I agree with pretty much everything you said about 'Teenage Dream' apart from 'Firework' wouldn't be my highlight and I find 'The One That Got Away' very boring.

 

I don't think Joe deserved to flop really, but at the same time, I do find his album disappointing of the whole. Mainly in the middle, as it starts ok and ends pretty well.

 

Shontelle's album is pretty nice as well. Don't think I've heard anything else.

Oh dont get me wrong, I love Natasha's album and dont think Joe deserved to flop either. I think it's my lack of being able to say nice things which means that most of the mini reviews will focus on the NEGATIVITY. I'm trying to cut it down now were in the top half with the supposed very good albums but clearly I'm not succeding.

By the WAY I disagree with your assessment that No Gravity is 'an improvement no doubt' on Shontelligence. That album had personality! Roll It and Focus Pon Me were amazing. Nothing on the rubbish new one is good. NOT EVEN IMPOSSIBLE.

I've heard so few of these albums! Nice to see Sweet 7 getting some recognition though I'd completely forgotten about it, it needs to added it in to my favourite albums of the year. Strip Me just bored me to be honest but I think that's down to the fact I've just over Natasha Bedingifeld now, even if she came back with another 'Pocketful Of Sunshine', I'm not sure if I'd love it. I completely agree with you about Teenage Dream, massively overrated, there's nothing I'd rate higher than a 7/10 bar the first two singles but it's still a pleasant listen.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ae/Xx_album_cover.svg/220px-Xx_album_cover.svg.png

 

#20

Artist: The XX

Title: XX

Peaked: #2

 

Critically adored, Mercury award winning and not at all Aled being as subtle as a gun whilst humping onboard an already overcrowded bandwagon. And well, truth be told it really is that stunning an album that it’s simplicity is where it holds its best, the elegance, grace and sophistication only add to the hauntingly beautiful lyrics and vocals.

In all honesty, in time, I will probably end up listening a lot more to the Natasha Bedingfield album over this but I felt this album, despite this, was such a beautiful album that it had to be placed top 20 at the least.

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e5/Lungs_FatM.jpg/220px-Lungs_FatM.jpg

#19

Artist: Florence & The Machine

Title: Lungs

Peaked: #3

 

Yes, yes, another 2009 album, I really am that late. But fair do’s I really didn’t think much of Florence through most of ’09, and like the big fat bandwagon jumper that I am it was actually ‘You’ve Got The Love’ that turned me into a fan. Followed by numerous re-releases of her better first singles, and seeing her live at Radio 1 ‘s Big Weekend, well I was actually quite the fan. It’s such a well known album that frankly another of my tedious mini-reviews isn’t really needed, but her amazingly powerful vocals are really quite something, which combined with some amazing songs made for one brilliant album.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/0c/Adam_Lambert_-_For_Your_Entertainment_-_2009.jpg/220px-Adam_Lambert_-_For_Your_Entertainment_-_2009.jpg

 

#18

Artist: Adam Lambert

Title: For Your Entertainment

Peaked: #2

 

LOLz GAY

 

But indeed, Adam Lambert did actually make quite a brilliant album, certainly for a debut album for an American Idol alumni it’s one of the most impressive out there. It falls at places into the territory of being a bit too obnoxious and all over the shop, not a million miles away from Mika, but on the whole Lambert manages to insert some interesting personality and originality into this. ‘Whataya Want From Me’, written by Pink, has to be the actual highlight of the album, his whole image and persona are certainly not a million miles from her’s and that can only be a good thing considering how strong some of Pink’s material has been. To conclude, a very impressive debut that perhaps that it really is better sometimes not to win Idol or related shows. It’s a strong, and best of all intriguingly interesting album.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d3/Corinneseacover.jpg/220px-Corinneseacover.jpg

 

#17

Artist: Corinne Bailey Rae

Title: The Sea

Peaked: #2

 

Sophomore album from Queen Bore. Her debut was a nice nothingy album I thought, nice background music and she was clearly a talent but nothing too exciting was to be found there, move along quickly. However, ‘The Sea’ followed the death of Bailey Rae’s husband Jason, and well, this is album feels so personal and shows her growth beautifully. She may still be a bit too uninteresting for some perhaps but for me, Corinne has returned with a hauntingly beautiful tragic album that’s so unexpectly brilliant. Bailey Rae is a lot more substantial this time round, and at times it feels somewhat uncomfortable almost, but on the whole she’s succeeded in making a beautiful album.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/8e/Cover_contra.jpg/220px-Cover_contra.jpg

#16

Artist: Vampire Weekend

Title: Contra

Peaked: #2

 

I promise it gets a lot more Pop-friendly in the top 15, well parts of it, and I know I’m not really the most expected fan of Vampire Weekend and truth be told I’d never paid much attention until the release of ‘White Sky’, obviously I’d enjoyed some of the other singles aswell but had dismissed them as a band I wouldn’t enjoy. As it happens, this is actually a band unlike anything else, which is exactly an opposite of what I expected this to be. Ezra Koeing’s vocals are enchanting, to draw example again to ‘White Sky’ where the howling is just so brilliantly enjoyable. To conclude, a band I never thought I’d end up loving but it looks like it’s happened.

