Top 10 Albums & Songs of 2011

Best Of 2011: According To My ITunes

2011 music was okay this year. Even though we had a lot of gimmicks, but real music still come out on top. The music I speak of is Adele, she brought that real music back. Her album 21 is the best selling album of the year. I feel that her album is very deserving of this honor. When you listen to her album you can tell that it's from her soul and comes out real. This is the type of music that I appreciate, honestly. This is definitely the year of Adele. But other artists that made real music included Lady Gaga, Kelly Clarkson, Jay-Z/Kanye West, J-Cole, and Mary J. Blige. The music this year, didn't make me stray away from my throwbacks.

As like everyone I would like blog about my top 10 albums & songs that I played a lot this year. My top is a little different because some albums I listened to this come out this year but I played them a lot. As a result, this top 10 albums list will be a little different. 

Albums:

Honorable Mentions

1. Adele- 19
2. Raphael Saadiq- The Way I See It
3. Marsha Ambrosius- Late Nights & Early Mornings

10. Born In The U.S.A - Bruce Springsteen(1984)

I always knew about Bruce Springsteen, but I didn't really play attention to his music. I only knew songs like "Dancing In The Dark" and "Born In The USA". I never really heard a full album from Springsteen. But Lady Gaga was promoting her Born This Way album she was explaining that Bruce Springsteen was a big influence on her because of her dad. So I felt that I need to gave a Springsteen album a try, so I downloaded Born In The USA and I fell in love with it. I listen to it at least once a week. With songs Like "I'm On Fire", "Working On The Highway", and "My Hometown". I understand while this album is such a classic. 

Listen to "Dancing In The Dark" that saxophone by late Clarence Clemons AKA Big Man is awesome

9. My Life II: The Journey Continues (Act 1)- Mary J. Blige (2011)

Mary J. Blige released her 10th album, which she entitled My Life II, as a big fan of the first My Life, I was very nervous about this project.  The first My Life album was very emotional, raw, and classic, I felt that was a era that Mary should have let alone. The My Life is dear to my heart, I didn't want it to be destroyed. So, the album was released Nov 21, and of course I loved it. But I still feel that this album should have not been called My Life II, because if you are a Mary J. Blige fan, this album seemed to be more her first album What's The 411?. I felt Mary could have just called this album The Journey Continues.  But this album is still in my best albums of 2011, with songs like "Feel Inside", "Don't Mind", "No Condition", and my album favorite "Need Someone", Mary showed why she has lasted so long in this industry, 20 years .

Listen to "No Condition" this song still gives you that soulfulness that Mary continues to still give us for 20 years.

8. Born To Sing- En Vogue (1990)

En Vogue in my opinion is the best girl group of all time. There harmonies are unmatched, this girls can SANG. I always knew about En Vogue's first album but I never listened to it. Their Funky Divas was the album that I have never familiar with. So, one day I was listening to "Waiting On You" and I decided to download Born To Sing as I expected the album was awesome. Anytime I feel like listening to some SANGING, the first album I think about is Born To Sing was the best album title for this first album.

Listen to "Part of Me" this song was leaves me speechless.

7. Amazing Grace- Aretha Franklin (1972)

God has always been in my life, I know who he is but I finally found a church that I can all my own. During this time, I have been listening to Amazing Grace every night because it makes me feel good and understand how bless I am.  Songs like "What A Friend We Have In Jesus", "God Will Take Care of You", "Never Grow Old", and "How I Got Over" makes me understand why this album is the greatest album of all time.

Be Blessed and listen to "Mary Don't You Weep"

6. Stronger- Kelly Clarkson (2011)

Ever since American Idol, I have been a fan of Kelly Clarkson. In my opinion, I feel she is the best American Idol winner. Her voice sings chills up my spine, her voice is the best out right now. Her vocals can across all genres, soul, pop, rock, jazz, etc. This year Clarkson released Stronger in October, which was a good album. But a lot of Kelly's song were leaked in the Spring, so when the album was released a lot of the songs I knew, but it didn't take away for the album. With Songs like "Honestly", "You Love Me", "Hello", and favorite track "The War Is Over". I listen to this album at least once a day, because it's a fun album.

Listen to my favorite track "The War Is Over", hear the aggression.

5. Cole World:The Sideline Story- J. Cole (2011)

I didn't know about J. Cole until one of my homeboys but me on to him. He told me that I should listen to his mixtape Friday Night Lights. When I listen to this mixtape, I thought he was ill on the mike. Then I saw him live on Rihanna's Loud Tour, I knew that I had to get his debut album. When I got this album, Cole didn't disappoint, he in my opinion was bringing that REAL hip-hop because he was rapping about REAL things. With songs like "Lights Please", "Nobody's Perfect", "Lost Ones", "Daddy's Little Girl", and my favorite track the emotional "Breakdown".

