#5 Kelly Clarkson’s Stronger: I have come to love Miss Clarkson since she took the title of America’s first Idol and her fifth studio album did not disappoint. Clarkson’s last effort was filled with pop fluff that seemed to be the work of her label, but on this effort she was able to shine the way she wanted. Powerful vocals were present on amazing ballads and up-tempo tracks like “What Doesn’t Kill You (Stronger)” and “You Love Me”. The first single, “Mr. Know It All”, was the first taste of the album and it showed exactly what to expect from the artist this time around. The finished product is what I would consider Clarkson’s best work to date as a whole and proves that there is much more to come.
#4 Adele’s 21: Adele had a dream year in 2011, racking up the top selling album which featured two chart topping singles. The artist’s voice is all the evidence you need to see that her success in well deserved. Even though the first single, “Rolling in the Deep”, got annoying pretty quickly, Adele came back strong with “Someone Like You” and my personal favorite, “Set Fire to the Rain”. There is just a sense of pain and innocence in every one of the songs and, unlike her debut, there is more of a variety present on this record. The effort will surely win Adele the coveted Album of the Year Grammy title in February, and there should be no arguing as to why that is going to happen. True perfection.
#3 Simon Curtis’ RΔ: Simon may not have a supporting label behind him, but the release of his second album shows that he does not really need one. The artist’s previous effort was groundbreaking in every way and had a devoted fan in me, but his follow up showed so much growth and progression. Simon is truly a prince of pop, that is clear when tracks such as “Soul 4 Sale” and “Enemy” come up to play. Add the highly sexual and enjoyable, “Flesh”, and you have yourself a collection of tracks that show off an immense amount of vocal and writing talent. The greatest aspect of the album is that it comes off very effortlessly; Simon is just doing everything right at the moment. There is no stopping the Pop Messiah!
#2 Nicole Scherzinger’s Killer Love (UK version): Nicole may be facing some problems getting her solo debut album off the ground here in the US, but the UK version I got my hands on earlier this year proves that the wait is well worth it. The ex-lead Pussycat Doll has such a soothing voice on beautifully crafted songs such as “Everybody”, but also lets her naughty side out on fun tracks like “Wet” and “Right There”. The album features other highlights like “Say Yes” and the title track that proves this girl is a force to be reckoned with. People need to forget all the past drama that surrounds Scherzinger and just listen to the music she is creating, it is beyond perfect. A re-release has already been done in Europe, I’m still patiently waiting.
#1 Lady Gaga’s Born This Way: When it came to albums released in 2011, there was no competing with the great Lady Gaga, who also took the crown on my Top Songs of 2011 with the incredible and eerie “Bloody Mary”. The album may not be the greatest record ever, may not be the best of the upcoming decade, but it is by far the best of the year. The title track was only the beginning, singles like “The Edge of Glory” and “You and I” showed off Gaga’s powerhouse vocals, but the album contains so much more. “Heavy Metal Lover” showcases the artist’s sexual side, while “Hair” is a beautiful plea of acceptance and love. When you throw in the Spanish-influenced “Americano” and the current single “Marry the Night”, you have an album that reinvented the artist once again in the right way. Paws up! 2011 belonged to Mother Monster in my eyes.
*It is a shame that 2011 is coming to an end. It will be forever remembered in my eyes as the year Adele had a huge breakout, Lady Gaga impressed with her record-breaking second full length album, and Simon Curtis was creating fantastic music without a record label. 2012 has to step it up if it wants to compete with the 15 albums that caught my eye in 2011. All of these records will be playing over and over for me for years to come. I can guarantee you that!
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