by BrandonLemons
It's Lemonade's picks for the best of 2011. There's hardware.....or citrus for thet matter to be handed out to all the winners.
Our normal review section sees a bit of a change this month as contributing writer Aaron Mannari gives you his personal Top 5 Albums of 2011.
Head Writer - Brandon Lemons
Editor - Brandon Lemons
Contributing Writers - Brian Palmer, Aaron Mannari and Rose Pendleton
Another year of awesome music has gone by at warped speed it seems. Another year that regardless of the struggles and hurdles there are to overcome owning an independent magazine, I constantly am thankful to be doing this.
From meeting on the rise alternative band To Paint The Sky early this year to interviewing a budding superstar like Lights just last month, I continue to be more and more inspired and amazed by the people I am surrounded by in this business.
It was a great year for concerts too. I remember seeing Ellie Goulding in the spring and thinking "there is no way this can be beat!". I then went to see Meiko in Snoqualmie, WA as well as The End 107.7's Summer Camp in the summer and got to party with bands like Awolnation, Middle Class Rut, Manchester Orchestra and Neon Trees. Finally I capped off the year with Lights' high energy show in Seattle. There is simply no way I could pick a favorite.
I love the Lemonade Awards. For those of you who are new to the magazine, they aren't just decided on by me. The panel here argues about it, we throw some punches and after a few hospital visits we come to a conclusion.....No, but really, we discuss it for a while, take some of the feedback we've had from readers mixed with each individual nominees accomplishments throughout the year and oila.........we get a winner. I think this year's group of Lemonade Award winners is amazing if I am being honest. Mainly because each nominee was completely deserving of their nomination, so the winners are really something special.
I want to thank everyone so much for sticking with us, in a blog filled world, we hope you all appreciate the fact, we are a group of professionals who desperately want to break the mold of music publications. I couldn't do it without Brian Palmer, Rose Pendleton and Aaron Mannari helping out with material. I also couldn't do it without the support of people like Brooke Ross, Julia Price, Roya Nourani and Rey Roldan. Not to mention my family and friends who try their best to always be there for me as much as they can.
I can't wait for 2012 and from the bottom of my heart once again.....thank you.
Happy Holidays! -Brandon
It's the second annual Lemonade Awards! This year is far from the terrible two's in fact, the artists nominated are nothing short of outstanding!
The 2011 Awards feature everyone from up and coming indie artists like Charlotte Eriksson to some of the biggest names in the business like Ellie Goulding and Maroon 5.
We hope you enjoy our year in review and make sure to check out everyone nominated this year. With all that said....we bring to you the...
Ellie Goulding
Fellow Nominees: Tinie Tempah and Alexandra Stan
Last year's winner: Civil Twilight
There is really no explanation needed for why Ellie is the one to take away this award. From singing at the reception for the Royal Wedding earlier in the year to recently being one of the acts at the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony, she is already by far one of the most respected acts in the world.
What's most intriguing about Ellie is how quick she managed to take over each country one by one. It was only a couple weeks after we first were told to listen to her chart topping album, Lights , that she became a household name in the states.
Whether you are dancing to her in the car or witnessing the phenomenon live, there is little doubt you would disagree that Ellie Goulding is one of the most influential new artists out right now.
Congratulations Ellie and the United Kingdom....this Lemonade Award goes to you.
Skylar Grey - Dance Without You
Fellow Nominees: Awolnation - Sail and Coldplay - Paradise
Included in the nominees for this new category this year, we had an ode to thriller movies (Awolnation) and an elephant on a unicycle (Coldplay). However nothing could beat the Skylar vs Crazy Skylar that was Dance Without You . See for yourself below.
of Verona - Fall Like Roses
Fellow Nominees: To Paint The Sky - Through The Rain and Afterlife Parade - Death
Last year's winner: Hey Monday - Beneath It All
Singer/songwriter Mandi Perkins latest project of Verona is a lot more than just a project...it's a brand new sound to not only the L.A. music scene, but the rest of North America.
Fall Like Roses features a combination of vintage 80's rock and a futuristic dance music that none of us knew existed.....or does it?
