251. Favorites of 2011: Music ...
Unfortunately, unlike the previous couple of years, I didn't feel like I find as many new music as I wanted to. I haven't used Last.fm features for quite a long time. I haven't listened to many music albums in full. In FACT, most of the songs I fell in love with this year are either single or those one-off soundtrack I listened to from TV-shows, such as the electronica/trip hop music of CSI: NY or the country songs from Hart of Dixie. I haven't listened to radio for months and I don't really use youtube for song search. So my musical experience this year is rather limited to singles. That is why I decided to skip the whole "music discovery" category this year ... there aren't enough NEW musicians for me to discover.
Having said that, there are few albums that make it to my list here because they are simply amazing. It's a combination of full albums and soundtracks because, well, good soundtrack is good music. Without further ado, this is my favorite music (album) of 2011:
001. Adele - 21 (February 2011)
I have a hard time deciding between this time and her latest release (which ends up as my 2nd favorite) because I love them both almost equally. But considering that this is the "origina" album that gives such impressive song list, including "Rolling In The Deep", "Rumour Has It", "Turning Tables", "Someone Like You", and the rest, I rest my case and will probably say that this is ONE OF THE BEST ALBUM I have ever heard in quite awhile!
002. Adele - Live At The Royal Albert Hall (November 2011)
Adele definitely reigns as my favorite singer of 2011. With this live version, she performs such incredible songs. I can't even choose my favorite, I simply love them all. Hear her amazing rendition for "If It Hadn't Been For Love", "I Can't Make You Love Me", and "Make You Feel My Love" and you will know what I mean.
003. Various Artists - The Lincoln Lawyer Soundtrack (March 2011)
This is my most listened-to soundtrack of the year. I simply love the combination of R&B music and a couple of trip hop music. I have so many favorites, from "Ain't No Love In The Heart of the City", to "Now", to "I Remember". This music is addictive
004. Coldplay - Xylo Myloto (October 2011)
Give it to Chris Martin and the gang to give the most unique album titles of the year :). While my favorite of them is still their sophomore album, A Rush of Blood, but this album still gives some memorable songs like "Paradise", "Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall", "Major Minus", and that wonderfully collaboration with Rihanna, "Princess of China"
005. Glee Christmas Album Vol. 2 (November 2011)
Sure, I stopped watching the show, but I still listen to their songs every now and then. I must admit that their 2nd volume of Christmas album is so much better than the first one. Maybe because the songs they cover this time is a (bit) more popular? Listen to Naya Rivera's singing seductively with "Santa Baby" or Lea Michelle singing "River" or Amber Riley singing "All I Want For Christmas Is You" and the Glee kids singing "Do They Know It's Christmas", well, I just have a favorite christmas album :)
006. Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 (November 2011)
While you cannot PAY me to watch the movie but I proudly (and unashamedly) say that the soundtrack ROCKS!! With names like The Joy Formidable, Angus & Julia Stone, Bruno Mars, and Iron & Wine, this soundtrack proves that sometimes music IS better than movie *lol*
007. Jason Walker - Midnight Starlight EP (March 2011)
I also stopped watching the show, but I have a chance to listen to Jason Walker's "Echo" in one of the episodes, and I completely smitten. The album is also beautiful, he does a very good rendition of "Kiss Me". I'm loving it!
008. Sucker Punch Soundtrack (March 2011)
Interestingly, the stand out songs from this soundtrack, which makes me fall in love it so much is the surprising haunting voice of Emily Brown. Singing "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" and "Asleep", the two songs make this one a favorite of early 2011.
009. Christina Grimmie - Find Me (June 2011)
I found out about this Youtube sensation when she sings in duet with Sam Tsui. Turns out that her debut album is great as well. I like most of the songs, especially "Unforgiveable", "King of Thieves", and "Not Fragile"
010. David Cook - This Loud Morning (June 2011)
This is my one of most awaited album this year, coming in the mid of 2011. I'm not truly impressed by it though ... I must admit most of the songs here are not radio friendly. However, for my personal enjoyment, some of the songs are still playing-on-repeat type of songs, including "Fade Into Me", "Take Me As I Am", and "Time Marches On".
