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

Robyn - U Should Know Better (Feat. Snoop Dogg)

Remember Robyn's near flawless Body Talk trilogy from a couple years ago?  I still put all three albums into pop rotation every now and then.  On Body Talk Pt. 2, there was a collaboration with Snoop Dogg called "U Should Know Better".  It was Robyn fronting her nastiest attitude, think "Konichiwa Bitches", and reached maximum potential due to its somewhat humorous placement directly in front of the acoustic "Indestructible".

Now out of seemingly nowhere, Robyn has released a music video for the single.  It features a female equivalent to Snoop Dogg and the boy child reincarnation of Robyn.  Seriously, that kid has every signature Robyn dance move perfected.  His room is also decorated with a timeline of her career and personality.  It's the ideal treat to hold us over until Robyn releases some new material.

Keep reading to check out the pleasant surprise of a video...

My Favorite Albums Of 2010: Part Two

Ima Robot - Another Man's Treasure
After Alex Ebert's massively successful year with Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes, the singer decided to return to his former dance-punk band, Ima Robot.  The band's third album, Another Man's Treasure, strays from their distinct and distorted high energy sound.  Instead, the album sounds like the halfway point between Ima Robot and Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes.  There are long stretches of instrumentals within the album, giving the band a more fleshed out sound.  At times, you may think you're listening to a Bowie album.  Another Man's Treasure somehow sounds fresh and classic at the same time.

Sufjan Stevens - The Age Of Adz
During the climax of "I Want To Be Well", Sufjan Stevens shouts "I'm not ****ing around".  He wasn't joking.  The Age Of Adz is a jumble of genres and noises that concludes with a massive 25 minute track.  It is in no way a casual album.  Through the mix of symphonic instrumentations and electronic bleeps, Sufjan's conceptual album leaves a lasting impression.  The final track, "Impossible Soul", attracts many listeners for its long duration, but in reality the track sounds like a handful of separate singles carefully sewn together.  It's a fascinating way to end the album.  The Age Of Adz is a modern electro-folk adventure.

Scissor Sisters - Night Work
The cover artwork on Night Work may have you wondering, "What were they thinking?".  After hearing the album, you'll know exactly what the Scissor Sisters were thinking.  Night Work sounds like a disco revival, but in a good way.  Every track on the record could fill the dance floor immediately.  While the lyrics are so obviously sexual that it's funny, the band manages to keep the party going.  The album ends with "Invisible Light", complete with a "Thriller-esque" voiceover by Sir Ian McKellen.  Night Work is easily one of my most loved pop albums of 2010.

The previous nine albums on this list have been in no particular order, but what fun is a "Best Of" list if I don't name the absolute best?  The next three albums on the list have managed to entertain me throughout the year and still continue to shine.  I present to you... my three favorite records of 2010.

3. Janelle Monáe - The ArchAndroid
It's impossible to define The ArchAndroid within one genre.  The debut album from Janelle Monáe touches on classical, folk, R&B, pop, funk, and countless other genres.  As you follow the journey of the android creation, Cindi Mayweather, you learn that Monáe's style is unlike any other.  The record is separated into two suites.  Each half of the album starts with a cinematic introduction.  The radio friendly singles "Cold War" and "Tightrope" only show one side the singer's style.  The epic "BaBopBye Ya" ends the album with a bang and leaves you wanting more.  I'm eagerly awaiting the next part of Janelle Monáe's Metropolis story, but until then, The ArchAndroid is my third favorite album of 2010.

2. Robyn - Body Talk
2010 was Robyn's year.  She released three albums as the Body Talk series and became one of the leading pop artists for both indie and mainstream critics alike.  Body Talk collects the best of her three part series, all in one record.  The album is packed with, what should have been, 15 hit singles.  It's electronic, it's dance, but most of all, it's pop music.  As my favorite pop album of the year, Body Talk never gets boring.  From the spunky "Fembot" to the robotic "We Dance To The Beat", Robyn rose above the ranks of Katy Perry and Ke$ha with her fun and sophisticated Body Talk.  I predict that we'll continue to hear Robyn's distinct sound through the new year.

