The Soundtrack Of My Life's Top 25 Albums Of 2014

25. Kylie Minogue - Kiss Me Once

24. Neon Trees - Pop Psychology

23. Haunted Hearts - Initiation
22. Paloma Faith - A Perfect Contradiction

21. Spoon - They Want My Soul
20. 2NE1 - Crush

19. Beck - Morning Phase

18. Röyksopp & Robyn - Do It Again

17. The Drums - Encyclopedia

16. Dum Dum Girls - Too True

15. Kiesza - Sound Of A Woman

14. RAC - Strangers

13. Taylor Swift - 1989

12. Lykke Li - I Never Learn

11. Bleachers - Strange Desire

10. Betty Who - Take Me When You Go

9. Lana Del Rey - Ultraviolence

8. Karen O - Crush Songs 

7. Trust - Joyland

 

6. La Roux - Trouble In Paradise

5. Imogen Heap - Sparks

4. Banks - Goddess

3. St. Vincent - St. Vincent

2. Tori Amos - Unrepentant Geraldines

1. Beyoncé - Beyoncé

The Soundtrack Of My Life's Top 25 Albums Of 2013

Oh, what a wonderful time 2013 has been!  As another year comes to an end, we look back and realize just how many fantastic albums were released.  Along with the arrival of a new year comes the treacherously amusing task of creating a "best of" list.  This year I've even included clickable album titles, so you can grab each one if you feel the urge.  So without further delay, here are The Soundtrack Of My Life's top twenty-five albums of 2013.

25. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Push The Sky Away

24. Hunx And His Punx - Street Punk
23. Bastille - Bad Blood
22. Sky Ferreira - Night Time, My Time
21. Devendra Banhart - Mala
20. Arctic Monkeys - AM
19. Autre Ne Veut - Anxiety
18. Ra Ra Riot - Beta Love
17. Tegan And Sara - Heartthrob
16. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Mosquito
15. Sleigh Bells - Bitter Rivals
14. Small Black - Limits Of Desire
13. Pet Shop Boys - Electric
12. Icona Pop - This Is...
11. CHVRCHES - The Bones Of What You Believe

10. Vampire Weekend - Modern Vampires Of The City

9. Haim - Days Are Gone

8. M.I.A. - Matangi

7. Savages - Silence Yourself

6. Lorde - Pure Heroine

5. Kate Nash - Girl Talk

4. Doldrums - Lesser Evil

3. Goldfrapp - Tales Of Us

2. James Blake - Overgrown

1. David Bowie - The Next Day

Best Albums Of 2012: #20 - 11

The Soundtrack Of My Life's "Best Of 2012" list is finally here!  2012 was full of so many amazing albums, so this list was a challenging task.  I know I say that every year, but I really mean it this time.  I've decided to cut the list to twenty albums instead of my usual overflow.  Due to that limiting factor, quite a few albums that I adored will not be featured here.  Survival of the fittest!  Another new element is that instead of a top five, I've actually ranked each individual album on the list.  With all of this said, let's get started!  Here's the first part of the "Best Albums Of 2012" list...

20. Marina And The Diamonds - Electra Heart

Marina And The Diamonds suffers from the same symptoms as Robyn in the United States.  They're both amazing pop artists, (Let's be honest, though. Robyn is to Beyoncé as Marina is to Kelly Rowland.)  but they can't seem to achieve a superstar level of success in the mainstream market.  As far as alter egos and musical characters go, Marina is dedicated to Electra Heart.  With tracks such as "Teen Idle", "Radioactive", and "The State Of Dreaming", Electra Heart is solid pop polished to its finest form.

19. Paloma Faith - Fall To Grace

Paloma Faith could and should be the next Adele sensation of America.  She has the voice and the style, and as an added bonus, "Picking Up The Pieces" is a "Rolling In The Deep" sized anthem.  Fall To Grace is powered by Paloma's powerhouse vocals and some wise production choices.  "Let Me Down Easy" might be under three minutes, but with its thundering bass and smokey vocals, it stands out as a shining highlight.

18. Trust - TRST

Right around the mark of 1:07 during "Shoom", the first track on TRST, there's a moment that hits me so hard every single time I hear it.  It's ridiculously haunting, and at that very instant Robert Alfons, the man behind Trust, has claimed you to himself for the entirety of the record.  TRST is a dark electro album that sounds like something from the more mysterious side of 80's new wave music.  Just look at that album cover and tell me you're not already hooked.  This album is such a magnificent debut for Trust.

