2013 is almost over, and it's time to take a look back at the Galaxy's favorite albums of the year.
Kim Wilde released what I consider to be her best album in more than 20 years. Wilde Winter Songbook really deserves several listens. Her covers of tracks like "White Winter Hymnal" and "Winter Song" are fabulous - but the new songs (written or co-written by Kimmy herself) are the ones that steal the show. An album that deserves much more widespread appreciation.
Favorite tracks: "Song For Beryl", "Burn Gold (Silent Night)", "Hope", "White Winter Hymnal", "One".
Pet Shop Boys released Electric in July and the album is ending up on several year-end lists by music magazines. Like always, the boys delivered an excellent album, although I personally prefer most of their previous albums over this one. That said, it's still a fantastic record that especially pleased the fans of "Dance-Pet Shop Boys".
Favorite tracks: "Love Is a Bourgeois Construct", "Vocal", "Fluorescent", "The Last To Die".
Alison Moyet made a spectacular comeback in 2013 with her hit album The Minutes, which became her highest charting album since 1987 in the UK.
Released in May, the album was met with spectacular reviews. Rightly so, since this album is pretty perfect! Produced and co-written by Guy Sigsworth, this is probably the album fans of the singer had been waiting for - it certainly delivers!
Favorite tracks: "Changeling", "Horizon Flame", "When I Was Your Girl", "Filigree", "Love Reign Surpreme".
Abba legend Agnetha Faltskog made a surprise comeback with A, her first album since 2004 and the first of original material since 1987. Even more surprising is how good it is!
Her voice still sounds beautiful, the songs are well crafted and overall it is a beautifully produced album. A most welcomed comeback.
Favorite tracks: "When You Really loved Someone", "Bubble", "Perfume In The Breeze", "Dance Your Pain Away", "I Was A Flower", "I Should've Followed You Home".
Erasure released their first holiday-themed album this year. Much like the Kim Wilde album, Snow Globe is not strictly a Christmas album, though it does feature some standards. And like Kimmy's album, the songs that really shine here are the new ones, along with a couple of traditional works. The overall tone is dark and moody, yet bright and uplifting. Another excellent album from the boys.
Favorite tracks: "Gaudete", "Sleep Quietly", "Bells Of Love", "Make It Wonderful","Loving Man".
The album of the year, hands down, was for me the long awaited comeback album from Cher!
Filled with both high energy dance songs and beautiful ballads, Closer To The Truth is one of the best albums of the diva's long career. It became a hit for her, charting in the Top 10 in the UK, Canada, Germany, Russia and of course the US where it became her highest charting solo album to date! The comeback of the year!
Favorite tracks: "I Hope You Find It", "My Love", "Dressed To Kill", "Woman's World", "I Walk Alone", "Take It Like A Man", "Sirens", "Red", "Favorite Scars" - OK, the whole album ;)
There are a few albums that came out this year that I still haven't had the change to listen to. I can't say I expect much from the Lady Gaga and Britney Spears albums, but I am really looking forward to hearing the ones from Goldfrapp, The Neighbourhood, OMD and Celine Dion (yes, I have heard a few tracks from the Celine album and I like them surprisingly much...).
EDIT:
OK, heard the Lady Gaga album - it's even worse than Born This Way! I really enjoyed her first two albums, but the last two have left a lot to be desired! The Celine album however is much better with some outstanding tracks!
Next year should bring us new albums from Kylie Minogue (!), Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Bruce Springsteen, Blondie, Toni Braxton (with Babyface), Tori Amos, Frank Ocean, Garbage, Ladytron and of course princess Lana Del Rey. Time will tell if Madonna will join the list...
