Top 20 Albums of 2010: 18-17

18. Goldfrapp - Head First



Though I can’t say the incredible promise of the singles was completely fulfilled in the album as a whole, I was nonetheless impressed by this shift in sound from Goldfrapp. By exorcising the whole electro-folk thing they had going on with the last album, they found aural success with a new bright, summery sound. It was an album of standouts and more atmospheric pieces, which at times made for an odd, disjointed listening experience. But it’s one of the band’s best releases and deserved to be far more successful than it was.

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17. Linda Sundblad - Manifest



The long awaited follow-up to this Swedish pop princess's debut, Manifest represented a subtle shift in sound for the singer. And while the r&b leanings on parts of the album suited her voice, it was the bombastic numbers that cemented this as an early Spring highlight. They don’t make pop albums like this in any part of the world but Scandinavia. She's like the poppier Robyn--minus the experimentation and indie-cred. It can be a good thing and a bad thing, but this is bubblegum pop at its best.

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Track-by-Track: Linda Sundblad - Manifest

Linda Sundblad released one of the finest pop albums of the past few years with 2006's Oh My God. It's been a long time coming for her second solo outing, and although it doesn't quite match the first release track for track, there are some definite pop classics here.

1. Intro (Choice) - It’s billed as an intro, but it’s more like a short song. Honestly, I don’t know what it’s supposed to be introducing, as it sounds different than almost everything that follows. An atmospheric slow-jam, it’s a strange choice to open the album. Thankfully the quality goes up from here. 6/10

2. Making Out - This pop/rock track hearkens back to her Lambretta days. I can’t say this is entirely a good thing, since Sundblad really came into her own after leaving her band, but this is an enjoyable uptempo track with an 80’s feel. 7/10

3. Let’s Dance - The album really kicks into gear starting here. Doing a 360, this is a total electronic dance track with a surging chorus. It’s not exactly what you’d expect from Sundblad, but it (mostly) works. 9/10

4. It’s Alright! - A completely happy, bubbly pop song in the vein of Madonna’s Cherish. There are some beautiful vocal additions in the second verse and the entire thing reestablishes Sundblad’s allegiance to pure pop. This will be great in the Summer. 10/10

5. Perfect Nobody - Coming after one of the happiest sounding songs, this ballad sounds a bit dreary. I’m not sure it’s single-material, even though it’s been chosen as the next release. I like it, but it just feels like there’s something missing in the melody. 7/10

6. 2 All My Girls - The template of what a perfect Linda Sundblad pop song should sound like. This is so far beyond anything else on the album that it ends up sticking out as the centerpiece. One of Max Martin’s best pop songs (and that’s saying something). 10/10

7. Serotonin - A dance track about going out and having a good time (a “dancing is fun!” track, if you will). It’s set over a very 90’s style beat and piano-line and certainly works, though I’m not as gaga over it as some people seem to be. 8/10

8. Suicide Girl - An amusingly dark track that has more of a funky swing to it than others. The chorus is ridiculously catchy, to the point where I either love or hate it depending on the day. 8/10

9. Pick Up The Pieces - The late album masterpiece. The verses are nothing special, but the driving chorus, with its dramatic synths and anthemic melody certainly is. I would choose this as a single, and fast. 10/10

10. Damage - I always forget this song is on the record, which should tell you something. Actually, it’s not that bad… just a little subdued compared to the others. It has a really nice hook, but kind of comes and goes. 7/10

11. History - Her collaboration with producer Kleerup, this track has been around for awhile now so isn’t anything new. Being more electronic than everything else, it sticks out and feels like it’s been tacked on to the end of the record (as it has). It’s still a nice track, if not particularly memorable. 7/10

Album Grade: 8.1/10

Linda Sundblad - Pick Up The Pieces

"Everyone in love take a piece of my heart"

Here's an example of a song with pleasant (if not entirely memorable) verses saved by a dynamite chorus. In fact, the chorus here is so punchy that Sundblad skips the middle eight altogether and goes right back for more. I really love Linda Sundblad and was looking forward to her second solo release (her first being one of the best pop albums of the last five years). As a whole it's not quite up to the last one, but it's still full of excellent pop that puts anything released Stateside to shame. But back to that chorus. Of all the new songs, Pick Up The Pieces sounds most at home beside the album's best track (and first single) To All My Girls. It's got a bright, energetic synth sound that's very "80's disco anthem," while the lyrics manage to have a melancholic quality to them that are somewhat at odds with the song's energy. Sundblad does pop in the late-80's Madonna mold. Because of this, her songs have a classic sound to them that outlasts attempts by similar pop divas. Check out the album. Full review coming soon.

Linda Sundblad - Pick Up The Pieces 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.

Linda Sundblad - Let's Dance

"Tonight we're gonna face the music"

Linda Sundblad is one of the two leaders of female Swedish pop in my book. There's her and Robyn, and then everybody else kinda nips at their ankles. The first single off her new album, To All My Girls, was a definite highlight and a track that I play often. This next one, which pulls double duty as the theme for a TV dance show, is a little underwhelming. It lacks the personality and spark that I've come to love from Sundblad. It's probably a bit more mainstream, but because of that sacrifices originality. Of course, this is still Linda Sundblad, and I am very excited for her new album (the last one was perfect pop). For a straight-up dance song this is more than fine, but I can't wait to hear what else she's come up with.

Linda Sundblad - Let's Dance by alienhits

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Buy the single here. Follow me on twitter at nickajames)

Top 50 Singles of 2009: 21-16

20. La Roux - Bulletproof



The catchiest moment on her album, this is the single that cemented La Roux as an artist with staying power.

19. Melody Club - Where Do I Belong



A single that was never given the push it deserved, this is a classic Melody Club pop song with shimmering synths and a melody that refuses to leave your head.

18. Johan Krafman - Disarmed



The type of song Ola Svensson would have easily taken to the top of the charts, this was yet another example of why the Nilsson/Bassflow combo is unstoppable.

17. Linda Sundblad - 2 All My Girls



Max Martin’s best output in a year full of amazing songwriting, it took frenetic to another level. The Hammer dancing in the video is forever scarred in my retina.

16. Donkeyboy - Ambitions



A soaring, surprise Summer smash (how’s that for alliteration?), these Norwegians came out of nowhere and took their home country by storm.