As we end another year, it's time to reflect on all the great music we've been blessed with over the course of the year. A majority of my favorite artists released albums this year so it was pretty easy and yet difficult at the same time to pick all my favorites. This is also the first time I've ever done an end-of-the-year countdown post so I hope you enjoy! Just as a side note, all of my selections come from albums I have listened to. There may be others such as Frank Ocean's Channel Orange that people would be aghast at its lack of inclusion, but this is all music that I enjoy and took the time to listen to and fall in love with. Let's see where all your favorite artists ranked, shall we?

*Author's Note: I've included links to each individual album review that I have done over the course of the year. Simply click on the album titles to be taken to their reviews. There are a few albums which I did not do a track-by-track review of, and for those I will include a more in-depth review here on the countdown.

10. P!nk - The Truth About Love

9. Leona Lewis - Glassheart
Leona Lewis took the world by storm in 2007 off the heels of her win on The X Factor UK, and her single 'Bleeding Love' thrust her into the spotlight. After her first few singles her career began to falter (especially outside of the UK). She just couldn't find the traction she needed, and frankly her music just wasn't all that good. After many setbacks, she finally released her third album Glassheart, and she redeemed herself. Glassheart is by far her strongest effort to date, and marries her larger-than-life voice with europop in a way that makes for a magical album. This is the first album of hers where I actually liked each song, and the album entertained me thoroughly. It's very diverse, moving from uptempo electro-pop dance numbers to more soulful and simple ballads to more urban and alternative sounds. The album hasn't done very well in the charts, and she's basically lost her hold on America, but the album deserves to be listened to.

8. Carrie Underwood - Blown Away
It's not everyday that I listen to country, but American Idol winner Carrie Underwood is one of those exceptions. Carrie delivers a hybrid country-pop sound that everyone can enjoy. Blown Away is only one of two (out of her four) albums of hers that I can listen to all the way through (the other being Carnival Ride). This album has a much more mature sound, and plays with some very interesting sounds that helped create an ethereal atmosphere on the album. It's simply stunning, and was one of the most surprising albums of the year.

7. Carly Rae Jepsen - Kiss
Everyone thought Carly Rae Jepsen would just be a one-hit wonder with 'Call Me Maybe', but her album proves otherwise. I really didn't have high expectations going into listening to this, but upon the first listen I was pleasantly surprised. Carly Rae delivered an album that's fun, infectious pop music, but she gives you a very retro '80s vibe on every song that makes for an interesting and standout piece of art. Going from one song to the next it's like hit after hit. Carly Rae proves that she is a talented song writer, and deserves to be respected by the world. She's not just a one-hit wonder, especially with songs like 'This Kiss'.

6. Nicki Minaj - Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded
Nicki Minaj has accomplished a lot over her short career, and her sophomore album was a huge milestone. It was an album that everyone was waiting for, and it did not disappoint. It moved from the urban, rap Nicki to the new club-banger Nicki, and all the while it had you singing along acting like a fool. Almost every song on the album was a huge hit, which great songs such as 'Beez In the Trap', 'Come On a Come', 'Marilyn Monroe', and 'Pound the Alarm'. It was a myriad of songs, but each one was special and reminded you why Nicki is the leading lady in the rap game. She's currently building her empire, and I still see this as the pinnacle of her career. And I even got to meet Miss Minaj, so what could be better?


5. Rihanna - Unapologetic
Upon first listen of Rihanna's seventh album in seven years, I was disappointed. I felt like it was a cheap, half-assed release of songs that could all be potential singles. But each time I listen to it I fall more in love with it. Although she may be a mess in her personal life, there's no doubt she knows how to make a hot song. She may not write any of her music, but she knows how to throw together an amazing album. Unapologetic is much different than anything she's done, relying heavily on dubstep and throwing in a harder edge to her sound. It's by far my favorite album of hers. And seeing her live proved why she is as successful as she is. Songs like 'Diamonds', 'Phresh Out the Runway', 'Jump' and 'Stay' highlight why the Rihanna reign just won't let up.

4. No Doubt - Push and Shove
No Doubt were a huge band back in the '90s, and I even remember jamming out to some of their hits when I was in elementary school. After taking a very long hiatus, the band regrouped and released their new album this year. Their album Push and Shove was one of the best releases of 2012. It proved that older bands still have a place in the music industry, and they're a timeless band. I've always been a huge fan of No Doubt, but I've never been able to enjoy a single one of their albums until now. This was their first album that I was able to listen to all the way through, and thoroughly enjoy each and every song. The band retains their signature ska/reggae mixture, but for 2012 they threw in some dance music and shook up their formula. They took risks, but came out on top and I'm excited to see what they have planned for the future.

3. Ke$ha - Warrior
Although the album hasn't even been out for a full month yet, Ke$ha's Warrior takes the number three spot on the countdown. In an era where singles artists like Rihanna, Ke$ha and Katy Perry thrive, it's risky to take a long break because they can be pushed out and forgotten about. Even though Ke$ha stepped out of the game for a while and took a huge risk, it paid off because Warrior is a pop masterpiece. This time around, Ke-dollar sign-ha relied less on auto-tune and focused more on her vocals, and she introduced more rock into her sound which created a great unique sound. The album does not have one bad song, and is a dance party from start to finish. Not many people thought Ke$ha was here to stay, but with this album she lets everyone know she'll be here for years to come, but she's done something even more important and that is that she has established herself as a credible artist.


2. Adam Lambert - Trespassing
Mr. Adam Lambert. Where do I even begin? His first album was glam pop at its finest, but that didn't settle with the general public all that well. It had some good songs, but was a bit of a hot mess. He took some time off to regroup, and came roaring back with an incredible album. Trespassing is everything For Your Entertainment should have been. Adam finds his home in pop mixed with some rock 'n roll and R&B, and delivers a cohesive album that is one of the finest I have ever heard. It's a shame that he isn't a bigger star because he deserves so much more recognition than he gets. He's an incredible performer, but more so he is a beautiful human being with the most divine soul. Trespassing is an album that all music lovers should own. 'Cuckoo', 'Naked Love', 'Pop That Lock' and 'Runnin'' are masterpieces of pop music.

1. Maroon 5 - Overexposed

Honorable Mentions:

fun. - Some Nights
Now, I haven't actually listened to the album, but based on their songs that I've heard I'm guessing it's a darn good one. Everyone says it's amazing so I guess I'll just have to trust them.

Gotye - Making Mirrors

Gotye, let's face it, is a one-hit wonder with 'Somebody That I Used to Know'. However, his album is something special. It's unlike anything I've ever heard before, and if you want to escape the pop culture society we live in this is a great album to do just that.

Madonna - MDNA

Hans Zimmer - The Dark Knight Rises OST
A soundtrack making it onto the countdown? Yep, Hans Zimmer produced one of the most flawless motion picture soundtracks I have ever heard this year for The Dark Knight Rises. Hans Zimmer has become one of my favorite composers over the years, and this one is his ultimate high and it's something to behold.

Howard Shore - The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey OST