Jueves 3 Nov 2011, 13:53

This is the first entry in a (hopefully) ongoing list featuring my favorite albums by my favorite artists. I'll pick whomever I feel like from my Top 75 or so artists, select the album (or EP) of theirs that I like most, give a few (or maybe more than a few) reasons why, and list a couple of my favorite songs from that album. 

Some discographies will be harder to narrow down to a favorite than others, but I actually look forward to that part of the decision (and I'll even rate the difficulty of choosing the best album for each artist). And artists with only one album won't necessarily be disqualified (hey, I might just feel like gushing about why they're so awesome), but I will try to avoid doing that since it, you know, kind of defeats the whole point of this. 

Okay. Are you excited? Let's pretend you are. 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f8/Joanna_Newsom_-_Have_One_On_Me.jpg
Have one on me - Joanna Newsom

Difficulty of choice:

It's only fair that I begin this with the album that's consumed my life (and more importantly, my ears) for most of 2011. Layered, self-referential, and sonically gorgeous, Joanna crafts songs that only get better the more you listen to them (and somewhat restrains that wail of hers, as well). She tells a story that stretches from the first words of "Easy" to the last strands of "It Does Not Suffice", and it's a heartbreaker. Easily one of my favorite albums, ever.

Favorite Songs
"In California"
"You and Me, Bess"
"It Does Not Suffice"
"Go Long"
"On a Good Day"
"Good Intentions Paving Company"
"Baby Birch"
"'81"
"Ribbon Bows"
"Esme"
Basically the entire album, it you haven't figured that out by now. Don't make me list them all, because I will.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/10/King_%28album%29.jpg
King - T.I.

Difficulty of choice:

T.I. is at his best when he's being candidly honest about his life or he's contemptuously raging at his detractors and enemies, and King delivers on both fronts. It's his perfect mix of braggadocio, bangers, and introspection. King edges out Urban Legend, Trap Muzik and Paper Trail as the most consistent album so far from the King of the South.

Favorite Songs
"Live in the Sky"
"What You Know"
"Goodlife"
"You Know Who"

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/ee/Regina_Spektor-Soviet_Kitsch.jpg
Soviet kitsch - Regina Spektor 

Difficulty of choice:

I love all Regina's albums, but the spectacular trio of songs that end Soviet Kitsch seal the deal in my mind. If you ever wondered what kind of music a quirky, occasionally foul-mouthed Russian-American angel would make, Soviet Kitsch will answer your question. 

Favorite Songs
"Chemo Limo"
"Somedays"
"Ghost of Corporate Future"
"Us"