Best Albums of 2011

Below you will find my list for fav albums of 2011. If you agree/disagree post comments below! and Happy New Year!

10. 4 Beyonce/ Talk that Talk Rihanna: Why I love it: I know I know, I can’t choose, and it’s sort of a cop out but I seriously can’t pick which album I like more. Both have hits which I love, both have songs which I really disliked. B get’s points for being preggs and still doing crazy dance moves in all of her millions of videos released this year. Rih gets points for still sounding original a million reggae-pop albums later. So for now both will be in my top ten at number 10. Favorite songs off the album: Beyonce: Countdown, Love on Top. Rihanna: You Da One, Talk that Talk.  For fans of: Destiny’s Child, Mary J Blige, Lady Gaga

9. Whatever Hot Chelle Rae : Why I love it: 2011 Radio airwaves would never have been the same without Hot Chelle Rae’s Tonight Tonight. This album is pure punk-pop perfection. I happen to love random silly lyrics with really catchy tunes. If you do too then you will definitely want to give this album a try. Another reason why I love this album? It makes me feel like a high school girl again and I can always use an album that makes me feel young. Favorite Songs off the Album: I Like it Like That, Honestly, Whatever. For Fans of: The Ready Set, The Click Five, My Favorite Highway

8. Stronger Kelly Clarkson: Why I love it: Good for Kelly. In this album Kelly shows a real maturity which her other albums had been lacking. While there are still tons of pop-hit-anthemy type songs, you can tell that Kelly’s real inner angst has disappeared and she is happy. Not unwilling to try new things the songs on Stronger range in influence from r&b to country but still maintain the pop background that made us fall for Kelly in the first place. Favorite Songs off the Album: What Doesn’t Kill You (Stronger), I Forgive You, You Love Me. For Fans of:  Pink, Beyonce, Avril Lavigne   

7.Mylo Xyloto Coldplay: Why I love it: Unfortunately for Coldplay, this album could not compare to the brilliance of Viva La Vida. Yet, there are some strokes of brilliance on an album that had a few duds. Apparently this album is a concept album which tells the story of two people who find love in a dystopian society. (Did anyone get that? Because I didn’t, so thanks Internet!) While there is some cool usage of instruments, again the effect is not the same as their brilliant previous album. Favorite Songs off the album: Every Teardrop is a Waterfall, Hurts Like Heaven, Paradise. For Fans of: Radiohead, The Killers, Keane

6. Ceremonials Florence + The Machine:  Why I love it: I happen to love Florence’s crazy ass vocals in general. What I love about Ceremonials is Florence could have had an album which was similar and in a way repeated Lungs. However instead, Flo + the machine gave us something completely different. Yes, her lilting voice remains powerful and full, but the depth of the songs is far greater on Ceremonials. Favorite songs off the album: Shake it Out, Breaking Down, Never Let Me Go. For Fans of: Imogen Heap, Regina Spektor, Marina and the Diamonds

5. El Camino The Black Keys: Why I love it: Omfg where have the black keys been all my life. To me, the Black Keys are one of the great bluegrass/rock bands of our time. Why they didn’t become famous until last year is beyond me honestly. This album is chock full of great songs. The one negative a person could say about this album, as opposed to lets say their previous album Brothers, is that many of the songs use repetitive chords and instruments. But that being said a hit is a hit and this album is full of them. Favorite songs off the album: Gold On Ceiling, Lonely Boy, Run Right Back. For Fans of : The White Stripes, Mumford and Sons, Wolfmother   

4. Born This Way Lady Gaga: Why I love it: I know many of you may be surprised that Gaga’s album is only at #4 and not higher, but honestly, born this way is just not as good as the ultimate album Fame Monster. It did have some great songs, and some good ones, but also ones I just didn’t LOVE and that’s why its here. That being said, Gaga can produce a hit. Just check out all the singles she has released off of this album (5 and counting! Take that Katy Perry!). Many haters will say that instead of sounding new and fresh her songs sound like they belong in the 80’s. To them I say, 80’s music kicks ass! Favorite Songs off the album: You and I, Fashion of His Love, Born This Way. For Fans of: Madonna, Ke$ha, Gwen Stefani  

