Memorable 2011: T13: 13 albums I listened to in 2011.

[random] yippe!
[listening to] music by madonna

2011,in music(al) sense,I could safely said that it's the year of the comebacks of the renowned and the established.Under my radar,well yea,I noticed the charts were also dominated by newcomers as well,but then,I was somehow not as excitedly anticipating it (although I do sing-a-long to it most of the time).

Not to say that the vibe or quality is up to the par (if not,these songs won't be at the number 1 spot,right?)...it's just that,I don't want to get to the thoughts where the next single/masterpiece is not as good as their first hit.

Ah,if you notice,there are quite of handful of Korean albums in this list compared to last year.If you're wondering why,the shortlisted ones passed the 'feel good factor' by me,which means these albums are so worth it to be enjoyed as a whole.Yup,all-Angela-approved.

Within Temptation The Unforgiving - For this album,I would say it's not as much as symphonical rock as their previous' "The Silent Force" or "The Heart Of Everything".By what my ears had perceived,it seems like they have 'toned down' a lil bit? But then,Sharon den Adel is still as amazing.

Take a listen to: "In the Middle of the Night", "Faster", "Sinéad", "Stairway To The Skies", "A Demon's Fate"

Nightwish Imaginaerum (Deluxe Bonus Edition) - I just love the way Imaginaerum flows..just like those graphics in the CD booklet.While I have this album playing in the background,my mind somehow remembered on the scenes of Hidden Object games I used to play (epsecially The Puppetshow series)...haha,maybe it's just me.The last track of this album (or should I say,a poetry?) has a deep,profound meaning.Yup,it's a bonus edition as well because there's instrumental version to all of the tracks.

Take a listen to: "Taikatalvi", "Slow,Love,Slow", "Scaretale", "Arabesque", "Rest Calm", "The Crow, the Owl and the Dove", "Song of Myself", "Imaginaerum"

Britney Spears Femme Fatale (Deluxe Edition) - Hey,hey..I got a copy of this album.To be honest,I didn't keep up with her,musically,since her self-titled third,"Britney".As for this album,Femme Fatale is a upbeat,club-by kind of pop.Well,I guess you can tell it by her hit singles.And you must be thinking why this album is in this list? The recommended songs below are my faves are the 'kind' of Britney that I used to listen back then.

Take a listen to: "Criminal","Up 'n Down","(Drop Dead) Beautiful" feat. Sabi,"He About To Lose Me", "Selfish"

Evanescence Evanescence (Deluxe Edition) - Yay,they're back! As I type this,I remembered that 3/4 of the former member of Evanescence released their debut with a new frontwoman last year,and as for this year,the remaining of Evanescence made a comeback.How ironic...Anyways,my two cents worth on this,well,I would say this album is more emphasize on guitar riffs than the vibe of 'gothic choir'.Does it mean that Evanescence had divert their musical direction,you might ask? Not exactly.

Take a listen to: "The Change", "My Heart Is Broken", "Swimming Home", "New Way To Bleed", "Secret Door"

jealkb Invade - I get to know this band thru the 3-part series of a futsal match with Alice Nine.It was seriously hilarious and there's an explanation to it.Well,they're actually comedians! Yes,they're the funnymen in the day,but they're the talented,albeit serious,muscians (in the night).If you want to sample any of their earliest masterpieces,I would recommend the song "La Vie En Rose",taken from their album Noroshi (2008).

Take a listen to: "Saigo no uso", "fuhai shita sedai", "sumi to batsu to wana", "makemagic", "TOARU KOI", "ROLLING"

Nick Carter I'm Taking Off (Deluxe Version) - He made a comeback as well! How surprising.As for this one,it's catchy and upbeat compared to his debut,which was more to pop-rock.Speaking of which,it reminds me of an old friend of mine during primary school,and she's a die-hard fan of Nick.I hope she reads this post cos I dunno...as the last time I catching up with her,I found out that she's into alternative rock music,so yeah.And to you all fangirls (and fanboys,heh) circa Backstreet Boys era,get this album.

