Garon's Top Ten Albums of 2012!

As heard on, Pop Culture Beast presents SHOW!  For full commentary head over to iTunes and subscribe to the SHOW!

10.

-TIE-

Try as I might, I could not choose between these two albums.  They're both great, unique, and addicting albums.

Fun. - Some Nights

Delta Rae - Carry The Fire

9.

Passion Pit - Gossamer

So good.

8.

Taylor Swift - Red

Another great album from Taylor Swift, not quite as strong as Speak Now but still more wonderful music from her.

7.

Ellie Goulding - Halcyon

She went from someone I'd never heard of to taking over my ipod.

6.

Freelance Whales - Diluvia

SUCH a great album.  Do yourself a favor and get their stuff.  You'll love it.  And I apologize for calling them Freestyle Whales on the podcast.

5.

Jay Brannan - Rob Me Blind.

If he isn't one of the best singer/songwriters out there right now then I don't know what I am talking about.

4.

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - The Heist

I bought this album to show support for a hip-hop artist brave enough to put out a song like Same Love and then come out and defend the teacher who was suspended for playing it in class.  I didn't expect to have one of the best albums of the year on my hands, and one of my favorite hip hop albums ever.

3.

Shiny Toy Guns - III

Another album that came out of nowhere.  A welcome return and a brilliant comeback release.

2.

Frank Ocean - Channel Orange

This guy is on pretty much every top ten list and deserves it.  This might be the most important hip/hop release in years not just from his personal life but because it's just that damn good.

1.

Flobots - The Circle in the Square

I've been listening to and talking about this album since it's release months ago.  The first time I heard it turned into fifth time I heard it because I could not turn it off.  Lyrically brilliant, musically stellar, important, entertaining, smart, unique.  Top of their game.  Do yourself a favor and buy this.

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Garon's Top Ten Albums of 2011! (updated!)

Well...you get 10 - 6 for the time being.  You'll have to listen to the next episode of SHOW for the top five.  I'll update the post with the rest next week.

I spent a long time catching up and checking out a lot of different albums and artists and still this list turned out to be pretty mainstream for me and very pop heavy.   Some might be surprising, some might not.

Let's get it started!

10.

 Theophilus London

Timez Are Weird These Days

This one snuck up on me.  I saw him live with Erykah Badu and was instantly captivated.  The album is fresh and eclectic with a great mix of styles.  Really great stuff.

9.

Darren Hayes

Secret Codes and Battleships

To date, the best album he has ever done.  Beautiful, fun, heartfelt.  His best work yet.

8.

NEEDTOBREATHE

The Reckoning

A gorgeous collection of rock and roll and deeply moving lyrics.  This one catches you and does not let go.

7.

Blink 182

Neighborhoods

The guys are back and just keep getting better.  I was worried that they would try and go back to the sillier stuff of yesteryear when they reunited but am pleased they stuck with the maturity of their brilliant self'-titled album.

6.

Kelly Clarkson

Stronger

The first idol is back to prove she is really the ONLY idol.  Her best collection of songs shows how strong she really is as she grows into one of pop musics most valuable gems.  She really shines here and the album is cover to cover good.

Want the rest?  Check out episode 8 of show which will hit the airwaves THIS WEEK and we'll give you our top 5 best albums of 2011 and our picks for the worst album!

Check it out HERE.

TOP FIVE!

5.

 Rihanna

Talk That Talk

This is Rihanna at her absolute best.  She's never sounded better.  It's a mature and sexy album that is cover to cover good.

4.

Foster The People

Torches

This is not the album I expected.  In fact, I was convinced there is no way it could be good.  I don't know why.  I am pleased to be completely wrong as this album is catchy as hell and a fun listen back to front and "Pumped Up Kicks" isn't even the best song on the album.

3.

Adele

21

There really aren't even words for Adele.  She is an incredible vocalist and delivers a brilliant album.  you can hear these songs two thousand times (and let's face it you probably have) and they will never get old.

2.

Taylor Swift 

Speak Now 

I've talked about this album constantly. I can't explain it but I can't get enough of it.   I love every song on this album (that seems to be pretty consistent) and will probably keep talking about it.  Can she top this one?  I don't know, Speak Now is pretty much magic.

1. 

Glasvegas

Euphoric /// Heartbreak \\\ 

I don't know where this album came from.  It came out of nowhere when I was looking through 2011 releases.  I was all set to give Taylor Swift the #1 slot but from the moment I put on this album I was hooked.  It's a gorgeous, heart-wrenching album that is an absolute must listen.  It's been years since an album really gave me a truly deep emotional shake as this one did.  Buy.  This.  Album.

That's it for 2011 Music!  We'll see what 2012 has to offer.

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Taylor Swift Debuts "Mine" Music Video

Taylor Swift's new single "Mine" is burning up the radio charts and the official music video debuted this week. If the rest of the upcoming album sounds like this song, it will be another hit.  Her new album, "Speak Now" is due out October 25.  Stay tuned for an album review of this new album coming soon.

Check out Taylor's new music video "Mine" below.

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Kelly on Kanye

The biggest story at last nights VMA awards was most definitely Kanye West shanghaiing Taylor Swift's acceptance for Best Female Video. I'm not going to go into detail on this as I could probably write a book on it, suffice it to say that I lost a lot of respect for Kanye. He stole this girl's moment (thankfully, Beyonce gave it back at the end of the show) and that is unforgivable.

Anyway, rather than reading what I have to say to it, why not enjoy what Kelly Clarkson has to say.

I think she summed it up perfectly in this open letter from her blog.

Enjoy.

Dear Kanye, What happened to you as a child?? Did you not get hugged enough?? Something must have happened to make you this way and I think we’re all just curious as to what would make a grown man go on national television and make a talented artist, let alone teenager, feel like shit. I mean, I’ve seen you do some pretty shitty things, but you just keep amazing me with your tactless, asshole ways. It’s absolutely fascinating how much I don’t like you. I like everyone. I even like my asshole ex that cheated on me over you…which is pretty odd since I don’t even personally know you. The best part of this evening is that you weren’t even up for THIS award and yet you still have a problem with the outcome. Is winning a moon man that much of a life goal?? You can have mine if it will shut you up. Is it that important, really?? I was actually nominated in the same category that Taylor won and I was excited for her…so why can’t you be?? I’m not even mad at you for being an asshole…I just pity you because you’re a sad human being. On a side note, Beyonce has always been a class act and proved again tonight that she still is. Go TEXAS!! Taylor Swift, you outsell him ….that’s why he’s bitter. You know I love your work! Keep it up girl! KC :)


Ouch. Kelly Clarkson I love you.

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