Poniedziałek 3 Sty 2011, 14:00
Ok, like last year I'm gonna do another write up of the year. This is mainly for my own benefit, but please comment if you have any thoughts! :) I've decided to add new categories this year. So here we go…
2010's Top Artists
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2010's Top Movies
3. Inception - It was a flip between this and Shutter Island. But this movie slightly edges it because it's amazing from beginnig to end, it keeps you thinking and guessing and has a great twist. Intriguing and completely EPIC!
2. Toy Story 3 - I've grown up with Toy Story, and as a child the first two movies were my favourites! And this final chapter of the triology didn't disappoint in the slightest! Funny, sad and completely heartwarming! Too much love for this film!
1. The Social Network - This was one of the biggest shocks of the year for me. I really wanted see it, but then I didn't, then after all the rave reviews I thought I must see it. Everyone always says "but its a movie about Facebook! That must be boring?!" and I thought the same thing beforehand. But I can't argue how wrong that idea is! It's an amazing story and superb acting, and I'd gladly recommend it to everyone!
2010's Biggest Disappointments
Christina Aguilera - Bionic
Every album Christina has released prior to Bionic has been amazing, which is why most fans feel that the big gaps she has between each album (usually about 3-4 years) is justifiable. However, nothing can justify Bionic. I'm not gonna lie and say I hate it completely, because I don't. I enjoy a few songs from it (You Lost Me is a personal favourite), but the thing I love most about Xtina is her ability to reinvent herself for each album, and although she has gone in a different direction, it seems more like a LOW-RENT copycat of so many other artists in the charts atm… so extremely disappointing!
Duffy - Endlessly
This one saddens me even more than Xtina, because 2 years ago Duffy was my favourite artist and her album was my favourite album of the year! I think this is why I had big expectations for her 2nd album. Again, I like the songs on it and I will probably continue to play it as it has only recently been released, but compared to her outstanding debut album Rockferry this doesn't even compare. I hope her third offering is greater than this because I find this very disappointing.
2010's Top Albums
Here is a rundown of my favourite albums.
First up are the albums that didn't quite make the cut, but have still been great to listen to and I will continue to play (in alphabetical order):
B.o.B - The Adventures of Bobby Ray
Bruno Mars - Doo-Wops & Hooligans
Cheryl Cole - Messy Little Raindrops
Diana Vickers - Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree
Example - Won't Go Quietly
Jason Derulo - Jason Derulo
Kate Nash - My Best Friend is You
Marina & the Diamonds - The Family Jewels
Miley Cyrus - Can't Be Tamed
The Pretty Reckless - Light Me Up
The Saturdays - Headlines
Now onto my top 15 albums of the year:
15. Tinie Tempah - Disc-Overy
2010 was newcomer Tinie Tempah's year. He had commerical success with his debut single Pass Out which reached number one in the UK charts. He seems to have sprung new life into the hip-hop genre and created something fresh that we haven't seen before. The album is superb!
Fave Songs: Pass Out, Miami 2 Ibiza, Illusion
14. Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More
This is one of the biggest surprises in my list, because I'm not really an indie/folk music fan if I'm honest. However, during my first year of uni my flatmates really got me into Mumford & Sons and they introduced me to a range of different music that I've really grown to like. This album is amazing and deserves all the critical acclaim it has received!
Fave Songs: White Blank Page, Sigh No More, The Cave
13. 3OH!3 - Streets of Gold
I love 3OH!3. I think they are extremely underrated because they're not taken seriously, which I suppose is fair enough because lots of their music is completely stupid and ridiculous. But there's no denying that they do produce amazingly catchy songs and this album is filled with them. The album also provides more downbeat and serious songs, such as I'm Not The One, which show a completely different side to them that unfortunately won't be seen in the charts.
Fave Songs: R.I.P., I Know How To Say, Double Vision
12. Rihanna - Loud
When I first downloaded this album I loved it completely, now I'm not too sure. It's a great, solid album with no fillers, but I don't know if I'd rate it above her last two albums. However, all of the songs could be potential singles, which is a great thing and Rihanna still continues to have chart success and be the queen of R&B (sorry Bee!).
Fave Songs: What's My Name?, Cheers (Drink to That), Complicated
11. Mike Posner - 31 Minutes to Takeoff
Although I do love Posner's first single Cooler Than Me, I downloaded this album purely out of boredom and not because I was really excited for it. However, I was pleasantly surprised and so glad that I did download it because it's one of my most played albums of the year. The only reason why it's not higher on my list is because I feel it's not extremely different or groundbreaking, but Mike Posner is one of my favourite new artists to come in 2010 and I look forward to new music from him in the future!
Fave Songs: Evil Woman, Another Love Song, XO
10. Florence + The Machine - Lungs
Technically released in 2009, but I didn't obtain it until 2010 so I'm gonna include it! I think what I like most about this album is the EPICness of it. Every single song is passionate and haunting which means that it is always going to provoke some type of emotion! Florence's voice is stunning and the album is gorgeous!
Fave Songs: I'm Not Calling You a Liar, Cosmic Love, Dog Days Are Over
9. The xx - xx
Another massive surprise for me personally, because although many people would rate this album as one of the best albums of the year it is completely different to what I usually listen to. However, after hearing all the buzz about this group and album I decided to download it and it's without a doubt the best album of the year. This doesn't mean it's my favourite, but there's something completely magical about this group and their music is dark and chilling whilst also comforting and sweet at the same time. There's not enough words to describe how great this album is, but I recommend it to everyone!
