Album roundup

[credoimprobus]

So seeing as it's practically November now, let's talk POPTIMIST ESSENTIALS. Or in other words put: what albums will it be beneficial to have heard once year-end polling season rolls around again?

(I'm especially keen to hear about any albums that came out between abt midsummer and the end of September, because that time really struck me as a POP BLACK HOLE. Mind, that may well have been because I spent that time period buried up to my ears in obscurist electronic bobbins, rather than an actual lack of Big Albums...)

Comments

[koganbot]

Haven't heard the Shakira, otherwise I'm endorsing what everyone else is giving multiple endorsements too. I missed the boat on Fearless last year, but those of you who vote in polls and aren't in the U.S. can justify voting it this year because of its British release, and I suppose in the U.S. one can as well since its singles have never stopped coming on this year's radio and there's a just out Deluxe version (which has three amazing tracks out of the six new, though one of the Amazings I'd had as a leak for years and a second is a re-working of a track that's already on the album). The fullness of that album's sound, of Taylor, overwhelm any reticence I'd had last year about the tunes, many of which are coming into their own as melodies anyway. Whether I put it on my list this year depends on how many other strong albums I've got. I've only seven listed so far that I think are vote-worthy, though I'm no longer much of an album hawk. Number seven, by the way, is:

Keri Hilson In A Perfect World

I agree with everyone else's complaints about the dullness or utter lack of Keri's musical personality. (I wouldn't say "utter lack" myself, since her singing has the same controlled precision her looks do, but when I think of how crawling with sex and insinuation Britney's sounded on Keri co-written material, I get frustrated hearing Keri's blankness.)

Also on my list:

Federation & TNT Federation Presents TNT (Timberlee, Natalie Storm & Tifa): Three The Hard Way

Haven't listened in about nine months, to tell you the truth, and being a mixtape it's all over the place in quality, but it has a glorious remake of "Kuff," and the adorable "Heels."

[koganbot]

"Deluxe Edition" is actually "Platinum Edition."

[koganbot]

Er, and I suppose I should note that the Hilson album simply has too many good songs for me not to consider it.

[credoimprobus]

The Hilson is (possibly obviously) technically also on my list, but since I haven't gone back to it in several months I didn't feel entirely comfortable listing it here. I really need to listen to it again!