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Crazytowels Top 400 & 150 of 2009
Member Since: 5/2/2009
Posts: 8,661
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30 - 21 Albums
30 Calvin Harris - Ready For The Weekend
Favourite Track: 'You Used To Hold Me'
I can't say I was particularly excited for this album, as his debut simple passed me by, but after I heard the infectious lead single, 'I'm Not Alone' and 'Ready For The Weekend', I explored and thank god I did, because 'You Used To Hold' me has become one of my favourite album tracks of 2009, and future single of 2010. It peaked at #5 in my chart.
29 Bens Brother - Battling Giants
Favourite Track: 'Stalemate'
I was one of their few fans during the 'Beta Male Fairytales' era, so I was more than a little excited for this album. The first single 'Apologies' just missed my top 20, and the second, 'Questions and Answers' just made it in. But it was the third single, 'Stalemate' featuring Joss Stone which reached #1, and was the highlight of this fantastic album. It peaked at #2 in my chart.
28 Whitney Houston - I Look To You
Favourite Track: 'Call You Tonight' & 'A Song For You'
The long awaited comeback from the biggest diva, and it took me a while to be convinced. At first 'I Didn't Know My Own Strength' fell flat with me, but it grew slightly, and taking even longer to grow was the title track. 'Million Dollar Bill' caught me right away, but it was the stronger album tracks 'Call Me Tonight' and the cover of 'A Song For You' equipped with a trance beat that pulled this album into the top 30. It peaked and spent 3 weeks at #2 on my chart.
27 Pixie Lott - Turn It Up
Favourite Track: 'Cry Me Out' & 'Jack'
After two top 5 hits in my single chart, I was very enthusiastic about this album, and I wasn't dissappointed. Thanks to the incredible third single 'Cry Me Out' along with a track produced by RedOne and the delightful 'Jack', this album reached #2 in my chart an is still charting today.
26 Florence & The Machine - Lungs
Favourite Track: 'Rabbit Heart' & 'Drumming'
From the very start of the year, I knew that Flo would be one of my favourite breakthroughs of the year. I already loved the first two singles, but when 'Rabbit Heart' was released, it went straight to the top 5 of my chart, and the album peaked at #2 on my album chart, but spent an incredible 13 weeks in the top 10!
25 The Fray - The Fray
Favourite Track: 'Never Say Never'
After their impressive debut album, I was left a little under whelmed by 'You Found Me' in the begining! But it soon grew on me enough to be more than a little excited for this album! Over all I find it an improvement on their first album, but the best thing about it was 'Never Say Never' which reached #2 in my chart and has become my favourite song by the Fray. The album reached #5 in my chart.
24 Keri Hilson - In A Perfect World...
Favourite Track: 'Energy', 'Return The Favor' & 'Knock You Down'
I'd been waiting for this album ever since 'Way I Are' came out back in 2007! And the wait was excrutiating, especially with songs like 'Energy' and 'Return the Favor' floating around in 2008. The album pawned 2 #1's on my Hot 100, and contained plenty more fantastic album tracks, especially 'Change Me' and 'Make Love'. The album reached #1 on my chart.
23 Little Boots - Hands
Favourite Track: 'Symmetry'
Another fantastic debut artist from 2009! I was hooked by 'New In Town', but it was 'Remedy' that kept me in! Until I fell in love with 'Symmetry' that is! One of my other favourite album tracks of the year, and I'm hopefully it can become a single in 2010 so it can storm my Hot 100! The album reached #4 in my chart.
22 Alexandra Burke - Overcome
Favourite Track: 'All Night Long'
She started off the year with a top 2 single, and she got herself another one when she released 'Bad Boys'. This album was up there with my most anticipated, and unfortunately it didn't quite live up to the very high hype I'd created. All the tracks are decent, but for me, this album lacks the decent ballad that she is more than capable of producing. However, 'All Night Long' among a few other tracks have brought this album up to very close to the top 20! The album debuted at #1 in my chart.
21 Jordin Sparks - Battlefield
Favourite Track: 'Battlefield' & 'Emergency 911'
After releasing the final single from her first album early in the year here in the UK, I wasn't expecting a new album so soon! And definately not of such high quality! 'Battlefield' reached #1 in my singles chart, and it's not even my favourite track on the album! The surprise was the up-tempo 'Emergency 911' for me, as well as a few other gems like 'Walking On Snow' and 'The Cure'. The album reached #1 in my album chart.