Listen to the emotion of the track and his rhymes on "Breakdown"

 

4. Watch The Throne- Jay-z & Kanye West (2011)

This album I was waiting for because Jay-Z & Kanye West are one of the best rappers out right now. When I heard "Otis" I knew this album was not going to disappoint. When the album was released on August 8, at midnight I brought the album. From "No Church In The Wild" to "Why I Love You", in my opinion is the best rap album of the year. With songs like the James Brown sampled "Gotta Have It",  "New Day", and "Who Gon Stop Me", this album was awesome. You can tell this album was Jay-Z album as well as a Kanye album. In addition, I had to opportunity to go to the Watch The Throne concert, it was an EPIC event.

Listen to my favorite track off the album, the inspiring "Murder To Excellence"

3. 4- Beyonce (2011)

Finally Beyonce made a album that I will be album to play for years to come. Albums like B'Day and I Am..Sasha Fierce, didn't do anything for me. I think Beyonce was more concerned about having hits than making timeless music. Her album Dangerously in Love was her best until 4 was released. Even though the album leaked, she made timeless songs like "Start Over", "Dance For You", "End Of Time", and the MJ "Off The Wall" album inspired "Love On Top".  When this album was officially released, I couldn't stop listening to it.

Listen to "End Of Time" this song needed a video, but I understand Beyonce was pregnant but this video had Michael Jackson all over it.

2. 21- Adele (2011)

As I said in one of the previous blog entry, I was introduced by Adele by one of my twitter followers. He asked me if I have ever heard of Adele before, I said yes, but he said I need to listen to her new album 21, it's very soulful. I decided to listen and I fell in love with it. I brought it before I listened to the album in full. One this album he was giving me soul, pop, blues, and jazz wrapped in one. With songs like "Someone Like You", "Turning Tables", and my favorite song "Take It All". This album is full with honestly and this album will be considered a classic. It was my best album until my number 1 album came out in May.

Listen to "Take It All" and her voice is so pure and soulful.

1. Born This Way- Lady Gaga (2011)

This album I listen to at least 4 times a day. When the first single was released, "Born This Way" I wasn't impressed. Even though I know that this song serves a purpose, but I wasn't a fan of it. But when I brought the album, I was impressed. This album was musically awesome. Lady Gaga put pop, rock, dance, and rhythmic sounds together and make a great blend. Many people think Gaga changed, but this album showed how she improved musically. Songs like "Marry The Night", "You & I", "Hair", "Bad Kids", "Judas", and the inspiring "The Edge Of Glory" makes the album the best album of 2011 in my opinion.

Listen to the New Years anthem "Marry The Night"

Songs:

Honorable Mentions:

1. Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, & Busta Rhymes  "Look At Me Now"
2. Jennifer Lopez & Pitbull  "On The Floor"
3. Pitbull & Ne-Yo  "Give You Everything"
4. LMFAO  "Party Rock Anthem"
5. Pink "Fuckin Perfect"

10. Beautiful People -Chris Brown

9. Marvin Gaye & Chardonnay- Big Sean & Kanye West

8. Til The World Ends- Britney Spears

7. The Living Proof- Mary J. Blige 

6. The Edge Of Glory- Lady Gaga

5. Rolling In The Deep- Adele

4. Niggas in Paris- Jay-z & Kanye West

3. I Care- Beyonce

2. Judas- Lady Gaga

1. Stronger- Kelly Clarkson 

HOPE SOME OF MY FAVORITES OF 2011 MADE YOUR LIST TOO!!

(IN THE COMMENT BOX PUT SOME OF YOUR FAVORITES OF 2011)

Beyonce: 4

Beyonce fans have been waiting for 3 years for this album. Beyonce wanted to take a break to get some inspiration to make new music. Now after about 4 leaked singles, the album is here. Beyonce in my opinion proved her staying power as an artist!!!

This album "4" I was really nervous about especially after the first single, Run The World (Girls), I prayed that she didn't take that route again like she did with "B-Day". Then End Of Time was release, I was excited because that's the Beyonce I love, the one that shows her vocals. Meanwhile a day after, 1+1 was released which caused me to say this album will be a "Dangerously In Love" part 2, which in my opinion is Beyonce's best album. On 1+1, Beyonce really sings with emotion that actually brought me to tears. Finally, she came with my anthem Best Thing I Never Had, that song to me was needed because it's says everything I wanted to tell the person that broke my heart. Now, that I have given you a  little background I will proceed to the review. Lastly, if you loved B-Day or the Sasha Fierce side of "I AM..SASHA FIERCE", this is NOT that kind of album.