It does everything you ask for out of an EP. You leave it in your car stereo to replay over and over again and you keep checking their updates online to see when their full length album will finally be out. It's time everyone has caught onto the genius that is of Verona.
Congratulations, you are the winners of the 2011 EP of the Year.
Foster The People
Fellow Nominees: Skylar Grey and Awolnation
Last year's winner: Christina Perri
If you haven't heard the song Pumped Up Kicks then we have no clue where you've been this summer. The song was everywhere, yet it was only a very small reason why Foster The People had such a breakout year.
Their album, Torches could be one of the most underrated alternative albums to come out in quite a while. Featuring some of the catchiest songs that you will be singing for days. To add to that, Mark Foster and the gang played sold out shows around the world, including Coachella where they were at the tip of everyone's tongues.
So whether you were humming along to them on the radio or jamming out to them live, there is little doubt that you don't know who Foster The People are.
We are very happy to name them our Breakout Artist of 2011.
Maroon 5
Fellow Nominees: Coldplay and Airborne Toxic Event
Another new award this year is the Group/Duo of the Year Award. It seems like since the release of Songs About Jane , Adam Levine and Maroon 5 have been non stop touring and despite only releasing three studio albums in total, they are always keeping our appetites satisfied with everything from acoustic and remix albums to collaborations with artists like Kanye West, Gym Class Heroes and Christina Aguilera.
Along with the success of Hands All Over , 2011 has really been a stand out year for Maroon 5. You've seen them on the American Music Awards, NBC's The Voice, Super Bowl Parties, Half Time Shows etc. There just seems to be no stopping the L.A. natives from taking over the music world.
What we love most about Maroon 5 though is how they treat their fans and we here at Lemonade happen to be included in that bunch. Congratulations Maroon 5, you are our Group of the Year.
Fellow Nominees: Ellie Goulding - Lights and Awolnation - Sail
Last Year's Winner: Florence + The Machine - Dog Days Are Over
It's about time Skylar Grey has blasted onto the scene. The genius behind some of the most famous hooks in recent history (Diddy Dirty Money - Coming Home , Rihanna/Eminem - Love the Way You Lie , Lupe Fiasco - The Words I Never Said , just to name a few) has been flying under the radar for the past few years before slowly revealing herself this year to the world.
Dance Without You is without a doubt one of the best teaser tracks you could have for a much anticipated debut. The dark battle between Skylar and a version of herself she's trying hard to escape (at least in the song) is executed to perfection and extremely catchy with lines like "How can I make history with your choreography?", which is exactly what we come to expect from one of the best pop writers in the business
Well Skylar....you've made history here winning two Lemonade Awards in one year. Congratulations! To say we are extremely excited for your debut would be an extreme understatement.
Kanye West
Fellow Nominees: Bruno Mars and Matt Nathanson
Last Year's Winner: B.o.B.
It's hard to remember a hip hop album that has meant as much to the world as My Dark Twisted Fantasy does. It's even harder to imagine that there is an artist alive right now who is as famous or in some cases infamous as Kanye West is.
Year after year Kanye thrills us and 2011 was no exception. He gave Coachella one of the most amazing shows in years, as well as joined Jay Z in a dream team collaboration album Watch The Throne.
One of our favorite moments from Kanye this year though may be a little surprising to a lot of you. It happened at The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show where Kanye was finally able to have the performance he was supposed to have in 2007 when his mother unexpectedly passed away.
Love him or hate him, he's a living legend who you can always bet on to wow you. His passion for his craft is incredible and is only rivaled by the talent he possesses.
All that said, we present to you our 2011 Lemonade Magazine Male Artist of the Year, Kanye West.
Christina Perri
Fellow Nominees: Lights and Ellie Goulding
Last Year's Winner: A Fine Frenzy
We all kind of figured that after Christina won breakout artist of the year last year, there was little doubt she would be back in the awards hunt come 2011. Not sure we guessed she would quite dominate 2011 though quite the way that she has.
With the release of lovestrong. in May, Christina finally gave her fans what they had all wanted since her hit song, Jar of Hearts blew up the airwaves in 2010. The album was easily one of the strongest albums of 2011 and featured deeply dramatic and emotional lyrics that only someone like Christina could deliver.