17. Scissor Sisters - Magic Hour

Let's have a kiki!  Scissor Sisters fourth album, Magic Hour, is the follow up to 2010's Night Work, aka "that album with the guy's butt on the cover".  Honestly, I wore out Magic Hour towards the first half of 2012.  It was on repeat so often that I had to take a break from it.  It was just recently while creating this list that I started playing it again.  From the classic Scissor Sisters vibes of "Baby Come Home" to the electro-rap sounds of "Fuck Yeah", I really do love Magic Hour.  But the real star of the show is "Let's Have A Kiki".  I can't even begin to tell you how many people in my Twitter stream were ranting about having a kiki.  It was the summer hit that never managed to break into the US charts, aside from the Hot Dance Club chart where it went number one.

16. Crystal Castles - (III)

(III) is actually the first Crystal Castles album that I've listened to.  I know, call me a bad blogger/hipster/listener of music.  I've traveled back since then and listened to their previous releases, so you can't say I don't try.  With that said, I absolutely fell in love with this album.  I so desperately want to experience this album in a live setting.  Everything is chaos and I never want it to stop.

15. The xx - Coexist

This album received some mixed feedback and critics claimed that it was too similar to their debut album, but I feel like Coexist is an ideal sophomore record for The xx.  The xx manage to execute minimalism brilliantly.  It's more of an atmospheric record rather than one you may pop on as a crowd pleaser.  Be advised that I don't know what kind of crowds you hang out with.  With some of the year's most sensual vocal work, Coexist is beautiful.

14. Zedd - Clarity

I'm calling it now, Zedd is the electronic producer to watch out for in 2013.  He's already worked on a song with Justin Bieber and Nicki Minaj, which may not be such a great thing, and he's currently producing Lady Gaga's upcoming ARTPOP album.  His debut solo record may feature standout vocalists such as Ellie Goulding and Matthew Koma, but it's Zedd's solo tracks that glue the record together.  Clarity adds more to the genre than the other players in Zedd's realm of electronic production.  SHAVE IT UP!

13. fun. - Some Nights

The radio can really kill a song.  "We Are Young" and "Some Nights" have to be two of the most overplayed singles in every media format that existed during 2012.  With that unfortunate fact, fun.'s second album was a monumental step for the band.  They went from a group that found their home in the Fueled By Ramen crowd to one of the biggest pop acts in the country.  The album shows it, too.  Every track could be a hit and they made a few risky moves with songs like "One Foot" and "Stars".  Lucky for them, it paid off.

12. Bat For Lashes - The Haunted Man

While I'm not making a "best singles" list, "Laura" was definitely one of my favorite songs from 2012.  Natasha Khan's piano ballad is so beautiful that is almost overshadows the rest of the album, which is perfectly outstanding as well.  I could easily write paragraphs about that one song, but this is about The Haunted Man, an album that even further solidifies Bat For Lashes' discography.

11. The Killers - Battle Born

Ever since the release of Hot Fuss, The Killers have earned a spot as of one of my all time favorite bands.  That's not to say that they haven't had their ups and downs through the years.  I had a slip in faith when Day & Age came out.  But if it's one thing that I've learned, it's that every Killers album is a grower.  At the beginning of the year, I had projected that Battle Born would top this list.  While it instead sits at number eleven, Battle Born contains some soon to be Killers classics.  Just as I now love Day & Age, I'll probably love Battle Born even more a few years down the road.

My Favorite Albums Of 2011: Part 3

It's New Year's Eve and this is officially the last post of 2011.  I've had a great year of blogging about the twists and turns of my musical life.  There were amazing albums and then there were some less fortunate records.  I had the chance to talk to some of you readers, which is always wonderful.  Many thanks to both the readers and the artists I was able to chat with and write about this year.

This post is also the last part of my "Favorite Albums Of 2011" list.  Just to refresh your mind, this is how the countdown is going so far...

