Year-In-Review, This Is Not (Entry Five)
Musicians I’ve Discovered This Year
The year 2011 in music was dominated by Adele. This came as no surprise to me; I’ve been a fan since her debut album, 19. Lady Gaga and Katy Perry also had a very good year, so did Beyonce and Taylor Swift. I won’t discuss the hip-hop artists or dance, the former because I know too little of them and the latter, simply because I find the genre a joke. This post will only go over the artists I just came to love recently. Excluded from this list are: Florence + the Machine (whose dramatic music I adore, but they’re already way too famous), Sara Bareilles (ditto), anyone who won/almost won a reality singing show, and old-timey artists who have been dead for fifty years (yes, I first heard about Sam Cooke six months ago). Filter them down and this is what I came up with. Brief reviews in all, since I am not qualified to review music thoroughly.
Matt Nathanson
Not a newcomer to the music scene, the folk/rock singer-songwriter has been recording albums since high school. He has opened for Train, Pink, Maroon 5, and will soon be touring with Kelly Clarkson. His songs have been featured in so many TV shows you’re bound to recognize them. That’s how I came to like his music, anyway.
His last two albums are the ones that really got some recognition. His latest, Modern Love, released earlier this year, is the only I truly fell in love with. The songs vary from upbeat (Faster, Modern Love) to haunting (Kiss Quick). There is also a collaboration with country duo Sugarland. After getting my hands on Some Mad Hope (2007), I’ve pretty much put the contents of both albums on my iPod playlist and haven’t removed them since. His lyrics are powerful and his melody catchy and soulful.
Gavin DeGraw
Ever since his song became the theme song of the teen hit series, One Tree Hill, Gavin DeGraw has become an artist to watch. His first record, Chariot, remains my absolute favorite to this day. I’ve even got the stripped version of the album. The second and third albums are not bad but his latest, Sweeter, was the one that made me remember how talented he really is.
With his songwriting skills and nimble fingers on the piano, Gavin is remarkable. Then you throw in his raw powerful voice and you’ll get something worth listening to for the rest of your life. Currently recovering after the beating he received this August, he’s still performing and making incredible music.
Rumer
Born Sarah Joyce, the British singer-songwriter, used to be in an indie band before setting out on her own. Her amazing record, Seasons of My Soul, was released in 2010 but I didn’t hear about her until July 2011, when she performed in the iTunes Festival London. A few internet searches later, my earlier thoughts were confirmed. Rumer is Karen Carpenter born again. Up until then, it was my belief that nobody could ever sound like that again: deep, rich, full of sorrow and passion. Yet, here she is, sounding like it is still 1970s.
Extraordinarily unique, soulful, and a songwriter to boot. I hope her next record is coming soon.
