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Mid-Year Report Card: Albums
Hmm, June’s gonna end soon and the first 6 months of 2009 would be a past. I’m gonna do something special for this week, summing up the releases for the first half of 2009. For this first post, I’ll be discussing about albums. Below are my top 5 picks in no particular order.
1. Little Boots – Hands [8th June 2009]
Even though this album was released 2 weeks ago, it is a quality pop record. As with the album cover, it is a reflection of the electronic fused pop musical style the is featured on the album. The album debut at number 5 on the UK album chart.
Read album review here
2. Utada – This Is The One [24th March 2009]
The album deemed as perfection by me. Heh!! It didn’t do well on the mainstream charts, but it still does has it’s cult following and the content of the album is definitely mainstream material. This is an urban pop album, but what makes this album appealing is the slick production and clever lyrics which allows this album to be a standout.
Read album review here
3. Kelly Clarkson – All I Ever Wanted [10th March 2009]
This album might be a sell-out to ensure huge album sales, but in general, this is a fun pop-rock album that is fueled with emotion. Filled with radio-friendly tracks, not many would dislike this album.
Read album review here
4. Lily Allen – It’s Not You, It’s Me [9th February 2009]
Produced mostly by Lily herself and with Greg Kurstin, it’s an impressive album that is filled with witty lyrics. Lily speaks her mind, not doubt about it. Though there’s explicit words and content, the production doesn’t make these songs sound vulgar. Who could sing “F*ck You” in a cheerful tune, only Lily could. =)
Read album review here
5. BoA – BoA [17th March 2009]
If you need an album for a party and let you hair loose, this would be that album. With the album being an all uptempo affair, you’ll be grooving to the beat for sure. What makes up from the overproduction and the annoying vocodered vocals is the hooks and beats that is insanely catchy.
Read album review here
I do have another album in mind, but it’s kinda hit and miss for me. Keri Hilson’s “In a Perfect World“. So, what are your fave albums for the first half of 2009??? Any albums that I’ve missed?? Feel free to comment and discuss. =)
1. Yes – Pet Shop Boys
2. All I Ever Wanted – Kelly Clarkson
3. Above & Beyonce: Dance Mixes – Beyonce
4. Floor Remixes – Cyndia Lauper
5. The Annie Lennox Collection – Annie Lennox
This was hard for me (as you can see 3 of the 5 are collections or remix albums) but it’s honestly what I’m listening to.
The best albums are always released in the last quarter of the year in time for holiday shopping. The first half of the year is for singles!
@ brad
Yeah, I agree that most of the time albums gets released on the dall-winter period. There are some good albums during the summer too. Like Cyndi’s Bring Ya To The Brink album. Speaking of which, Floor Remixes is a good choice, even though it’s only a remix album. I just wished they remixed the entire album of BYTTB. =)