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Member Since: 10/18/2007
Posts: 28,980
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unique list
Calvin H, Pixie Lott, The Fray, Little Boots , Jordin sparks :heart:
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ATRL Contributor
Member Since: 12/7/2008
Posts: 87,284
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7/10 great list!
Whitney, Pixie, Keri, Alexandra...
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Member Since: 5/2/2009
Posts: 8,661
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20 - 11 Singles
20 Black Eyed Peas - Boom Boom Pow!
An incredible comeback single from one of my favourite bands of all time. For me, the best thing about this song, is that it's so unique and it proves that the Black Eyed Peas are the trend setters, NOT the followers! The song peaked at #1 in my personal chart in the summer of 2009 and spent an incredible 43 weeks inside the top 100!
19 Rihanna - Russian Roulette
Following the incredible Good Girl Gone Bad era was always going to be a mountain to climb! That's why I was so impressed with this change of direction Rihanna has taken, moving from the pop to the stronger RnB and Hip-Hop genre, which makes it harder to compare to her previous singles! The song has one of my favourite music videos of the year, and also reached #1 on my personal chart, the christmas number one!
18 Medina - You & I
One of the BIGGEST and best dance songs released this year, and despite going partially unnoticed in most charts, thanks to a friend returning from a holiday to Ibiza, I discovered this song in the summer of 2009 and loved it from the start! The combination of the woodwind with a heavy dance/synth beat is just such a powerful sound! The song reached #1 and is currently still charting inside the top 50.
17 Britney Spears - 3
Hot on the heels of Radar which has already been revealed in the countdown, this single was a welcome surprise to me! I didn't expect another single so soon after the Circus era, and certainly wasn't expecting another (rather untimely) greatest hits set! But the song, like almost all of Britneys others, hooked me straight away, and became one of the biggest anthems to me in the final quater of the year, spending 3 weeks at #1, and still staying strong in the top 10!
16 Ciara - Work (Feat. Missy Elliott)
The Fantasy Ride era got off to a bit of a bad start with 2 dudd singles, but then came 'Love Sex Magic' which turned the era around, but then came THIS which took the era to something else imo! The strongest song on the album in my opinion, and I frequently enjoyed this song in the clubs! The song reached #1 on my chart making it her first and only song to do so.
15 Cheryl Cole - Fight For This Love
If someone had said to me this time last year, that Cheryl Cole would be at #15 in my 2009 countdown with her debut single as a solo artist, to say I wouldn't have believed them is an under-statement! But she's done it! This song initially had me baffled due to it's sometimes cringey lyrics, but thats since become part of the songs charm for me! The song reached #1.
14 Lady GaGa - Bad Romance
2009 really has been the year of Lady GaGa! Her fourth single released in 2009, and a slight change in direction for her, or rather, a more focused version of her original vision! The song is hectic, crazy, mad and all sorts of other bizzare descriptions, but it's also catchy, edgy and simply pop at it's finest! And that's why I fell in love with this song in the final quater of 2009, and why it reached #1.
13 Paloma Faith - New York
Arguably my favourite of all artists to debut during 2009! (Assuming Lady GaGa actually debuted in 2008). I was initally intruged by the oh so catchy first single, 'Stone Cold Sober' which reached a respectable peak of #8. But this is the song that blew things out of the water for Paloma! The stunning music video is one of my favourites of 2009, and this song spent an incredible 3 weeks at the top spot and still charts inside the top 40.
12 The Fray - Never Say Never
In 2009, the Fray did something that I thought was impossible. They managed to top the incredible 'How To Save A Life'! Released as the second single from thier second album, the song first grabbed my attention the very first time I played the album. As soon as it was announced as a single, the song charted, and it wasn't long until it reached a very respectable peak of #2! The second biggest mistake I made on my personal chart this year, was not putting it at #1! However, it has since shown incredible longevity and has spent 35 weeks in the chart, and counting!
