50. Black Eyed Peas – The Beginning
This is an album I heavily debated putting on my list. On one hand, it seems like an insanely rushed product trying to capitalize on the success “The E.N.D.” enjoyed on the other hand, there are points on this album that I enjoy more than its predecessor. Sure, the album is kinda repetitive with its overtly techno-ish sounds and their old sound is missed more on this one than “The E.N.D.” Overall though, even if the album has a few stumbles here and there but when all is said and done it’s an enjoyable enough experience that merits the #50 slot on my list.
PS: BEP are it started for releasing the excruciating “The Time (Dirty Beat)” as a single. The rest of the album is a better than that trash.
Try Out:
Play It Loud
XOXOXO
Someday
49. Fitz And The Tantrums – Pickin’ Up The Pieces
If you’ve followed my lists before, you know how much I love songs that perfectly capture a specific era’s sound. This album is full of songs that could have easily been released in the 60’s or 70’s while still maintaining a sort of fresh feeling to them. The album is great to listen to while accomplishing some sort of mundane task, makes the time go by really fast. It’s just a great album that I seriously recommend to those wanting to try something different.
Try Out:
Breakin The Chains Of Love
Pickin Up The Pieces
Moneygrabber
Don’t Gotta Work It Out
48. Uffie - Sex Dreams And Denim Jeans
Uffie is interesting, to me she’s a more refined Ke$ha. They have the same sort of rap/sung flow and they sort of share a lot of common themes in their song. Ke$ha has Dr.Luke and Uffie pretty much has Mirwais. Ke$ha is huge, Uffie not so much but that doesn’t take away that this album is a lot better than “Animal” (it might be a different story for a certain EP the queen of trash recently released) full of some awesome production by the dude that created Madonna’s “Music.” I think she’s gonna eventually have her shot to break out, it obviously won’t be with this one but I hear she’s already recording the followup.
Try Out:
ADD SUV
Art Of Uff
First Love
47. Marina And The Diamonds – The Family Jewels
Marina is quite an interesting singer. Her vocals are unique and her lyrics are really unconventional. She delves in many styles on this album but really makes most of them her own. Honestly, it’s kinda hard to describe her sound, what I can say is that it’s not for everyone. It actually took me a while to “get” but I’m glad I did. Definitely one of the best new artists of the year and one I definitely can’t wait to hear more from in the future.
Try Out:
Shampain
Mowgli’s Road
Oh No!
46. Mark Ronson & The Business Intl. – Record Collection
I have always loved Mark Ronson, be it for the work he did with Amy Winehouse and Lily Allen or his collection of covers “Version” released a couple years ago. To me, Mark Ronson’s sound always sounds fresh and it’s no exception on this album. Just like in “Versions” this album is chock full of special guests features and just like in that album, they really end up working really well. Nice collection of songs that should be listened to.
Try Out
Glass Mountain
Introducing The Business
The Night Last Night