Top 10: Albums

Hey and thanks for sticking with me! Today I'm going to do another Top 10 - this time, for albums. There is no better feeling than finding an album that you become obsessed with, where every track fills you with emotion, excitement and comfort and that's why this is a very special list to me. These albums have been selected in terms of the work as a whole: I have other albums that I love but aren't quite as consistently great throughout. Some, of course, are based in nostalgia and so I will be as honest as I can in terms of the album's proficiency and content. Let me know if you agree, disagree or have any additions!

* = Favourite track

10. Love in the Future (2013) John Legend

Sourced at: https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/love-in-the-future-deluxe-edition/679297685

What is it?

Legend's fourth studio album (it's predecessors are pretty great, also). With Kanye West as an executive producer and features such as Kimbra and Rick Ross, a slightly edgier and more hip-hop influenced album was both expected and delivered. With heavy beats, eerie sampling and Legend's warm, soulful voice, the album is a mix of soul, hip hop and pop ballads - an intricate mix that is made credible by Legend's extraordinary voice and talent for songwriting. The album has a vintage aura and is very cohesive as a collective piece of work - with the infamous ballad 'All of Me' being the only track that feels a little outside of the collection (but it is timeless and heartwarming).

Skip To: The Beginning*, All of Me and Save the Night.

Rating: ★★★☆☆

9. Wicked Man's Rest (2007)

Passenger

What is it?

British folk-rock band Passenger's debut studio album (before band member Phillips departed and Rosenberg continued on as a solo singer under the same name). The style of the album is a melting pot of soft-rock, acoustic folk and occasionally a little pop punk, with thought-provoking lyrics packed with allegory and wisdom. The instrumentation of each song varies, with the acoustic guitar a staple throughout. 'Needle in the Dark' features smoky, muted horns that give an eerie sense of mystery. The instrumentation is generally quite scattered, with tinkling glockenspiels, eerie music box sounds, scattered arpeggios, mournful violins, sampled telephone rings and even owl sounds with occasional intense emergences of electric guitar and heavy bass. Rosenberg's voice is a warm, soft tenor with folk inflections that give the tracks a sense of home-grown charm. The real standout aspect of the album is the songwriting, seen prominently on tracks such as 'Walk You Home' and 'Do What You Like', which tells a story so vivid that it is impossible not to picture a lonely boy chasing a girl who treats him as a doormat.

Skip To: Walk You Home*, Do What You Like*, You're On My Mind and Needle In The Dark.

Rating: ★★★★☆

8. Souled Out (2014) Jhene Aiko

Sourced at: https://djbooth.net/features/jhene-aiko-souled-out-review

What is it?

Jhene Aiko burst onto the scene in 2014 with what can only be described as the most relaxing masterpiece around. Based in the region of Alternative R&B, Aiko's debut album shows a depth and intelligence that is becoming more of a rarity in such genres. The album fuses synth, pop, R&B, hip hop, soul and electronica effortlessly, with Aiko's voice as the real standout element. Her soft, honey-like voice drizzles over slow electronic beats, rarely breaking a sweat and without over-exaggerated vocal gymnastics or unnecessary riffs. Souled Out is the auditory equivalent of laying on a beach or in a bubble bath after a long day - relaxing, comforting and full of warmth.

Skip To: W.A.Y.S, Spotless Mind*, Wading, To Love & Die and Eternal Sunshine

Rating: ★★★★✩

7. O (2002)

Damien Rice

What is it?

The critically acclaimed O was recorded in a mobile studio set up by Rice's second cousin and that tells you how authentic this album is. Rice's desire to keep his artistic integrity (he refused backing from any major record label) is evident throughout also. Nothing has been interfered with or commercialised and the result is stunning. Rice's pained voice soars over folk-laden acoustic guitar and violin supported with subtle harmonisation from Lisa Hannigan. Rice's stunning talent for lyricism shines brightly throughout O, with the album's thematic ideas revolving around love, loss and pain. There are choirs, crashing crescendos of emotion (see the quick switch of dissonant, searing vulnerability and rage in the last 2 minutes of 'I Remember'), layering of voices and heartbreaking lyrics ('Delicate' in particular, is so tender and raw that you can feel it weighing heavily on your chest almost instantly).

