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)

Born This Way: Standard Version

Fans have been waiting awhile for Lady Gaga to come with a new album. Now the 2nd album is always the album that will make and break your career. This album delivers, Lady Gaga is here is STAY!!!

                                                                   

Now I was introduced to Lady Gaga in 2009, I was a "late boomer". The album that I began following her was the "Fame Monster". From that album I have been hooked to her every since. After the "Fame Monster", I was thinking how will she top this. So in February she released the single Born This Way. When I first heard the track, I wasn't pleased it. However, the song has a great message, but the song did nothing for me. As a result, I thought that the album was going to have songs like this, but with me knowing Gaga, each single won't be the same. Clearly it is not. Before I begin with the review if you don't like dance music this album is not for you.

She starts the album with Marry The Night, Lady Gaga said that this song was going to be the first single but she decided to go with Born This Way in my opinion I wish Marry The Night was the first single, because I love it. You can tell that she was definitely inspired by Pat Benatar because this song gives a Love Is Battlefield kinda vibe. As a matter of fact, you can tell with this album she was influenced by Pat Benatar Then she does into the single Born This Way which is a song that I don't really care for but it fits with the album. Government Hooker through me off, because the beginning was very odd to me but after Gaga finish sounding like a ghost I was happy when the beat dropped, good song. Now to the controversial Judas, when I first heard Judas I love it, which is why I don't understand all the backlash. In this song, she is not saying that she loves Judas, she was explaining that in a relationship we have someone in our lives that is good but you always think about the person that did you wrong. She does not a worship the devil! Americano is a song that will have to grow me, even though the beat is okay, her yelling and talking in Spanish just didn't give me feeling.   Hair is like a Born This Way Part 2 in my opinion. She was letting you know that you are as free as your Hair, even though I don't have none, but I understand what she means, very inspirational song. Now to my favorite song on the album, the German titled SchiBe, this song makes you wanna dance as soon as you hear it. During the first listen of this album, it took me 7 times to finally get pass it, thats how much I love it, very much a dance song. Bloody Mary, Bad Kids, Highway Unicorn is very techno, which is where Gaga roots are. Heavy Mental Lover is another highlight of the album in my opinion, I just love the beat it makes you wanna get in your car bop your head with all the windows down. Electric Chapel is a rock-club song, which in my opinion is a drink refiller, which you can sing the words, while you refill your glass of any spirit of choice. The ballad You & I is a great song about getting over a love that hurt you, which she sings with so much emotion. Finally, finishing the album with The Edge of Glory, this song is the most simple song Gaga has made, but what really brings the song out is the musical instruments.

In conclusion, I understand why she used the Born This Way because she took everything from her influences and made it her own.  9.0/10

 

STANDOUT TRACKS

Marry The Night

Government Hooker

Judas

Schibe

Heavy Mental Lover

You & I

The Edge Of Glory

                                                                        

TGIF

Friday's Quote of The Day

"Let your smile be your umbrella"

-Florida Evans from Good Times

Friday's Song of The Day

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r08xhL0jI1Q

I picked this song because in my opinion its a good song. It has a great beat and it makes you want to dance or bop your head. I feel that we should maintain happiness not be sad. It is Friday, the LORD granted another weekend, enjoy & be safe.

3 Favorite Artist Now

Favorite Artists Now

• Mary J. Blige
• Adele
• Lady Gaga

Mary J. Blige will always my favorite artist. It seems that Mary J. Blige comes out with a song that explains what I'm going through with my life.  Someone To Love Me with Lil' Wayne & Diddy is definitely what I need in my life right now. Mary seems to talk for me with her songs. But this song not even Mary's first single. If you know Mary, she gives you a promo song before her first single so she can get you ready for her return. I can't wait until Mary comes on September 20, "My Life Part II: The Journey Continues

Someone To Love Me.....LISTEN TO THIS FIRE 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sfNq2gwyB4

When it comes to Adele, I didn't really know about her. The only thing I knew about her is that she won the 2009 Grammy for Best New Artist. But one of twitter followers told me about her. He explained to me that she has Dusty Springfield style, the soul-pop. With me loving the soul music, I had to check her out. Her album "21" in my opinion is the album of the year. It's so soulful, I listen to this album every day. Meanwhile, when my twitter friend told me about her, I actually laughed because I didn't think I would like her, but I feel in love with her.

Rolling In The Deep...LISTEN TO THE GREAT SONG...ALSO CHECK HER ALBUM 21

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBRUkdQa6Is

Lady Gaga has been out since 2008, even though she has written songs for other people since 2005. I actually didn't start to like her until I heard Pokerface on the radio. It had such a different sound. Then I started to play a little attention to her. But it was until I moved into my own place, I really started liking her songs. Songs like Alejandro, Love Game, and Monster cause me to pay close attention to her. Meanwhile, Lady Gaga is releasing her new album and she has released two songs Born This Way & Judas. I feel that Born This Way was definitely a bold single to start with. Born This Way is not a song that I like, not because of it's lyrical content. Lyrically the song is great but just not a song that I like. But her latest single Judas, I like everything about it. Meanwhile, while listening to her new stuff, I started going back to her 2008 album FAME, and I wish I had the album earlier, because she has some great songs on it. The song that I really now is Eh Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say). 

Judas....LISTEN TO THE DEEP LYRICS...Note: She is not worship the devil

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

Now these are my favorite artist right now, but it can definitely change. LET ME KNOW WHO YOUR FAVORITE ARTIST OF RIGHT NOW IS...ANY GENRE: SOUL, HIPHOP, GOSPEL, POP, COUNTRY, ETC.