Favorite Albums of 2021

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 8/11/21 at 10:15pm

Sorry if there is already a thread for this, but I couldn’t find one.

My top faves so far (no particular order yet):

• Lana Del Rey - Chemtrails Over The Country Club
• St. Vincent - Daddy’s Home
• Prince - The Truth (Technically re-release, but first wide release)
• Prince - Welcome 2 America
• Various Artists - In The Heights - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
• Billie Eilish - Happier Than Ever 
• Barbra Streisand - Release Me 2 
• Yola - Standing For Myself  
• Laura Mvula - Pink Noise
• Leon Bridges - Gold-Digger’s Sound

interested in others’ picks. Last year’s thread helped me give some albums another chance, resulting in them becoming some of my favorites of the year.

Compared to last year, this year started off slow, but recent releases have me feeling more optimistic about this year. 

 

 

Updated On: 8/11/21 at 10:15 PM

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 8/28/21 at 10:23pm

Some others to add to my list:

- [ ] Lorde - Solar Power
- [ ] Olivia Rodrigo - Sour
- [ ] Angel Olsen - Aisles
- [ ] Chvrches- Screen Violence
- [ ] Halsey - If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power

Based on the two songs released so far, I’m also very excited for:

- [ ] Kacey Musgraves - star-crossed

Also, while disappointed that it may initially a digital release only, looking forward to Lil Nas X’s Montero. He has definitely defied my every expectation.

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 9/1/21 at 6:05pm

Jazmine Sullivan - Heaux Tales

Wolf Alice - Blue Weekend

Valerie June - The Moon and Stars, Prescription for Dreamers

John Grant - Boy from Michigan

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 9/1/21 at 6:12pm

My favorite song now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0fV4w-wLOU

[ArtMan]

Posted: 9/17/21 at 6:56pm

Miles2Go2 said: "Some others to add to my list:

- [ ] Lorde - Solar Power
- [ ] Olivia Rodrigo - Sour
- [ ] Angel Olsen - Aisles
- [ ] Chvrches- Screen Violence
- [ ] Halsey - If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power

Based on the two songs released so far, I’m also very excited for:

- [ ] Kacey Musgraves - star-crossed

Also, while disappointed that it may initially a digital release only, looking forward to Lil Nas X’s Montero. He has definitely defied my every expectation."

Miles, Did you purchase Kacey's cd?  Although I've only listened once, I'm kind of disappointed.  She is usually a favorite.  I found my mind wandering multiple times while listening.  Hopefully, it will grow on me.

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 9/17/21 at 7:10pm

Yes, I bought it on CD, several vinyl variants, etc…

Needless to say, it’s one of my favorites of the year. I will say I was a bit underwhelmed on first listen, but it’s really grown on me. After multiple complete listens almost every song has stayed with me. Still, lots of clever lyrics paired with great pop hooks.

[ArtMan]

Posted: 9/20/21 at 10:39pm

Miles2Go2 said: "Yes, I bought it on CD, several vinyl variants, etc…

Needless to say, it’s one of my favorites of the year. I will say I was a bit underwhelmed on first listen, but it’s really grown on me. After multiple complete listens almost every song has stayed with me. Still, lots of clever lyrics paired with great pop hooks."

You were right.  After multiple listens, I really love it.  I'm not sure about the last song.  It seems out of place.  Any insights?

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 9/20/21 at 10:50pm

I don’t have any insights other than it’s a concept album about the stages of the dissolution of a relationship and ends in joy/hope. And I believe Gracias a la vida translates to “ Thanks to life.” Having said that, it’s not my favorite song on the album.

[ArtMan]

Posted: 9/20/21 at 10:57pm

Are you a Reba fan?  Next week she is releasing a 3 cd remixed set.  I love her and usually buy everything she puts out.  But 3 cds are a little too much, so I'm not sure on this one.

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 9/20/21 at 11:03pm

I loathe Reba, but I hate almost 100% of country music. And I’m from Oklahoma as is Reba. Lol.

[ArtMan]

Posted: 9/20/21 at 11:14pm

LOL.  I guess then it is a safe bet that you aren't purchasing the cd.

[JGPR2]

Posted: 9/28/21 at 10:51pm

Nancy Wilson - You And Me

Lindsey Buckingham - Lindsey Buckingham 

 

[broadway86]

Posted: 9/29/21 at 2:14pm

Most of the albums you named, along with Pressure Machine (The Killers), A Beginner's Mind (Sufjan Stevens/Angelo De Augustine), and MONTERO (Lil Nas X).

[Alex Kulak2]

Posted: 9/29/21 at 3:51pm

I just discovered the band Lawrence, and I absolutely love their sound, which is a pop-soul-funk fusion. They dropped their newest album Hotel TV this year, and they put an acoustic gospel version of their song Don't Lose Sight on their YouTube channel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C01nBm6vV5c

Coincidentally, the lead singer, Grace Lawrence, was on Broadway in the Brighton Beach Memoirs revival.

