2011 was a pretty good year for me. Although I did not achieve my main goal, which was to finally finish my thesis and get my master's degree, everything's fine offline and online. It was the year where I returned as ATRL moderator, and I've enjoyed approaching the whole thing more professionally. Because let's face it, ATRL used to be a banana republic when I was administrator, back in 2004-2007. TC, Athens, Johnny and Joe have turned it into an incredible forum and I am proud to again be part of the team. Here's to many more years!
Unfortunately, in terms of entertainment, the year was a bit of a let-down, saved only by one special artist. That is why I've decided to not do a lot of lists this year. All you can look forward to is:
(or: let me be indulgent and devote one post to stan for Tiziano)
I've listened to and liked plenty of albums this year, but there was only one that really moved me, and it was Tiziano Ferro's fifth studio album. L'amore È Una Cosa Semplice, or Love Is A Simple Thing is yet another beautiful gem in his already impressive discography. His voice is truly one of a kind, and combined with his expressive and poetic songwriting, and the classic-yet-modern style in which he composes and produces his songs, he keeps delivering one stunning track after another.
My love for him has not been eternal. Europe was first introduced to Tiziano ten years ago, when his first single and smash hit "Perdono" crossed Italy's borders into foreign territory. I also liked the catchy song a lot back then, but a lipsynced performance on Top Of The Pops (same for second single "Imbranato") made him lame and talentless in my mind. I also wasn't that fond of the Italian language anyway.
Although his second album was a huge success in Italy and surrounding countries, the singles never made it to the Netherlands, and I (along with most of Europe) had pretty much forgotten about him. It wasn't until his third album, in late 2006, that I discovered the extent of his talent. The first single "Stop! Dimentica" was a ripoff of Kelly Osbourne's "One Word", and that was the reason I even gave it a listen. It was really good though, and he was back on my radar. But then it happened. My friend begged me to listen to his second single "Ed Ero Contentissimo", and I still remember the day like it was yesterday.
What a song! It left me speechless and I had to listen to it over and over. I really love those moments where you first hear a song and you just know immediately that it is one of your all time faves. That's what this song did to me. Anyway, the whole album Nessuno è Solo blew me away, and a few years later he did it again with fourth album Alla Mia Età.
Then last year, the announcement that was both expected and shocking: he came out as gay. To realize how crazy that is, you have to realize that he is the biggest male pop star in Italy, and Italy is one of the most conservative and homophobic countries in Europe. I for one wasn't convinced that he was gay (unlike most commenters after the fact) and I sure as hell didn't think he would have the guts to risk his career, which at the time was at its peak in terms of success. But he did it, and needless to say I only became more of a fan because of it.
And so the wait for his new album began. Would it be good? Would he change his style? Would the public still buy it? There were so many unknowns. But then finally, just a few months ago, the wait was over. And he slayed my life and the lives of many others, once again.
Pure perfection. I can now say that my beloved Utada Hikaru's "Passion" is no longer my favorite song of all time, as this has eclipsed it (woops, there I go revealing my #1 song of the year). The song is just so, so epic. And even the Italian public could not turn their backs on their now-gay hero. How could they? A song this good simply cannot flop.
And so we get to the actual subject of this post. L'amore È Una Cosa Semplice. A mix of his old R&Bish style and his newer pop/rock style, with a cover of a rap song thrown in, and a cool duet with John Legend. A celebration of his amazing career. And probably the pinnacle of his amazing career. A true masterpiece. The album still sounds so fresh even after whoring the **** out of it the past two months. Only Tiziano can create music so perfect, so timeless. He really is so, so much better than all of your faves.
Alright, had to get that out of my system. The first of my top 100 songs of the year will come later today.
I actually got a male hetero friend back in my home country who started to "stan" for Tiziano based on that 1 song, which I, btw, introduced to him ^_^
I actually got a male hetero friend back in my home country who started to "stan" for Tiziano based on that 1 song, which I, btw, introduced to him ^_^
Quote:
Originally posted by Roberto
Great singer, he sings really good.
<333
Quote:
Originally posted by GaGaFan
Never heard of him.
Quote:
Originally posted by RîhMark
Never heard of him.
Well now you have
Quote:
Originally posted by TC
Welcome! You're a late starter like me. Looking forward to your entire list!
Yes, I can't make my list until the year is (almost) over
Quote:
Originally posted by Vato
I like some of his songs, but Passion > LDTMET
I accept this opinion as Passion is also extremely amazing
That is why I've decided to not do a lot of lists this year. All you can look forward to is:
It left me speechless and I had to listen to it over and over. I really love those moments where you first hear a song and you just know immediately that it is one of your all time faves. That's what this song did to me. Anyway, the whole album Nessuno è Solo blew me away, and a few years later he did it again with fourth album Alla Mia Età.
