This album was absolutely amazing to me! More than just music, it was a continuous listening experience expertly crafted by my favorite producer and my favorite Rock singer of all time. It was a critical disaster that received horrible press and was openly bashed by other Rock artists for its urban sensibilities, but I found it to be groundbreaking and refreshing in a world where so many things sound exactly alike. It’s become increasingly obvious that the distance between us all is shrinking with the advent of social networking and other communication related technologies. This was an album that incorporated so many musical genres, styles, and cultures I felt like it accurately reflected how small the world has become. I absolutely love Chris Cornell’s lyrical style and his vocals are stellar. The only rational explanation for this album’s lack of positive buzz: it was far, far ahead of its time.2. /\/\ /\ Y /\ - M.I.A.
Unlike Cornell’s Scream M.I.A.’s album MAYA received a ton of buzz in the beginning and was often touted as one of the most anticipated albums of 2010. Fans of her earlier work seemed a little bit critical of the way she presented this 3rd offering, saying it lacked the innovative edge of her previous 2. I did not agree. I thought it was a testament to her growth as an artist, and it pushed the envelope with both it’s production and lyrical content. I love albums that don’t sound like anything else that’s out at the time, but affect the sound of everything that comes after them. This was definitely one of those albums.
3. Morning – Amel Larrieux
I had to go back 6 years instead of 5 just to add this album to the list (it was released in 2006). I have been a fan of Ms. Larrieux since her days with Groove Theory and she has never let me down. This album was the pinnacle of that soaring ability to lift my spirits, make me laugh, make me dance, and make me think that she has. The production sounds like it was carefully crafted and influenced by music from all over the world, and the lyrics to every song are both memorable and meaningful. The thing that stands out the most to me about this album though, has to be Amel’s voice. It has this ethereal quality that is all at once accessible and intangible. Her next release is definitely on my most-anticipated list.4. Pebble to a Pearl – Nikka Costa
Nikka Costa may be the most underrated artist in music today, period. This particular album won me over because it was so authentic, so real, so soulful… it was just plain undeniable. Her vocals are powerful and confident, her lyrics are thoughtful and clever, and the production is a nod to everything that is good about the soul music of the 60’s and 70’s. What more could you ask for in an album?5. Transition – Ryan Leslie
I am a huge fan of R-Les, and this album was a perfect indication of why. He really brings musicality to the forefront of everything he does. As a producer he doesn’t necessarily push the envelope but he certainly does lick it and stamp it with his own signature brand of Pop-R&B. You get the impression that this guy could create a masterpiece with nothing more than a broom handle, some rusty piano wire, and an empty coffee can. He possesses many of the qualities I love in artists like Prince and Michel Jackson, and this album shows that he is not a one-hit-wonder fly-by-night type. This man is definitely on the fast track to legendary status.
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