pon de Floor” in an over-extended sample, of course. That shit was just awful. When I heard that song I immediately a) laughed, b) cringed and c) lowered my expectations immensely for Beyoncé’s then-upcoming album. If this was the shit she was going to be putting out, I wanted nothing to do with it. Thankfully, though, 4 is nothing like that horrendous track. A gorgeous collection of R&B tracks with only simple traces of her popstar-side. Her voice has always been her greatest asset and it’s set up so beautifully on this record. A commercial flop, yes, but brimming with great artistry and talent nonetheless.
Listen to: “Love On Top,” “Countdown,” “End of Time”

08. Kelly Rowland – Here I Am

Kelly Rowland was always my favorite spawn of Destiny, I must say. Her 2002 collaboration with Nelly, “Dilemma,” was a fantastic song and garnered her much love and support from me. But I can’t say I had much incentive to follow her through her solo career until I heard “Commander (feat. David Guetta)” last summer. An absolute fierce club banger, it prompted me to sit up and take notice of Kelly once more. The album, as it turns out, isn’t a set of club anthems, but mostly R&B tracks with a few dance tracks thrown in. I typically stay far away from R&B but I surprisingly found this set really enjoyable. Probably because she wasn’t crying about her boyfriend cheating on her, etc. It’s fun and sexy and grown, JUZ LYK MS KELLY BABY.
Listen to: “Motivation (feat. Lil Wayne),” “Work It Man (feat. Lil Playy),” “Lay It On Me (feat. Big Sean),” “Feelin Me Right Now”

07. Kelly Clarkson – Stronger

Kelly Clarkson is my favorite Popstar With A Voice, hands down. Christina and Beyoncé have incredible voices, yes, but I feel like Kelly Clarkson is the only one who knows how to use her heavenly vocals well and exercise proper restraint. The end result of all she comes out with is always beautiful and Stronger is no exception. It’s a strong set of pop songs featuring her strong voice. It’s less sugary and bright than All I Ever Wanted but less dark than My December. It’s just perfect where it’s at – JUST LIKE KELLY’S WEIGHT SO STFU H8IN ASS HOES.
Listen to: “Stronger,” “Let Me Down,” “Einstein,” “Don’t Be A Girl About It”

06. Lady GaGa – Born This Way

I in no way keep my disdain for Lady Gaga hidden. The mere thought of her makes my skin crawl because I just find her so goddamn annoying. My review of the album covered all this, and hit upon one important point: despite her shenanigans and antics and over-the-top unnecessary fuckery, she puts out consistently enjoyable music. With the exception of a few tracks, Born This Way is an excellent pop album featuring a strong vocal performance and solid pop jams.
Listen to: “Marry The Night,” “Heavy Metal Lover,” “Hair”

05. Florence + the Machine – Ceremonials

A woman with an gorgeous voice put out a spectacular album this year. Truthfully, I didn’t listen to Lungs but I’m sure it is every bit as impressive, enthralling and beautiful as this gem. Her voice soars throughout delivering a wonderful, heartfelt, gorgeous experience. There’s nothing more to say than it’s a truly beautiful collection of music.
Listen to: Every song

04. Bon Iver – Bon Iver

Bon Iver first captured my interest back in 2008 with For Emma, Forever Ago, a beautiful album featuring one of my favorite songs, “Skinny Love.” The jagged voice, crooning throughout the album is beautiful, haunting and just so damn captivating. Bon Iver, the album, is just as amazing. The production and vocals are so masterful and well done, if you close your eyes and listen to the music it’s so easy to just get swept away and drown yourself in the beauty of the sounds. It’s a smooth, tranquil ride that in no way fails to make an impression. It’s no wonder Pitchfork named it the best album of the year.
Listen to: “Perth,” “Calgary,” “Michicant”

03. Wynter Gordon – With the Music I Die

Phenomenal album, to put it short. Wynter Gordon possesses amazing talent as both a singer and songwriter. Her voice is heavenly, angelic almost, and her delivery is almost always flawless. With The Music I Die is an exceptional collection of dance-pop music in which the vocals, not the production, rightfully dominate the spotlight.
Listen to: “Dirty Talk,” “Drunk On Your Love,” “All My Life,” “In The Morning (feat. Robbie McCall)”

01. Adele – 21
01. Britney Spears – Femme Fatale

While Britney sits at the top of the list (no surprise there), it’s not to say that Femme Fatale made more of an impression on me than 21. Both of these albums delivered this year in the form of cohesive and well-executed albums. Adele’s 21 is the champion of heartbreak, with an exemplary tracklisting that delivers an overwhelmingly beautiful set of songs that will not fail to pluck on your heartstrings. Her flawless huge voice fills up every space imaginable delivering a performance wrought with honesty and emotion leaving you exhilarated, breathless and just as impacted by this relationship as she sounds. Britney’s Femme Fatale, on the other hand, is the champion of fun, entertaining escapist pop music. There isn’t one single thought linking the tracklisting together, besides having fun. From the schizophrenic thrilling ride of “Hold It Against Me” to the flutes of “Criminal” it’s a power-packed collection of pop music that injects a much-needed dose of simple pop fun without a backstory or pink wig or avant garde wardrobe. There’s conviction in her voice as she plays around throughout the album. A non-stop dance party with “Criminal” serving as a moment to breathe before kicking it back into high gear with the deluxe edition bonus tracks, Britney delivered an incredible force field of pop with this one.
Listen to: 21: “Rolling In The Deep,” “Turning Tables,” “Set Fire to the Rain,” “Someone Like You” Femme Fatale: “Hold It Against Me,” “Inside Out,” “Seal It With A Kiss,” “How I Roll”