I'm tired of keeping this list in my notes section, so I'm just going to post a thread, you can comment if you want, but it's not necessary. I'm just doing this as it is easier to edit a list like this in a thread then the poorly constructed notes section. Anyway, here is my favorite albums of 2014, I have not added lots of albums I have listened to this year, and the scores for the album can change at anytime. Thanks!

Excellent http://i.minus.com/jWeJv46R0bUMT.png
Great http://i.minus.com/jbf6lf6qJvsT57.png
Good http://i.minus.com/jYOqe2zxRL4yg.png
Average http://i.minus.com/jbhfZ9wrzrhGih.png
Below Average, Bad, Poor, Awful, Terrible, Repulsive http://i.minus.com/jrkohlSLEUwDr.png

Excellent [90-100]
Great [80-89]
Good [70-79]
Average [60-69]
Below Average [50-59]
Bad [40-49]
Poor [39-39]
Awful [20-29]
Terrible [10-19]
Repulsive [0-9]

Albums may be tied with the same score, but one album will be put ahead of the other based on preference (think of it as if by "decimal points", if you will).

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#1 Home, Like Noplace Is There - The Hotelier The Hotelier | Tiny Engines | Release Date: Feb 25, 2014

dddddddddd 95

Highlights "Housebroken" "An Introduction to the Album" "In Framing" "The Scope of All of This Rebuilding" "Your Deep Rest"

This album bleeds raw with human emotions, and that is what makes it so damn powerful. Its heart pumps full of life with every beat, with every note, and with every vocal. This is modern rock music at its most free and vulnerable, fused together with the power and strength of the human spirit to produce the most genuine record this year. 'Home, Like Noplace is There' is also an insanely catchy record, which will have you enjoying, and perhaps singing along, to every lyric and chorus. The Hotelier have successfully crafted the best album of the year, not through extreme technical ability, incredibly complex lyricism, or by a grandiose musical direction. 'Home' is the best album this year because it can make you smile in sheer bliss, and have tears flowing down your face moments later. 'Home' is the best album this year because it has the power to have you shouting along to every vulnerable and spirited lyric. 'Home' is the best album this year because it is true to The Hotelier's own hearts, to their own souls, and through these truths, it has the ability to impact the listener's soul so deeply. And is that not what all brilliant music should do?

Listen to this track:

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#2 Too Bright - Perfume Genius Perfume Genius | Matador | Release Date: Sep 23, 2014

dddddddddd 94

Highlights "Queen" "Don't Let Them In" "I Decline" "Grid" "All Along"

This album is so damn freeing. Listen to every song on this record, and you will know that they all have meaning. They are all special to Perfume Genius' heart, and are all a part of his soul. These tracks are windows, and through these windows, you can see his pain, his confidence, his apprehension, his life. It's beautiful to be given a view into the soul of a human who has likely experienced so many emotions in life as a result of his own sexuality. This is an album that will have you singing along with your fist in the air on tracks like "Queen", and yet only moments later, will have you in tears on tracks like "Don't Let Them In". It is an album that showcases a human spirit so beautiful, so powerful, and one that is perhaps at its most pure. It is undeniably brilliant, and absolutely beautiful.

Listen to this track:

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#3 LP1 - FKA Twigs FKA Twigs | XL Recordings | Release Date: Aug 12, 2014

dddddddddd 94

Highlights "Two Weeks" "Give Up" "Pendulum" "Numbers" "Lights On"

The best debut album of the year. Hands down. The fact that FKA Twigs was able to master a sound this utterly mesmerizing and gorgeous on a debut record is simply insane. It leaves one perplexed at how she will attempt to release another record as accomplished as 'LP1' is in its sound, although I know it is wrong for me to doubt her capabilities. This album will immerse you through its gorgeous electronic sound, its experimental flares, FKA Twigs' powerful vocals, the simplicity and strength of the lyrics, and its ability to command your interest for an extended amount of time. It is true, this is an album that you will not only love on first listen, but will continue to appreciate and relish in for weeks, months, and probably years in the future.