Honorable Mentions

Active Child - You Are All I See

Alexander - Self Titled

Beyoncé - 4

Gotye - Making Mirrors

James Blake - Self Titled

The Joy Formidable - The Big Roar

Nicolas Jaar - Space Is Only Noise

SebastiAn - Total

St. Vincent - Strange Mercy

Zola Jesus - Conatus

Ellie Goulding - Lights

Top 20

Penguin Prison - Self Titled

Cults - Self Titled

Glasvegas - EUPHORIC /// HEARTBREAK \\\

Björk - Biophilia

Girls - Father, Son, Holy Ghost

Kimbra - Vows

CSS - La Liberación

Feist - Metals

Florence + The Machine - Ceremonials

The Black Keys - El Camino

Here's the remainder of the top twenty...

Patrick Wolf - Lupercalia

My summer was filled with Patrick Wolf's optimistic album.  I think this may be the best record he's released.  It focuses heavily on themes of love and friendship, basically the idea of a soulmate.  I absolutely loved this album for it's ability to capture those themes in a mature way.  It sounds real and that's why Lupercalia works so well.

The Kills - Blood Pressures

The Kills are one of the most stylish rock bands currently making music.  When you see or hear them, they're instantly recognizable.  Alison Mosshart is also leading the pack of female performers in rock music.  She fronts multiple bands without fault.  "Heavier" may not be the right word to describe Blood Pressures when comparing it to their last record.  Sure, it's heavy, but it mostly sounds fleshed out and full.  Blood Pressures is complete, ballads and all.

Mr. Dream - Trash Hit

Trash Hit is the debut album from Brooklyn's Mr. Dream.  They're a mix of punk rock and all of its pesky sub-genres.  You may think you've pegged them as one type of music, until they switch it up yet again.  This record has that "garage rock" production sound, and it also has some insanely catchy hooks.  I like to pop it on whenever I'm in the mood for some carefree, and a little crazy, music.

LIGHTS - Siberia

LIGHTS has come a long way since her light and airy debut album.  This time around, her music is heavier with less strictly pop elements and more electronic ventures.  She also tried her hand at the dubstep game, just barely.  Siberia's beats are crunchy and distorted, while the melodies remain as solid as ever.

Le Butcherettes - Sin Sin Sin

This band is one of my most exciting discoveries of 2011.  Le Butcherettes play insane political rock music.  Led by Teri Gender Bender, live shows often involve fake blood and sometimes include raw meat.  But it's not all stage antics.  Sin Sin Sin has raw power and sounds incredibly current.  I expect to see big things from Le Butcherettes in 2012.

M83 - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming

Who hasn't heard "Midnight City" by now?  M83 wins the "catchiest synth melody of the year" award.  What's even better is that Hurry Up, We're Dreaming is just as solid.  I'm tempted to describe the record as "dreamy", but that's too obvious, isn't it?  That's really the first thought that comes to mind, though. The album is nostalgic and blurred, just like a dream.

Foo Fighters - Wasting Light

If you read my review of the Foo Fighters show I went to, then you already know how much I love this album.  The Foo Fighters have somehow managed to consistently release album after album without having a real dud mixed in there.  I can't say that for a decent amount of bands who started in the nineties.  Now the record is up for Album Of The Year at the Grammys.  2011 was a massive year for this band.

The time has arrived for some numerical rankings!  Those make everything more interesting, don't they?  Here are my three favorite albums of 2011...

3. Adele - 21

Yes, Adele.  She sort of dominated the world of music this year, and rightfully so.  21 is a mostly heartbroken collection of songs, all focused on the same guy.  You've probably already heard the record, seeing as it's the best selling album of the year.  If not, then I suggest you join the crowd.  

2. Lykke Li - Wounded Rhymes

Each of my top three records have one thing in common, I never get tired of them.  No matter how many times I listened to Wounded Rhymes, I kept coming back for more.  I'm even guilty of multiple listens back to back.  That's a real feat.  Lykke Li's voice is just as demanding as the glare in her eyes.  No really, check out the music video for "Get Some".  Those eyes.

1. Lady Gaga - Born This Way

If you're a regular reader of the blog, this probably came as no surprise.  Otherwise, you may be shaking your head.  When it comes to current pop music, I place Lady Gaga above all.  I really do think she's ten steps ahead of the other pop stars and divas, just look at the cultural impact.  Born This Way's production is outrageous and the music is campy.  There's an overwhelming theme of self-impowerment mixed with feminism, sexuality, and equality.  Both Brian May and Clarence Clemons perform on the album.  At seventeen songs long, Born This Way is a wild ride on the back of that half-Gaga motorcycle, and that's why it's my favorite album of 2011.

