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

[Tiger]

I think Leona Lewis' songs are good but it seems that her albums are full of fillers, like Bry said.

[steophonic]

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

Agreed.

[Virgostar]

Kelly's had some good songs in the past, but I'm not a huge fan of her's, even though I own Breakaway.

Really disappointed with Hands, so I don't know if I'll get into the Ting Tings 2nd album era. Still love Great DJ though!

[king_oxymoron]

Bump before I do more later!

[Benny]

Kelly Clarkson is great, I loved the songs from her "Breakaway" album

When "Bleeding Love" was out I though Leona Lewis would become the new Whitney Houston, sadly her last album was not as successful as expected, although I loved the first single "Happy"

Keane are one of the best British bands of the 00s imho, they have many great songs, I love the singles from the "Hopes & Fears" album as well as "Crystal Ball" and "Spiralling".

[Fan]

Can't believe I didn't see this theard before! You have an amazing taste and I always like your comments.

Love Leona, The Ting Tings, Kelly and KT and also like Jordin and Kris.
You have mentioned some artists I've never heard of, but I'll definitely check them out.

[king_oxymoron]

Thank you for all comments guys, especially Benny as I don't think we've come across each other before! And Fan, what a lovely thing to say!

Let;s do three more!

39. (47) JAMIE T

Up first today is a rise for indie chavster Jamie T - now the proud owner of two great albums. I saw Jamie again this year at V Festival and I have to say it wasn't the same amazing live experience I had first time around, but I fear that was my own fault rather than his, as I didn't know the new material as well and I didn't get as in on the action. People at the front looked like they were into it though! So why the rise? Well, as with the first album, it's not something I listen to from start to finish and think 'wow this is flawless' but he does always bring some absolute gems which make him really aprpeciate his talent - no better example than the AMAZING 'Sticks N Stones' which joins 'Chaka Demus' 'Sheila' and 'If You Got The Money' as examples of superb singles. His is one of the most distinctive voices I've ever heard, and his style is very unique also, you can almost hear every drop of spit flying about as he almost overpronounces his lyrics in a way that is totally his own. Not necessarily the most consistent of artists, but the most admirable of unique talents.

Check out 'Chaka Demus', an underrated single from the second album 'Kings & Queens' and 'Salvador', a great track from his debut set by clicking on the covers.



38. (31) MCFLY

Next up, suffering a slight fall but still very high in my affections, it's Brit pop band McFly! Having completely reinvented themslves this year (both on a physical level, turning absolutely buff, and on a musical level, working with urban producers like Dallas Austin and Taio Cruz), McFly look like they could be onto a fifth relatively successful era. Far from the massive success they once were, but also far outdoing how long their predecessors Busted lasted, McFly have managed to keep sales quite steady for years and years, but this is their biggest risk, totally reinventing their sound with the club stomper (yes, you heard) 'Party Girl'. What never changes though, is the boys ability to make feelgood pop music, and a lot of the time (which is sadly overlooked), very credible work it is too. Great musicians, two great vocalists and a very competent songwriter in Tom, they deserve more credit than they get. Again, falling due to the vast amount of great acts!

Check out 'Bubblewrap', an absolutely gorgeous Tom-led track from their third album and 'Shine A Light', the new single featuring Taio Cruz by clicking on the covers.



37. (34) TAIO CRUZ

And finally for today, the man who McFly have collaborated with on their latest single - super producer and singer combo Mr. Taio Cruz. Some of you will know I saw Taio perform live and asked a few questions to him as part of the most recent UKMix Front Page stories, and there is no denying he is a superb live performer - even acoustically his vocals really surprised me as he didn't have the production to rely on. I did find him a bit snooty and not exactly warm but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy his music, which has been consistently brilliant since his debut. The major drawback for me would be that he likes to write simple stuff, and sometimes it's just TOO simple for me, with jarring, cringy lyrics like 'I got this high without taking a pill' (Higher) and his constant use of just 'eh, eh, eh' or 'oh, oh, oh'. However, when you have two albums like Departuer and Rokstarr that are so full of potential singles, you know you've got a talent, and the fact he produces the records himself is testament to his ear for a hit, an ear that has helped him develop a sound for America and become massive there too..

Check out 'Dynamite', the massive worldwide smash, featuring Jennifer Lopez and 'Falling In Love', the next UK single, by clicking on the covers.

[FreakyFlyBry]

Only really properly got into McFly and Taio Cruz recently, but I've been enjoying both of their recent stuff

[Benny]

Thank you for all comments guys, especially Benny as I don't think we've come across each other before!

You're welcome

No.37 Taio Cruz

I really like his two big hits, "Break Your Heart" and "Dynamite". You're lucky that you saw him perform live! I just saw him singing live on TV a few days ago and he was really good, much better than I had expected. So he has talent, he just needs to release some singles that are different from his previous hits without the "oh oh oh" and "do do do" parts.

[Tiger]

38. (31) MCFLY

Don't like the new McBuff. They were better when they were nice boys making Pop/Rock


37. (34) TAIO CRUZ

Also... good but not amazing for me

[UKMusicLova]

Sorry for not commenting in a while!