Listen to this track:

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#4 You're Dead! - Flying Lotus Flying Lotus | Warp | Release Date: Oct 7, 2014

dddddddddd 93

Highlights "Never Catch Me" "Theme" "Coronus, the Terminator" "Descent Into Madness" "Ready Err Not"

Flying Lotus is an artist who has been evolving his sound since his debut release, however 'You're Dead!' is not just a mere step in this evolution process, it is an incredible leap into something so powerful and bold. The album showcases a wide array of genres including electronic, experimental, and jazz fusion, merging them together beautifully in an incredibly strong collection. 'You're Dead!' is an album that flows powerfully from beginning to end through all of its nineteen tracks. Every one of these tracks is a part of a larger concept with which this album explores in depth, the idea of death. It is a concept with which Flying Lotus is able to master, by creating an album that is able to relish in its own darkness and insanity, but also succeeds at sounding so damn cool and spirited simultaneously.

Listen to this track:

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#5 Our Love - Caribou Caribou | Merge | Release Date: Oct 7, 2014

dddddddddd 91

Highlights "Can't Do Without You" "All I Ever Need" "Second Chance" "Julia Brightly" "Mars"

'Our Love' is an album that will captivate you with its masterful melding of smooth vocals and electronic production. Unlike Caribou's previous release, 'Our Love' features a heavy amount of vocals throughout the album, and honestly, I believe that it has made Caribou not only more accessible, but has also strengthened his work. Nearly every song on 'Our Love' is simply a joy to listen to, with a majority of them possessing an utterly addictive quality. The vocals always remain relatively simple, but this helps bring strength to the electronic production on the album. The vocals accentuate the production, and the production accentuates the vocals. These two forces intertwined with grace and precision is what raises this record to the peaks of prestige in releases this year.

Listen to this track:

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#6 Are We There - Sharon Van Etten Sharon Van Etten | Jagjaguwar | Release Date: May 27, 2014

dddddddddd 90

Highlights "I Know" "Every Time the Sun Comes Up" "Afraid of Nothing" "Our Love" "Break Me"

'Are We There' is an album from the heart. This is an album about love, as made evident by song titles such as "Our Love", "Your Love is Killing Me" and "I Love You But I'm Lost". It deals with all the emotions that love brings, and does so with a beautiful sense of authenticity, that makes this album feel spiritual. These songs remain powerful and pure through Sharon's vocal ability, in combination with the simple lyrics and instrumentals. She is at her strongest on songs like "I Know" and "Every Time the Sun Comes Up", when she is at her most vulnerable and exposed. This album relishes in simplicity, vocally, lyrically, and musically. There is immense strength in this simplicity, and 'Are We There' proves that.

Listen to this track:

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#7 Secret Evil - Jessica Hernandez & the Deltas Jessica Hernandez & the Deltas | Instant | Release Date: Aug 19, 2014

dddddddddd ‎‎90

Highlights "Dead Brains" "Tired Oak" "Neck Tattoo" "Downtown Man" "No Place Left to Hide"

If you are fan of Motwon and 1960s music, this album is a must listen! The whole experience that Jessica Hernandez offers is completely influenced by that classic retro style. This is modern pop music, mixed with retro-rock, mixed with a bit of soul, and damn does it work so well. This record will remind you of the beauty in the simple powerful addicting pop music that ruled the 1960s, with enough modern influences to prevent it from sounding dated. There are so many incredibly solid and deeply enjoyable pop songs on 'Secret Evil' that by the end of the record it becomes evident that this an album that is undeniably excellent. Jessica Hernandez & the Deltas have produced something special here, and a record of this quality deserves so much more recognition, especially in a decade of soulless mega pop stars who struggle to release even one pop song that succeeds like any of these do.

Listen to this track:

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#8 St Vincent - St. Vincent St. Vincent | Universal | Release Date: Feb 25, 2014

dddddddddd 88

Highlights "Digital Witness" "Bring Me Your Loves" "Huey Newton" "I Prefer Your Love"

'St. Vincent' truly is a powerful pop record. Now, this record is not straight pop (like any great pop album arguably), and has influences of indie rock fused into it. This of course only enhances the album's musical direction, and St. Vincent's spirited vocals. This is an album that maintains a consistent sound throughout, and because this particular sound is so enthralling, it overwhelmingly succeeds as a pop record. Even the tracks that I would not consider to be highlights on this record still possess great qualities to them. This is contemporary pop music at perhaps its most grand, it has a great direction, incredible artistry, and has so much more style than any mainstream female pop artist could ever touch.