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/43/EricSaadeMasquerade.jpg/220px-EricSaadeMasquerade.jpg

#15

Artist: Eric Saade

Title: Masquerade

Peaked: #2

 

Well it’s Pop, though perhaps not the Pop the Rob, Theo’s and Jack’s that are reading this wanted exactly. WHERE IS RIHANNA. Not in the bloody countdown. Thats where.

Eric Saade is like most of the more mostly unknown males in this countdown, actually Swedish. ‘Sleepless’ was the first I heard from him earlier in the year, and after stumbling across ‘It’s Gonna Rain’ a few weeks back I gave the album a chance having heard a few good things about it. Saade is nothing but pure pop, and whilst the album has a few questionable moments here and there which sound a bit too 2002 boybands, I do think he’s managed something of a pop classic that certainly bodes well for his future. Too many highlights to note frankly, and another example as to how the Swedes really do Pop music much better than us most of the time don’t they.

 

It also might help that he’s adorable.

I like Eric Saade's album! And Rihanna was only like 30-something on my countdown! 'It's Gonna Rain' is my favourite off 'Masquerade', but it is a very strong album overrall (that I've not listened to for ages so can't name my other favourites - HA!).

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/41/Melaniefiona-thebridge.jpg/220px-Melaniefiona-thebridge.jpg

 

#14

Artist: Melanie Fiona

Title: The Bridge

Peaked: #1

 

I adore Melanie Fiona, and it’s only common sense that has managed to make me rank this lower down that some of the albums still to come. Comparisments to Macy Gray and Lauryn Hill have been made and whilst of course, Fiona is a long way off making anything as legendary as ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’, she’s certainly put in a decent effort. Her strong powerful soulful voice is impressive, and the album starts off extremely well on lead single ‘Give It To Me Right’, however the only shortfall really comes with some of the more forgettable inoffensive parts. On the whole Fiona has made a marvellously great debut.

I like Eric Saade's album! And Rihanna was only like 30-something on my countdown! 'It's Gonna Rain' is my favourite off 'Masquerade', but it is a very strong album overrall (that I've not listened to for ages so can't name my other favourites - HA!).

 

HA. Sorry though Theo. You know what I mean. It dawned on me somewhat that having promised Pop albums, people may not be filled with excitement of the apperance of Eric Saade.

 

Didnt know you'd hear it though, christ, I really was late in hearing that.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/99/Katy_Perry_Teenage_Dream_alternate_cover.jpg/220px-Katy_Perry_Teenage_Dream_alternate_cover.jpg

 

#21

Artist: Katy Perry

Title: Teenage Dream

Peaked: #2

 

Renounced by many insane and stupid people as the pop album of the year. And well, it just so isnt. Perry has again delivered a fine album filled with a nice mixture of good enjoyable records and a few heartfelt moments here and there, but the album fails to deliver anything too 'special'. The teen-pop sound is clearly for her though, she does succed with most of these songs, and bar the odd blip here and there it's quite the fabolous outing, on the whole the album provides everything we need. 'Firework' is probably my highlight, but I do rather love 'The One That Got Away and 'Last Friday Night'. 'Peacock' is a f***ing atrocity though. She may be overhyped beyond belief but I cant deny that it's a very good album.

 

Literally sums up my views on this album. If anything, the sheer hype has made me like it less :drama:

 

I'm actually LOVING Natasha Bedingfield's album now I have it on CD! It's not as good as the last two but the fact that her sound hasn't gone anywhere makes me feel 6 years younger again when listening to it :lol:

http://i1.cdnds.net/10/30/200x200_music_the_saturdays_headlines.jpg

#13

Artist: The Saturdays

Album: Headlines

Peaked: #1

 

Not sure if me placing a mini-album this high, or me placing The Saturdays this low makes me less or more of a loon to be honest. But yes, I contemplated it but just couldnt go ahead with it in the end, placing it in the top 10 when it contained only 5 new songs to me. But what 5 songs they were, 'Higher', 'Karma' and 'Puppet' were all kind of amazingly awesome. And see hence the problem with a mini-album, there isnt THAT much to say.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/f1/Pink_Friday_album_cover.jpg/220px-Pink_Friday_album_cover.jpg

 

#12

Artist: Nicki Minaj

Album: Pink Friday

Peaked: #3

 

There was a lot of dissapointment surrounding 'Pink Friday' initally, the general sensus being that the act expected to make an album like no other had ended up making an album like everyone else. And it's a difficult one to call, because on the one hand you cant help but feel it's kinda true, she certainly hasnt made the album of the decade or anything of the sort but at the same time there was so much hype hanging on her shoulders that almost anything except perfection was going to dissapoint.

And well, on the whole, this remains a perfectly great album. Minaj is clearly able to do pretty much everything as shown by her switchin of genres, wigs and accents, and whilst it's much more Pop-orientated than initally expected, and far from perfect, there are also plenty of highlights to be had in 'Romans Revenge', 'Girls Fall Like Dominoes' and much more. To conclude, it IS a bloody good album but there remains the lingering feeling at the back of your head that it's just a tiny bit less marvellous than you were expecting.

