Albums of the Year: Alanis Morissette and Steve Winwood

Why did it take until the week before Memorial Day to pick an Album of the Year? Believe it or not it was that difficult a decision to make. As a result, Alanis Morissette's "Flavors of Entanglement" and Steve Winwood's "Nine Lives" will share the 2008 honors.

Both artists took different routes to get there.

For Alanis on "Flavors of Entanglement", she embraced much of the modern techno-dance sounds that have been heard throughout the dance clubs the past few years. Combining her talents with producer Guy Sigsworth, Alanis has an edge and fire in her music not seen since "Jagged Little Pill" - but not nearly as "angry" as she was on JLP. It is important to know that Alanis completely turned over the production duties to outside producer Sigsworth. As a result, I think Sigsworth was able to cast an objective eye on Morissette. I always consider the techno-electronic dance movement to be one of the low points of 2000s music. However, when combined with Alanis' deep music talents - it fuses so beautifully. Alanis remains true to writing some of the deepest lyrics in the music industry. Finally, we see Alanis move away from the raspy, scratchy voice and more toward "diva" status.

It is important to know that I give the "Deluxe Edition" of this album the co-album of the Year. The "Deluxe Edition" includes five tracks which put it over the top.

Now Steve Winwood (who finally gets an LA Scene Album of the Year Award) goes the opposite way of Morissette. On "Nine Lives", Steve Winwood proves classic rock is alive and well. He returns to his Classic Rock roots that bring back memories of his days with Traffic. Winwood proves that Classic Rock has not died. Much of the credit goes to the outstanding guitar (with some help from Clapton) and bass work that just has the feel and elements of Classic Rock. Combined that with some trademark Winwood Hammond Organ and some of the leftover Latin/Jazz infused work from his previous album it blends to make a masterpiece. While many may not consider the Latin/Jazz infusion to be a Classic Rock, I disagree - namely because of the way Winwood incorporates the Hammond Organ and guitars into many of the songs, it will have a Classic Rock feel. The big highlight is LA Scene Record of the Year, "Dirty City".

It just doesn't get better than this stuff!

Here are the list of Albums of the Year I have selected in previous years:

1983 Can't Slow Down, Lionel Richie
1984 Purple Rain, Prince
1985 The Dream of the Blue Turtles, Sting
1986 Invisible Touch, Genesis
1987 Into the Fire, Bryan Adams
1988 Scenes From the Southside, Bruce Hornsby and the Range
1989 (tie) Living Years, Mike + The Mechanics; The Seeds of Love, Tears For Fears
1990 ...But Seriously, Phil Collins
1991 Heart in Motion, Amy Grant
1992 We Can't Dance, Genesis
1993 The River of Dreams, Billy Joel
1994 New Miserable Experience, Gin Blossoms
1995 Raoul and the Kings of Spain, Tears For Fears
1996 Soundtrack: Phenomenon
1997 The Dance, Fleetwood Mac
1998 (tie) One Night Only, The Bee Gees; Soundtrack: Saturday Night Fever (London Cast Recording)
1999 Come On Over, Shania Twain
2000 Human Clay, Creed
2001 All That You Can't Leave Behind, U2
2002 The Rising, Bruce Springsteen
2003 Home, Simply Red
2004 Everybody Loves a Happy Ending, Tears For Fears
2005 How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, U2
2006 Confessions on a Dance Floor, Madonna
2007 Neon Bible, Arcade Fire
2008 (tie) Flavors of Entanglement, Alanis Morissette; Nine Lives, "Steve Winwood"