This year was Robyn's year. With the release of three EPs, a performance at the Pitchfork Music Festival and a sold out concert at The Metro, the Swede cemented her comeback. Her somber electro goodie "Dancing on My Own" finds itself being the best song of the year. Also not to be missed are Robyn's terrific remakes of Prince's "When Doves Cry" and Bjork's "Hyperballad," which have popped up on YouTube.
I am enamored helplessly by Kylie Minogue's superb album, Aphrodite. The 12-track collection is consistent dance pop at its finest—just check out the title track and "Closer." Expect a tour in 2011.
Also delivering the goods, Kelis delves into clubland with the phenomenal Flesh-Tone. Her public divorce from Nas does not interfere with the party vibe found here, as witnessed on "Intro" and "Scream."
Andy Bell's lively Non-Stop is a perfect successor to the Erasure frontman's first solo bow, 2005's Electric Blue. On "Will You Be There?" and the ode to Debbie Harry "DHDQ," the beats are, well, non-stop.
Many have stepped out with dazzling debuts this year. Janelle Monae's Metropolis-inspired The ArchAndroid contains the singles "Tightrope" and "Cold War." But it is the avant-garde "Mushrooms & Roses" and "Wondaland" that make me look forward to Monae's future in the music industry.
Hailing from England, Exit Calm makes waves with its self-titled debut. Otherworldly guitar riffs and soaring vocals show influence from Pearl Jam and U2, as heard on "We're on Our Own" and "Don't Look Down."
Kelli Scarr has sung alongside Moby, Color of Clouds and J.Viewz. Instead of favoring electronica, she makes a natural progression with an organic Carole King-meets-Patsy Cline sound on her fantastic full-length bow Piece. But how can somebody with such an angelic voice sing of heartache on "Break Up" and "Anything?"
This year saw some white-hot pairings. Perry Farrell duets with the openly gay Andy Bell on "Honey If You Love Him." Jens Lekman joins Tracey Thorn for the deliciously dark take on Lee Hazlewood's "Come on Home to Me." Sarah Washington's 1996 feel-good dance anthem "Heaven" has been redone by the team consisting of LFB, John LePage and siren Debby Holiday. The highlight of Groove Armada's Black Light is out crooner Will Young's cameo on "History." Kylie Minogue guests on the moody electronic masterpiece "Devotion" by The Hurts.
The remix of the year belongs to the Celebrity Murder Party Remix of Billie Ray Martin's "Just Fascination." This reworking gives the track that much more intensity.
Seeing Frenchie Davis perform at Pride Fest restored my faith in artists. The American Idol alumna nailed hits made popular by other female artists, including Beyonce and Whitney Houston. The boisterous crowd loved Davis. She felt the connection and sang "When Love Takes Over" again as an encore.
Also giving fantastic concerts this year were The Cowboy Junkies, The Ettes and Me'shell Ndegeocello. The Cowboy Junkies used a mix of album tracks, covers, new material and storytelling, which guaranteed a great night. For Lollapalooza, I hurried to see The Ettes. Standing in the second row, I was mesmerized by drummer Maria "Poni" Silver's sexy, animalistic stage presence, as the band performed a solid set including "No Home" and "Walk out That Door." Ndegeocello wowed the audience at The Old Town School of Folk Music with material from her latest, Devil's Halo, such as a rendition of "Let Me Love You Down," "White Girl" and "Mass Transit."
Five female artists had videos that made big impressions. "All the Lovers," has Kylie Minogue proclaiming her message atop an ever-growing mound of beautiful 20-somethings kissing. Kelis is a futuristic hunter and mother in "Acapella." In "Pretty Girls Rock" Keri Hilson serves a history lesson by dressing up as iconic women in music, like Josephine Baker, Janet Jackson and TLC. For the over-the-top "Telephone," Beyonce picks up Lady Gaga out of prison before the twosome poison everybody in a restaurant. Dance routines, outrageous costumes, B-movie worthy dialogue and the Pussy Wagon from Kill Bill Vol. 1 complete the clip.
My favorite movie of the year is The Runaways. Kristen Stewart has been panned for her acting; however, her portrayal of a young Joan Jett is well done. The outstanding soundtrack features material by The Runaways, as well as David Bowie, Suzi Quatro and Sex Pistols. Stars Stewart and Dakota Fanning even tackle The Runaways' classics "Cherry Bomb," "Queens of Noise" and "Dead End Justice."
Out last February, kd lang's two-disc Recollection is the best retrospective I have heard in awhile. She will be remembered forevermore for the Grammy-winning "Constant Craving," but lang's voice is perfect on her versions of "Helpless," "Hallelujah" and "Crying."
I felt such a beaming sense of pride when Levi Kreis won the Tony Award for his role in Million Dollar Quartet. The out singer-songwriter and actor portrays Jerry Lee Lewis in this musical, which ran in Chicago before moving to Broadway. His song "Nothing at All" from the album Where I Belong reigned on top of Logo's Click List as well. Bravo.
As I get older, I become more disgruntled with Top 40 offerings. Now, I wonder how many more hits the likes of Katy Perry, Ke$ha, Miley Cyrus, Black Eyed Peas and Justin Bieber have left before their bubble-gum flavor wears out.
