Adam's Top 50 Artists of the Here & Now 2012! [02]

[king_oxymoron]

Hey guys!
Welcome to my top 50 Artists of the Here & Now! I did this about 2 years ago, but tastes change - and it's time to update that list! So join me to see who has fallen well out of favour, who has properly impressed me and whether my favourites have kept their hold atop my list of favourite artists!
Any predictions are welcome, otherwise let's just get straight on it with the first few!

50. (NEW) KRIS ALLEN

We start with an American Idol winner who is right up my singer songwriter alley! Kris is one of my favourite Idol contestants (let alone winners) ever, and I have a section of my iPod dedicated to some of his performances on the show/the wonderful studio versions of those songs he did. However, the album was a tale of two halves for me. The first half is really absolutely fantastic, showcasing his great ability for an upbeat radio anthem, helped along by writing by Danny from the Script. But the second half went a little too far into drearyville for me to rate the album too highly. Still, if the label pull their finger out, we've got an Idol who could really last, with the ability to sing, play instruments and write his own material. I hope he gets to album two because he has real potential!

Check out 'Written All Over My Face', my favourite non-single from the album and 'Heartless', his amazing Kanye cover by clicking on the covers.



49. (NEW) JORDIN SPARKS

And, unintentionally, it's another Idol winner in at 49. I've always liked Jordin, her versions of 'Broken Wing' and 'I Who Have Nothing' on her Idol series propelling her to my favourite to win - and win she did! And I also really liked her first album, though it did take a while to grow on me. But it was with the release of her 'Battlefield' single and album that she really shone for me. It is a FANTASTIC pop album and one which didn't garner enough acclaim on either side of the pond. A fantastic vocalist, a stellar performer and a very nice girl as far as I'm aware! If you don't have the Battlefield album, but like good old pop music, do check out the tracks below, as they'll likely be right up your street - an underrated gem!

Check out 'Freeze', my favourite track from her debut CD and 'No Parade', a rather different but equally brilliant second album highlight by clicking on the covers.



48. (44) PASSENGER

Well as I said last time, I first discovered this band with their romping single 'Walk You Home' - a tale of a man who stalks a lady he likes, which is actually quite sinister but is one of the most chirpy upbeat songs you may ever hear! And though they've only had the one album, it's such a good album that it's remained on heavy rotation on my iPod since I got it for a measly 2 pounds. Well worth checking out, especially if you like male vocals, and distinctive male vocals at that! Very much a singer-songwriters album with some clever lyrics, lovely rhymes and beautiful melodies. I hope they bring out more material soon and maybe even get their big break because they are a talented little bunch!

Check out 'Walk You Home', the track to which I referred and 'Needle In The Dark', one of my album highlights, by clicking on the covers.

[stevyy]

Jordin is one of my favourite casting show stars.. her debut album is amazing. no-air is my favourite track of hers.

[FreakyFlyBry]

Kris Allen is alright but not one of my favourite Idols. Jordin Sparks, however, I saw her full potential more on her latest album, and she definitely deserves her place here

[UKMusicLova]

I LOVE "Live Like You're Dying" by Kris and I have his album - I probably haven't listened to it as much as I should have.
He's very yummy though.

I love Jordin Sparks. Her first album was 50% great music and 50% filler but her 2nd album definitely was much better! I like the 2 tracks you have picked a lot.

Just listened to both of those Passenger songs and I really like the sound of them especially "Needle In The Dark"

[Tiger]

49. (NEW) JORDIN SPARKS
48. (44) PASSENGER

I am shocked that you know Passenger. I actually have all their albums, they are amazing.

[Play]

Interesting start

[JSparksFan]

Kris Allen - I like him. He's a good artist. My favourite songs from his debut album are Before We Come Undone, Can't Stay Away, Live Like We're Dying, and No Boundaries.

Jordin Sparks - She's one of my all-time favourite artists! (Tied with Brit Brit and RiRi for the #1 position). She's a fantastic singer. Her debut album was very good, but Battlefield (the album) was pop perfection. I wish she were a bit higher on your list, though. Still, it'll be interesting to see who's coming up next, as I'll be sure to follow this.

[Marius]

I NH of 2/3 so far and don't think much of the third...

[Blondini]

Pasenger's second album is out now. Though the lead singer released two albums under the Passenger name in between!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passenger_(British_band)

[steophonic]

Not feeling any of them. Looking forward to seeing what's to come though.

[king_oxymoron]

Pasenger's second album is out now. Though the lead singer released two albums under the Passenger name in between!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passenger_(British_band)

Oh my goodness, how did I miss three?! Thank you!

Thanks for all replies, sorry for not keeping this up, have been away a lot with work. Doing the next lot now and will be keeping it up regularly!

