Czwartek 31 Gru 2009, 15:53
This took me forever to compile. It took lots of searching through my library, catching up on some late-in-the-year releases, and going back and reminding myself of some of my faves from early in the year…The only rules were that the ALBUM (the Drake mixtape would have charted on my top, but it topped the mixtapes instead) had to be released in 2009 (thus, why an album like Beyonce’s “I Am… Sasha Fierce”, which had tons of hot singles this year, is not included on this list).
Check out my picks below and PLEASE leave comments, questions, praise, hate, or suggestions for my lists…Thanks in advance!
My Top 20 Albums of the Year
20) Rihanna - Rated R
Never would have thought she would be on my list over Chris Breezy, but once I finally gave in and listened to it, she edged him out…
19) Melanie Fiona - The Bridge
Soulful melodies and great production make this the female throwback album of the year…
18) R. Kelly - Untitled
Still one of the reigning king of modern R&B
17) Kelly Clarkson - All I Ever Wanted
Glad she went back to more of a pop sound on this one
16) Robin Thicke - Sex Therapy: The Experience
Most improved artist of 2009…"Something Else" sucked…this album is hot!
15) Norah Jones - The Fall
Love every album she makes…
14) Mariah Carey - Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel
Back on track with this album after the mediocre "E=MC²"
13) Toddla T - Skanky Skanky
Like drinking an energy drink
12) Mary J. Blige - Stronger withEach Tear
Surprisingly good…best Mary album of the decade
11) Mayer Hawthorne - A Strange Arrangement
Male throwback album of the year
10) Laura Izibor - Let The Truth Be Told
VH1 constantly playing an introduction to her this summer is the reason for me checking out this album…I'm glad I did
9) Tonéx - Unspoken
The most underrated artist of the decade…immensely talented and his albums consistently expand boundaries
8) Adam Lambert - For Your Entertainment
I had very high expectations for this album as a fan of his from when he was on American Idol and he matched them with this great debut
7) KiD CuDi - Man On The Moon: The End Of Day
Easily the hip-hop album of the year.
6) Major Lazer - Guns Don't Kill People...Lazers Do
This ridiculously catchy album is bursting with energy and will have you on your feet dancing in no time!
5) Alicia Keys - The Element of Freedom
Every track is beautiful…Alicia is 4 for 4 in terms of her albums in my book!
4) Ryan Leslie - Ryan Leslie
The production on this album is brilliant…just like R-Les himself
3) The-Dream - Love Vs. Money
Another masterpiece from The-Dream. He definitely took a few risks on this one - and they wound up paying off
2) Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca
It's hard to peg this album as any one style, but it works! From beginning to end rhythms and chords change, guitar licks come out of the blue, and background voices sing weird harmonies, but it is so amazing the way all of it comes together in this epic album!
1) Maxwell - BLACKsummers'night
This album was well worth the eight-year wait. One of the best albums of not only the past year, but also…the whole decade. A MUST-LISTEN for everyone. An INSTANT CLASSIC!
5 Honorable Mentions (no particular order)
Chris Brown - Graffiti
K-OS - Yes!
LMFAO - Party Rock
Chrisette Michele - Epiphany
Black Eyed Peas - The E.N.D. (The Energy Never Dies)
3 Albums I Discovered Through Best of Lists
(still trying to figure out if/where they would place on my list…I might edit my list later on…so Rihanna and Melanie beware!)
Passion Pit - Manners
Florence + the Machine - Lungs
Fever Ray - Fever Ray
Songs of the Year
5) Laura Izibor - Shine
4) Alicia Keys - Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart
3) Laura Izibor - From My Heart To Yours
2) Dirty Projectors - Stillness Is The Move
1) Maxwell - Pretty Wings
Mixtapes of the Year
5) Novel - Suspended Animation
4) Ne-Yo - Common Sense 101
3) Mick Boogie & Terry Urban - 2009: The Grammy Remix Tribute
2) Usher - The King Is Back
1) Drake - So Far Gone
Best Live Album of the Year
Adele - iTunes Live from SoHo
Top 5 Most Disappointing Albums
5) 50 Cent - Before I Self Destruct
4) Ciara - Fantasy Ride
3) Joss Stone - Colour Me Free!
2) Queen Latifah - Persona
1) Kris Allen - Kris Allen
Top 5 New Artists
5) Mayer Hawthorne
4) Laura Izibor
3) Adam Lambert
2) KiD CuDi
1) Major Lazer
My Most Anticipated Albums of 2010 (no particular order)
Maxwell - blackSUMMERS'night
Usher - Raymond vs. Raymond
Missy Elliot - Block Party
Erykah Badu - New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh)
The-Dream - Love King
PLEASE COME BACK SOMETIME THIS DECADE!!!
Lauryn Hill
Amy Winehouse
D'Angelo
Justin Timberlake
Mystical