11 David Cook - Permanent
And from the second biggest mistake I made, to the biggest mistake I made! This song is another that didn't recieve the full single promo treatment, especially not in my native UK, and that maybe a reason for this songs rather dissappointing peak of #11. Missing the top 10 all together was a travesty, and I'm ashamed! The main reason would be that the song never grabbed me at one specific time, but rather, it's a song that I've come to love over a long period of time! The song is one of the best ballads released this year, with stunning and genuine lyrics, and a real story behind it as well!
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Member Since: 5/2/2009
Posts: 8,661
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20 - 11 Albums
20 Ladyhawke - Ladyhawke
Favourite Track: 'My Delirium'
Initially this album was released in 2008, but it only grabbed my attention in 2009 with the massive 'My Delirium'. The album didn't grab me straight away, but after another single, I was curious enough to go back and give it another try, and thank god I did, because otherwise there would be a big 80's inspired hole in my top 20! The album reached #2 in my album chart.
19 Ciara - Fantasy Ride
Favourite Track: 'Pucker Up' & 'Work'
The Fantasy Ride era has been my favourite Ciara era so far! Her RnB/Dance genre adapted a strong pop feeling on this album making for a more upbeat feeling! The colourful 'Love Sex Magic' made me excited for the album, and then after hearing 'Pucker Up' and 'Work', among other brilliant tracks, this album went to #1 in my album chart and has thus made it this far up my year end chart.
18 Jason Mraz - We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things
Favourite Track: 'I'm Yours'
Released in most countries in 2008, this album got it's full UK treatment in early 2009. It started off the amazing 'I'm Yours', and it almost completely passed me by. But then, I had this really infectious song, always in my head, but couldn't quite figure out what it was. It wasn't long until the song reached the heights of #2 in my chart, shortly followed by 2 more hit singles! This album has so much to offer, and another note-worthy track has to be 'The Dynamo Of Volition'. It reached #5 in my album chart.
17 Melanie Fiona - The Bridge
Favourite Track: 'Give It To Me Right'
Here is another one of my favourite debut artists this year! For me, she's more of an album artist, even with brilliant singles like 'Give It To Me Right' and 'It Kills Me'. The album is packed with soul, and the old school RnB sound is consistent through out! It ranges from the Sexy lead single, to gentle ballds like 'Teach Him' and over again to the incredibly fun 'Johnny'. The album reached #1 in my chart.
16 Natalie Bassingthwaighte - 1000 Stars
Favourite Track: 'Alive' & '1000 Stars'
I've been a big fan of Natalie ever since she knocked out one of my all time favourite tracks, 'Voodoo Child' with Rogue Traders. So when I heard she was going solo, I was excited to see what she could do with a stronger emphasis on the pop sound, that this album DOES provide! 'Alive' is insanely catchy, and stormed my singles chart, followed by 3 more singles, including the stunning '1000 Stars'. The album was one of the first new #1's of 2009.
15 Daniel Merriweather - Love & War
Favourite Track: 'Red'
First introduced to him on the Mark Ronson album, this debut album has been one long awaited by me! I fell in love with 'Change' when I first heard it on the radio, and it wasn't long before it topped my singles chart. And I thought it couldn't get any better. But I was SO wrong! 'Red' has been one of the most defining songs of the whole year for me! The album is it's up's and it's down's, so probably isn't the most consistent album of the year, but tracks already mentioned, as well as a stunning duet with Adele, make the highs massively outwiegh the lows! The album reached #1.
14 Noisettes - Wild Young Hearts
Favourite Track: 'Don't Upset the Rhythm' & 'Never Forget You'
Although this isn't their debut album, it's the first chance I had to hear them. They first caught my attention when I heard 'Don't Upset The Rhythm' on a TV commercial, and I looked for the song, assuming it would be an old classic, because of it's old school sound! And the album is full of highs other than the lead single! Mostly, the incredible and equally bouncy, 'Never Forget You'. The album has been generating masses of plays from me all year long, and so it's no surprise it hit #1 and also achieved an incredible chart run.
13 Paloma Faith - Do You Want The Truth Or Something Beautiful?
Favourite Track: 'New York'
As I've said many times, Paloma Faith is one of my favourite debut artists of 2009, and she's been one of the best British musicians to release this year also! With a voice that easily puts her in a box with the likes of Amy, Duffy and Adele, but her unique style and song writing moves herself into a completely brilliant area of her own! The massive number 1 'New York' is joined on the album by other fantastic songs including 'Upside Down', 'Smoke And Mirrors' and the stunning title track. The album reached #1.