Calvin Harris - absolutely adore the man! I would marry him in a heartbeat!

KT Tunstall - I like a few of her songs - well only her bigger hits - especially Suddenly I See

Biffy Clyro - I've been meaning to pick up their album! I like most of their singles. Bubbles <3

Kelly Clarkson - Breakaway and All I Ever Wanted are my two favourite Kelly albums!

Leona Lewis - I agree, she needs to do a really current hard uptempo...but she's fantastic!

Keane - They have some gorgeous songs! Somewhere Only We Know being one of my all time faves!

The Ting Tings - love these guys, i miss their chanting though

Jamie T - I adore Chaka Demus...have you heard his livelounge cover of "If I Were A Boy"? Good stuff

McFly - I love all of their singles...I've never heard an album though!

Taio Cruz - Departure is one of the best albums of recent years and although Rokstarr isn't as good it's still mighty solid! I love me some Cruz.

[king_oxymoron]

Cheers guys!
Yes Carl I've heard Jamie's Live Lounge! And you must listen to a McFly album - I'd recommend either of the later two, Motion In The Ocean or radio:ACTIVE. or Wonderland actually!

[Fan]

I'm really liking Taio Cruz at the moment and Mcfly's comeback is pretty good aswell.

Just listened to Passenger's Walk You Home aswell. I've never heard of them before this theard but it's a really nice song.

[king_oxymoron]

Thanks guys, sorry for delay, not been about too much!

Let;s do three more!

36. (19) GAVIN DEGRAW

Those who know me will know I have a great love of male singer-songwriters, and when I did the last list I was really listening a lot to two Gavin DeGraw LP's, both of which I'd still consider brilliant. I must admit though, since then, Gavin has released a futher studio album - one I didn't buy - and I've stopped listening to his records as much. That would be the reason for a pretty big drop.
However, it's something I hope to rectify as making this list has reminded me how much I really liked him before - and why. A very unique, distinctive voice, great songwriting skills (often ending with anthemic singles, 'I Don't Want To Be' being the greatest example) and a brilliant live show, one of which I went to see (alone - it didn't matter). It did feel to me that on the third record he was moving away from the mainstream pop material (I could be wrong) but I think that's what makes him so brilliant. 'In Love With A Girl' is so ridiculously radio friendly, but that's his forte for me.
A great singer, a great songwriter and someone I need to get back into, for sure!

Check out 'In Love With A Girl', my favourite of his singles and 'Nice To Meet You Anyway', a great track from his debut set by clicking on the covers.



35. (32) EMINEM

Eminem - largely considered a genius. And that's a view I pretty much share. To become one of, if not the, greatest rappers of all time - as a white man - was somewhat unexpected. But the man has an immense talent - to entertain as well as to impress. His parody style joke songs ('Without Me', 'Just Lose It') being as strong and as well recieved as his deeply personal serious numbers ('Mockingbird', 'Cleaning Out My Closet') is testament to a man with a universal appeal. And the more tongue in cheek numbers still always showcase a poetic touch (perhaps not Keats, with lyrics about inserting a gerbil into your backside, but well written nonetheless) - something that always impressed me.
I think it's very rare to be able to pull off both so well. Imagine if a novelty act tried to pull off a serious rap song. 99 out of 100 times, it'd be a disaster.
Eminem is not someone I get every studio album of - he is someone however whose greatest hits are seriously impressive. And someone who every now and then will do a verse which SERIOUSLY wows me - I'm totally sick of Love The Way You Lie (though again, more power to him for having the biggest seller of the year and not even going to No.1) but his verse on new single 'No Love' really really impresses me. I think whatever this man does, he will succeed.

Check out 'No Love', his latest single and 'When I'm Gone', one of my favourites from his serious set by clicking on the covers.



34. (22) ELTON JOHN

And we end with another legend, someone who has actually worked with Eminem. I have always known the music of Elton John, he is my Dad's No.1 artist and I grew up listening to many of his Greatest Hits. Even in my older years, he has released some great material (and admittedly, some not so great) and continues to make his name as a legend with work on the musicals The Lion King and Billy Elliot.
It is his decades of massive hit singles that keeps him among my favourite acts though (falling, you will notice, but as the only real old legend in the set, still well loved) - tunes like 'Crocodile Rock', 'Daniel' and my favourite 'I Guess That's Why They Call it The Blues' which will probably be among favourites of mine forever.
I saw Sir Elton perform about 5 years ago and it was just fantastic, his voice and musical skills are undeniable, and I hope he can churn out a few future classics yet.

Check out 'Crocodile Rock', the song I remember most loving as a child and 'I Want Love', one of his later but still great singles, by clicking on the covers.

[Spartan]

Eminem's been very hit-and-miss for me, unfortuantely. Elton John, on the other hand, is the stuff of legend - and he's my Dad's favourite artist too so I've been brought up listening to his music as well.

[FreakyFlyBry]

Gavin DeGraw is generally pretty good, one of the best singer-songwriters around

Eminem I've normally liked a lot, but gone off him a bit lately... still, his early 00's stuff is generally fantastic.

Elton John = legend. Need I say more?

