Buy These Albums Now.

Gift the gift of music this holiday season. I think these are the best CDs of the year-- the order of importance depends on mood.


LIFE IN CARTOON MOTION by Mika
Like a mix tape from a best friend, there is hardly a throwaway song on this album. Mika is the love child of Robbie Williams, Scissor Sisters, Queen, and Elton John. Of course, this makes him just a bit “too gay,” even for me, and therefore not fit for pop stardom in the US. He dances, he plays the piano, and he writes lyrics that are both playful and fun. So infectious that you will find yourself singing along, not quite sure what some of the songs are about, but you’ll be happy. Mika is a superstar in the UK, the single “Grace Kelly” being the island’s biggest seller of 2007. This is sugar-sweet Brit-Pop at its finest.


SONGS OF MASS DESTRUCTION by Annie Lennox
An album of emotion: raw, powerful, expressive emotion. Songs of anger about AIDS, poverty, global warming, the Iraq War. No one but Annie herself can best describe this album: "a dark album, but the world is a dark place. Most people's lives are underscored with dramas of all kinds: there's ups, there's downs. Half the people are drinking or drugging themselves to numb it. A lot of people are in pain.” To that end, each song on this album is better than the one before it. PLUS “Songs of Mass Destruction” has possibly the greatest all-star song ever, “Sing” featuring 25 of the most prominent female singers in the world. It’s a sonic delight- her voice is arranged beautifully and remains one of the most under-appreciated in music today.


RIPE by Ben Lee
Yep, ripe and ready to be a star. I saw Ben Lee this summer in Seattle and knew I was watching a singer-songwriter who wants to move you by making you laugh and think. Oh and hum along too. Perfectly constructed pop songs, even one that asks the question “What Would Jay-Z Do” and instructs “Love Me Like the World is Ending.” Ben is a songwriter who rewards you for listening to the words. If Fountains of Wayne were a solo act, this is what they would sound like.


RAISING SAND by Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
When two of the most distinctive and beautiful voices in music get together with T-Bone Burnett at the dials, the world listens. Plant defined rock and roll with his voice and business-savvy and Krauss has one of the sweetest voices ever and she has more Grammies on her mantle than any other woman. From the opening song to the final note, you know you’re experiencing a very important work. Chilling harmonies, understated arrangements that are a little bit country and a little bit psychedelic. Buy the CD and listen to what will no doubt be a classic.


BACK TO BLACK by Amy Winehouse
I read once that Amy is to the UK as Brittney Spears is to the US. Not so. Yes, yes, yes, Amy needs to get to rehab. This is an amazing album- the best soul of the year. Deep in its emotional, honest lyrics and hip but old school production. Don’t let the tabloids keep you away from this one. Listen to “Tears Dry on Their Own” and see if you can guess which Motown classic has the exact, to-the-note arrangement. Buy this CD and listen to pain from Amy’s point of view.


LITTLE VOICE by Sara Bareilles.
No little voice here- a big pop album filled with gems. This Sara listened to lots of Sarah McLachlan, took that influence, and added more piano and layered arrangements. Songwriting that has both depth and simplicity and a voice that will give you chills- and might even bring you to tears. Really. You’ve heard her music featured on TV programs, often during those contemplative relationship scenes in Brothers and Sisters. Buy the CD and use it as a soundtrack for your own contemplative scenes.


NEON BIBLE by Arcade Fire
The best retro-80s album of the year. Daring arrangements and sounds-- the storm of different instruments will stop you in your tracks: church organs, heavy woodwinds. Let this one grow on your ears and you’ll be very satisfied. “No Cars Go” is one of the best songs of the year – coming soon to a Hummer commercial near you. Heavy sigh.


MAGIC by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
What more can I say? The title track alone speaks volumes for the depth of The Boss as an artist and an American. A great journey through rock and roll’s emotions and power. And a crime that MAGIC did not get a Grammy nod for album of the year. An award that Springsteen has never won. OK, I admit, I’m still smarting that Norah Jones stole the award from 2002’s THE RISING.


AS I AM by Alicia Keys
Alicia is the soulful voice of her generation. Filled with anthem-like writing and style-blending from pop to neo-soul to old-school-Chaka Kahn-R&B. Keys is maturing into a classic before our very eyes and her voice is so strong and full. As if that’s not enough she recorded a song with John Mayer and gave a stunning performance of “Gimme Shelter” with Keith Urban at LIVE EARTH. What’s not to love?


THE REMINDER by Feist
Quick, how many iPod commercials does it take to make a star? 1-2-3-4. This song introduced the latest generation of a iPod iconography, and made her a star at the same time. Enjoyable jazz-pop-folk with smart lyrics and arrangements. And there’s that sweet and haunting voice.