3. Wasting Light Foo Fighters: Why I love it: Just when I thought Foo Fighters couldn’t get better they came out of the woodwork with Wasting Light. If you ever find yourself questioning what rock music is/can be today then just listen to this album. All of the tracks have intense hard rock edge and amazing guitar and drum work. Dave Grohl, as lead, never ceases to amaze me and makes me wonder, how if Kurt Cobain had still been alive, if he would have ever have broken out of the background and into the spotlight. Favorite Songs off the album: Walk, These Days, Rope. For Fans of: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Weezer, Muse 

2. Watch The Throne Jay Z & Kanye West: Why I love It:  Who would have ever guessed that putting two amazing rappers in one album would create epic awesomeness? I would! Why wasn’t this done before? Seriously! Ye’ and Jay make an amazing pair and continue to play off of one another in every song/rap. This album should remind rappers everywhere that all you need is a little collaborative effort and all of your haters will turn into admirers. Favorite songs off the album: Otis, Made In America, That’s My Bitch. For Fans of: Eminem, Lil Wayne, Lupe Fiasco  

1. 21 Adele: Why I love it: Yes, I know Rolling in the Deep and Someone Like You are crazy over played, but, remember when they weren’t? Remember getting your hands on Adele’s new album and the feeling of OMG I have totally been through the exact same thing with my ex? Because if you did not feel that way, then you are either not a girl, or do not have a heart. This album was groundbreaking. Adele’s voice reinvented what it means to HAVE a good voice in this day in age (what with all the auto tuning going on). Yes, many of you know that I have a serious girl crush on her, but that aside, Adele can belt it out!  Favorite songs off the album:  I’ll Be Waiting, Set Fire to the Rain, Don’t You Remember. For Fans of: Amy Winehouse, Duffy, Fiona Apple

Singers Who Can Act (AKA Justin Timberlake Please make music again)

Last night my husband and I had a discussion about the “triple threat.” You know the type: Can sing, Can Dance, Can Act and this got me thinking about some of the greatest singers(stage or recording)-turned actors.

1)  Hugh Jackman: Many people might not be aware but after a short 1 season Aussie TV show stint, Hugh was primarily a stage star. It was only after his adorable success as an amazing singer/dancer with incredibly stage presence that he was offered the role of Wolverine in X-Men. Hugh will actually be playing Jean Valjean in the upcoming Les Miserables musical movie so we will get to see all of his talents in one place. Classic hit: Oh What a Beautiful Morning from the musical Oklahoma!

2) Justin Timberlake: Many of you know I am a devoted Timberlake follower. I will pretty much watch whatever he does, listen to whatever he produces or even recommends. His talent is undeniable. Granted I don’t think I’m in the minority when I say that he should be singing instead of acting. I think he’s hilarious and do watch both his films (even the ugly ones like cough The Love Guru cough) but if he doesn’t make another CD soon or appear in a musical soon someone (probably Joey Fatone) will get a beating. Classic hit: What Goes Around Comes Around

3) Will Smith: I know you might disagree with me on the “dancer” segment of this one, but we should not forget the incredibly awkward yet cool dancing talents of the fresh prince. I did try to “Get Jiggy With It” but the closest I ever got to it was a jig. Will is another one of those actors who I would follow to the moon and back. He’s funny and interesting and also an awesome rapper. I genuinely can’t decide which beats I prefer more, the Fresh Prince/DJ Jazzy Jeff era or the Will Smith late 90’s boom. Thoughts? Classic Hit: Parents Just Don’t Understand

4) Beyonce Knowles: Beyonce is clearly one of our generation’s most incredible talents. She is a kick-ass dancer, makes amazing tracks that in my opinion will withstand the test of time (that’s right my future kids will be listening to beyonce!) and she is a good actress to boot. I am specifically not going to mention her turn in a certain British spy spoof because it was pretty unremarkable, but her roles in Dream Girls and Obsessed were pretty awesome. Classic Hit: Single Ladies  

5)  Queen Latifah: Queen is a great example of why America needs more female rappers. This amazing beat-tress started out as a rapper (beat boxing actually) for a little group called “Ladies Fresh” which then ballooned into her own rap career and eventual singing career and acting career. I will admit freely and without shame that I love many of the movies that Queen is in. She proved she could multi task (sing act and dance) when she was in Chicago and followed up that musical with Hairspray (again amazing choice) but she is understated and awesome in a few roles like Last Holiday (a personal favorite). Classic hit: U.N.I.T.Y  

