Well 2012 is coming to a close. It’s been an interesting year for me personally, as well as professionally. But now that we are in the home stretch, figured it was time to begin my end of the year superlatives. Let the Tomas Experience Awards commence! Today’s awards focus on the top 10 albums of the year, which were far more of a struggle to put together than I thought they would be. Shockingly, this year was kind of underwhelming in terms of albums released. There were plenty of great singles but not a lot of fantastic albums. But regardless, there were some that stood head and shoulders above the rest, which we will dive into now.
10. Love is a Four Letter Word
By not ruffling the feathers too much, Jason Mraz croons his way onto this top 10 quite easily over more divisive albums. I’ve never been a fan of the singer before but this album is so peaceful, yet lyrically stirring I can see what the fuss has been about all those years.
Best Track: Be Honest
9. Godspell
I saw this musical on a whim when I went to New York earlier this year after remembering a particular song from the musical was used in So You Think You Can Dance. This show, and the cast album, are such a joy, staying true to the intentions of the show, while modernizing it. These songs will get stuck in your head no matter what you do and you’ll be wondering how people so young can have such powerful voices (3/4 of the cast was making their Broadway debut!)
Best Track: Turn Back (O Man)
8. Newsies: The Musical
As being the only “original” score on Broadway this year, Newsies stands out as a bouyant throwback to old time musicals that told serious stories but with big dance breaks, tuneful lyrics, and powerhouses like Jeremy Jordan holding the production together. Alan Menken did well adapting his film score to fit the conventions of the stage, winning a much deserved Tony this past June.
Best Track: Santa Fe
7. channel ORANGE
Frank Ocean has burst onto the scene this year with both his personal life and his music, the latter of which is worthy of much more press IMHO. Channel Orange is a mix of straight R&B, love songs, and experimental jawns that are always interesting, if not good. There’s never a dull moment and many of the tracks just leap out of the headphones into your ears with great lyrics and soulful beats.
Best Track: Pink Matter
6. Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Whew this album just left scorched earth in its wake! Quentin Tarantino’s film always have great soundtracks, but he’s easily topped himself with this one. Enlisting great talent like Anthony Hamilton, Rick Ross, John Legend, and Ennio Morricone (!), the soundtrack to Django Unchained bristles with anger and revenge, like you would expect from the film.
Best Track: Freedom
5. The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess
I was extremely worried when I heard they’d be turning the greatest American opera into a musical. Gershwin’s original score and the orchestrations are so fantastic, it was going to be tough for me to accept a brand new interpretation. But when you have talents like Audra McDOnald, Norm Lewis, David Alan Grier and Phillip Boykin and an orchestral arrangement that works within a musical theater frame, you have this fantastic cast album. Now this recording still isn’t as great as the Glydenbourne version, but it still packs a wallop.
Best Track: A Woman is a Sometime Thing
4. Fantasea
Come thru Azaelia! After dealing with the lackluster stylings of Nicki Minaj and the non-existence of another viable female rapper, what a breath of fresh air Azealia Banks is. Drawing from her upbringing in New York, gay culture, and rapping with such incredible ferocity, Banks elevates the game on every song.
Best Track: Fierce
3. Cloud Atlas: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
I tried to resist putting the soundtrack to Cloud Atlas but it would not be denied. This score makes me just want to lay on the floor and contemplate my existence. Such exquisite music, that fits lock, stock, and barrel with one of the year’s top films. You can listen to the score forwards, backwards or on shuffle and still understand the message the music is conveying: all boundaries are just conventions.
Best Track: Cloud Atlas Sextet for Orchestra
2. From Day 1
Be still my ratchet soul.Just thinking about this mixtape makes me diddy bop in my chair and want to do ratchet things at night. This might be the definitive strip club album; cause every song is so full of bass and foolish lyrics. But this album is much more than coontastic subject matter, it’s incredibly well paced and organized. Travis Porter knocked it out of the park with this album.
Best Track: Flood That Shit
1. The MF Life
By far this year’s most complete album, Melanie Fiona sings her face off on this album. Every time I listen to it I discover a new favorite song. R&B has been having a tough time lately, being consumed by every club beat and slim voiced “singer” out there, which makes this album stand out even more. Melanie Fiona is not afraid to dig deep into her soul and lay out her burdens. These tracks will make you connect with your inner bitter ex who was done wrong by someone that then turned around and wronged someone who had a significant other die who then came back to find love. It’s a cavalcade of emotions that Melanie corrals into her most heartfelt album yet.
Best Track: Wrong Side of a Love Song