A couple of honorable mentions will be Kelly Clarkson's Stronger and Michael Bublé Christmas
Having said that, there are few albums that make it to my list here because they are simply amazing. It's a combination of full albums and soundtracks because, well, good soundtrack is good music. Without further ado, this is my favorite music (album) of 2011:
001. Adele - 21 (February 2011)
I have a hard time deciding between this time and her latest release (which ends up as my 2nd favorite) because I love them both almost equally. But considering that this is the "origina" album that gives such impressive song list, including "Rolling In The Deep", "Rumour Has It", "Turning Tables", "Someone Like You", and the rest, I rest my case and will probably say that this is ONE OF THE BEST ALBUM I have ever heard in quite awhile!
002. Adele - Live At The Royal Albert Hall (November 2011)
Adele definitely reigns as my favorite singer of 2011. With this live version, she performs such incredible songs. I can't even choose my favorite, I simply love them all. Hear her amazing rendition for "If It Hadn't Been For Love", "I Can't Make You Love Me", and "Make You Feel My Love" and you will know what I mean.
003. Various Artists - The Lincoln Lawyer Soundtrack (March 2011)
This is my most listened-to soundtrack of the year. I simply love the combination of R&B music and a couple of trip hop music. I have so many favorites, from "Ain't No Love In The Heart of the City", to "Now", to "I Remember". This music is addictive
004. Coldplay - Xylo Myloto (October 2011)
Give it to Chris Martin and the gang to give the most unique album titles of the year :). While my favorite of them is still their sophomore album, A Rush of Blood, but this album still gives some memorable songs like "Paradise", "Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall", "Major Minus", and that wonderfully collaboration with Rihanna, "Princess of China"
005. Glee Christmas Album Vol. 2 (November 2011)
Sure, I stopped watching the show, but I still listen to their songs every now and then. I must admit that their 2nd volume of Christmas album is so much better than the first one. Maybe because the songs they cover this time is a (bit) more popular? Listen to Naya Rivera's singing seductively with "Santa Baby" or Lea Michelle singing "River" or Amber Riley singing "All I Want For Christmas Is You" and the Glee kids singing "Do They Know It's Christmas", well, I just have a favorite christmas album :)
006. Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 (November 2011)
While you cannot PAY me to watch the movie but I proudly (and unashamedly) say that the soundtrack ROCKS!! With names like The Joy Formidable, Angus & Julia Stone, Bruno Mars, and Iron & Wine, this soundtrack proves that sometimes music IS better than movie *lol*
007. Jason Walker - Midnight Starlight EP (March 2011)
I also stopped watching the show, but I have a chance to listen to Jason Walker's "Echo" in one of the episodes, and I completely smitten. The album is also beautiful, he does a very good rendition of "Kiss Me". I'm loving it!
008. Sucker Punch Soundtrack (March 2011)
Interestingly, the stand out songs from this soundtrack, which makes me fall in love it so much is the surprising haunting voice of Emily Brown. Singing "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" and "Asleep", the two songs make this one a favorite of early 2011.
009. Christina Grimmie - Find Me (June 2011)
I found out about this Youtube sensation when she sings in duet with Sam Tsui. Turns out that her debut album is great as well. I like most of the songs, especially "Unforgiveable", "King of Thieves", and "Not Fragile"
010. David Cook - This Loud Morning (June 2011)
This is my one of most awaited album this year, coming in the mid of 2011. I'm not truly impressed by it though ... I must admit most of the songs here are not radio friendly. However, for my personal enjoyment, some of the songs are still playing-on-repeat type of songs, including "Fade Into Me", "Take Me As I Am", and "Time Marches On".
A couple of honorable mentions will be Kelly Clarkson's Stronger and Michael Bublé Christmas