[king_oxymoron]

47. (NEW) CALVIN HARRIS

Moving on then to an artist who has never absolutely floored me with a song (besides his collaborations), but has carved a career serving consistently brilliant singles, all guaranteed to get you on the dancefloor.
I realised quite how much I liked Calvin Harris at this years V Festival where he was definitely one of the highlights of the entire weekend. Not the best singer, not the best mover, not the best communicator to the audience, but man, (in his words) it went OFF, Great, great tunes, end of story. Dancefloor and karaoke anthems one and all! Definitely recommended going to see this man, grabbing a drink, dancing stupidly and getting very, very sweaty!

Check out 'Dance Wiv Me', my No.1 song of 2008, a collaboration with Dizzee Rascal and 'You Used To Hold Me', my favourite song from his second CD by clicking on the covers.



46. (24) KT TUNSTALL

I used to be a massive, massive, massive Tunstall nut, and I have to admit, my love for her has significantly waned - as can be seen by this drop in favour. However, prior to hearing her third CD 'Tiger Suit', I was considering not charting her at all. She definitely did enough to remind me why it was I loved her in the first place.

Truth is, Tunstall has always been a fantastic live perfomer, up there with my favourites vocally and stylistically. I adored her 'Black Horse' performance at the Mercury Awards where she did the percussion, guitar, vocals and backing vocals herself. Flawless. It was a poor second LP (in my opinion) that made my love for her fade. But she's back, with a slightly less commercial but musically brilliant third record, including the beautiful '(Still A) Weirdo', the surefire hit 'Fade Like A Shadow' and plenty of other 'returns to form' for me.

Check out 'Heal Over', the most beautiful track she's ever recorded and 'Lost', a really interesting possible future single from the new record by clicking on the covers.

[Virgostar]

Woot for the last 2, more so for the Tunstall than Mr Harris, although I don't mind some of his music too. Can understand why your love for KT faded with Drastic Fantastic, although there were some decent songs on it, I felt/still feel it wasn't/isn't a cohesive effort. Tiger Suit has made up for it though.

P.S. Passenger did a song with Josh Pyke for the new album, read about it somewhere.

[Tiger]

KT Tunstall's "Tiger Suit" also got me into her again actually...

And yeah Passenger made an entire album made of duets with Aussies!

[king_oxymoron]

Thanks you two, moving along!

45. (NEW) BIFFY CLYRO

We start with a band who have been in the top 40 for the best part of 10 years but who only caught my attention with the release of the 2008 single 'Who's Got A Match' which I thought had a very catchy, melodic chorus for a group I'd previously thought 'too rock for me'. Since then? 7 top 40 hits, all of which are as accessible for a tentative indie fan such as I as the last. And with it, predictably, one brilliantly consistent album that is still a stronghold in the top 40 nearly a year after it's release. 'Only Revolutions' is the only album I own but I am so taken by it that 'Puzzle' and others are on my hit list!
Unfortunately I missed their secret set at Glastonbury this year (though I think I was seeing Scissor Sisters who were my weekend highlight) but I am keen to see them live at some stage, and as a keen festival goer, am sure I will!
For those pop music fans who flirt on the edge of liking rock and indie, do check them out. Great catchy melodies sung by a fantastic voice with a beautiful accent and very distinctive qualities! Recommended!

Check out 'Born On A Horse', my favourite non-single from the album and 'That Golden Rule', one of a host of brilliant singles by clicking on the covers.



44. (RE) ATHLETE

I've put re-entry on this one as they weren't in my last top 50 a couple of years ago, but were hanging around my top 100 years ago when I joined the site - I've been a fan for a long time, introduced to the group by a combination of Matthew Dixon and Terry Wogan.
It's been a proper rollercoaster in terms of my love for them. Their first album 'Vehicles & Animals' is a superb collection and very unique for an indie group. Follow up 'Tourist' was a whole lot more commercial, but still a very strong showing. However, I thought third album 'Beyond the Neighbourhood' was just quite bad, and commercially they haven't recovered, despite the fact 'Black Swan' was one hell of an improvement.. Sadly even the hits collection (which contained at least 10 brilliant singles) didn't curry favour with the UK,
which is a shame as they are a great live band who I have seen twice and loved both times, with great radio friendly material that could well have been given more of a push! Glad they are back to form with great songs like 'Superhuman Touch' and 'Black Swan Song'

Check out 'Beautiful', a stunning early single and 'Superhuman Touch', a radio friendly romp from their latest studio set by clicking on the covers.



43. (30) KELLY CLARKSON

Another artist now with not what I'd exactly call a flawless track record with their albums, with two great sets (Breakaway and All I Ever Wanted), one good one (Thankful) and one weak one (My December).
Thankfully, one of the great ones was her latest CD so she is still high in my affections, but truthfully I am just not listening to her very much at present.
Still, an incredibly talented singer with a knack of bringing out brilliantly catchy pop/rock material. Deserved a lot more success here in the UK with All I Ever Wanted, unfortunately the thunder for 'Already Gone' was sort of stolen by Beyonce's 'Halo' - and as much as I adore Beyonce, Kelly's was better, so that was a real shame. Still, as the original (and the best?) American Idol winner, years on she has still done a great job to keep herself in the UK's affections and our charts, and I think she could easily have another big hit with whatever she releases next...