Listen to this track:

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#9 It's Album Time - Todd Terje Todd Terje | Olsen Records | Release Date: Apr 8, 2014

dddddddddd 86

Highlights "Inspector Norse" "Preben Goes To Acapulco" "Delorean Dynamite" "Svensk Sås"

I am so glad that it is in fact album time for Todd Terje, as this is one of the strongest and most enjoyable records of the year. With scare vocal implementation and an eclectic electronic production that is evident throughout, he has successfully produced one of the most enthralling records of the year. This is an album that will immerse you in its charming atmosphere through Todd Terje's stylish imagery and sound. 'It's Album Time' succeeds not only as an accomplished debut record, but also by proving that Todd Terje has the musical ability to successfully adventure through a dynamic range of genres as a producer.

Listen to this track:

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#10 Syro - Aphex Twin Aphex Twin | Warp | Release Date: Sep 23, 2014

dddddddddd ‎‎86

Highlights "minipops 67 [120.2]" (source field mix) "180db_ [130]" "XMAS_EVET10 [120]" (thanaton3 mix) "PAPAT4 [155]" (pineal mix)

There is nothing inviting about Aphex Twin's newest studio album release in over a decade. To the mainstream music listener 'Syro' is cold. From its perplexing song titles to its left-field electronic sound, many may view it as just "noise" (which I have personally seen a mainstream listener do), but they would be so wrong to do that. This is an album that will show you how full of life and heart it is, if you allow it. There is a spirit to 'Syro' that is simply alluring, and one that simply cannot be found or replicated anywhere else. At first glance it may seem uninviting, but give it some time, and let it into your soul, and you will find that this is Aphex Twin's most spirited and most enjoyable work to date.

Listen to this track:

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#11 No Mythologies to Follow - MØ MØ | RCA | Release Date: Mar 11, 2014

dddddddddd ‎‎84

Highlights "Red in the Grey" "Fire Rides" "Pilgrim" "Never Wanna Know"

MØ is an artist who is able to so effortlessly enchant us, not because of incredibly constructed pop songs, although there are many great songs on 'No Mythologies to Follow', but through her own power and charisma as a vocalist and artist. Most of the tracks on her debut record could even sound normal in a generic female pop artist's discography. However, MØ commands these tracks with powerful vocal strength and a masterful style that makes these tracks sound greater than any of them could ever achieve. Do not get me wrong though, these tracks are well written pop songs, but MØ really adds something special to them. She has demonstrated an energy on 'No Mythologies to Follow' that is simply infectious, and this is just the beginning.

Listen to this track:

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#12 1000 Forms of Fear - Sia Sia | RCA | Release Date: Jul 8, 2014

dddddddddd ‎‎84

Highlights "Dressed in Black" "Free the Animal" "Chandelier" "Burn the Pages"

This is mainstream pop at its most bold and also at its most vulnerable. Some of these tracks are absolutely huge, with "Chandelier" of course being the most widely known. You should not let your adventure into '1000 Forms of Fear' stop there though. While there are other songs of this caliber on the record ("Burn the Pages', "Free the Animal"), Sia also manages to pull off a more subdued, more exposed collection of tracks that are beautiful as well ("Eye of the Needle", "Big Girls Cry"). That is what makes Sia one of the most captivating mainstream pop stars of today. She can succeed at being true to herself no matter what track she is pouring her soul out on, and '1000 Forms of Fear' is proof of that.

Listen to this track:

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#13 Sea When Absent - A Sunny Day in Glasgow A Sunny Day in Glasgow | Lefse Records | Release Date: Jun 24, 2014

dddddddddd ‎‎83

Highlights "The Things They Do To Me" "The Body, It Bends" "MTLOV (Minor Keys)" "Never Nothing (It's Alright [It's Ok])"

A captivating sound is provided on 'Sea When Absent'. It is one that produces both bliss and apathy at points throughout, and by the end of it, it is clear that A Sunny Day in Glasgow have produced an album that is definitely worth experiencing. The album has an energy to it that flows so well on nearly every track, but is still eclectic enough in its sound to remain interesting throughout. 'Sea When Absent' merges elements of shoegaze, with less focus on the vocals and more on the melodies, and psychedelic pop, by possessing a style that could be accessible to a pop audience with an energy that is in a constant flux. A Sunny Day in Glasgow have truly created an accessible record with 'Sea When Absent', but also one that is incredibly unique and powerful.