12 Cheryl Cole - 3 Words
Favourite Track: 'Parachute' & 'Rain On Me'
As surprised as I was by LOVING her debut single, it's hard to describe how shocked I was that I loved her album. But also surprised, that it was actually, more than very good! In my honest opinion, this album is stronger than any she's put out with Girls Aloud! The RnB sound that Will.i.am brought to the table suits her to the ground! A club banger (Stand Up), 4 or 5 exciting pop experiences and a Fleetwood Mac sample later, and Cheryl Cole has herself a number one single, a number one album, and a #12 placing in my year end charts! Believe it or not...
11 Laura Izibor - Let The Truth Be Told
Favourite Track: 'If Tonight Was My Last'
The 'creme de la creme' of new artists this year imo! The one word I often come up with when trying to descrive Laura, her voice and her fantastic debut album, is 'Warm'. The delicious RnB sound she's developed, which seem to combine elements of other RnB divas such as Alicia Keys and Mary J Blige, makes as an incredible addition to my year end charts! This is one of only a small handful of albums in 2009 that I could have easily given every track a 5 star rating! One of the most consistent albums of the year, and possibly of all time in my opinion, managing to capture me with the first track, and not let me go until the last! If I could make one adjustment to it, I would have made it longer! I'm definately anticipating the next album! It reached #1 in my album chart in the summer of 2009.
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Member Since: 5/2/2009
Posts: 8,661
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10 - 1
10 Britney Spears - Circus
Released as the second single from Britney's sixth studio album, 'Circus' was the last number one of 2008, and the first number one of 2009! In total, the song spent 6 weeks at the top of the chart, a joint record holder, although these weeks were not consecutive. Despite such a great achievement, the song only manages to reach #10 in my year ends, but thats mainly because of the high quality of the songs placed above it. This song was one of my biggest anthems in 2009, as it fronted Britney's comeback tour, 'The Circus Starring Britney Spears'. The music video was one of my favorites of 2008, and the album of the same name was one of my favourite albums of 2008.
09 Black Eyed Peas - I Gotta Feeling
The Black Eyed Peas third and final entry in my year end charts. 'I Gotta Feeling' has become one of my all time favourite songs from one of my favourite bands of all time! The song can be summarized as the ultimate party and club anthem of 2009! You can rarely enter a club and not hear this track, and see it filling the dance floor! Produced by David Guetta, another of my top artists of 2009, the this track makes an incredible collaboration of Dance and Hip-Hop music that took 2009 by storm for me! The song reached #1 in the summer, and is still charting inside the top 50, with a very impressive chart run!
08 Beyonce - Sweet Dreams
I've always been a massive Beyonce fan, but up until this era, I've always felt that she had more to give. It was with this album that she provided her fans with her greatest ballds, and for me, she has also delivered her greatest up-tempo! Most would give that title to 2003s 'Crazy In Love', but for me, 'Sweet Dreams' is dark, edgy, mysterious and extremely catchy! The heavy bass line combined with an infectious hook dragged this song to the top of my chart, and given the track a brilliant chart run, as it still sits inside the top 100.
07 Jason Mraz - I'm Yours
Although this song had been huge in America before 2009, it was this year that 'I'm Yours' first graced the shores of my home land, the UK. This is the only song within my top 10 that failed to reach #1, but it peaked at an almost as respectable #2, and also achieved a great chart run inside the top 100. Probably the most simple and under-produced track in my top 10, this song went against the trend of heavy backing tracks that set the standard in 2009. The bouncy rhythm and the catchy yet silly lyrics kept this song afloat in the UK charts all through the summer, and with masses of plays, this song achieved this high placing in my year end charts.
06 Noisettes - Don't Upset The Rhythm
This was the first song I'd ever heard from the Noisettes, despite it not being their first. It first got stuck in my head thanks to the use of it in a TV commercial. When I came to add the song to my playlists, no matter what tracks it featured along side, this was the track that stood out the most, and demanded repeated plays! The bounciest song released in 2009, and probably the most fun as well! The hook of 'Go Baby, Go Baby Go!' will always be one of the most memorable lines in a song released in 2009 for me. The song reached the very top of my personal chart, and managed to stay there for 3 consecutive weeks.
