The Blessed UnrestA powerful voice paired with inspiring words and lovely piano riffs—It’s no wonder Sara Bareilles’ album “The Blessed Unrest” has been nominated for Album of the Year in the 2014 Grammy Awards. Bareilles always manages to impress with her dynamic voice.
In songs like “Brave,”she belts out the lyrics zealously, but in songs like “Manhattan,” she displays a soft, comforting voice. Her vocal range is impressive, and even more impressive are her piano abilities. In nearly every song, the piano takes center stage to delight listeners’ ears.
Bareilles, in addition to boasting her singing and piano abilities in the songs, also wrote all of the lyrics and even helped in the production of many tracks. It is apparent that Bareilles poured her soul into this album, and it was worth it judging by the truly amazing music that was made. She is definitely a front-runner for the award, and deservingly so.
Track List:
1. Brave
2. Chasing the Sun
3. Hercules
4. Manhattan
5. Satellite Call
6. Little Black Dress
7. Cassiopeia
8. 1000 Times
9. I Choose You
10. Eden
11. Islands
12. December
13. I Wanna Be Like Me
14. Root Down [Gumroad Pre-order only]
Listen to the album here. By Sophie Whyte
How do you think Sara Bareilles showed off her talent in this album?
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[tab title=”Daft Punk”]
Random Access Memories
This bizarre electronic music duo is up for a Grammy with their album “Random Access Memories.” There’s no one quite like Daft Punk, who crosses funk, techno, French House, and many others; Daft Punk is somewhat of its own genre. I was glad to see their album up for a Grammy, since I had fallen in love with the ever popular song “Get Lucky.” It’s the type of song that makes me want to dance and sing, which I should be doing neither of considering my lack of performing talent.
The song “Give Life Back to Music” with Nile Rodgers perfectly illustrates their funky, fun aura. With such a unique album, it’s no wonder why Daft Punk is nominated for five different Grammys including Album of the Year, Best Dance/Electronica Album, Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical, along with the nomination of “Get Lucky” for Record of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.
I expect them to win at least one, if not more. Hopefully they will “get lucky.”
Track List:
1. Give Life Back to Music feat Nile Rodgers
2. The Game of Love
3. Giorgio by Moroder feat Giorgio Moroder
4. Within feat Chilly Gonzales
5. Instant Crush feat Julian Casablancas
6. Lose Yourself to Dance feat Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers
7. Touch feat Paul Williams
8. Get Lucky feat Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers
9. Beyond
10. Motherboard
11. Fragments of Time feat Todd Edwards
12. Doin’ It Right feat Panda Bear
13. Contact feat DJ Falcon
Listen to the album here. By Sophie Whyte
What’s your favorite song off of this album?
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[tab title=”Kendrick Lamar”]
good kid, m.A.A.d city
I’m very happy this album is a nominee for Album of the Year at the 2014 Grammy Awards because it was musically genius. I, in fact, am not the biggest fan of rap, but Kendrick Lamar took the cake, as some may say, with this album. He made me appreciate rap music on a completely different level.
Kendrick Lamar, is now one of my favorite artists for the way his lyrics spoke out in this album. Lamar included voicemails from family members and friends to help tell the story of growing up in Compton. Listening to the album from track 1 to track 17, I know that it truly tells a story. His lyrics and beats grab me in, and if I had to pick from all of the nominees, I would love to see good kid, m.A.A.d city win.
The album, even for people who don’t like rap, will certainly contain at least one song that one couldn’t help but sing to. My favorite tracks would include “m.A.A.d city,” “The Recipe” and “Real.”
Track List:
1. Sherane a.k.a. Master Splinter’s Daughter
2. Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe
3. Backseat Freestyle
4. The Art of Peer Pressure
5. Money Trees feat. Jay Rock
6. Poetic Justice feat. Drake
7. good kid
8. m.A.A.d city feat. MC Eiht
9. Swimming Pools (Drank) [Extended Version]
10. Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst
11. Real feat. Anna Wise
12. Compton feat. Dr. Dre
Bonus Tracks
13. The Recipe feat. Dr. Dre
14. Black Boy Fly
15. Now or Never feat. Mary J. Blige
16. Collect Calls
17. Swimming Pools (Drank)
Listen to the album here. By Renata Williams
Have you listened to good kid, m.A.A.d city? What do you think about this album?
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[tab title=”Macklemore & Ryan Lewis”]
The Heist
It’s rare to have an album where all the songs are catchy, so I was more than glad to encounter The Heist by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis. Commanding songs like “Can’t Hold Us” are perfect to pump you up in the morning or to dance to. “Same Love” with the glorious Mary Lambert is not only lyrically beautiful, but also put out a strong message of compassion while the issue of gay marriage remains a controversial issue.
Every song on the album has thought behind them; it’s not just a catchy beat, it’s a message. Even fun songs like “Thrift Shop” helped to show that shopping at a thrift shop isn’t something to be ashamed of. If you can only afford to shop at a thrift shop (like millions of others), you should own it.
“The Heist” simultaneous provided memorable tunes and influential stories to empower listeners, so don’t be surprised if you watch Macklemore and Ryan Lewis take the title of Best Album tonight.
Track List:
1. Ten Thousand Hours
2. Can’t Hold Us feat Ray Dalton
3. Thrift Shop feat Wanz
4. Thin Line feat Buffalo Madonna
5. Same Love feat Mary Lambert
6. Make The Money
7. Neon Cathedral feat Allen Stone
8. BomBom feat The Teaching
9. White Walls feat ScHoolBoy Q; Hollis
10. Jimmy Iovine feat Ab-Soul (of Black Hippy)
11. Wing$
12. A Wake feat Evan Roman
13. Gold feat Eighty4 Fly
14. Starting Over feat Ben Bridwell (of Band Of Horses)
15. Cowboy Boots
Listen to the album here.
By Sophie Whyte
Would you like to see The Heist win Album of the Year?
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[tab title=”Taylor Swift”]
Red
This album is definitely the definition of pop country, and so is Taylor Swift. I for sure played this album over and over again, though I’m not sure it is worthy of Album of the Year because it simply does not compare to a lot of the other albums on the list. I guess if the Grammy Awards wanted to add a country album, this was the one to add, but I still don’t see it as the winner.
Looking at the positives, though, the album is very good. It is one romantic song after another, which every teenager can relate to. And I’m sure every teenager has.
But love songs are always expected of the “Queen of Breaking Up.” The best songs on the album are “State of Grace,” “Red” and “Stay Stay Stay.” I really enjoy The Lucky One also, because it’s a one of Swift’s slower songs, which I really enjoy.
Track List:
1. State Of Grace
2. Red
3. Treacherous
4. I Knew You Were Trouble
5. All Too Well
6. 22
7. I Almost Do
8. We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together
9. Stay Stay Stay
10. The Last Time
11. Holy Ground
12. Sad Beautiful Tragic
13. The Lucky One
14. Everything Has Changed
15. Starlight
16. Begin Again
Listen to the album here. By Renata Williams
What’s your favorite song by Taylor Swift?
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