Listen to this track:

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#14 Alvvays - Alvvays Alvvays | Polyvinyl | Release Date: Jul 22, 2014

dddddddddd ‎‎82

Highlights "Next of Kin" "Party Police" "Atop a Cake" "Archie, Marry Me"

I think it is safe to say that Alvvays have established a uniform sound for their debut album. The nine tracks on this record all possess a similar sound, something that I would compare to the style of dream pop duo Beach House perhaps. There is a light and carefree nature that saturates this album, and at times it is simply beautiful to enjoy, but it can also seem a bit too uniform as well. Albums do not have to be incredibly eclectic in their sound to be great, and with a musical direction this solid, is it really necessary for 'Alvvays'? Eh, yes and no. All I know, is that is definitely an accomplished debut record, and I am ready to see where this band goes from here.

Listen to this track:

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#15 Never Hungover Again - Joyce Manor Joyce Manor | Epitaph | Release Date: Jul 22, 2014

dddddddddd ‎‎81

Highlights "Christmas Card" "Heart Tattoo" "Schley" "In the Army Now"

This is the shortest album on this list, and possibly one of the shortest albums released this year, but do not let that fool you. 'Never Hungover Again' is able to charm its way to success through its catchy melodies and vocal charism. This is a punk rock album that has a style that is simply captivating, and never fully struggles to immerse the listener in its own carefree nature. It is a brief listen, but one that is so worth experiencing. An album that demonstrates that size, indeed, does not matter.

Listen to this track:

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#16 Los Angeles Police Department - Los Angeles Police Department Los Angeles Police Department | Forged Artifacts | Release Date: Sept 18, 2014

dddddddddd ‎‎81

Highlights "Cave" "1,000 Leagues" "Bishops Rd" "August 31"

First off, I think the name of the album and the project is ridiculous. Haha. I feel like he could have come up with a better name to represent himself. Anyway, unlike his name, the music is not ridiculous, which is really all that matters. All of the tracks on this debut record are rather soft and restrained in their sound, but are still quite enjoyable. The album feels like it struggles during its first half from not having enough eclecticism, and can sort of all blend together (besides a few clear standouts), which does have its weaknesses. However, "Cave" and the second half of the record are enough moments of clarity in the blur to maintain my interest.

Listen to this track:

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#17 The Future's Void - EMA EMA | Matador | Release Date: Apr 8, 2014

dddddddddd 81

Highlights "Dead Celebrity" "3Jane" "So Blonde" "100 Years"

While there is no "California" (Look up 'Past Life Martyred Saints') on 'The Future's Void', with the closest possible track being "Dead Celebrity" there is still something worth experiencing here. EMA is not as pure or raw as she was on her previous album lyrically or musically, and instead contains herself to a more subdued sound. There is still emotion here however, and there is still a genuineness here that is simply beautiful to witness. When EMA gets it right on this album, she will have you relishing in every word and note she produces. There are many moments of greatness throughout, but some of the songs could fit the criteria of filler, but even then, filler for EMA is still pretty damn good.

Listen to this track:

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#18 Benji - Sun Kil Moon Sun Kil Moon | Caldo Verde Records | Release Date: Feb 11, 2014

dddddddddd 80

Highlights "Jim Wise" "Carissa" "Ben's My Friend" "Micheline"

This is potentially the most lyrically direct album released this year. Sun Kil Moon leaves absolutely nothing to be discovered when analyzing the lyrics at face value. These songs are stories, some more captivating than others, but as a listener, all of them deserved to be heard at least once. It is when Sun Kil Moon merges the simplicity of the lyrics, with his raw vocals however, that he creates songs that are simply beautiful and ones that evoke real human emotion. While this only happens a few times on the album, 'Benji' is still a compelling experience.