Take a listen to: "So Far Away", "Special", "Falling Down", "Great Divide", "Falling In Love Again"

Dev The Night The Sun Came Up - It is clearly obvious that I was mesmerized by her voice in that highly-infectious "Like A G6".Simply put,her voice is subtly sexy,yet unpretentious,well suited to any upbeat catchy track.Besides that,I got addicted to "In The Dark" so very much.

Take a listen to: "In My Trunk", "Breathe", "Take Her From You", "Kiss My Lips", "In The Dark",
"In The Dark " feat. Flo Rida

Alice Nine Gemini - The album cover might be looking bland,but don't let it fool you thinking that this album's the same.

Take a listen to: "4U", "KING&QUEEN", "Entri¦acte", "GEMINI-0-eternal", "GEMINI-I-the void", "GEMINI-II-the luv", "birth in the death"

2PM Hands Up - Their second album,just like their debut,1:59PM (2009) is just as good.It is something that I'd really appreciate because,usually,some singers/bands that were so successful with their debut,turned out to be kinda sucked with their second,third,or (insert any number here) album/single.This doesn't happen with 2PM so far.Paired with cool dance moves to each of their singles..get 2PM under your radar.

Take a listen to: "Hands Up", "Electricity", "Without U", "I'll Be Back", "I Can't"

the GazettE TOXIC - All hail the GazettE! If you haven't get their DIM (2009) album,go get 'em now.This is their first album with a major record company.So,TOXIC is not as 'gothic' as DIM per se,but overall,it is accentuated on the intese-ness of the drum part,for example,their single "SHIVER" (which also chosen as the first opening theme for Kuroshitsuji 2).

Take a listen to: "SHIVER", "UNTITLED", "PLEDGE", "THE SUICIDE CIRCUS", "OMEGA"

Oneway Rainy Days - Yup,this is their first full-length album.A continuition from their first mini-album,One Way Street (2010),the style and genre are pretty much the same.What so cool about this album is that,the awesomeness of the intro,"The Forecast".It's full of energy and it oozes some kind of a swag,which it shows how enthusiastic (and talented) they are.

Take a listen to: "The Forecast" feat. One Sound Choir, "New Drag", "Rainy Days" (Unplugged English ver.), "Forever", "Can't Stop"

Rihanna Talk The Talk (Deluxe Edition) Finally,I have waited for this.You see,I just want to get over with Loud (2010) as fast as I can,in which,well,the previous album didn't enticed me that much.As for Talk The Talk,mostly infused with catchy,club-by upbeat vibes.Plus,I would say this album is quite 'explicit' as a whole,compared to "S&M" or "Rated R".

Take a listen to: "Where Have You Been", "Talk That Talk" feat. Jay Z, "Drunk On Love", "Red Lipstick"

Wonder Girls Wonder World - Finally! They're back with their second full-length album.It's been a while right? Let's see,I was expecting "G.N.O." as their first single,as that song really suits their new image.I like it,by the way.So edgy,so fiierce! Overall,it's a cool album.

Take a listen to: "G.N.O.", "Girls Girls", "Me,in", "Sweet Dreams", "Dear.Boy", "SuperB", "Act Cool" ft. San.E


BONUS

B-Free ft Bumkey "Leaving"
It's a slow-jam/hip-hop track.I like the way this song so sempoi,as such they lyrics are in-your-face and not too flowery.

Hyuna & Hyunseung "Trouble Maker"
I love this colaboration.The whistling intro which reminds me of a Hindi song.As for the music video,I was wondering why HyunA lookin' so....nevermind.

Dev feat. Enrique Iglesias "Naked"
Dev,why this song didn't make it into your album? From my experience,if you're googling for this song later on,you'll most likely to encountered with the remix version of it,in which I think doesn't sound so nice.

Geeks "Officially Missing You"
Yup,they've made a remake from Tania's hit single of the same title,but this time,it's in Korean version,with a touch of hip-hop and rap.

Frankmusik feat. Far East Movement "Do It In The AM"
I love this song,my colleagues love this song,and I know you'll love this song too. :)