[Mad_Cactuar]

Here's my pick. It's slightly mainstream but they're great nevertheless. In no particular order...

Bic Runga - Birds
Hardly anyone outside New Zealand, Australia and the UK knows her. Well, everyone should. This is godly stuff consisting of blues music. Brimming with atmosphere, this dark set of songs is brilliant. Oh so depressing but blindingly beautiful. Her voice gains a new edge in this CD, for once she's able to sound threatening despite having the mellowest vocals in the world. A polar opposite to her previous album, this CD is one of the most successful New Zealand albums too (the most successful Kiwi album is her sophomore 14x platinum album). Must listen tracks are "Birds", "Captured", "Say After Me", "Winning Arrow" and "That's Alright".

Mika Nakashima - BEST
One of the greatest albums ever. It's a brilliant collection of amazing songs, none of them even sink to "good" status. Every second is brilliant. If you never heard this CD, you should. Tracks like "LOVE ADDICT", "Oborodzukiyo ~Inori", "Sakurairo Maukoro", "SEVEN", "LEGEND" are freaking excellent I wanna scream. Maybe lacks cohesion, but everything's fine as it's a compilation album. Really shows Mika's potential as an artist.

Bjork - Vespertine
Never hearing a single song from this CD before, I bought it based on reviews. The reviews claimed it was stellar. And damn, they were right. This is like being in heaven. Everything's so beautiful. Crystalline, cool, surreal, ethereal and most importantly, addictive. "Pagan Poetry" and "It's Not Up To You" are arguably the best of the lot.

Jewel - 0304
Nelly Furtado - Loose
I was surprised that 0304 was mentioned too. This CD somewhat backfired for Jewel's career. Imagine Corinne Bailey Rae throwing soul out of the window and putting on a corset singing Kylie's hits. Yes, Jewel and Nelly's reinventions here are something of that stature. The pop songs here are so catchy. A hearty meal of dance/pop with glitz and glamour poured on the top is 0304. Highly addictive dance songs with an interesting world music spin to them is Loose. Nelly's third album is full of perfect dance/pop songs. With the exception of "Glow", everything can be singles. Definitely must-haves for fans of pop music.

Utada Hikaru - Deep River
Undisputed champion, but it's no longer my favourite album. Yes, that title went to Mika's compilation album. Anyway, I love this CD and it was my religion since I got it. The songs are stunning, "Sakura DROPS" is god. Aside from the singles, the album tracks also have strong presence. The tracks flow well, the CD is cohesive, the vocals are great.

Beyonce - B'Day
Maybe quite premature to add something that's only released for 2 weeks into the list but this album is simply fantastic. I love every damn track. It really showed a new side of Beyonce, a side that isn't afraid to let everything out. "Freakum Dress" is a shocker (good or bad you decide), "Ring The Alarm" is a shocker (same thing, you decide), Green Light is a shocker. The shocking material, albeit a risk, makes this album thrilling. I love this CD.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Shoot From The Hip
A very varied set of experimental dance music, this record shows her potential as a singer/songwriter. Blessed with good looks and undeniably posh vocals, this petite little lady is one of my favourite singers of all time. This CD flopped, sadly. However, nothing changes the fact that some of the songs really appeal. "Mixed Up World" and "I Won't Change You", the singles, and "I Am Not Good At Not Getting What I Want" are the biggest highlights from this set.

Natalie Imbruglia - Left Of The Middle
Natalie Imbruglia - White Lilies Island
Natalie Imbruglia - Counting Down The Days
Natalie is my number 1 artist ever since I got to know about her. Her vocals really sit well with me, it's pure and innocent without sounding ordinary or extraordinary. Her debut album showcased a collection of rock/pop numbers with electronic influence. Very catchy. Her sophomore album had a more edgy and adult sound to it, but the singles still retained the highly addictive melodies and arrangements. The third album, her first number 1 album in the UK, consists of adult/contemporary songs that are the easiest to listen to from her entire body of work. Her singles are amazing, they're commercial without sounding terribly mainstream.

Rachel Stevens - Come And Get It
Damn big time. A whole CD full of the best pop music ever and it flopped. Due to public perception and publicity, Rachel Stevens' sophomore album seriously tanked in the UK. Only boasting 3 moderately successful yet bloody brilliant singles, this album is a truly underrated gem. Unfortunately, due to commercial failure, it isn't even released worldwide. One of those CDs I love to death but can never get as long as I live probably. Bummer. The icy electropop here is so good, you might not need another pop album ever again. Unless Rachel decides to make a new one.

Others which I don't have enough time to elaborate:

Utada Hikaru - Ultra Blue
Yes, very highly anticipated but turned out a dissapointment. Blame the hype. Still an amazing CD.

Paris Hilton - Paris
The negative reception makes me love this even more. A set of superb pop tunes with emotionless vocals. Perfection.

Ayumi Hamasaki - Memorial Address
Ayu's best CD I say. Short and sweet with 7 great music videos to boot.

Bonnie Pink - Every Single Day
I recently discovered her and she is so good. This is a collection of her best work, really good.

Coldplay - A Rush Of Blood To The Head
An album of the best emotional adult/contemporary/rock songs ever.

Lily Allen - Alright, Still
A record with tracks about hate, spite and sadness, coated in sugary melodies that makes you sing along happily. What more can we ask for?

Hooverphonic - The Magnificent Tree
Absolutely beautiful. It's a whole new twisted wonderland with the best music in the world coupled with an angelic/creepy voice.

Utada - Exodus
So underrated. Full of some of the best and most innovative dance music ever, definitely highly recommended. Her creativity is mind-blowing.

Stuff I Own
Stuff I Need To Buy