Top ten Albums of 2015

[Smokey]

This list is from RollingStones magazine readers polls as they choose the best albums of 2015.

Ranked accordingly:

10: Kendrick Lamar, 'To Pimp a Butterfly'
The most politically-charged release of the year, Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp a Butterfly served as the music world's conscience. For the LP, the Compton-raised rapper went old-school, fusing funk and soul samples into his music as well as guest spots from artists like George Clinton, Thundercat, Snoop Dogg and Ronald Isley.


9: Adele, '25
Not a murmur was heard from Adele until October of this year, and within only three months she's dominated 2015. Single "Hello" promised big vocals and even bigger feelings for her third and long-awaited album 25.


8: [b]Chris Cornell, 'Higher Truth']/b]
Over the course of his solo career, Soundgarden and Audioslave's Chris Cornell has always teased the flexibility of genre lines — the grunge icon even went Timbaland-assisted dance-pop on his 2009 effort Scream. With Higher Truth, Cornell found comfort in Seventies folk, channeling Led Zeppelin at their most tender for tracks like lead single "Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart."





7: Muse, 'Drones
In Drones, space-y arena rockers Muse proved that they don't need EDM tricks to channel the future. The concept album tackles modern warfare and has the band channeling Rush and Pink Floyd; the latter influence especially comes across in the Drill Sergeant interlude that recalls the aggressive teacher from "Another Brick in the Wall."


6: Tame Impala, 'Currents'
Psych-rockers Tame Impala moved away from the head and focused on the entire body for fourth album Currents, which saw Kevin Parker have a little fun and even get dance-y. The synth-heavy LP takes a strong turn into disco territory and is one of Tame Impala's catchiest and most soulful efforts yet.



5: Seconds of Summer, 'Sounds Good Feels Good
Seconds of Summer proved to be more than just One Direction's opening act this year, solidifying their fervent fanbase and releasing a strong sophomore LP that revived the fun, irreverent pop-punk of the early Aughts.


4: Courtney Barnett, 'Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit'
Aussie Courtney Barnett's debut album Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit was this year's most refreshing rock breakthrough, featuring the singer and guitarist rambling smartly above tough riffs. Barnett's performance of her songs was as raw and emotional as the lyrics, and, most important, she proved unafraid of having a little fun in the process.


3: One Direction, 'Made in the A.M.'
If Made in the A.M. is One Direction's final LP, the album is a strong finish for the boys. With four remaining members, 1D went full classic rock on the LP, channeling the Beatles, the Stones and Fleetwood Mac all over the pop-rock collections.


2: Madonna, 'Rebel Heart
The Queen of Pop went trap and EDM for her latest, which had a rough launch due to an early leak of several tracks. Despite the setback, Rebel Heart was a strong turn for Madonna and had her teaming up with Diplo, Avicii, Kanye West, Travi$ Scott and Ariel Rechtshaid, to name a few, and getting guest features from the likes of Chance the Rapper, Mike Tyson and Nicki Minaj.



1: Adam Lambert, 'The Original High'
Three years after his excellent dance-pop sophomore effort Trespassing and fresh off a run as the lead singer of Queen, American Idol alum Adam Lambert returned on a high note — in every sense — with his house- and funk-inflected album The Original High.


http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/readers-poll-the-10-best-albums-of-2015-20151230/adam-lambert-the-original-high-20151230

[rakeford]

Thanks, I might try some of these. I saw Adam Lambert with Queen last year- one of the best concerts ever.

[Mr Peabody]

I don't have any of those and probably won't. But a couple artists I'm not familiar with and may check out.

I don't understand the Adel thing. I love 21, to me Hello sounds like a reject off 21. And the 2nd song released to radio I can't even stand to listen to.

Madonna? I suppose radio doesn't equate to "good" but I don't remember hearing any of her songs on the Top 40 stations from that album.

Looking back, 2015 was actually a slow music buying year for me.

[blackraven]

I have always liked Adele's voice but the quality of her recordings are below average. Her new album artistically is a sell out to Pop music and just awful. What a waste of a special talent. I have watched some of her concerts on video where it's just her and a guy on a piano or guitar and she is outstanding.

[noddin0ff]

Lamar is good if you like the genre and worth a try even if you don't

Adele not my thing.

Tame impala just doesn't do it for me. Cant tell if it's progressive or regressive.

Courtney Barnett get's my vote for most enjoyable and perhaps best album of the year. Highly recommend it. A mix of good rock with alt punk and/or slacker attitude; wry, amusing and flowing lyrics that really work.