Favorite Albums of 2013

These were my favorite new albums of 2013:

Golden - Lady Antebellum

The fourth release from Lady Antebellum is another collection of great songs that you can listen to from beginning to end. As expected, it has amazing singles including the very catchy, Downtown, and Compass. It also has the wonderful Goodbye Town.

Spitfire - Leann Rimes

She has one of the most amazing voices in all of music and her new release in 2013 is an outstanding showcase for her depth and range. From the heartfelt ballad What Have I Done to the joyful happiness of Bottle there is something for every one here. Another stand out track is Gasoline and Matches when you want to dance a swing.

Yours Truly - Ariana Grande

You may have gotten to know her watching Sam and Cat on Nickelodeon, but Ariana Grande has really come into her own on her debut album. She is a true musical artist with a truly outstanding voice. Yours Truly includes the smash hit The Way as well as the singles Baby I and Right There. If you saw her win the award for Favorite New Artist at the American Music Awards you saw her perform Tattooed Heart.

Bombshell - Smash Cast

The best Broadway Cast recording of the year never actually made it to Broadway. While Bombshell won the Tony for Best Musical on the show Smash, it unfortunately was just a fantasy. This collection of songs about the life of Marilyn Monroe is fun and entertainment from the start of Act One all the way until the curtain comes down at the end of Act Two. It features songs in every imaginable style including jive, doo-wop, jazz and lush romantic ballads. It even has a song called Let's Start Tomorrow Tonight that could have been a hit for Nat King Cole back in the day. And of course, it's wonderful to hear The Season 5 Miss American Idol 1st runner up, Katharine McPhee sounding spectacular on Don't Forget Me and Never Give All The Heart.