Top 50 Singles of 2011: 15-11

15. Martin Rolinski - Blame It On A Decent Matter



I never had any doubts that this would be brilliant after Rolinski's work with BWO. But it was even better than I'd expected!

14. Studio Killers - Ode To The Bouncer



A welcome shot of Danish electro cool in a year without enough of it. The fact that we're still waiting for a follow-up makes it a little frustrating, though.

13. Patrick Wolf - The City



His most uplifting single in ages, and a track that set Summer off on the right foot.

12. Robyn - Call Your Girlfriend



The Swedish pop queen continues her dominance of my countdowns with yet another brilliant song. Even in a year without an album release, she ruled.

11. Tove Styrke - Call My Name



And hot on Robyn's heels is the ultra-cool Tove, who gave us a taster of future work with this fantastic single, a big jump in quality from her first album.

Patrick Wolf - Together

"We can make it so much better"

I'm back! I had a wonderful time in New York City. Signed a bunch of books, met some cool people, saw some amazing shows and explored the city. I'd love to live there some day! While I was away, Patrick Wolf's new album poked its head into the blogosphere, and I was very eager to hear it. From all of the hype and excellent pre-album singles, I expected a new sound for him. A happier, poppier upbeat album of music. Unfortunately, for the most part the album sounds exactly like all of his others. Amidst the melodic highlights are a bunch of forgettable tracks that (at least upon the first few listens) aren't sticking with me. Who knows, maybe it will grow. His stuff usually takes some time. One album standout (and the song that I was looking most forward to hearing) is Together, which comes nearly at the end. It's Wolf's danciest song yet and doesn't fit at all with the other tracks. I wish he would've made an album that sounded just like this. His vocals coupled with a propulsive synth beat is really something special. But honestly, I don't think he's even looking for mainstream success anymore.
On another note, I'll have a full Lady Gaga Born This Way track-by-track review later this week (maybe tomorrow)!

Patrick Wolf - Together by Di69

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

Patrick Wolf - House

"I've been too long a lonely man"

I'm so excited for this new Patrick Wolf album. His voice, and his songwriting, coupled with the surging uptempo phase he seems to be in now, is just what I need for Spring. I absolutely adored The City, and couldn't wait to hear the next single. House is an enormous anthem, complete with rousing drums, synths and what sounds like an orchestra backing Wolf's emotional vocals. It's another sign that this upcoming album could be my favorite from his discography. I just wish it would stop getting pushed back. I also wish that radio would give him more support. If anyone deserves to (finally) break through, it's him.

Patrick Wolf - House by alienhits

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

Patrick Wolf - The City

"Won't let the city destroy our love"

Man, I am loving this new Patrick Wolf single. I've been a little frustrated with him of late. I was very underwhelmed by his last album, but then there was that track Hard Times (also one of the singles) which was, quite frankly, stunning and deserved much more credit than it received. A few years earlier, I was a big fan of his "commercial" album The Magic Position, so I guess his music is just a real mixed bag with me. This, though, is such a promising, Summery pop track. He's got such an incredible gift--both vocally and as a songwriter. And when he focuses that energy into a straightforward, commercial (I hate that word, but can't think of anything more appropriate) melody, he creates a classic. The brilliance is that he still manages to retain his quirkiness even as the hooks aim for radio. I hope the rest of the album is similar to this, because I am addicted!

Patrick Wolf The City by howmanyofyouarebroke?

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