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JakeKills Music Awards
Member Since: 12/21/2010
Posts: 51,088
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Lots of agreement so far. Didn't put Vance on my Top albums either. It's a great debut though!
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Member Since: 9/16/2011
Posts: 50,981
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Quote:
Originally posted by Sunderland 4ever
So this Shakira album has more ballads than anything? I might actually give it a try then.
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I'd say that it's about evenly split between ballads/ midtempos and uptempos. It's one of those albums where every song could be a single; the songs are generic(ish) and enjoyable enough that you wouldn't change the station if they came on the radio.
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ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 9/26/2001
Posts: 22,475
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Admittedly, I don't have too much to say about these albums, but I did like "I Wanna Get Better", if nothing else. 
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Member Since: 7/15/2005
Posts: 27,703
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Shakira 
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Member Since: 10/3/2009
Posts: 35,844
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Quote:
Originally posted by JakeKills
I'd say that it's about evenly split between ballads/ midtempos and uptempos. It's one of those albums where every song could be a single; the songs are generic(ish) and enjoyable enough that you wouldn't change the station if they came on the radio.
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Guess it won't be my cup of tea then. 
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Member Since: 1/3/2011
Posts: 30,381
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I use Shakira's album too 
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Member Since: 2/13/2012
Posts: 62,082
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I actually kind of really liked Shakira's album. Pleasantly surprised by it.
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ATRL Moderator
Member Since: 3/18/2009
Posts: 35,164
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The Shakira album was a bit unmemorable, but its best moments did have some of that old T. Swift vibe. (To be fair, though, that's what early Shakira sounded like, too.)
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Member Since: 5/23/2007
Posts: 65,087
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Ineed to check out Vance Joy's album  I love Riptide! and I like "Shakira", I think it's a nice album (and, imo, better than her previous one)
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Member Since: 9/16/2011
Posts: 50,981
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Lee Ann Womack - The Way I'm Livin' |
| The Way I'm Livin' is the seventh studio album of esteemed country veteran Lee Ann Womack. The album marked a grand comeback for the singer, whose previous album was released six years ago. On The Way I'm Livin' Lee Ann puts her exceptional voice to good use as she sings her way through this expertly selected group of powerful songs. Throughout the album, Lee Ann frequently sings of the Devil, from the title track to the album standout "Sleeping With The Devil." Ultimately, what makes The Way I'm Livin' so remarkable is that it is reminiscent of the earlier, better days of country music— before bro-country, before every country song could pass for pop, before glossy production and tired cliches. It's album where the songs are driven by emotion, and that's helped Lee Ann earn a Grammy nomination for Best Country Album at the upcoming ceremony. |  |
Standouts: "Sleeping With The Devil," "Send It On Down," "The Way I'm Livin'"
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Ed Sheeran - X |
| Ed Sheeran broke through in a big way with his sophomore album X (as in Multiply because, duh). The album has produced multiple top 10 hits and pulled a nomination for Album of the Year at the upcoming Grammy Awards. Unfortunately, X is not too great of an album. Honestly, the only three songs that I listen to from the album are "Thinking Out Loud," "Photograph," and "Tenerife Sea." I guess I like Sheeran best when he's singing about being in love. |  |
Standouts: "Photograph," "Tenerife Sea," "Thinking Out Loud"
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Perfume Genius - Too Bright |
| I can't say much about Too Bright by Perfume Genius. I only discovered the album this month thanks to its frequent appearances on year-end lists. Basically, the gist of it is that the album addresses topics such as queer identity politics and the human body (lead artist Mike Hadreas suffers from Crohn's disease). Too Bright is likely too alternative for most members of ATRL, including myself, but it's worth a listen nevertheless. If nothing else, listen to the lead single "Queen," where Hadreas turns the tables on homophobes by proudly declaring himself their queen. |  |
Standouts: "Queen," "No Good," "Too Bright"
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Coldplay - Ghost Stories |
| Coldplay's Ghost Stories is the band's greatest foray into pop music yet. The band paired up with Paul Epworth (Adele, Florence + the Machine) to create a beautiful and haunting production that's well suited to Chris Martin's vocals. Lyrically, the album revolves around heartbreak and the idea of unconditional love. According to Martin, the album also addresses the effects that past actions can have on the future. The album's standouts include two of its singles: lead single "Magic," and the top 10 dance pop track "A Sky Full of Stars." |  |
Standouts: "Magic," "A Sky Full of Stars," "True Love"
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Nick Jonas - Nick Jonas |
| Nick Jonas finally broke through with his surprisingly mature, surprisingly good self-titled solo debut album. On the album, Jonas strikes a balance between modern and throwback as he blends pop, dance, and R&B production. It works more often than not. The album oozes sex on standouts "Wilderness" and "Teacher," and "Push" is as touching a pop ballad as any. That said, the album isn't without it flaws, which include a number of lyrics that come across as sexist (perhaps most notable in the top 10 hit "Jealous"). Another cause for concern is Nick's frequent gay-baiting (not that we're complaining, right boys?). While Nick Jonas is a relatively safe pop album, it's a bit risky—and risqué—for Nick given his past life as a Disney poster boy. All-in-all, though, I feel that Nick certainly managed the 'rebel-teen-star-goes-through-sex-focused-rebranding-that-borrows-heavily-from-black-music' schtick better than Miley Cyrus did last year. Kudos to him. |  |
Standouts: "Wilderness," "Teacher," "Push"
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Member Since: 9/13/2012
Posts: 29,559
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I see 1D haven't made an appearance yet. I assume that means Four is top 5?
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Banned
Member Since: 4/7/2012
Posts: 14,466
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Lee Ann's "I May Hate Myself In The Morning" is still a favorite of mine. That was nearly a decade ago... 
I'll have to check her new one out.
Too Bright and NJ 
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Member Since: 8/3/2010
Posts: 71,871
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Gross I hope not. 4 <<
but wait @ Nick Jonas randomly showing up  . It's good without him tho
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 43,973
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Ghost Stories 
X
Nick Jonas
Perched for the rest 
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Member Since: 3/21/2012
Posts: 55,134
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Coldplay and Nick
Ed is so overrated for me
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ATRL Contributor
Member Since: 4/3/2014
Posts: 34,134
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x (Faves: Afire Love/Thinking Out Loud), Ghost Stories (Faves: Magic as well) and Nick Jonas (FAves: Warning) would be my faves from this set.
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Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 850
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YES!!!! @ perfume genius. are you gonna do a list for your fav country albums?
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ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 9/26/2001
Posts: 22,475
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Missing out on new Coldplay (the album, anyway) was probably my biggest mistake of 2014, and I made a LOT of mistakes this year. My 2014 was a mess.
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Member Since: 5/23/2007
Posts: 65,087
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I really need to check out "Nick Jonas"!
Jealous is my jam! Teacher is growing on me and Chains is not bad at all.. 
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Member Since: 9/17/2010
Posts: 2,592
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Ed Sheeran & Nick Jonas
I haven't heard the others 
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