[Tiger]

34. (22) ELTON JOHN

Legend but I understand his fall

[steophonic]

Cannot fault Eminem and Elton, except maybe they should be a little higher. But Elton hasn't really done much since your last countdown.

[Benny]

Elton John is one of the best and most talented singers ever, his "Rocket Man" is among my favorite songs of the 1970s.

[UKMusicLova]

I'm not really a big fan of any of these three to be honest.

[JSparksFan]

Super happy to see Eminem! I love his songs When I'm Gone, Mockingbird, Stan, and Lose Yourself. His latest album, Recovery, is Hip/Hop perfection.

[Fan]

I'm not really a big fan of any of these three to be honest.

Me neither, although Eminem has some amazing songs like Love The Way You Lie, Lose Yourself, Stan etc.

[king_oxymoron]

Thanks for all the replies guys and those listening to tracks they don't know, cheers! Sorry that they weren't all your cup of tea - we move on!

33. (NEW) FLORENCE AND THE MACHINE

So we move onto a new entry and it's someone who has really taken the UK by storm over the past year since picking up the BRIT Award for Best Newcomer. And it's not hard to see why. Despite not exactly the catchiest, most mainstream singles, she's created what could even be described as a classic album which has just sold and sold and sold.
I knew she was popular, but I was absolutely astounded at the V Festival this year when I saw how many people were turning up to see her over the act on the mainstage, it was absolutely insane. And it's no wonder she's a festival favourite - her songs are MADE for shouting the words back with a pint in one hand and the other in the air.
She's a voice which divides people - you only have to look to her marmite cover of Beyonce's 'Halo' for proof. Some find it shrieky and out of tune, others haunting and so beautiful. While I can see the other side of the argument, I am in the latter camp, her voice is so unique and special.
She also seems like such a nice, girl next door, funny type of lady - I like what I've heard of Lungs a lot, it's accessible for pop lovers without really compromising on the sound that one imagine's Flo and co were aiming for. It has edge, it has attitude, it has atmosphere, it has hooks, it has anthems - and all on album 1. Who knows how great this act could become?

Check out 'Girl With One Eye', one of my top album tracks and 'Drumming', my favourite of her singles by clicking on the covers.



32. (20) MAXIMO PARK

Next up, another indie/rock group, Geordie's finest, Maximo Park. Creators of my absolute favourite song of all time 'Our Velocity', I have a lot to love them for. I do find them a bit hit and miss though, and the reason for the fall is that I do feel the latest album, while good, wasn't up to their usual standard, they picked ALL the wrong singles and generally made them fade from my mind and my regular playlist.
However, having seen them live twice I can confirm that they are a really good band, and when they are playing the melodic pop-tinted hits I love them for making (Apply Some Pressure, Calm, Books from Boxes) they are a hard act to beat for me. Too much of the other side of the Park, the introverted, darker tunes, prevents them from being an unrivalled favourite, but as far as rock groups go, they are one of my very favourites.
Paul Smith is a very quirky frontman, you can't help but watch him when you see him live, and I love that his accent is so present in his vocal (unlike some British bands with faux-American twangs). I hope once Paul finishes his solo jaunt, we get a much more mainstream rock album with the right single choices, because there is always potential for greatness..

Check out 'Our Velocity', my favourite song EVER and 'Calm', a genius cut from the latest album 'Quicken The Heart' by clicking on the covers.



31. (14) DESTINY'S CHILD

And last for today it's the combination of the woman and the group who have gone before - a female trio who go by the name Destiny's Child. A group who were one of the world's most successful and famous, and who have had differing levels of success since going solo.
It's difficult to think of Destiny's Child and go 'oh I'll listen to them' when you have Beyonce still so prominent and producing what is effectively a replacement for DC music, and Kelly year on year creating some of the best songs going. Even Michelle had a pop at a pop/urban album which I'm led to believe was a great, if not successful, set of songs.
Still, you can't argue with history, and this group has produced so many classic hits that they will never not be among my favourite acts. Yes they've fallen, no I don't listen to their albums a lot anymore, but get Lose My Breath on in a club and I'm reminded that it's one of the greatest songs ever and what a superb group we had on our hands.
I had the pleasure of meeting the group (very briefly) when they were here promoting 'Lose My Breath' and they were lovely, I've also seen Michelle in Chicago, and Kelly live on her first solo tour. They are three very talented, very lovely ladies who just gelled in a way the other line ups perhaps didn't. However, a couple of girlbands of late have come in to steal their crowns - stay tuned to find out who

Check out 'Through With Love', a great song from their last album and 'Bug A Boo', one of their top singles, by clicking on the covers.

[Fan]

I like both Florence and Destiny's Child.

Florence is definitely an unique talent and I really like her. I can understand why it's not everyone's cup of tea, although you wouldn't say that when you look at her album sales Rabbit Heart is still her best song, in my opinion.
While Destiny's Child are not my favourite girlgroup, they have some classic songs. Although not all their songs have aged that well to be honest! Independent Women is my favourite song by them.

[FreakyFlyBry]

Woo for Destiny's Child, I feel they were definitely better together than any of them solo