Top 20 Albums Of 2013: 14-13

14. Diana Vickers - Music To Make Boys Cry



File this under “albums that should have been WAY more successful than they actually were.” I liked a few tracks from Vickers’ debut album a couple years ago, but the fact that she worked with production team Xenomania on this entire album guarantees that it’s chock-full of sophisticated, melodic 80’s-influenced pop. It’s the kind of album that works better as a whole than in parts, hence the fact that none of its singles made my top 50 list, even though I’m so enthusiastic about the album.

13. Robin Thicke - Blurred Lines



Most people will laud Blurred Lines, the single, as one of the best of the year, but I’m here to testify for the album. I’ve always wanted to like Thicke more than I do. His very first, underrated album showed heaps of promise, with its modern disco soul sound and uptempo tracks, but after that he devolved into a career of drippy slow jams. Now finally, the tempo is back! There’s a lot more to this album if you look past the one, inescapable single. It definitely sound tracked my summer.

Diana Vickers - Mad At Me

"I promise it was just one kiss"

So here's something you might have missed. Diana Vickers' (of X-Factor fame) second album was released quietly towards the beginning of last month. She's on an independent label now, even though her debut was pretty successful. I never really connected with her during her time on XF and liked some of the debut, but not all. This album, though, is a surprisingly consistent bunch of 80's-flavored electro tracks. I'm surprised at how much I like it. A lot of that is probably down to Miranda Cooper -- part of epic production/songwriting team Xenomania -- cowriting every track. I am a massive, massive Xenomania fan, and it's always a treat to hear new Cooper-penned tracks. Mad At Me is just one of ten fantastic songs. It's probably the most 80's influenced of the bunch. If you like this, be sure to check out the rest of the album, because I guarantee you'll be pleasantly surprised.



(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. Buy the album here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.

Diana Vickers - You'll Never Get To Heaven

"You'll never get to heaven if you dance like that"

In honor of Diana Vickers' (excellent) no single, My Wicked Heart, I'm going to offer a very late review of her music. Despite liking her singles, I hadn't listened to her album until recently. I know it was released months and months ago, but I was never much of a fan of her time on X-Factor. And as a not-really-fan, I can say that the music's actually really good. This track in particular hit me as a surprisingly mature piece of airy dance-pop. The build-up to the chorus won't impress any of those who dislike Vickers' demented-kewpie-doll vocals (I wasn't initially a fan myself). But once the chorus hits at about 1:14, everything converges and the song catapults into something quite spectacular. Cosmic, even. I can't say I'm as impressed with her slower stuff, but she's got a real future with this style.

Diana Vickers - You'll Never Get To Heaven by alienhits

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Buy the album here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.

Pop Blitz 4/23/10 (U.K. Edition!)

Today marks my last full day in the UK, nearly a week after I anticipated staying here (yes, I'm an "ash traveler"), so I thought I'd celebrate what's hot right now in the country. It's mostly very good, actually.

Diana Vickers - Once
Hated her on X-Factor, but this is a cracking pop song. I guess I've been won over. It's shaping up to be quite the hit, as well. B+

Professor Green - Need You Tonight
This could have been very cool. The INXS sample works really well with a hip-hop song, but the tone of Prof Green's whiny vocals destroys it. They should've given it to Tinchy Stryder instead. C+

Scouting For Girls - This Ain't A Love Song
The video (with people hanging around an airport terminal) has certainly been apt this past week. I don't like everything this band does, but I like this. It's nice in that radio-soft-rock sorta way. B+

Plan B - She Said
Great video to this. The song's a little iffier, with a strong chorus but forgettable verses. I'm glad he does more singing than rapping, though. B-

Chiddy Bang - Opposite Of Adults
Another rap song built on a noticeable sample, but this one works. Using MGMT's Kids as a backbone, it's got a strong hook that's been lodged in my brain for days now. B

Florence + The Machine - Dog Days Are Over
Marvelous. It took a trip to the UK for me to fall in love with her, but I'm completely enchanted. The drums alone on this song are stunning. It's certainly an anthem-in-waiting. A

Tinie Tempah - Pass Out
A huge track over here, and the worst of the bunch. It's a case of unimaginative American-type rap, all about passing out because you drank too much. Charming. C-