05 Britney Spears - If U Seek Amy
After topping my year end charts last year with 'Womanizer', combined with the fact that I often refer to Britney Spears as my favourite artist of all time, I'm sure many that know me will be surprised to see that Britney's highest charting song in my year end charts, is at #5. Although like said before, that's not because I like these songs any less than previous huge hitters from Brit, but rather because of the masses of incredible music released in 2009, in which, I would include this song! It's risky lyrics and repetitive nature make this song almost impossible to forget! The song reached #1 in my personal chart, and stayed there for 2 weeks, followed by one of the most impressive chart runs of the year.
04 David Guetta - When Love Takes Over (Feat. Kelly Rowland)
Before 2009, I'd always been a fan of David Guetta and Kelly Rowland, but this song has taken my love for both to another level completely! When I first heard that this duo had teamed up, I was curious to hear what it would sound like, and upon first listen, I knew I'd found one of my all time favourite dance tracks! The song had the sound of summer written all over it! It debuted in my personal chart straight in the top 10, and after a few weeks charting inside, it eventually peaked at #1, and continues to chart after 36 weeks!
03 Lady GaGa - Poker Face
Lady GaGa was my favourite new artist of 2008 thanks to her incredible album 'The Fame' and the incredible 'Just Dance' which topped my singles chart last year. It didn't take many plays of the album before I recognized 'Poker Face' as my favourite song on the album, and it was by quite some distance as well! The song moves fast, and it sounds consistently brilliant throughout! It was this song, along with 'I Gotta Feeling' that lit up the clubs in 2009, the places where I spent the best of my time this year! The song is already one of my most played on my iPod, and so it reached the top of my singles chart, and had a chart run that anyone would be jealous of.
02 Bens Brother - Stalemate (Feat. Joss Stone)
Since their first album release I've been a fan of Bens Brother. They're one of the less main stream acts that I call myself a fan of, and they're the one band I would recommend someone listen to given any opportunity. I'm always expecting them to breakthrough on the charts, and this is the song that I expected to do it for them, because it really is one of the best ballds and the best collaborations released in the past 10 years! Although the single version and music video feature Anastacia, it is the Joss Stone version that I fell in love with. Not only are the lyrics and melody stunning throughout the song, but Joss' vocals on this track are second to none! She doesn't simply hit the highest not she can and hold it for as long as she can, she actually puts all of her emotion into the track, and especially towards the end of the song, it's portrayed perfectly! The song spent 3 non-consecutive weeks at the top spot and is still currently in my top 10, and will continue to chart for quite some time!
01 Daniel Merriweather - Red
And so we come to my #1 song of 2009! Daniel Merriweather is probably my favourite debut artist of 2009, even facing some of the toughest competition the industry could have thrown at him. Although Daniel had been fluttering around the music scene for a few years prior to this, most notably the track 'Stop Me' that he released with Mark Ronson in 2007. The song grabbed me from the very first time I played his album, and it totally blew me away! It has fast become one of my all time favourite songs, and one of my most played, getting more spins from me this year than any other song but an overwhelming margin! The song of course reached the peak position, and spent 6 consecutive weeks there, a record that will be unbeatable for quite some time I'd imagine! The song made the joint highest debut so far on my chart, going in at #2 after only about a day of plays, and the next week it climbed and started it's incredible chart run. He spent 35w consecutive weeks inside the top 20 and still sits comfortable in my charts.
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Member Since: 5/2/2009
Posts: 8,661
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10 - 01 Albums
10 Adam Lambert - For Your Entertainment
Favourite Track: 'Soaked'
I supported Adam all the way from the start of his American Idol journey, and I can only call him coming second place a joke. I enjoyed listening to his performance recordings for months before this album came out, and I still do regularly. When i first heard 'Time For Miracles', I knew that this abum would be fantastic! And when the title track came along, with it's edgy dark pop/dance vibe, something that male artists rarely do, I knew it would be a special record! There's plenty of variety on the disc, and every track is more than good! My favourites are 'Soaked' which is simply haunting, 'Whatdya Want From Me' which is simple and incredible and 'Pick You Up' which is one of the albums catchiest songs! The album reached #1 in my chart.
