I will be counting down my top 20 albums released in the year 2012.
The Soul Sessions Vol. 2 Joss Stone
As I'd only heard of Teardrops, this album was essentially a brand new album, rather than a collection of covers. Joss could sing the worst song in the world and I'd still love it! Her voice is magnificent, this time being backed up by some polished and bluesy production. Love it, well done Joss!
Track Scores
"I Got The..." - 8.8
"(For God's Sake) Give More Power to the People" - 9
"While You're Out Looking for Sugar" - 9
"Sideway Shuffle" - 8.7
"I Don't Want to Be with Nobody But You" - 7.7
"Teardrops" - 8.9
"Stoned Out of My Mind" - 7.7
"The Love We Had (Stays on My Mind)" - 7.6
"The High Road" - 9
"Pillow Talk" - 7.5
"Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye" - 7.8
"First Taste of Hurt" - 7.7
"One Love in My Lifetime" - 8.3
"Nothing Takes the Place of You" - 7.6
"(1-2-3-4-5-6-7) Count the Days" - 8
Reign Of Terror Sleigh Bells
This album is a mixed bag. While I do love it, I feel it's not as consistent as their debut. Towards the end the album dips in quality, which prevents it from placing higher on my list. I wish there were more harder tracks as that's the sound I know and love from the duo. I'm looking forward to their new album, due in 2013, to see how their sound develops.
Track Scores
"True Shred Guitar" - 8
"Born to Lose" - 8.5
"Crush" - 9
"End of the Line" - 7.6
"Leader of the Pack" - 7.2
"Comeback Kid" - 9
"Demons" - 9
"Road to Hell" - 7.8
"You Lost Me" - 7.7
"Never Say Die" - 7.4
"D.O.A." - 7
Devotion Jessie Ware
Jessie has caused quite a stir with her debut album, and rightfully so. It may be largely downtempo but Jessie manages to keep the listener engaged and hooked by combining sophisticated, intricate electronic production with her sensual voice. One of my favourite debut albums of 2012, and perhaps the decade so far.
Track Scores
"Devotion" - 8.5
"Wildest Moments" - 8.8
"Running" - 9.2
"Still Love Me" - 7.8
"No to Love" - 7.5
"Night Light" - 8.5
"Swan Song" - 8
"Sweet Talk" - 8.2
"110%" - 8.7
"Taking in Water" - 8
"Something Inside" - 7.2
I will be counting down my top 20 albums released in the year 2012.
Halcyon Ellie Goulding
While I haven't fallen in love with this album, it has been slowly creeping up my list over the past few days. A much darker album than Ellie's debut, it feels like she is slowly evolving as an artist. Gone are the light, fluffy pop songs of old, having been replaced by some haunting, piercing melodies and lyrics, supplemented by hard-hitting production and unusual vocals (e.g. Only You). A great sophomore album, which I'm sure will keep growing on me in years to come. Well done Ellie.
Track Scores
"Don't Say a Word" - 7.8
"My Blood" - 10
"Anything Could Happen" - 8
"Only You" - 8.5
"Halcyon" - 8.5
"Figure 8" - 9
"Joy" - 7.8
"Hanging On" - 7.7
"Explosions" - 8.2
"I Know You Care" - 7.8
"Atlantis" - 6
"Dead in the Water" - 8.3
Trouble Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs
With this album, Orlando Higginbottom (nice name) said he wanted to create dance music that would stand the test of time. While I don't feel he has fully achieved this, his debut album is certainly very promising. We see glimpses of 80s and 90s house music with the vocals, brung forwards into the 21st century by some modern electronic production. Some of the tracks may be a bit unmemorable but there are some very good tracks on this album. I look forward to his future material.
It may not have broken any new ground but Keane's latest release does achieve something new for the band: it's a great album from start to finish. I find that Keane have some excellent singles but a large chunk of their album tracks are a bit boring or unremarkable. However, with this album they manage to create 16 single-worthy tracks. Their songwriting has definitely improved too.
Track Scores
"You Are Young" - 7.7
"Silenced by the Night" - 8.5
"Disconnected" - 9.4
"Watch How You Go" - 8
"Sovereign Light Café" - 9
"On the Road" - 8.7
"The Starting Line" - 8
"Black Rain" - 7.8
"Neon River" - 9
"Day Will Come" - 7.8
"In Your Own Time" - 8
"Sea Fog" - 7.7
"Strangeland" - 8
"Run with Me" - 8.6
"The Boys" - 8.2
"It's Not True" - 7.8
Probably should get around to listening to that Keane album, right?
I quite like Halycon, though. It just feels like a more mature and interesting Ellie than the previous one, and that's despite the fact that THAT Ellie produced one of my favorite pop songs in a long time.