Check out 'Behind These Hazel Eyes;, one of her very best singles and 'Long Shot', a favourite from her most recent album, by clicking on the covers.

[JimJim]

Great to see Kelly in here, 'Long Shot' is indeed a great song.

[Blondini]

I liked Athlete more recently - sadly, the UK didn't agree. Superhuman Touch is their best song.

[steophonic]

Like all of that lot. Particularly Biffy Clyro who I have got really into this year.

With Athlete and KT Tunstall, I think their best stuff is sadly, behind them.

[JSparksFan]

Kelly Clarkson - One of my all-time favourite artists. I love her songs like Since U Been Gone, Because of You, Addicted, Behind These Hazel Eyes, My Life Would Suck Without You, Miss Independent, Anytime, You Thought Wrong and Never Again. She's awesome!

[Tiger]

I have to agree with your Athlete writeup, they're so very hit and miss. Actually for me so are Biffy Clyro.

[king_oxymoron]

Quick bump before I update later!

[FreakyFlyBry]

Kelly Clarkson = absolutely fantastic. Great to see her in your list!

[SholasBoy]

Calvin Harris is my favourite so far. Like Jordin, Kelly hasn't done anything I've liked for a while...

[king_oxymoron]

Cheers guys, next three!

42. (37) LEONA LEWIS

To kick us off today, a girl with a simply phenomenal voice - and if she was about more, she'd probably be higher, but nobody is crediting Leona Lewis with the personality to match, sadly. Still, it's the music industry we all love and she certainly has the voice to be right up there with the greats. When she gets the right hits (see: Bleeding Love, Run) she is absolutely world class, and the two albums have shown glimmers of that and of somebody worth of being one of the worlds biggest artists.
For me, she's not at that peak yet, she is still trying to master being good at upbeat songs and as a result, remains a ballad artist - of which there is only so much you can take. Debut LP 'Spirit' was patchy - though a real breakthrough for an X Factor artist, and Echo built on that, being a much more consistent record. I long for the day I see Leona perform a real upbeat stomper and can convince me she's an all rounder - then she'll be a lot higher because she's talented as hell.
This might all sound a bit down on her, but it'll all make sense when a certain 'rival' of hers inevitably ends up higher. I do love this girl for her vocal capabilities and despite being boring, being nice.

Check out 'Broken', quite possibly my favourite song of hers ever and 'Better In Time', my pick of her singles by clicking on the covers.



41. (-) KEANE

Next up are a group I have always liked and admired - their first single 'Somewhere Only We Know' I thought was simply an amazing song - one of the best of it's year - and they have certainly followed it up with some brilliant material - if not as commercially successful. Hits like 'Spiralling', 'Is It Any Wonder' and 'Everybody's Changing' alongside lesser known beauties 'Cyrstal Ball', 'A Bad Dream' and 'Nothing In My Way' means they are a band with a Greatest Hits set waiting to happen. It's funny actually to think that despite their decline in popularity, they are a band with FOUR (count them) No.1 albums - very impressive.
Also impressive, and what made me realise I love them as much as I maybe did back in the 'Hopes & Fears' days, is their live set. I saw them headlining at last years V Festival - overlooking Oasis to go see them (very glad I did) - and they were really superb. The time went surprisingly quick as they had so many great songs to perform. Lead singer Tim's vocal is distinctive and beautiful and was really great in a live setting. I was very impressed and it definitely made me go back and listen to the three very impressive Keane sets I own.

Check out 'Nothing In My Way', an incredible single and 'You Don't See Me', an album track that really stood out live by clicking on the covers.



40. (29) TING TINGS

And finally for today, a group who are embarking on their return as they gear up for the release of their second album. Having tried to release 'Great DJ' to little chart success, they them SMASHED their way back with the release of now karaoke classic 'That's Not My Name', following up with four further top 40 hits if you count the recent hit with the brilliant 'Hands', and a very well deserved No.1 album.
I wouldn't say 'We Started Nothing' was perfect, or even outstanding. I would say it's creative, different, and very very listenable. And for me, 'Hands' being one of their strongest songs yet bodes well for progress on the second LP. Katie is famed for her shoury vocals but actually her and Jules have beautiful vocals as attested in their Christmas 'Shut Up And Let It Snow' track!
Great live act, unique and quirky, and I look forward to more material from them! The fall is just because I am loving a lot of artists right about now!

Check out 'Hands', the newest single and 'Shut Up And Let It Snow', their Christmas cover (go on, get in the spirit!), by clicking on the covers.

[FreakyFlyBry]

Leona and Keane have both had their great moments but also plenty of filler, the Ting Tings are just ok.