Listen to this track:

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#16 I Never Learn - Lykke Li Lykke Li | Atlantic | Release Date: May 6, 2014

dddddddddd ‎‎79

Highlights "No Rest For The Wicked" "Just Like A Dream" "Gunshot"

After the incredibly powerful and brilliant 'Wounded Rhymes', I was really expecting Lykke Li to reach new heights as an artist. While this album disappoints in this respect, it is still another appreciated offering of solid pop tracks. What 'I Never Learn' really needed was a few incredibly enthralling pop experiences, such as "Get Some", "Sadness is a Blessing" or "I Follow Rivers", and while many of the tracks are truly pleasant to listen to, none of them (except perhaps "No Rest for the Wicked") are able to reach the heights of her previous record.

Listen to this track:

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#17 Shatter Me - Lindsey Stirling Lindsey Stirling | Independent | Release Date: Apr 29, 2014

dddddddddd ‎‎78‎‎‎‎

Highlights "Shatter Me" "Beyond the Veil" "We Are Giants"

Lindsey Stirling's musical influences on 'Shatter Me' truly are intriguing. This album contains elements of dubstep, classical, house, trance, and even hip hop, and is all held tightly together by her masterful violin playing. If it was not obvious yet, that is what makes Lindsey unique and captivating. Some of these songs are simply massive, and are utterly enjoyable to immerse yourself in fully. There are not many albums lead by a violin that can succeed at creating music this contemporary, this bold, and this fun, and that is what makes 'Shatter Me' solid.

Listen to this track:

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#18 Joyland - Trust Trust | Arts + Crafts | Release Date: Mar 4, 2014

dddddddddd ‎‎78‎‎‎‎

Highlights "Peer Pressure" "Capitol" "Joyland"

The sound on 'Joyland' can be truly mesmerizing at times. Some of the most powerful tracks on the album delve into a dark electronic sound that is beautiful to relish in as a listener. Songs like "Peer Pressure" and "Capitol" shine because of their strong melodies, and demonstrate the power that Trust has, and perhaps the mighty heights that this album could have reached had it been a bit more refined in its sound. Overall, most of the tracks are strong, and only a few may fail to immerse you, which makes 'Joyland' a euphoric electronic experience that is not worth missing out on.

Listen to this track:

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#18 Take Me When You Go - Betty Who Betty Who | RCA | Release Date: Oct 7, 2014

dddddddddd ‎‎74‎‎‎‎

Highlights "Somebody Loves You" "Runaways" "California Rain"

The main quibble I have with Betty Who, is not in denying that she has completely mastered the perfect power pop song, it's that on 'Take Me When You Go' she shows off her mastery of this a bit too much. Far too many of the tracks are similar, and while a lot of these songs are enjoyable to listen to individually, the album as a whole feels like it drags on after you have heard her power pop formula. At some points it felt a bit like a Katy Perry album, except with more personality and vocal power of course, but even then, the lack of eclecticism on this record is apparent, and it ultimately makes Betty Who's debut less enjoyable than it could have been.

Listen to this track:

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#18 Trouble in Paradise - La Roux La Roux | Interscope | Release Date: Jul 22, 2014

dddddddddd ‎‎73‎‎‎‎

Highlights "Sexotheque" "Let Me Down Gently" "Uptight Downtown"

If you cannot tell from the cover (one of the best this year by the way), this album has a really warm upbeat retro vibe to it. 'Trouble in Paradise' is not particularly eclectic in its sound, with all of the tracks sharing a rather similar sound, and that works as both a positive and a negative in relation to the albums overall success. On one hand, the tracks that shine with great production and smooth vocals, are quite enjoyable. On the other hand however, the tracks that do not possess that extra bit of flare or interest, quickly fade, and become lost in the uniformity.

Listen to this track:

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#20 Lights Out - Ingrid Michaelson Ingrid Michaelson | Mom + Pop Music | Release Date: Apr 15, 2014

dddddddddd ‎‎70‎‎‎‎

Highlights "Home" "Afterlife" "Over You"

'Lights Out' will not impress you with its experimentation or with its complex lyricism and production. In fact, it may not even impress you at all. However, it is an album that may still be worth listening to, as it is experience full of charming solid pop songs that are quite enjoyable, with most of the album retaining a carefree aura to it. Most of the tracks seem to maintain a rather surface quality to them, with the majority of them being absent of much lyrical and musical meaning. Although, when Ingrid wants to go a little deeper than that on 'Lights Out', there are still a few moments where she exposes a little more of her soul to you.