Fave Songs: Heart Skipped a Beat, Islands, Basic Space
8. Eminem - Recovery
Weirdly this is another slight surprise for me, because although I've always been a fan of M&M's songs I've never actually got one of his albums. But after hearing such positive things about it, I thought why not? Eminem continues to provide those hilarious songs, and then also the songs that are so deep they become quite disturbing to listen to. However, this mixture of songs is what makes it such an amazing album. People say "quality over quantity" and although there are 17 songs on the album, and most of the songs are quite long, it's fine because the quantity is completely quality!
Fave Songs: No Love, Space Bound, So Bad
7. Nicki Minaj - Pink Friday
Aaah Nicki Minaj! Fun, quirky, crazy, unique, bizarre, slightly scary Nicki Minaj! My love for her is so high at the moment. After featuring on so many songs and ALWAYS being the greatest part of them, I was so excited to hear she was gonna be releasing her own album. My expectations were high and she delivered and provided so much more! Her style is completely unqiue and it's great to see a female artist in a mainly male-orientated genre. The album sometimes slips down into a more poppy style with songs like Last Chance (with Natasha Bedingfield) and Check It Out (with Will.I.Am) which I don't appreciate as much, but a fantastic album nonetheless!
Fave Songs: Save Me, Blazin, I'm the Best
6. Ke$ha - Animal / Cannibal
Ke$ha has had phenomenal success in 2010, which can be seen even here on Last.fm (she's the number one most-played artist of 2010!). Her first single TiK ToK is one of the greatest debuts in recent years, and she really made her stamp in the pop industry. She gets a bad rep for being a bit trashy, stupid and for all the auto-tune she uses but I think people need to not take it so seriously and realise SHE IS WHAT SHE IS - fun! While I find her some of her songs on Animal a bit shite, it is only a couple and the rest completely make up for it! The re-release of the album and companion "Cannibal" is also amazing and I'm so excited for more Ke$ha!
Fave Songs (Animal): TiK ToK, Dancing With Tears in My Eyes, Take it Off
Fave Songs (Cannibal): We R Who We R, Crazy Beautiful Life, Cannibal
5. The Script - Science & Faith
What I like about The Script is that they the perfect pop/rock band. They're not as heavy as great bands like Coldplay, but then at the same time they're not too fluffy like Scouting for Girls. Which is why I think they've continued to find success with their second album. Whilst it's not a drastic difference to their debut, it is certainly a step up from it. Great lyrics, great vocals and great songs. I can't find any faults with this album and my love for The Script is continuously growing!
Fave Songs: Exit Wounds, Walk Away, For the First Time
4. Taylor Swift - Speak Now
Last year Taylor's Fearless album was number one on the list, and whilst this album is number four I do not think at all that this album is any a step backwards. In fact I truly believe that this album is a step forward, and you can see how much Taylor has evolved and matured on this album. Her songs are deeper and lyrics more personal. Another STUNNING effort from Taylor and she will continue to be one of my most played artists as long as she makes music because I know she will never disappoint!
Fave Songs: Haunted, If This Was a Movie, Sparks Fly
3. Katy Perry - Teenage Dream
As I mentioned earlier, 2010 was Katy Perry's year, and I'm sooo glad she gained more success with her second album. She also featured on different songs such as Starstrukk and If We Ever Meet Again. The album is somewhat different to her first, she seems to have gone in a direction which I believe has been a great move on her part in terms of sucess. However she has seemed to have retained some of her pop/rock roots, on songs like Circle the Drain and Pearl, which is where I think she shines best. Katy Perry has been one of my favourite artists since she came on the scene in 2008, so I'm so happy she's done so well this year. (P.s. Russell Brand is one lucky man!)
Fave Songs: Circle the Drain, Teenage Dream, Peacock
2. Plan B - The Defamation of Strickland Banks
One of my best friends actually used to go out with Plan B (or Ben), so it was actually her who encouraged me to give his album a try. I was a bit skeptical becaue I thought it may be too underground for my taste. But I was MORE than pleasantly surprised when I listened to it! The album is a great story from beginning to end, and the songs are quality tracks that I cannot describe how much I love! The thing that surprised me most though is his voice - he is SO soulful, which is a trait I love most in artists. The way he mixes soul with rap amazes me, and I know some fans are disappointed that he has strayed somewhat from his roots, but I can't say that I share the same feeling.
Fave Songs: Love Goes Down, Stay Too Long, Welcome to Hell
1. Ellie Goulding - Lights
This album seems to be a bit hit-or-miss with most people. I have seen that people really LOVE the album, and some people have been completely disappointed with it. I have to say that I am completely the former and LOVE this album. Ellie is magical and the whole album has a feel to it that is sparkly and dreamy, which I really appreciate. Her style is very IN at the moment, with artists such as Marina & The Diamonds having a similar style, however I personally feel that Ellie is top of the pack. My only issue with her is her image, which I know most people don't care about, but this aspect always intrigues me in an artist and I feel that Ellie has such an undefined and slightly boring image. But this doesn't take away from the album obviously, which is my favourite album of the year!
Fave Songs: Lights, The Writer, I'll Hold My Breath
Special Mention to…
GLEE CAST
Glee has completely overtaken my life! I'm obsessed with it! The show is hiliarious, fun and often extremely moving. The music in the show is what makes it spectacular though - they cover a range of music, from classic golden oldies to hidden gems to the latest chart hits, and they do them all flawlessly (often greater than the original!). I currently have over 160 tracks in my library by them and we are only half way through the second season, yet I doubt I will ever get bored of listening to them.
I'm a GLEEK! ♥
2010's Top MusicVideos
3. Willow Smith - Whip My Hair
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5mKAgb5px0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6g6g2mvItp4
1. Eminem / Rihanna - Love the Way You Lie