The dominance didn't end there however, Christina (a self proclaimed "twi-hard") was announced as one of the artists featured on the soundtrack for The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn with her exclusive song A Thousand Years.
We definitely don't hide our love for Christina Perri here at Lemonade and it's for good reason, she's easy to love!
Congratulations Christina, you are our 2011 Female Artist of the Year!
Lights - Siberia
Fellow Nominees: Ellie Goulding - Lights and Christina Perri - lovestrong.
Last Year's Winner: Automatic Loveletter - Truth or Dare
It is nearly impossible to pick one standout album each year. This year was full of brand new sounds, out of the box thinkers and albums that produced multiple hit singles. In the mix was a brand new album from Lights. The girl from Canada who a couple years ago made us smile with her bouncy synth pop and online comics.
The album is called Siberia and it didn't just make us smile.....it blew our minds! It is the music equivalent of a grand slam, mixing beautiful lyrics, dance-able beats, experimental sounds and flawless vocals. Siberia isn't just Lemonade's Album of the Year, we truly believe it should be considered a classic; certainly in it's genre, as well as all around. It's a producers dream and has already produced some fantastic remixes, such as Captain Midnite's dubstep remix of Banner . Lights provided a shock to the EDM world and we can only hope that the rest of the world recognizes her like we have this year. Hands down, without a questions Siberia is our 2011 Album of the Year.
I have been fortunate enough this year to be able to write about my passion and I wanted to share my top 5 favorite albums from 2011. Remember that music is such a personal thing that it is very likely that my opinion will vary greatly from yours, but more than anything, I hope that you read this list and are intrigued enough to give these artists a chance to invade your collection.
5. Wasting Light Foo Fighters ( www.foofighters.com )
If you love the Foo Fighters, then you will love this album. Call me a bit of a homer (I'm from the Seattle area), but Dave Grohls legacy with Nirvana will always endear me to his music. With that being said, it is impossible to overlook the unbelievable amount of talent and energy that that flows through this album. I cannot stop the overwhelming urge to do some serious toe-tapping and head-bobbing while listening to every track on Wasting Light .
4. The Goat Rodeo Sessions Yo-Yo Ma, Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer & Chris Thile ( www.yo-yoma.com/news/goat-rodeo-sessions )
Could combining classical and bluegrass music produce a listenable album? Yes, and an emphatic yes at that! The Goat Rodeo Sessions fills me with a joy that put a permanent smile on my face. The mostly instrumental playlist is nothing short of brilliant from the accolade-riddled quartet. Each, individually, has won at least one Grammy. I put the album on repeat and the 57-plus minute record played for nearly five hours before I realized it. Its replay value is obviously undeniable.
3. Vice Verses Switchfoot ( www.switchfoot.com )
This is one of those albums where if I need a pick-me-up, it is the first I queue on my playlist. Vice Verses is an inspired and uplifting record by a band that has nothing left to prove. Switchfoot's versatility in musical style from track to track gives me a little of everything from pop to rock and even a bit of rap (it is not Eminem, but check out Selling The News and you'll know what I mean). Even if you think that Christian-based music is not your cup of tea, give Switchfoot's Vice Verses a chance and you may be pleasantly surprised.
2. Silence Worth Breaking Brooke Annibale ( www.brookeannibale.com )
I absolutely love this album. Ms. Annibale is an unsigned singer/songwriter from Pittsburgh, who should be signed to a major label right now. Her lyrics are moving, heartbreaking and beautifully poetic. Every track is superbly crafted and produced. What is even more impressive is that her album was produced
on a ramen-noodle budget. The clarity and quality of the record goes to show just how talented she truly is. If there is one album that you purchase this year, it should be Silence Worth Breaking without question.
1. 21 Adele ( www.adele.tv )
Every so often an album comes along that is the perfect storm of stunning lyrics, unfiltered passion, infectious melodies and unrequited love. Adeles 21 is just that album. The heartbreakingly soulful record, which infects every fiber of my being, describes her debilitating losses and her finding salvation in elegant and masterful detail. Every line of every song is uncompromising and unyielding. Adele puts every ounce of emotion into 21 and bares her soul to us like few artists do today. Her vulnerability is so uncommon it deserves the recognition as the best album of 2011.
