It’s 2013 and I know we are all looking forward to another great year here at Leonardtown High School! Even though 2012 is over, why not relive some of the biggest and most influential aspects of last year? That is, the music produced in 2012! We have to confess that 2012 was an awesome year for musicians everywhere. So many new musicians came to the scene and our more established artists came back with astounding singles and CDs. We want to pay special attention to the music that made the biggest scene last year; that’s why we’re having our own “TOP TEN COUNTDOWN”!!!

I don’t know about you, but I know I enjoy sitting in the car listening to the “Top Ten Countdowns” that radio stations put on, typically based on the most requested songs from that week, anxious to see if my favorite songs reached the top of the charts. Our “TOP TEN COUNTDOWN” will include the hottest albums from 2012, rather than the most popular songs.

Let’s start our countdown with the album that just made our countdown at the #10 spot; Night Train by Jason Aldean, a country music star that also sings the country hit “Big Green Tractor”. This CD, his fifth studio album, sold 409,000 copies in the first wek alone after being released on October 16th, 2012.

Next on our chart taking the #9 spot is Overexposed by Maroon 5, with hit singles like “Payphone” and “One More Night”. This band’s unique blend of dissimilar genres is indisputably something that keeps fans anticipating more albums. Released on June 6th, 2012, this album has sold over 700,000 copies thus far.

At the #8 spot is Born and Raised by John Mayer, with the hit “Queen of California”. This, also his fifth studio album, coming back after his two year hiatus, did not dissatisfy. By September it sold 500,000 copies and is still on the charts.

Taking the #7 spot is The Lumineers by the Lumineers, released on April 3rd, 2012. New to the scene, The Lumineers stunned the audience with their single “Ho Hey” which alone sold over two million copies. We are all expecting a lot more unique music from them this year.

Hitting the #6 spot on our chart is Sigh No More by Mumford and Sons. The unusual thing about this album taking the #6 spot is that this isn’t just their debut album but an album released over 3 years ago in October 2009, making its way back to the top with songs like “Little Lion Man” and “Roll Away Your Stone”. It has sold over 2.4 million copies in the United States alone. I interviewed freshman Kathleen Hekinson for her input on the album, and she applauds the album. She says, “They have a great background and are more culturally diverse. They show music in the way it is supposed to be.”

In the center of our countdown at the #5 spot is Some Nights by Fun. Being the Bands sophomore album, it is still awe- inspiring. It includes some of the most played songs from last year including “We Are Young”. In its first week the album sold 70,000 copies.

At #4, the album that may have caused the biggest scene last year is Up All Night by the British/ Irish boy band One Direction. This band rapidly racked up millions of fans (mainly teenage girls). Their song “What Makes You Beautiful” reached the #1 pot on numerous radio stations’ countdowns for the top singles. It released on November 18th 2011, and is still being purchased by their expanding fan base.

One spot ahead taking the #3 spot is Babel by Mumford and Sons. Taking their second spot on our countdown, this band is obviously doing something right with their music. As of December last year, it sold 1,243,000 copies containing the songs “I Will Wait” and “Lover of the Light”.

On our #2 spot is Red by Taylor Swift. Releasing not too long ago in October, it has already sold over 3.11 million copies. Taylor swift has once again spellbound her fans by releasing singles like “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”, “Begin Again”, “I Knew You Were Trouble”, and “22”. This is her fifth album and with millions of albums being sold in such a short time, she definitely earned this spot on our charts. Brittany Mitchell, a freshman here at Leonardtown High School, tells us that she really likes this album. After interviewing her, she told me,” I like the Red CD by Taylor Swift because I can really relate to her songs.”

Last but surely not least, taking the #1 spot on our countdown is (drumroll, please)… 21 by Adele! Adele has certainly deserved our #1 spot by enchanting and hypnotizing us with her strong voice and powerful lyrics. It was released on January 19th, 2011, and as of this year has sold over ten million copies. This album includes singles like “Rolling in the Deep”, “Someone Like You”, “Set Fire to the Rain”, “Rumor Has It”, and “Turning Tables”. One of our students here, sophomore Valerie Gregorio, gives her opinion on the album when she says, “I love the album by Adele. She has a powerful voice.”

After it has all been said and done, we have to say that last year’s albums did not disappoint. We are all hoping for an even better year in music this year! Did your favorite albums make our charts?