Our staff reporter, Jack Kaup, counts down his top 10 albums of last year.
10) Lionel Richie – “Tuskegee”
Everyone seems to be jumping on the country bandwagon, even R&B legend Lionel Richie. Nevertheless, this album is stacked with great country artists from Blake Shelton to country queen Shania Twain. The caliber of musicians alone makes it a good album, and the music isn’t bad itself.
9) Fiona Apple – “The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do”
The album title alone should earn 5 -10 minutes of your time, but be prepared to be touched in a place in your heart you may not want to be touched. “Every Single Night” gives me nightmares and “Hot Knife” is like a cool, freakishly large thumb at the end of the album. Fiona has changed quite a lot since her debut “Tidal” (which I highly recommend). She’s grown from a alternative pop act to an obscure indie jazz artist, if that even exists.
8) Muse – “The 2nd Law”
It was a weak year for rock, but Britain’s best prog rockers put in a good effort with The 2nd Law. The band tried to go for an electronic and dub step approach for their sixth album, apparent on “Unsustainable.” “Panic Station” sports a funky and deranged vocals by Matt Bellamy while “Madness” is a U2-esque ballad. Seriously though, what happened to rock?
7) Alabama Shakes – “Boys & Girls”
Yes, “Hold On” played in the hallway half a billion times. Yes, their female lead vocalist sounds like a man and doesn’t look like Taylor Swift. But the level of emotion is high, which usually leads to some good music. I can see how Brittany Howard’s vocals could be a little overpowering to some and how the blues vibe (especially on “You Ain’t Alone”) can get a little bland after a while. The exciting part is they still have room to grow as a band and could do so nicely in the coming years.
6) Bruno Mars – “Unorthodox Jukebox”
I’m not going to think about that certain lyric concerning Bruno Mars in Tyler, the Creator’s “Yonkers” after listening to this album. Instead I will think about the opening track “Young Girls” and “Locked Out of Heaven,” a song where I can picture Michael Jackson and The Police performing it. It’s really simple: The Smeezingtons get how pop music works.
5) John Mayer – “Born and Raised”
You are insane if you think John Mayer has changed for the worst. He still sings like no other male artist can and still romances some of the hottest women in Hollywood. His first effort since his granuloma problems cites heavy Americana influences. I am a sucker for obscurity, so “Walt Grace’s Submarine Test, January 1967” would have to be my favorite track. I think Bob Dylan would be proud of this album.
4) Esperanza Spalding – “Radio Music Society”
That girl with the afro and giant wood guitar thingy who upset beliebers everywhere when she won Best New Artist at the 2010 Grammy’s is uber talented (and has three more Grammy noms to prove it). “Cinnamon Tree” is truly stunning and “City of Roses” is a much needed love song about Portland. There hasn’t been a superstar jazz artist since Sade (ask your parents about her), and if there will be one soon, it’ll be Esperanza.
3) GOOD Music – “Cruel Summer”
Though technically a compilation album and that Kanye is officially insane, this monstrosity features some of the best in the rap game (“You know 2 Chainz? Scrrr!”). “Clique,” “Don’t Like” (I know, technically a remix) and especially “Mercy” have become, dare I say it, household songs over the past year. “To the World” features a mad R. Kelly and a legendary verse from Kanye. But who cares, I honestly can’t wait to see Kimye’s baby.
2) Jack White – “Blunderbuss”
Jack White’s first solo effort was the only album I was actually looking forward to this year. Except for the in-your-face “Sixteen Saltines,” the album stuck mostly to blues and folk elements throughout. “Freedom at 21” has an intricate drum beat while the title track is a ballad for the greatest hits album. It’s a fantastic album but not as good as…
1) Frank Ocean – “channel ORANGE”
I barely knew who Frank Ocean was last summer. But for weeks, maybe months after the album’s release, Flea, bassist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers who I am a huge fan, would not stop tweeting his praise for this guy’s music. After a while I decided to listen to “Bad Religion.” I was impressed by the heavy lyrics and soft falsetto portions. Then I heard “Thinkin’ Bout You” and that was it, I was hooked. I slowly worked my way through the rest of the album, enjoying every verse and chorus, and when I finished my low-cut socks were knocked clean off. “Pyramids” is an R&B opera equivalent to Green Day’s “Jesus of Suburbia.” Appearances from his Odd Future brethren, John Mayer and André 3000 bring the album a little extra flare. I may be going too far, but Frank Ocean could be the Kurt Cobain of this new kind of R&B.
By: Jack Kaup