This year has to be an all time low for me when it comes to the amount of albums I was able to listen to fully. That means the list will be very much mainstream based, and there will be no where-the-heck-did-that-come-from-nobody-on-ATRL-knows-that-album-but-you this year. So expect most of your CHR artists and their albums to appear.
We begin the list with "Whatever." Released just more than a week ago, it was a last minute decision on my part to include it in the list. The songs are very catchy, the only problem here is that most of these songs (especially the beat of the mid tempo tracks) sound the same. This would've been a perfect pop-rock if they replaced some mid-tempos with probably a couple of power ballads and heavier rock tracks. But despite the lack of diversity, I still think HCR has made a good effort on this one. First two singles are good picks, but "Honestly" would have been the better choice so I'm here for that song getting single treatment in the future. And oh, that duet with Demi Lovato is amazing too.
Best Tracks: "Honestly", "Why Don't You Love Me", "Tonight, Tonight"
Filled with big vocals and exploding choruses, "Stronger" is defintely a very good album that satisfy my Kelly Clarkson fix. When the insanely catchy "Let Me Down" leaked, it left me with an impression that this is going to be one of Kelly's best albums. I'm a bit disappointed it wasn't released as the first single, but "Mr. Know It All" is a good choice as well. That being said, I really hope "Let Me Down" would become a single too in the future. Aside from the typical mid-paced anthems, what really stood out for me is "Honestly," a very haunting yet beautiful track. I love Kelly's vocals on it. "The Sun Will Rise" is another favorite, too bad it's just a bonus track. It begins really mellow and soft kinda like "Breakaway," and then builds into this awesome thing I couldn't exactly describe. Overall this is a solid album. A must have for pop-rock enthusiasts like me.
Best Tracks: "Let Me Down", "Dont You Wanna Stay", "The Sun Will Rise", "Honestly"
>>> The next two spots are occupied by (1) a UK-based female artist who I think is an amazing live performer (based on YouTube vids) and (2) an alternative band whose power ballads I never cease to love.
2/2
Great start! Kelly's album is great! Let Me Down
You know I love HCR's album. There is a lack of diversity indeed! Whatever sounds like ILILT and there other songs that also sound alike. "Honestly" as what can you see in my c/d today is obviously my current non-single track!
I want it to be the 3rd single but I don't mind if they choose Why Don't You Love Me.