09 Rihanna - Rated R
Favourite Track: 'Cold Case Love'
After her incredible 2007 album 'Good Girl Gone Bad' and it's runaway success, Rihanna was always going to have a mountain to climb to match it's quality and success. Well, in my opinion, she's somehow managed to do at least one of them! Whereas GGGB was a collection of brilliant tracks, this disc is an actual album, with a strong theme and a direct genre consistent throughout. Almost completely ditching her pop roots, and going for the more 'Hip-Hop' princess direction, Rihanna delivers what is in my opinion, the finest of the 4 she's put out so far. My favourite track is the incredible 'Cold Case Love', but other highlights for me include 'Fire Bomb', 'The Last Song' and the lead single. The album reached #2 in my chart.
08 Kelly Clarkson - All I Ever Wanted
Favourite Track: 'Long Shot', 'All I Ever Wanted' & 'Save You'
The album cover for this disc says it all, colourful pop with extra special hints of Kellys classic pop/rock credentials. A big step away from her last two albums. The lead single however, was somewhat dissappointing to me. I found it catchy, and it was a more than decent pop song, but especially after listening to the album, I think the lead single should have been something else; preferably 'All I Ever Wanted' which is probably my favourite song on the album. The ballads on this album are also pretty great, although maybe not up to the standard of those on 'Breakaway'. 'Cry' and 'Already Gone' are both sung brilliantly by Kelly, but my favourite ballad on the album is 'Save You', although for some reason, I always think that it would have sounded better as a duet. The album spent 2 weeks at #1 on my chart and spawned 3 top 10 singles in 2009.
07 Black Eyed Peas - The END
Favourite Track: 'I Gotta Feeling'
The Black Eyed Peas have been one of my favourite bands ever since they broke onto the scene with 'Where Is The Love'. After enjoying solo projects from Fergie and Will, I was thrilled when I first heard the intoxicating 'Boom Boom Pow!' and the era was kicking off. The sound that Will incorperated onto this album is a sound that was heard throughout 2009 by so many, and I enjoyed as much as the best of them! Songs like 'Alive', 'Rock That Body' and 'I Gotta Feeling' are all smashers! But it's 'Outta My Head' that I found one of the most intruging tracks! The album produced 2 number ones on my singles chart, and another top 3, and the album itself reached #1 and spent many weeks inside the top 20.
06 Lady GaGa - The Fame Monster
Favourite Track: 'Telephone'
Of all the albums that have charted in my top 150 of 2009, it is The Fame Monster that has the least tracks! Initially supposed to be just a bonus disc on a re-release of one of my favourite 2008 albums, The Fame, GaGa eventually decided that this album was strong enough to stand on it's own to legs. And she wasn't wrong! Every song on this disc has single potential in my opinion, and it makes most of the songs on the original album sound like b-sides or un-used demos. The production on this album is far more bizzare and hectic than on her first album, and in general, it just seems more, GaGa. Her personality is clear on every track on this album. My favourite tracks are 'Bad Romance', Monster' and the incredible collaboration with Beyonce, 'Telephone'. The album has reached the top spot on my album chart and already contains a #1 single.
05 Mary J Blige - Stronger WithEach Tear
Favourite Track: 'Tonight', 'Each Tear' & 'Kitchen'
One of the biggest things to happen to me musically in 2009, is my love for Mary J Blige reached so many new heights! I fell in love with her with 2008's 'Growing Pains', but throughout '09, I ventured back to her back catologue, and discovered all of her incredible, classic and defining albums! Her greatest hits set also achieved a lot of success on my album chart this year, reaching #1! 'The One' and 'I Am' are both very different tracks, and I love them both for different reasons. 'I Am' is a song that would fit well on my favourite Mary albums, and the adventerous modern 'Hip-Hop' sound that she ventures into this album is something that I would love to hear a lot more of from Mary! I love every track on the disc, and her vocals are stunning throughout. One of the biggest dissappointments this album carries however, is that 'Stronger' isn't featured on the album. I'm still hoping it will be included as a bonus track for the UK release however. The album reached #1 on my chart in the last week of 2009, and currently still sits there.