Skip To: Cheers Darlin'*, Delicate*, I Remember, Sleep Don't Weep and Cannonball. Honestly, there isn't a 'lesser' track on 'O'.

Rating: ★★★★★

6. Mind, Body and Soul (2004) / Introducing Joss Stone (2007)

Joss Stone

What are they?

Firstly, apologies for the double surprise. Joss Stone is one of my favourite artists and can't choose between these two albums in particular. Mind, Body and Soul was Stone's eagerly awaited sophomore album, following on from her debut of cover songs. One of the voices of the century, Stone's vocals really carry the album. The album earned 3 Grammy award nominations and catapulted the singer to super-stardom. The album itself was the soundtrack to my childhood and teenage years and is hugely nostalgic for me. Stone's smoky, soulful signature vocals are supported by jazz and bluesy undertones reimagined as pop music, heavy, breathy choruses and hippie inspired songs such as 'Don't Cha Wanna Ride?'. Stone's youthful inexperience shows in some of the lyrics, such as 'I keep our song on repeat / On my Ipod / Even when I sleep' but the album generally is a mature, well-crafted and at times, very touching, piece of work (see 'Spoiled', where Stone's maturity and incredible voice are really showcased).

Fast-forward 3 years and we have Introducing Joss Stone. The album was entitled this as Stone saw this album as the true reveal of her personal influences, assuming creative control and showing us more personal authenticity. Introducing is a much more soulful endeavour, matching Stone's voice more authentically. With funk elements and a constant undertone of groove (Lauren Hill is a really pleasant addition on Music), the album is polished, more mature, intricately soulful and impossible not to dance to.

Skip To:Mind, Body and Soul - Spoiled, Jet Lag and Snakes and Ladders.. Introducing Joss Stone - Tell Me What We're Gonna Do Now*, Music*, Baby Baby Baby, Girl They Won't Believe It etc (there are no less than amazing songs on this album, FYI).

Ratings: ★★★★✩ and ★★★★★

5. Born To Die (2012) Lana Del Rey

Sourced at: https://itunes.apple.com/mx/album/born-to-die/493341469?l=en

What is it?

Soulful, badass, pessimistic, melancholy, stylised, cinematic, dark, catchy and above all cool, Born To Die was the standout album of 2012. Singer-songwriter Lizzie Grant croons and swoons over hip-hop beats and swelling strings with a cinematic quality that transports the listener into a 1950s movie. The genre of the album has been difficult to define by many reviewers, with comparisons to genres such as trip-hop and indie and this is what makes the album so magical. It's not really similar to anything you'll have heard before. Del Rey raps and sings about drugs, boys, movie stars and croons with nostalgia about the failure of the American Dream with a cool swagger that is truly enchanting.

Skip To: Born To Die, Off to the Races, Radio, Diet Mountain Dew, Summertime Sadness... I would actually just list the whole album. For the sake of ease, my only two more 'meh' tracks are Carmen and Million Dollar Man.

Rating: ★★★★★

4. Hand Built by Robots (2007) Newton Faulkner

Sourced at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hand_Built_by_Robots

What is it? One of the most talented guitarists and live performers around, Faulkner's Hand Built by Robots is an indie/folk/alternative/pop-rock experience that is uplifting, thought-provoking, warm and humorous. Upbeat numbers such as 'Gone in the Morning' will make you smile,thoughtful numbers such as 'Uncomfortably Slow' and 'All I Got' are more pensive and numbers such as 'Full Fat' provide a tongue in cheek social commentary in the most upbeat way possible. Think a British Jack Johnson meets Damien Rice, add in some positivity, folksy riffs, blues scat-like singing and you've got Hand Built By Robots.

Skip to: Gone in the Morning*, Dream Catch Me, Full Fat*, Teardrop and People Should Smile More. Again though, every track is outstanding shows Faulkner's virtuosic gift for Guitar.

Rating: ★★★★★

3. Songs About Jane (2002) / It Won't Be Soon Before Long (2007) Maroon 5

What are they?

Once again, I can't choose. Songs About Jane is the debut album from pop-rock band Maroon 5. The album's soulful vocals blend with the funk inspired tracks, riding over an almost sultry undertone throughout. From the heavier, rockier depths of 'Harder to Breathe' to the upbeat, jazz-inspired 'Sunday Morning', the album was well-received commercially, and with good reason. Catchy with well-conceived lyrics and memorable hooks, this album is truly one of my favourites.