As always, I love hearing what you think.  Did I forget any amazing records?  What are your favorite albums of 2011? Leave a comment and let me know!

My Favorite Albums Of 2011: Part 2

It's time for part two of my "Favorite Albums Of 2011" list.  The last post featured ten (plus one bonus) albums that didn't quite make it into my top twenty.  My top twenty is mostly unranked, aside from the final three records.  The way I see it, is there really that big of a difference between my twelfth and eleventh favorite albums of the year?  For that reason, I've kept specific numbers out of the game until three, two, and one.  Let's get into it... 

Penguin Prison - Self Titled

After collecting a variety of Chris Glover's singles and remixes over the past two years, I anticipated this album for months.  Penguin Prison's self-titled debut is one of the most upbeat and fun records I heard all year.  It's pop, but not your usual club bangers.  There's just this sound that he has, and you can hear it on his remixes too.  The "Penguin Prison" sound.  I love it.

Cults - Self Titled

I was initially attracted to this album purely for aesthetic reasons.  While browsing new through some new releases, I stumbled upon Cults' debut.  It just looked like something I would be into.  As randomly predicted, I found it to be an amazing album.  "You Know What I Mean" is the album's centerpiece.  That song perfectly demonstrates Cults' ability to mix the old with the new.

Glasvegas - EUPHORIC /// HEARTBREAK \\\

I feel like the order of songs on EUPHORIC /// HEARTBREAK \\\ could be reversed and you would have a completely different album.  Instead of a decline, the album would progress from the lows of "Change" and "I Feel Wrong (Homosexuality Pt. 1)", finally ending with their anthem of a single, "The World Is Yours".  This record couldn't have a more appropriate name.  It pulls at you with oddly comforting themes of longing and loneliness, but the production is so massive and truly euphoric.

Björk - Biophilia

My feelings on Biophilia are constantly changing.  It seems to have a polarizing effect.  The majority of the album consists of harps, bells, and any other twinkling instrument.  Sure, there are some beat driven moments, such as "Mutual Core".  But for the most part, Björk is howling about her extraterrestrial days of collecting minerals on Venus.  It's a strange concept that had me wondering what goes on in this Icelandic singer's mind.

Girls - Father, Son, Holy Ghost

I'm actually late to the Girls party.  Around the release of Father, Son, Holy Ghost, I also started listening to their debut.  "Lust For Life" is on my regular playlist and I blast it more than one would like to admit.  With that said, they quickly became one of my most listened to acts of 2011.  If I were to make a list that combined the concept of NME's "Cool" list and Barbara Walters' "Most Fascinating People" list, Christopher Owens would most definitely be a headliner.

Kimbra - Vows

After the "Kimbra weekend" feature earlier this year, this singer from New Zealand is a common sight on The Soundtrack Of My Life.  Her debut album hasn't been released in the US yet, but I predict good things for Kimbra when that day arrives.  Vows manages to create a pop sound without giving into any of today's gimmicks or trends.  Add in her jazzy stylings and a vocal range to kill for, and you have an outstanding record.

CSS - La Liberación

After two albums, it finally seems like CSS found an appropriate balance between the danceable sound of their debut and the more rock oriented sound of Donkey.  You may still have trouble taking them seriously, but that's the best part.  Plus, any album with a Mike Garson piano solo automatically gets bonus points in my book.

Feist - Metals

I love "1234" just as much as the next person, but I feel like Feist thrives the most when she slows down the tempo a bit.  She did just that on Metals.  It's still a powerful album, just not in the big band sing-along way.  The closing track, "Get It Wrong, Get It Right", is possibly one of the best songs in her catalog.

Florence + The Machine - Ceremonials

From the first song to the final note, Ceremonials is a bellowing album with enough hooks to satisfy the most restless of listeners.  Florence Welch kept her winning formula of Lungs and expanded it to twice the size.  She sounds like a choir and remains one of the biggest voices in pop music. 

The Black Keys - El Camino

Can we just take a moment to appreciate the genius that is the "Lonely Boy" music video?  If that doesn't convince you to give the album a listen, then I'm not sure what will do the trick.  There are tributes to Led Zeppelin on "Little Black Submarines" and I hear Bowie on "Sister".  I bet you'll never be able to listen to "Lonely Boy" without having a mental image of that dancing man.

Check back soon for the third and final installment including my top three albums of 2011.