Listen to this track:

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#25 Lily-O - Sam Amidon Sam Amidon | Nonesuch | Release Date: Sep 30, 2014

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Highlights "Won't Turn Back" "Pat Do This, Pat Do That"

Folk music should tell a story, it should be able to appeal to the soul in some way, and produce some sort of emotional response. 'Lily-O' is an album that mostly does not succeed at doing this, however, there are a few gems that effectively prop this album above being full-fledged failure. What this album suffers most from is really in maintaining the listener's interest. Nearly all of the songs will struggle to prevent you from becoming utterly bored, and that is a problem. It is not a complete failure, but there is definitely more weakness here than strength.

Listen to this track:

Reserved 3

We have a yearly "Best of" countdown event already...........

I think you should wait until then. You will get more comments and reactions that way anyways.

I only know one of them Sia

I don't care about getting comments, this is just for organization purposes. People can comment if they want but it doesn't matter.

I'm just going to copy and paste this thread into the best of countdown. Also, it helps to organize this early cause I might release a video.

Sia

No C2C?

#7 Secret Evil - Jessica Hernandez & the Deltas

This was the one I was talking about!!!

Let me add to my list.

Also, I didn't know you made a YTT, very cool, welcome!

Great albums so far with one exception, but I'll let it slide haha. Can't wait to see what else is here.

It might make the top 50. Maybe.

Oh haha! Yes, that album is pop gold in my opinion. So so good, especially since I love 60s music.

What is the one album.

It sounds really good. I added it to my wish list. Glad I finally found it.

And let's just say, I don't think the artist whose album I didn't like will be showing their face or snatching new wigs on my countdown anytime soon.

LOL, why don't you like Sia? I love her raw vocals and emotion in these giant stadium pop songs. I think she sounds great, and she is by far one of the most interesting mainstream pop stars.

Oh, well this is rather smart then!

Too Bright, LP1, Our Love, St. Vincent

Thanks, I think it will help me create a really good list this year!

Yes

You ain't right.

I know you've gone all indie/alternative now but i was hoping C2C would be at least in the top 20 since you like tha oldies as well.

The album just is not very captivating. The covers are all kind of boring, and I would rather her create her own Jazz material, than do a cover album.

Oh my. I don't know where to begin on her.

I don't necessarily agree that her vocals are raw, often on that album she sounds like she's yelling or struggling to sound like Rihanna or both, for the record, I like her We Are Born album from 2010 ok.

To me everything about the album comes across as calculated down to the thick layer of quirk and whole anti-pop star route she took with the marketing. I really don't mind when a pop star is manufactured like Britney or Katy or Rihanna, as long as they are upfront about it. When they start pretending they are alternative like Avril or Pink or Sia but write the same type of music as the others, is when I turn into a hater.

As a shameless promo opportunity, I wrote a long review for Atrl critic back in the day. http://atrl.net/?p=22865300 (you don't have to read it)

A mess! I will not accept this.

The struggle and creaks in her voice is what makes the songs stronger. Sia is capable of hitting those notes, but those imperfections only strengthen the song, they give her songs a soul, unlike many mainstream pop songs with the perfect vocals that sound so fake and soulless.

Waht! I don't see how this album is calculated, especially compared to other mainstream albums which are straight up manufactured and fake. I don't think Sia is pretending to not be manufactured, she just is not manufactured, especially in comparison to Britney, Katy, Rihanna (fff at you think she is trying to sound like Rihanna, if she is then she obliterated her entirely), Avril, and even P!nk. She is not even close to as manufactured as them. She has been an artist who has been behind the scenes writing these massive hits for other artists, and '1000 Forms of Fear' is her chance to essentially say "Here I am, I can sing these mega pop songs with more style and soul than the other mainstream pop artists". And she does, and it is great.

Most of the songs are MASSIVE, which I noticed you did not seem to like in your analysis of the album, but that is not a negative. This is in album full of stadium pop, and Sia is utterly perfect for that sound. She can pull off more restrained songs, which is what she has done in the past, but '1000 Forms of Fear' IS her time. She chose these massive songs to fill her album because she shines on them. She is freeing the animal, in a sense. When she is unrestrained and lets out those creaks and struggles to reach those notes, that is her soul, and I think it's beautiful. Especially when we see so many pop stars out there who possess no soul on their records.

Just what I think.