6)  Neal Patrick Harris: Ok, Ok, technically NPH didn’t start out as a singer, but rather a child actor, after which he moved to Broadway. NPH is one of those rare talents who can pretty much do anything he wants. He dances extremely well, can sing, and even rap (see this year’s tony awards)! My personal favorite NPH venture has to be Dr. Horrible’s Sing Along Blog. It’s rare that you route for the bad guy but under the direction of Joss Whedon NPH’s Dr. Horrible is one of the most lovable villains ever. Classic hit: Freeze Ray 

7)  Bebe Neuwirth: Bebe, who was called a “Fosse Girl” for all of her work in bob fosse musicals, is more than just an excellent dancer and singer. She is a great actress. She will forever be known to me and my family as “Lilith” the cold ex-wife of Dr. Frasier Crane on both Cheers and Frasier. She has also been in a ton of movies, and various TV shows. Classic Hit: All That Jazz  

8) Gene Kelly: Technically Gene was a dancer-turned singer- and then turned actor, but who really cares? Gene, obviously an enormous talent for his time was one of, in my humble opinion, the best tap dancers ever. I am a HUGE fan of singing in the rain, but Gene also shined and showed his chops in movies like On the Town and An American in Paris. Classic hit: Singing in the Rain 

9) Sutton Foster: Ok yes, Sutton isn’t really a “screen star” yet, but Sutton is one of the greatest talents on broadway right now. She has an incredible vocal range and an amazing dancing ability. This leads me to believe that she can basically do whatever she wants (see Matthew Morrison’s career.) Classic Hit: Gimme Gimme 

10)(Marky) Mark Walhberg: Le sigh. I love Marky Mark so much. Did you guys realize that he was one of the original members of New Kids on the block but quit to make his own group Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch? Granted my husband thinks my opinion of his acting ability is clouded by my vision of his abs, but I think he is both adorable and a good actor. He can play it serious as evidenced by his role in (one of my least favorite films ever) Boogie Nights. He can play it funny in films like Date Night and The Good Guys. And I personally like him best in his action-y roles. Classic hit: Good Vibrations

Notably Bad Singer turned Actors:

1) Jennifer Lopez: Jenny from the block can sing, and dance, but I personally dislike every acting role she’s had and find her to be pretty one note as an actress. Terrible roles include Maid in Manhattan and Gigli.

2) Puff daddy/P.Diddy/Diddy/ Diddy Dirty Money: No monikers can help Diddy be a good actor. Don’t get me wrong, as a rapper- awesome, as a producer-awesome, as random hip-hop style dancer- awesome. But acting (as seen from his Hawaii 5-0 guest stint)- not so awesome.

3) Jessica Simpson: Employee of the Month. Need I say more?

Coldplay's new single

There is only one album set to release this year that I am more excited for than Lady Gaga's Born This Way and Kanye West and Jay Z's Watch the Throne. That album is Coldplay's Mylo Xyloto. Not only did i love EVERYTHING about their first single Every Teardrop is a Waterfall including the awesome stop motion video, but this new single called Paradise is just as good. Take a listen for yourself. 

Muppet's Post Addendum

Yesterday  I blogged about the Muppet's Green Album which features celebrity covers of some of their hits. Today Id like to post an addendum since OKGO just released their video for the Muppet Show theme song, and boy is it amazing. Not only do they combine classic muppet characters and elements, but they also use some of their best music videos as a backdrop for the video. 

Let me know your thoughts after you watch the video below!

Muppets the Green Album

When I opened up Aol Music today I found that the entire "Muppets Green Album" (a nod to the Beatles "White Album") was up for free listening. What I did not expect was that the entire album of Muppet's Classics (The Rainbow Connection, Manah Manah) are sung by contemporary artists the likes of OKGO and Weezer. You can check out the entire album yourself by clicking here, and leave your comments in the section below! I for one am loving it, but then again I am a huge muppets freak. 

Gaga debuts "You and I"

What are your thoughts?

Why you should be using Spotify:

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To request an invitation for Spotify click here and create your account today! Also if you are super cool and have a smart phone this can be added as an app!