Domenica 30 Dic 2007, 22:39

Top 10 Albums:

1. Robert Plant & Alison Krauss - Raising Sand:
I didn't really know what to expect from this album when it came out. It seemed like a really odd couple, but I was immediately drawn into it. After a few listens it only kept getting better. The pairing of the two is truly magical. It would definitely be my top recommendation for this year.
Track to check out: Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us

2. Dragonette - Galore:
This is really one of the best dance-pop albums to come out in a long time. It wasn't something that I immedietly loved, it had to grow on me and I didn't listen to it for awhile. It was only after I decided to give it another try that I ended up falling in love with it.
Track to check out: I Get Around

3. Sara Bareilles - Little Voice:
I know she's kind of been one of the breakouts this year and I have to agree with everyone else this time. I discovered her when Love Song was the free track of the week on iTunes. I immedietly bought the 5 track album that was available and got the full album when iTuens released it. Her songs are beautiful in their simplicity and her voice is phenomenal.
Track to check out: Gravity

4. Brandi Carlile - The Story:
She's an artist that I'm somewhat embarrassed to say I discovered through my mom. She had bought the album and absolutely loved it and insisted I listened to it. She kind of reminds me of a cross between Lucinda Williams, Tift Merritt and Bonnie Raitt.
Track to check out: Late Morning Lullaby

5. Mandy Moore - Wild Hope
This is really the first thing that Mandy Moore has done that seems to really be hers. She finally grabbed control of her own career, and it paid off for her. This album is unbelievable and really doesn't sound like anything else out there. It's not a commercial album like any of her earlier material, and isn't even really pop. She's an artist I'm actually glad to say is in my generation, and that's pretty rare.
Track to check out: All Good Things

6. Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Trip The Light Fantastic:
Though she's been big in the UK for awhile, I only just discovered her this year. She quickly became my new favorite pop star. Her stuff is just infectious, and she doesn't sound exactly like everyone else like many pop stars do.
Track to check out: If You Go

7. Annie Lennox - Songs of Mass Destruction:
I'm typically not a fan of her solo work, preferring the Eurythmics. As such I was surprised to find myself loving this album. In my opinion its the best solo album she's ever had. There really isn't a dud on the whole thing.
Track to check out: Dark Road

8. Mika- Life In Cartoon Motion:
I love the zaniness of this album. The closest comparison I can come to is The Scissor Sisters, but he's truly one of a kind. He was another artist that had to grow on me. The first time I heard him I wasn't at all sure what to make of him. It was only after his songs started to come up on shuffle on my computer on a regular basis that I ended up truly growing to like him.
Track to check out: Grace Kelly

9. LeAnn Rimes - Family:
The first consistently good album she's had since Blue. She always has a few good tracks on her albums, but she has never been a true album artist. This album really shows that she can be if she puts her mind to it. It's a great country album from beginning to end.
Track to check out: One Day Too Long

10. Siobhan Donaghy - Ghosts:
Siobhan Donaghy really proves she has her own style that is completely different from her old group Sugababes with this album. I'm not really sure what genre she would really fit into, but it's definitely not pop. Whatever it is, I love it.
Track to check out: Coming Up For Air

Top Soundtrack:

1. Music From The Motion Picture Once:
Both a phenomenal movie and soundtrack. It's different then anything else I've ever seen and the music is not at all what you think of when you think musical. Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova both shine throughout the whole thing, and the songs really reflect the feel and emotion of the movie.
Track to check out: Falling Slowly

Top 25 Other Songs:
In alphabetical order

- Alison Krauss - Missing You (With John Waite)
- Bruce Springsteen - Radio Nowhere
- The Cinematics - Break
- Deana Carter - Old Man
- Dixie Chicks - The Neighbor
- A Fine Frenzy - You Picked Me
- Girls Aloud - Call The Shots
- Gretchen Peters - Ghost
- Ingrid Michaelson - Keep Breathing
- Jordin Sparks - Freeze
- Kate Nash - Foundations
- Kimberley Locke - Change
- Lucinda Williams - Are You Alright?
- Maroon 5 - Makes Me Wonder
- Natalie Imbruglia - Glorious
- Nightwish - Amaranth
- Patti Smith - Smells Like Teen Spirit
- Patty Griffin - Up to the Mountain (MLK Song)
- Peter Bjorn and John - Young Folks
- Reba McEntire & Kelly CLarkson - Because of You
- Rilo Kiley - Silver Lining
- Ryan Adams - Two
- Tarja - I Walk Alone
- Test Your Reflex - I'm Not Sorry
- Thirteen Senses - Into The Fire