01 Unwrapped--Gloria Estefan
I put this album on par with Carole King's "Tapestry". The best songwriting of Gloria's amazing career. From the beautiful song "Wrapped" to "Your Picture", this album is simply breathtaking from Gloria's voice to the Mexican flavored music. Favorites include "I Wish You", "Into You" with Stevie Wonder and "One Name" with Chrissie Hynde. The album ends with the introspective "Famous". Gloria is so much more and this album proves it. One of the finest of her 20 + years in the business.
02 Escapology--Robbie Williams
The biggest star in the UK keep on rockin' with song like "Hot Fudge" (Movin' to L.A.), "Sexed Up" and Monsoon. On the flip side Robbie serenades us with "Something Beautiful", "Feel", and "Revolution". Unable to break through in North America he stays one of Europes best kept secret agents.
03 0304--Jewel
Her fans thought this album was a joke, I think it's brillant. Jewel teams up with pop producer Lester A. Mendez (Britney Spears) to produce the album she always wanted to do, a mix dance, urban and folk music. The album goes from the serious "Stand" to the pure joy of the free spirited song "Doin' Fine". Her Intuition was right on the mark. You can help but be taken over by "Yes U Can", or Fragile Heart". This album should be the blueprint on how to do a "Pop" album. Britney take that!!
04 Neon Nights--Dannii Minogue
Who would have thought that Kylie's little sister would put out the best dance record of 2003. From "Put The Needle On It" to the smash hit "I Begin To Wonder" Dannii gave her sister a run for her money. Burn down the floor with the pop gems 'For The Record", or "Don't Wanna Lose This Feeling". This disc is a one stop discotheque.
05 Home--Simply Red
I usually don't like songs that sample but "Sunrise" with the mix of Hall & Oats "I Can't Go For That" was a surprise comback of 2003 for Simply Red. Mick Hucknell is one of the most underated singers of the 80's. Favorites track are the beautiful "Home", a cover of Bob Dylan "Positively 4Th Street, and the jazzy "Lost Weekend". He can even make a song I don't care for ("You Make Me Feel Bran New") sound great.
06 One Heart--Celine Dion
While I prefer her previous "A New Day Has Come", "this album delivers Celine most dance oriented project. From "I Drove All Night" to "One Heart" to my favorite "Reveal" (written by Cathy Dennis). Don't worry plenty of ballad are present with "Je T'aime encore" , "Have You Ever Been In Love", and the slow version of "Sorry For Love".
07 Ladies Night--Atomic Kitten
The Ladies of the UK are back with their final album. While I prefer their 2 previous efforts they still come up with a fine pop record. Best tracks are "Be With You " "If You Come To Me", and the cover of Cool & The Gang's "Ladies Night". The album ends with a beautiful ballad "Someone Like Me"
08 At Last--Cyndi Lauper
Cyndy returns to a major record label with this jazzy cover album. If anybody thought she doesn't have the chop to sing just listen to her version of "At Last". The album is filled with songs of yesteryear like "La Vie En Rose", "Until You Come Back To Me" . Cyndi gets rockin' with "Stay" and "On The Sunny Side Of The Street". The girl is in fine form.
09 Measure Of A Man--Clay Aiken
The best vocalist to come out of the American Idol franchise releases his first album. The album starts off with the pop gem "Invisible". Best song are "The Way", "When You Say You Love Me" and the Elton John influenced "No More Sad Songs" .
10 Turnaround--Westlife
The Irish boys are back with their 4th album. Not my favorite of theirs but the disc puts out some good pop tunes like "Turnaround" and "Hey Whatever".