1. Vampire Weekend - Contra
This album was released all the way back in January.  I haven't stopped listening to it on a daily basis since then.  Vampire Weekend have a signature sound so unique that they're instantly recognizable.  Contra manages to surpass the band's outstanding self-titled 2008 debut.  Since that debut album, the band expanded their musical horizons into various new genres.  They even do the unthinkable by slathering "California English" in a puddle of auto-tune.  What starts as an airy yet bouncy record, Contra closes on a sporadic pair of tracks with "Diplomat's Son" and "I Think Ur A Contra".  Contra set the bar unbelievably high for every album this year and still holds the number one spot in my book.

What were your favorite albums of 2010? Leave a comment and let me know!

Robyn - Body Talk

Earlier this year, Robyn began a musical trilogy.  Titled "Body Talk", the series of albums was released over a span of about six months.  Each album contained approximately eight songs that dabbled in pop, dance, and electronic music.  Her newest release, and the end of the series, is named Body Talk.  Instead of releasing another album with under ten songs, the Swedish musician decided to put out a compilation record.  This album collects five songs from Body Talk Pt. 1, five songs from Body Talk Pt. 2, and five new songs that are technically Body Talk Pt. 3.

Body Talk begins with "Dancing On My Own", the first single from Pt. 1.  Being her most promoted song, it's a great choice for the album opener.  The record continues through two more Pt. 1 songs until you reach, "Indestructible".  A string covered acoustic version of this song had been released prior to this album, but the new fleshed out dance version brings a new light to the single.  "Time Machine", another new song, is the strongest of the five new tracks.  The song is already begging to get radio play.  "Time Machine" is definitely a hit.

The record does a good job of mixing new songs between the older tracks.  You never get too much of one album in a row.  If you already own Pt. 1 and Pt. 2 and have become familiar with the song order, then the track listing may take some time to settle in.

With compilations, song choice is always the most important factor for success.  Body Talk, for the most part, is outstanding.  The inclusion of the more experimental and instrumental tracks ("Don't ****ing Tell Me What To Do" and "We Dance To The Beat") seems risky, but it works.  The only real mistake is leaving out the standout track, "Criminal Intent", from Pt. 2.  "Cry When You Get Older" was another great track that's missing from the album.

At fifteen tracks long, Body Talk is pop music heaven.  There are enough hooks on this album to make even the biggest pop stars jealous.  Robyn's risky plan of releasing three albums within one year surprisingly and successfully worked.  She's now embarking on an international "Body Talk Tour" to celebrate.

If you already own Pt. 1 and Pt. 2, like many dedicated fans will, you can buy the EP version of this album titled Body Talk Pt. 3.  It contains only the five new songs and is available digitally everywhere and physically in select regions.  Here's the extended compilation version's track listing.

• 1. Dancing On My Own (Radio Version)
• 2. Fembot
• 3. Don't ****ing Tell Me What To Do
• 4. Indestructible
• 5. Time Machine
• 6. Love Kills
• 7. Hang With Me
• 8. Call Your Girlfriend
• 9. None of Dem (Feat. Röyksopp)
• 10. We Dance To The Beat
• 11. U Should Know Better (Feat. Snoop Dogg)
• 12. Dancehall Queen
• 13. Get Myself Together
• 14. In My Eyes
• 15. Stars 4-Ever

Body Talk is a satisfying end to the album trilogy.  I would definitely check it out if you love catchy pop, dance, and electronic music.  The five new tracks are just as strong as the past albums.  Maybe next time around Robyn will try to break the record again with five albums in a year.  One can only hope...

VMA 2010: My Favorite Moments

Yesterday was MTV's biggest night of the year. It was also a big night for several artists.  With Chelsea Handler hosting, the show was a mixed bag.  The first problem was Chelsea Handler.  I'll just get to the point, she wasn't funny.  The audience also seemed to be forcing fake laughter.  Ellen Degeneres' few moments onstage were better then Handler's.  The show did have several highlight's that made it worth while.  Here are my favorite moments.

Florence + The Machine performs "Dog Days Are Over"
This performance was by far the best, vocally.  Florence Welch's powerful voice was accompanied by a slew of dancers and lights.  The production of performance was also spot on.  This appearance may have sealed Florence + The Machine's success in the US.