She starts the album with 1+1, which I feels really shows Beyonce vocals. When I heard her sing this live I was floored. Beyonce in an interview explained that she will be showing us her vocals on this album, which is clearly obvious on this song. This song in my opinion should have not been released it should have stayed as an album cut. Then she goes into rock-inspired I Care, which gives me a anger type of feel, but I like it. Again she is really showing her vocals at the end of this song, while she keeps up with the guitar. I Miss You gives me a Destiny's Child's T-Shirt feel, which you can tell is very inspired by Jay-Z. Now, Best I Never Had in my opinion is one of the best songs on the album. This song is for anyone that has every been hurt and finally getting over it, this song is Irreplaceable to the 10th power. After listening to this song about 20 times, I finally got to Party. The Kanye West produced song took a little while to grow on me, which it took 30 mins. But this song is definitely a summer song, you can be riding in your car with all the window down and cruise. Another on of my favorites, is Rather Die Young. Another Jay-Z inspired song, it gives you that Walking In The Rain With The One I Love by Love Unlimited vibe. Songs like these show you that Beyonce is very happy in her marriage. Starting Over and Love On Top shows Beyonce's vocals which I love. Countdown is another favorite of mine, I love how she uses the countdown in Boyz II Men's Uh Uh. This song to me is very creative, she doesn't use the countdown like you think, which I really love. End Of Time was a favorite of mine because I didn't like Run The World, so I was happy to hear a much better song from her. On this song, I love the harmonies, clearly it was well produced. I Was Here was an Adele inspired song because even though I love Adele, this was a song that I really couldn't get into, but it might take time but for now I don't like it. (UPDATED..I loved I Was Here because of the lyrical content.) Lastly, Run The World (Girls) I didn't like the song because I feel like we have been waiting for Beyonce and she gives us this as a first single. I feel that Girls shouldn't have been released as a first single because it's not the mood of the album. But I guess she had to give the fans an uptempo song, but I could do without it.

In conclusion, I clearly understand why she named the album 4 because in my opinion I feel that she is talking about her and her husband relationship. Both of their birthday's are on the 4th of the month and their marriage as well. This album shows Beyonce has grown as an artist, in my opinion I was getting a little tired of SASHA, I wanted to meet Beyonce and I feel with this album we did. 9.0/10

STANDOUT TRACKS

I Care

Best Thing I Never Had

Rather Die Young
Start Over

Love On Top

Countdown

End Of Time

Compare & Contrast Thursday Repost

Hey everyone I haven't done a compare & contrast entry in weeks. I wasn't inspired by anything until Wednesday, I was listening to Ella James's All I Could Do Was Cry, after I decided to listen to Beyonce's version, I recieved so much inspiration. Then I listened to I'd Rather Go Blind, with that I felt I could do comparison of both versions.

ALL I COULD DO WAS CRY

Etta James Version

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_i-AI61PEo&feature=related

Beyonce Version

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeQbDIWFHlg

When it comes to this song, I love Etta James because she was the original, but in my opinion Beyonce delivers on this one. Not taking away from Etta James because her version is great as well, but Beyonce's version is a lot more soulful. When Beyonce starts with "I saw my love walk down the aisle", you can feel the emotion. As I stated before, Etta's version is good but I like Beyonce's version a little better.

I'D RATHER GO BLIND

Etta James Version

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YApNirMC9gM&feature=related

Beyonce Version

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVeRmnEeR-I&feature=related

With this song, it took me a while to decided which version I like best. I think Etta James version I perfer. Even though, I must say that Beyonce's killed it with the vocals at the end, but Etta just touched my soul a little more.

Comparsions/Conclusions

When you listen to each of versions, you can tell the difference in years. For example, Etta's versions her voice was over the music. It seemed that back then, it was all about the voice, Etta's versions the background music is a lot lower than her voice, it seemed it back then when singer sung ballads, it was more about the voice then the music. Meanwhile, when you listen to Beyonce's version the music and vocals are balanced making the song sound more crisp. But technology can also play a part in that because technology is much stronger then they were in 1950s.

Above all, Etta James set the blueprint for Beyonce to sing these songs. As a result, you must give Etta her respect. In addition, I feel with these versions Beyonce didn't try to sound like Etta, she made the songs are own, which is why I have to give Beyonce her respect as well. In today's music, it seems like when remakes are done, the artist tries to sound too much like the original artist, which it takes away from the song. As I said, Etta James should be proud of Beyonce's versions because she made her songs current, but still kept it old school.

Songs For Moment...Just A Feeling

RESENTMENT LIVE AT WYNN LAS VEGAS - BEYONCE

One of favorite Beyonce live performances. She puts so much soul into this song. She makes you picture that person that lied to you and sing the hell out of this song with so much    emotion.

WATCH IT FOR YOURSELF...FEEL THAT EMOTION

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5O0_2PX2HAc

I CAN SEE IN COLOR LIVE-SIRIUS XM CONFIDENTIAL- MARY J. BLIGE

Mary J. Blige has so many performances that I love but this one I have been thinking about all day. When you listen to this performance and you don't feel chills, you need to be checked. Mary is giving so much soul. 

CHECK IT OUT FOR YOURSELF....FEEL THE SOUL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_77oYJRIBs

SPOILED LIVE ON THE LATE SHOW- JOSS STONE

Out of the British soul singers including Adele and Amy Winehouse, my favorite is Joss Stone. Everytime she sings it sends chill up down my shine. In this performance, she really shows her vocals, showing that she can SANG!!!....Joss keep spoiling me with you great soulful voice.

WATCH HER TAKE YOU SOMEWHERE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utKqlPwDkFo

LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU FEEL ABOUT THESE PERFORMANCES!!!