Album Review: Birdy (2011)

Well I’ve featured Birdy in brother site [grav.i.ty] not so long ago with Skinny Love, a cover of Bon Iver. Well, she did well afterwards. Releasing her eponymous debut studio album last year on November 7. Set for US, Canada and International release on upcoming 20^th March 2012.

Her voice is not that remarkable but yes innocent and young. Like your little sister sings and hit all the correct notes without sounding terrible. Somewhat Hayley Westenra-ish in her younger day a little low on soprano.  It was simple and somewhat monotonous. On a plus side, she plays piano. But that doesn’t mean that this album isn’t good at all. Kudos to the mellow, melancholic, dark but melodic music arrangement.

It had me at melancholic.

My favorite tracks 1901, of course Skinny Love, People Help People, I’ll Never Forget You, Shelter, Terrible Love… this list can go further citing entire album.

Tracklists

1. 1901
2. Skinny Love
3. People Help People
4. White Winter Hymnal
5. The District Sleeps Alone
6. I'll Never Forget You
7. Young Blood
8. Shelter
9. Fire and Rain
10. Without a Word
11. Terrible Love

THE VERDICT: 3.5/5

Album Review: Kyler England - Electric Hum (2011)

The last time I listened to Electronic music are of Kate Havnevik and Mackintosh Braun aaaand Robyn until I discovered Kyler England. She seriously sounds like Sarah McLachlan the first time I heard her, I thought "What the... how come I didn't know Sarah has a new album?", but no it was Kyler with her brilliant assemble of songs for her latest album, Electric Hum. With a voice like her, she doesn't need synthesizer to make it sound good. Just sayin'.

The tracklist

1. Battle Cry*
2. Take This Things To Heart
3. We Rise Like Smoke
4. Eye of Your Storm*
5. When The World Stops Spinning*
6. Alchemy*
7. Take Me With You
8. Leave A Light On
9. I Need You Now
10. This Time Next Year

* is my personal favorite track.

THE VERDICT: 5/5

No way this album can be found here in Malaysia, but you can find it in iTunes store or her YouTube channel. She made all her song

27 Audiologism Top Picks: 2011 Best Albums & EP

So we are in the New Year 2012 in case you haven’t heard. This is the collection of album I considered as my top picks for the past year. Some of them were reviewed and heavily featured in brother site [grav.i.ty] before. So let rate em’ simply by ranking and stars. Some of them are Grammy worthy, you know which.

1. Bon Iver - Bon Iver (5/5)
2. Adele – 21 (5/5)
3. Angus & Julia Stone - Memories of an Old Friend (4.5/5)
4. Eva Cassidy - Simply Eva (5/5)
5. The Black Keys - El Camino (4/5)
6. Lady Gaga - Born This Way (4/5)
7. Snow Patrol - Fallen Empires (5/5)
8. The Civil Wars - Barton Hollow (4/5)
9. Allison Krauss & Union Station - Paper Airplane (4/5)
10. Sade - The Ultimate Collection (5/5)
11. Florence + The Machine – Ceremonials (4/5)
12. Zee Avi – Ghostbird (4/5)
13. David Guetta - Nothing But The Beat (5/5)
14. Panic! At The Disco - Vices and Virtues (3/5)
15. Rihanna - Talk That Talk (4.5/5)
16. Britney Spears - Femme Fatale (5/5)
17. Beyonce – 4 (4/5)
18. Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto (4/5)
19. KT Tunstall - The Scarlett Tulip EP (4.5/5)
20. Lenny Kravitz - Black and White America (3/5)
21. Lykki Li  - Wounded Rhymes (3.5/5)
22. Owl City - All Things Bright and Beautiful (3.5/5)
23. Pixie Lott - Young Foolish Happy (3/5)
24. Schuyler Fisk - Blue Ribbon Winner (3/5)
25. Amy Winehouse - Lioness Hidden Treasures (3.5/5)
26. Emmylou Harris - Hard Bargain (4/5)
27. PJ Harvey - Let England Shake (3/5)

NEXT: My All Time Favorite Albums