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 9/29/21 at 4:04pm

Yes I like Montero quite a bit and I love what I have heard of A Beginner's Mind (ordered signed vinyl and am waiting until it arrives to give a full spin).

Also, Tori Amos released the first song (“Speaking To Trees”) from her upcoming album (Ocean to Ocean) today. I know she can be a acquired taste for some, but I’ve listened to it on a loop today.

[ArtMan]

Posted: 9/29/21 at 4:54pm

Have any of you heard of an artist named Maeta?  I was turning the channel and she was performing on the Kelly Clarkson show.  She has a great voice.

[FosseTharp]

Posted: 9/29/21 at 8:58pm

My favorite Album of the year is TERRA FIRMA by the brilliant Tash Sultana!

Seriously, I urge everyone who reads this to check out Tash Sultana as they are one of the most brilliant musicians alive and it boggles my mind that they are not more well known. Their show at Red Rocks in late 2019 was a religious experience.

Tash is a 26 year old non binary, one person band, from Melbourne Australia, who got their start busking on the streets. They’re a looper who creates their music live through looping. They play 20+ instruments and has a 6 octave range. Think Janis Joplin mixed with Jimmy Hendrix and John Mayer (w/ their guitar skills).  Seriously check them out and thank me later. 

 

Their living room performance of Jungle went viral and is a great representation of their skills.  Jungle: LIVE BEDROOM RECORDING

 

My favorite Tash Song: BLACKBIRD which they wrote during their drug addiction recovery while trapped in a cave in New Zealand.  The Guitar work in this song is insane. 
 

TASH SULTANA

 

 

 

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 11/21/21 at 2:40pm

Updating from my previous posts, more 2021 favorites:

• Tori Amos - Ocean to Ocean 
• Lana Del Rey - Blue Banisters 
• Hard Feelings - Hard Feelings 
• Sufjan Stevens - A Beginner’s Mind
• Taylor Swift - Red (Taylor's Version)
• Adele - 30 

[ArtMan]

Posted: 11/21/21 at 4:26pm

I haven't bought Adele yet.  I am usually at the store release day. I'm having a hard time motivating/caring about anything lately.  How does it compare or does it, to her earlier releases?

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 11/21/21 at 4:43pm

I love it. On first listen, I loved the first half (because it contains her most musically adventurous work yet) and the second half less so, but after subsequent listens, I love the whole thing. There’s a reason why almost all critics are saying this is her best album. Lyrics are her most personal and specific to date paired with some new musical directions plus…that voice.  

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 11/21/21 at 4:44pm

Also, the Target CD has 3 bonus tracks that are quite good. 

 

 

 

[ArtMan]

Posted: 11/21/21 at 4:47pm

Thanks for the insights.  Yes, Target is where I will be buying it.  Just need to make the car go in that direction.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 11/22/21 at 1:52pm

Silk Sonic - An Evening With Silk Sonic

It's only 30 minutes, but damn it's good. Bruno has never sounded better vocally. "Put On a Smile" better be the next single off the album.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 11/22/21 at 9:32pm

Adele's 21 & 25 are hard to top. Their brilliant masterpieces in song writing. Adele's 30 lacks the knockout hits her previous two albums had. But half of it is still breathtaking. I can pass on three songs easily, but really enjoy "Easy On Me", "Love Is A Game", "I Drink Wine" & "Oh My God". And "Hold On" is one of her all-time best songs.

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 12/26/21 at 3:44pm

My Favorite Albums of 2021

1. Adele - 30

2. Halsey - If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power 

3. Billie Eilish - Happier Than Ever

4. Kacey Musgraves - star-crossed 

5. St. Vincent - Daddy’s Home

6. (tie) Prince - The Truth; Prince - Welcome 2 America 

7. (tie) Lana Del Rey - Chemtrails Over The     Country Club; Lana Del Rey - Blue Banisters 

8. (tie) Celeste - Not Your Muse; Lorde - Solar Power

9. (tie) Chvrches- Screen Violence; Girl In Red - If I Could Make It Go Quiet 

10. Hard Feelings - Hard Feelings 

Special Category - Soundtracks/Compilations/Reissues: 

• Various Artists - In The Heights - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack 
• Barbra Streisand - Release Me 2
• Madonna - Madame X - Music From The Theater Xperience (Live) 
• Taylor Swift - Red (Taylor's Version)
• West Side Story (2021 Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) 

Honorable Mention:

• Julien Baker - Little Oblivions
• Laura Mvula - Pink Noise
• Foo Fighters (Dee Gees) - Hail Satin
• Leon Bridges - Gold-Digger’s Sound
• Yola - Standing For Myself
• Olivia Rodrigo - Sour
• Lil Nas X - Montero
• Tori Amos - Ocean to Ocean 
• Snail Mail - Valentine
• Sufjan Stevens - A Beginner’s Mind