2010 MTV Video Music Awards - More VMA Video

Taylor Swift sings "Innocent"
This was a moment that had received a lot of gossip before the show had even started.  Taylor wrote and performed "Innocent" from her upcoming album, Speak Now.  The song wasn't about how Kanye was a terrible person and she was still mad.  Instead she sang a tale of forgiving encouragement.  I thought it was great.

2010 MTV Video Music Awards - More VMA Video

Paramore, Bruno Mars, and B.o.B take the stage for a medley
This segment started with Bruno Mars singing the hook to "Nothin' On You".  The song then switched to "Airplanes" as Hayley Williams took the stage.  B.o.B then sealed the deal and connected the songs with his verses.  After the trio did their hip-hop piece, Hayley joined the rest of Paramore for a rendition of "The Only Exception".  The performance was full of hit singles and worked incredibly well.

2010 MTV Video Music Awards - More VMA Video

Lady Gaga sets records and reveals her next record
The winner of the night was Lady Gaga. She won eight awards, which beats Madonna's previous record.  The final moon man that she won was for Video Of The Year.  "Bad Romance" proved to be her key video.  As she took the stage, wearing a dress made of meat, she revealed to the world the title of her next album.  Holding back tears she announced "Born This Way" and sang a few lines of a new song.

2010 MTV Video Music Awards - More VMA Video

Those were the moments that stood out to me.  Many of the big names that took the stage sadly failed to impress me.  Do you agree with my choices?  Leave a comment telling me your favorite moments.  Did you like Kanye West or Nicki Minaj?  What about Eminem?  Which of Gaga's dresses was your favorite? Let me know!

Robyn - Body Talk Pt. 1

Robyn is a Swedish pop singer with a plan.  She's going to release, not one, but three albums this year.  In a series titled Body Talk, Robyn hopes to break from the traditional album cycle and create some great pop music at the same time.  Pt. 1 of the trilogy is being released this week.  At eight tracks long, the album contains a wide variety of genres.  While it's mostly pop focused, the album does hold its surprises.

The album starts off with "Don't F****** Tell Me What To Do".  The monotone repetition of Robyn stating waves of habits, objects, feelings, and people that are "killing her" is strangely effective as lyrical content.  The vocals are spoken over a dance-pop beat that sounds like a "Thriller" tribute during the title line finale.  After this intriguing intro, the promo single "Fembot" interrupts with its distinctive hook.  While the attraction of, "I've got some news for you, Fembots have feelings too.", you can't forget this song.  It''s a solid electro-pop tune that calls back to her previous hit, "Konichiwa B******".

The album continues into the first official single, "Dancing On My Own".  This single has already had decent success because of its moving chorus.  The song is definitely one highlight of the album.  The deep constant synth is a great driving beat for the song.  Robyn's music is always full of attitude, but it's usually aggressive and playful.  "Dancing On My Own" is deep and honest.  The next song, "Cry When You Get Older", continues the vibe of "Dancing On My Own".  It's less feisty and keeps the flowing ballad-like tempo.

The feeling changes completely with, "Dancehall Queen".  It has a reggae beat with pop synths.  An interesting combination, to say the least.  The song is very mellow, not much stands out.  It manages to keep your attention, but it is lacking.  The album picks back up with "None Of Dem".  This song features Röyksopp, and has an eerie melody.  The song is much more atmospheric than Robyn's usual hi-hat and snare filled anthems.

With the albums end closing in, "Hang With Me", an acoustic ballad, catches the listener off guard.  The soft song is made up of a piano, string section, and Robyn.  It's a beautiful song that really adds a needed element to the record.  The final song on the record is "Jag Vet en Dejlig Rosa".  The almost a cappella folk song is sung completely in Swedish.  It's extremely soothing and mysterious.  The lullaby closes the album amazingly.

To have an album that starts with a dance-pop song and ends with a traditional folk song is very peculiar.  To make it work out is even more peculiar.  Robyn has created a solid introduction to her Body Talk trilogy.  The album not only satisfies lovers of pop music, but it also sparks their interest in Robyn's unique album release plan.  I would check out Body Talk Pt. 1 if you enjoy pop music that is playful, with a mature side... when needed.  Robyn has a strong record with Body Talk Pt. 1.