 

Were at #12 and I'm still focusing on the NEGATIVITY. Oh lawd.

http://cdn.pitchfork.com/media/scissor452cov.jpg

 

#11

Artist: Scissor Sisters

Album: Night Work

Peaked: #1

 

Kind of the album they should have made after their debut in all honesty. It misses out on all important factor that people would expect from a Scissor Sisters album which is the catchy melodies and that could prove to be a dissapointment, and in many ways lead single 'Fire With Fire' was misleading in that instance. It's not as amazing as their debut of course, but that was always going to be near impossible anyway and they can be reasonably pleased with the fact that it's better than Ta-Dah, which contained a few amazing moments and nothing more. To conclude, this is kinda amazing and I regret not having enough space for it in the top 10 muchly.

 

And how awesome cover which I havent at all delibrately made slightly bigger than the other covers in this thread because theres an bum in it.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e6/Kylie_Minogue_-_Aphrodite.jpg/220px-Kylie_Minogue_-_Aphrodite.jpg

 

#10

Artist: Kylie Minogue

Album: Aphrodite

Peaked: #1

 

Not-at-all really aged and slightly dead Queen of Pop, senior and actually probably the second most popular Minogue now that Dannii rules life, Kylie returned with Aphrodite this year in an attempt to save her career after the awesome but also kind of bad 'X' flopped like nobodys buisness.

Her attempts to be a success? Well mainly a TOWER OF NAKED PEOPLE. Which worked wonderfully in persuading me anyway.

 

http://www.aceshowbiz.com/images/wennpic/kylie_minogue_video_05_wenn2838132.jpg

 

This did unfortunetly make her the least f***able thing in the video. but NEVERMIND.

 

Onwards and upwards, Kylie gets it just about right on Aphrodite. It's what her come-come back should have been, playing it safe really, but being amazing at the same time. The general theme really is 'everything is amazing and wonderful and beautiful and have you seen the TOWER OF NAKEDNESS'. I may have imagined the last bit sorry. She's never going to be a belting diva and therefore her skills and potential are showcased to their best on this record, it's the classic Kylie with the perfect modern twist basically.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/9d/Mark_Ronson_Record_Collection.jpg/220px-Mark_Ronson_Record_Collection.jpg

 

#9

Artist: Mark Ronson & Buisness Intl

Album: The Record Collection

Peaked: #1

 

I have a confession to make. I kind of really fancy Ronson aswell so if you were expecting these reviews to be a bit more classy after the SHAMEFUL review of Kylies up there then you are very much so mistaken. Anyways, here Mark jumps forward 2 decades from 60's retro-soul to more robotic electro-sound and joined yet again, by a fantastic cast of guest vocalists and contributions he produces another great album produces something more 'likeable' this time round. No doubt though that the highlight has to be Boy George's appearance on 'Somebody To Love Me', written by 8 writters who arent him but it suited him so perfectly.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/49/Flesh_Tone.jpg/220px-Flesh_Tone.jpg

 

#8

Artist: Kelis

Album: Flesh Tone

Peaked: #1

 

Moving away from the Urban sounds of previous work to a more Dance friendly sound, Kelis continues her domination of making great albums which remain very very underrated. This time though something changed, she upgraded from making a reaosnably pleasing collection of songs to making 'Flesh Tone' an absoulute beauty of an album. Theres no bitterness, only touching, stripped down and spaced out vocals and production. It's really quite a beautiful album and the standout of her discography for me.

 

So good infact you can almost forget she's a fur wearing c**t.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/f9/Kanye_West_My_Beautiful_Dark_Twisted_Fantasy_album_cover.png/220px-Kanye_West_My_Beautiful_Dark_Twisted_Fantasy_album_cover.png

 

#7

Artist: Kanye West

Album: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

Peaked: #1

 

Had you told me last year, or even a few weeks back even that I'd be rating Kanye West's album as my 7th favourite of the year, and even feeling slightly guilty for including it this low down the top 10 I really wouldnt have believed you. But for the man may or may not be the worlds biggest div, it doesnt stop him from making one of the best album of ALL TIME. And Taylor Swift kinda sucks anyway.

I find it difficult to give this a mini-review to be honest because words kinda cant really describe it that well but this is an amazing album, filled from top to bottom with guest stars galore, it delivers so much more than expected. AMAZING.

 

Any credability I may have recieved from this WILL die when you see #5 btw

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/5a/Hurts_-_Happiness.jpg/220px-Hurts_-_Happiness.jpg

 

#6

Artist: HURTS

Album: Happiness

Peaked: #1

 

It did suprise me how dark this album actually was, only one or two happier moments to be had and they're spread through the album to stop anyone from suicide I take it. It's an absoulutely beautiful album though, handles it themes elegantly and perfectly, and it's sombre moods are just so haunting. It's a beautiful album from start to finish and I really cant fault it at all. It suprises me how this has recieved quite a lot of bad reception though, it seemed so wonderfully adored when first relesead.

Conclusion; amazing, stunning and gorgeous album from a gorgeous vocalist who wont ever crack a smile.