04 Chrisette Michele - Epiphany
Favourite Track: 'Blame It On Me' & 'Playing Our Song'
I first came accross Chrisette Michele when she featured on 'Can't Forget About You' with Nas, which to this day remains one of my favourite hip-hop songs. The best thing Chrisette has going for her, is her old school RnB voice, which is presented perfectly on this album! RnB at it's finest! Every song is brilliantly written, produced and performed, and I can't find any flaws in the entire album! 'Blame It On Me' is the song that best presents her amazing, emotional vocal performances, and in my opinion, this album, and this track in particular, is more than worthy of a Grammy Award for best vocal performance. If only it could be. The song also ventures into some mid-tempo tracks which are equally as brilliant. 'Playing Our Song' is not too dis-similar to Alicia Keys' epic RnB anthem, 'No One', and if anything, I find it the better of the two tracks. The Ne-Yo written track 'Porcelain Doll' is a powerful mid-temp with clever and snappy lyrics, and is a definate highlight on the album for me. The album reached #1 in my album chart and stayed there for 4 weeks.
03 David Guetta - One Love
Favourite Track: 'When Love Takes Over' & 'I Wanna Go Crazy'
As soon as I first heard 'When Love Takes Over', this album quickly became one of the ones I was most anticipating this year. Picking out individual songs as my favourite, has been harder for this album than any other that's charted so far! I think every single song on the album could be released as a single, and all could perform very well. This album has probably become my favourite dance album of the decade, because of it's consistency and many incredible collaborations, which include some of my favourite all time artists like Ne-Yo and the Black Eyed Peas. Apart from the lead single, the other track I decieded to put in my favourites was 'I Wanna Go Crazy'. I chose this track because it's just clear that it was made to be played on a packed dance floor! I can imagine how this would sound in a club, and what an incredible reaction it would get! The album spent 5 weeks at number one, the highest of any 2009 release, as well as spawning two number one singles.
02 Leona Lewis - Echo
Favourite Track: 'Alive'
After just 2 albums, Leona Lewis has become one of my all time favourite artists. I find her voice so incredible, and across both albums, she has been given some of the finest songs around! 'Happy' was a bit of a dissappointment to me however, despite reaching #1, I had MUCH higher expectations. However, I was relieved to find that 'Happy' is in fact the weakest song on the whole album, and so it is a mystery to me why it was released as lead. This album is a massive step forward from Spirit, and in my opinion, there isn't a single track of filler on the whole album. The incredible 'I Got You' is on par with her biggest hit 'Bleeding Love' for me, and this album provides some truely brilliant up and mid-tempos, in the form of 'Outta My Head', 'Love Letters' and 'Naked' which all have a very European feel to them. Her stunning cover of 'Stop Crying Your Heart Out' is obviously meant to be the 'Run' of the album, and it's this sort of cover version that I don't mind, because her vocals make the song sound completely different to the untouchable originals! However, my absolute favourite track on the album, is 'Alive'. In my opinion, the song is the best track I've ever head from Leona, and is one of the best songs of the year! I really hope it can become a single at some point! It's a hidden gem on the disc! The album reached #1 and spent 4 weeks there.
01 Chris Cornell - Scream
Favourite Track: 'Time'
This album was almost universally panned by the critics, all saying something on the lines of 'Timbaland has ruined Chris' career'. Luckily I didn't read any reviews until after I played the album, and since I'd already been hooked onto the damn catchy 'Part Of Me', I went into the first listen very optimistic. And needless to say I was impressed, as it's managed to become my #1 album of 2009. The very sound that the critics hated, I LOVED! Chris' hard rock voice combined with his usual rocky lyrics and Timbalands heavy urban beat and extra production, has made a hybrid of music that needs to be used more! Songs like 'Long Gone' and 'Scream' are clear stand outs on the album, but there is one song in particular that I love more than any other. 'Time'. The song moves fast, and has all the usual ingredients which make a smash hit pop song, not unlike the ones you'd hear from Lady GaGa, Rihanna or Britney Spears. It has memorable lyrics and chorus, with a simplistic and consistent beat, and one of the bounciest rhythms I've ever heard! All of this, sung by Chris and with Timbalands instruments, makes something I've never heard before, and I knew I loved it from first listen! 'Time' has become without doubt, my favourite album track of 2009! The album reached #1 and stayed there for 4 weeks, and has since never left the top 30.
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ATRL Contributor
Member Since: 12/7/2008
Posts: 87,284
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8/10
Mary J , Echo, Rated R, The END, FYE, All I ever wanted are my personal faves
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