Nicole be Thinking...

I know 2011 was a decent year but as I sat down to make this list, I couldn't think of anything. Like... At all . I drew a blank. I had to call upon my agent, Michelle, and I think we have good little list here. These were some of the better things that happened this year. I don't think I can rank them like last year. Everything here gives me warm and fuzzies. 1. College Connection So... a little backstory... I was a little irritated with my brothers this summer. DZ had failed a class and wasn't being realistic about his future. In a huff, I decided I would take him and "let the white people tell him" about life. I remembered that Bob Obrohta, who ran Imagine College at Pearl Cohn when I was there, had embarked on something called called Nashville College Connection a few years ago. Bob told me lots of great things when I was in high school whether I listened or not, so I figured he'd be perfect to tell DZ, too. What I got from dragging my brothers to the...

I did this last year and I liked it so I decided to do one for this year. The list is based on how much I play the whole album. It doesn't have much to do with sales, critical reception, or quality. The list isn't ranked, and it isn't up for debate. Just for fun, my favorite albums this year. =] 21 Adele (January) From the moment I first played "Rolling in the Deep" (for Aries Rapper/Designer, ironically) I knew I would love this album. Said to be inspired by " a deep well of Americana, music from Nashville," 21 is the sequel to Adele's soulful, stellar debut, 19. I truly have played this album the entire year. It opens perfectly with "Rolling in the Deep," goes into a full-circle story about cheating and revenge in "Rumour Has It," and on full force to "Turning Tables." Adele perfectly mixes her strength with her vulnerabilities in "Don't You Remember," "Take It All," and "One and Only...