Posts tagged The ArchAndroid

Well, well, well. Today marks the start of the celebration that is the week leading up to my 28th birthgay. In lieu of inviting any of you has-beens to the party I’m not having, I thought I’d bless you with a series of “best of” lists of the things I’ve cared about so far in my lifetime. Over the course of the week, hopefully you’ll learn something new, be persuaded to live a better life, and be amazed at my own amazingness. Congratulations, and consider yourself glittered. All. Week. A little lot self-indulgent, yes, but isn’t that what blogs and birthdays are all about? Holler.

I definitely have a weakness for female artist pop music, that will be evident. But when it comes to liking an album or not, I generally appreciate works that are cohesive, displaying a singular vision throughout. I’m also quite partial to more recent albums, probably because I’m a pretty fickle person with little conviction (ha!). Whether that holds true to my selections below, I’ll offer up to the scrutiny of your judgment.

10. This Fire – Paula Cole (1996)
- Iconic song: I Don’t Want to Wait
- Shouldabeenasingle song: Feelin’ Love
- Perfect-for-drag song: Throwing Stones
- Favorite lyric: I am carrying my rhythm, I am carrying my prayers, but you can’t kill my spirit, it’s solid and it’s strong, like a mountain I will go on and on. – from Me

9. The ArchAndroid – Janelle Monae (2010)
- Iconic song: Tightrope
- Shouldabeenasingle song: Locked Inside
- Perfect-for-drag song: Cold War
- Favorite lyric: I hear the colors in the flowers, just like a candle snuffed at dawn, you’re here you’re near you’re there and then you’re gone – from Oh, Maker

8. Once Again – John Legend (2006)
- Iconic song: Save Room
- Shouldabeenasingle song: Coming Home
- Most-apt-for-drag song: P.D.A. (We Just Don’t Care)
- Favorite lyric: We know that life took us apart, but you’re still within my heart, I go to sleep and feel your spirit next to me – from Coming Home

7. Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie – Alanis Morissette (1998)
- Iconic song: Thank U
- Shouldabeenasingle song: Are You Still Mad
- Perfect-for-drag song: Unsent
- Favorite lyric: I’d be lying if I said I was completely unscathed, I might be proving you right with my silence or my retaliation. Would I be letting you win in my non-reaction? – from Can’t Not

6. The Velvet Rope – Janet Jackson (1997)
- Iconic song: Together Again
- Shouldabeenasingle song: What About
- Perfect-for-drag song: What About
- Favorite lyric: Does what they think of you determine your worth? If special’s what you feel when you’re with them, taken away you feel less than again. – from You

5. Good Girl Gone Bad – Rihanna (2007)
Basically this album defines a point in my life for me — I wore it out the year after I graduated college and was back living in Sacramento. I existed somewhere in the gray area between being depressed & unconfident and excited & independent. It got me through a mind-numbing job and marks the inception of my long-lasting adoration of a budding pop icon. Rihanna really signed, sealed and delivered her pop star status with this near-perfect dance-heavy R&B/pop set. And the re-issue deluxe produced two monster-hits to boot!
- Iconic song: Umbrella
- Shouldabeenasingle song: Breakin’ Dishes
- Perfect-for-drag song: Shut Up and Drive
- Favorite lyric: I’m killing time, you know bleachin your clothes, I’m roastin’ marshmallows on the fire and what I’m burnin’ is your attire. – from Breakin’ Dishes

4. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998)
The only album on my list to earn the “prestigious” Album of the Year award at the Grammy’s, Miseducation is rarely called into question when appearing among someone’s best of all time. The ruggedness of her vocals and what Nick recently pointed out to me as one of the few (if not the only) times a rapper has been able to, on their own, produce a well-received emotional depth to rap songs, Lauryn definitely made her mark on the music industry with her solo debut.
- Iconic song: Ex-Factor
- Shouldabeenasingle song: Lost Ones
- Perfect-for-drag song: Doo Wop (That Thing)
- Favorite lyric: Now hear this mixture, where hip-hop meets scripture, develop the negative into a positive picture. – from Everything Is Everything

3. 21 – Adele (2011)
Probably the only album on my list that I can honestly call ‘flawless.’ The voice, lyrical content, and general gentleness of this album is unmatched. There’s no need to explain why Adele has so quickly captivated the entire world, garnering new fans all over the place, with this album. It’s just… flawless.
- Iconic song: Rolling in the Deep
- Shouldabeenasingle song: One and Only
- Perfect-for-drag song: Set Fire to the Rain
- Favorite lyric: I hate to turn up out of the blue uninvited, but I couldn’t stay away, I couldn’t fight it. I’d hoped you see my face and that you’d be reminded that for me it isn’t over. – from Someone Like You

2. Body Talk – Robyn (2010)
If not entirely taken directly and specifically from Robyn’s own life, the lyrics on this album still come off as deeply personal and are emotionally-driven with a focus on love-relationships. Together with fresh pop beats, the easily relatable songs penetrated deep into every gay I know’s earphones for months. And when I passed off the album to my friends that were previously unaware of Robyn they, too, fell in love at first listen.
- Iconic song: Hang with Me
- Shouldabeenasingle song: Criminal Intent
- Perfect-for-drag song: Don’t Fucking Tell Me What to Do – and I’ve done it!
- Favorite lyric: (tie) Sweat drippin’ down from your brow, hold tight, don’t let go, don’t you let me go – from Indestructible and Come on all you trannies click your heels for me – from Include Me Out

1. Ray of Light – Madonna (1998)
I can’t praise this album enough. By far, Madonna’s best and most intimate! The importance of this album comes in Madonna’s awareness of the proper music that she needed to make following the birth of her first child. And when you mix such a personal experience with Madonna’s ideas of fame and spirituality you know you’re left with nothing less than gold. I should also point out that her image has never been better — love the Ray of Light look.
- Iconic song: Frozen
- Shouldabeenasingle song: Candy Perfume Girl
- Perfect-for-drag song: Nothing Really Matters
- Favorite lyric: And now I find I’ve changed my mind. This is my religion. – from Drowned World