It Won't Be Soon Before Long followed 5 years later and showed the band's growth. With more intricate lyrics and melodies, this album is more consistent for me in terms of that excitement when hearing every track on an album.. Slightly slicker (and some might argue more commercialised), Maroon 5 really hit their stride here, in my opinion. More R&B infused tracks with their signature funky hooks, this album contains more thoughtful lyrics and melancholy tracks such as 'Goodnight Goodnight' and 'Better That We Break'. In keeping with Songs About Jane, the album is a blue-eyed soul influenced pop album with punch.

Skip to: Songs About Jane: Harder to Breathe, This Love, Sunday Morning*, She Will Be Loved, Must Get Out, Sweetest Goodbye and Through With You.

It Won't Be Soon Before Long: Almost every song is 10/10 from me. My two standouts are Won't Go Home Without You* and Kiwi*.

Ratings: ★★★★.5 and ★★★★★

2. Breakaway (2004) / Meaning of Life (2017)

Kelly Clarkson

What are they? I would apologise for another double, but for Kelly Clarkson, I am not sorry. It's easy to judge prematurely, as Clarkson famously won television talent competition American Idol but her work is far removed from this experience. Breakaway is entitled so as it marks Clarkson's move away from being 'the American Idol girl'. Clarkson collaborated with industry giant Glen Ballard (Thrilled, Stripped, Jagged Little Pill etc) and the result was incredible. Breakaway marks the singer moving away from her industry-imposed glossy R&B to a pop-rock album full of meaty choruses, incredible vocal performances and gut-wrenchingly cynical and bitter lyrics ('Because Of You' was written by Clarkson at 15 years old during her parents divorce). Critics agree that Kelly Clarkson has some of the best vocal talent of this Century and this hammers home the intense rock ballads on Breakaway. An emotional, heart-wrenching, mature album, this is my 2nd favourite album of all time and inspires me endlessly.

Moving onto the present, Meaning of Life was one of those rare albums (well, not so rare for Kelly Clarkson) that had me hooked instantly. Having been through the intense rock phase of My December to the pop-punk inspired All I Ever Wanted, MOL is the most mature and polished Clarkson has ever sounded. From swooning ballads such as 'Move You' to pop classic 'Love So Soft', this album is full of incredibly written, produced and performed tracks. Moving back towards her R&B beginnings, this is lightyears ahead of where she started. Full of gospel choirs, blues and soul inspired belting choruses and sultry, sassy numbers (see 'Slow Dance' and 'Whole Lotta Woman'), Clarkson just gets better and better.

Skip to: Breakaway: Addicted*, Because of You*, Behind These Hazel Eyes*, Breakaway, Since U Been Gone, Where is your Heart and Beautiful Disaster. Meaning of Life: Would You Call That Love*, Love So Soft, Slow Dance*, Move You

Ratings: ★★★★★ and ★★★★★

1. Jagged Little Pill (1995) Alanis Morissette

Sourced at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jagged-Little-Pill-Alanis-Morissette/dp/B000002MY3

What is it? Well, here comes the big one. Critically renowned as one of the best albums of all time, Jagged Little Pill is a masterpiece. Revolutionary in it's time, Morissette broke down all preconceptions of women in music. Up against relentless sexism (she was told to 'fuck off and have some kind of life' by The Guardian), Jagged Little Pill showed that women could be aggressive, angry, bitter, vengeful and capable of intricate thought. There is a reason you will have heard so much about this album - even today, in 2018, this album stands strong and comes highly recommended by just about everybody. Morissette's grunge-rock and acoustic style interspersed with raw lyrics showcasing searing vulnerability spoke for millions of women across the world who weren't being heard., Morissette spoke for all 20-something women in a world full of patriarchy, injustice and heartbreak who had just about had enough. Heavy, thrashing guitar, harmonica and Morissette's spitting of lyrics such as 'Are you thinking of me when you f*** her?' makes for an empowering, heart-wrenching and emotionally devastating piece of art that will be admired for years to come.

Skip To: Don't skip. Take it all in. You will not be sorry. My absolute favourites are You Oughta Know*, All I Really Want*, Not The Doctor*, Right Through You*, You Learn* and Head Over Feet*.

Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★ (I got a little carried away but it's true!)