Top 10 Albums of 2011

From debuts to come backs to re-leases, 2011 was full of hot albums from pop, rock, American Idols and even soap opera stars. Here are my Top 10 album picks of the year.

10. Scotty McCreery - Clear As Day
The latest American Idol winner Scotty McCreery released his debut album Clear As Day last month, selling 197,000 copies in it's first week. The country singer became the second American Idol winner to reach #1 on the Billboard 200 with a debut album, and if you've heard it, you know why. With hit songs like "I Love You This Big" and "The Trouble with Girls," Scotty shows off his stunning voice in these sweet, country songs.

9. Port Chuck - Port Chuck
General Hospital based band Port Chuck released their self-titled, debut album this past April, featuring pop and rock covers. Between the fast-paced "No One Like You" and Scott Reeves' slow "Hallelujah," which was featured on the soap, this album showcases the guys' unique voices, as well as their personalities.

8. David Cook - This Loud Morning
After a lot of waiting and anticipation, David Cook released his sophomore album this past June, titled This Loud Morning. This time around, Cook has a more mature and distinct sound with songs like rock single "The Last Goodbye" and the soft "Fade Into Me." Better than his debut, this new album does not disappoint.

7. Enation - My Ancient Rebellion
General Hospital star Jonathan Jackson and his Indie rock band Enation released their latest album My Ancient Rebellion a few months ago, on the same day they were honored by About.Me.com and featured on a billboard in New York City. With songs like their single "The Rushing Wind" and "Tears of Hope," this album is soulful and artistic, just like Enation.

6. Kelly Clarkson - Stronger
Kelly Clarkson came back stronger than ever on her newest album, featuring powerful anthems like her single "Mr. Know It All" and the title track "What Doesn't Kill You (Stronger)," as well as soft ballads like "Breaking Your Own Heart" and "Standing In Front of You." This is one of the best and strongest albums of 2011.

5. Hot Chelle Rae - Whatever
I never thought twice about Hot Chelle Rae until I saw them live in concert. Boy bands in the rock genre have never really been my thing, until now. Hot Chelle Rae released their debut album Whatever last month, and prove that their more than just a rock 'n roll boy band. Between their upbeat, hit singles "Tonight Tonight" and "I Like It Like That," to showing a sensitive side in songs like "Keep You With Me" and the beautiful ballad "Why Don't You Love Me?" with Demi Lovato, these guys show their uniqueness and creativity in every song.

4. Big Time Rush - Elevate
Big Time Rush's sophomore album Elevate is bigger and better than their first, featuring all new pop and rock songs, eight of which were co-written by the guys themselves. The guys show off their fun side in songs like their single "Music Sounds Better With U" and "Time of Our Life," and a sensitive side in songs like "Invisible" and "Cover Girl." Though the guys are mostly known for their pop rock sound, Kendall, James, Carlos and Logan also show off the balladeer in them in songs like "You Are Not Alone" and "All Over Again." This album is fun and sweet, just like the guys!

3. Jack and White - Gemini
The Brooke White and Jack Matranga collaboration took off with the release of their first EP Gemini. The 6-song EP features their single "Double Trouble," as well as other cheery and upbeat songs, perfect for this one-of-a-kind duo.

2. David Archuleta - The Other Side of Down: Asian Tour Edition
After making the decision to leave his record label this past year, David Archuleta re-released his sophomore album The Other Side of Down in Asia, just in time for his summer tour there. The Asian Tour Edition features four brand new songs from David, along with his hit song "Zero Gravity." David shows a more mature sound on songs like ballad "Everything And More" and the longing, pop song "Wait." This re-release became #1 on CDWow.com, and though he plans to take a two-year break to serve an LDS mission next year, I know there's still a bright future for David in the music industry.

1. Demi Lovato - Unbroken
Demi Lovato made the biggest come back this year after spending months in rehab. Demi came back stronger than ever, musically and personally. Her third studio album Unbroken became #1 on iTunes within hours of it's release. With the hit single "Skyscraper," along with ballads like "Lightweight" and "Give Your Heat A Break" to upbeat songs like the title track "Unbroken" and "Hold Up," this album shows the best of Demi, and I know things are just going to get better from here.

There's my Top 10 albums of the year. Happy New Year!

Vote for Enation as OurStage's Fan Favorite + new tour dates!

It's been a big year for General Hospital star Jonathan Jackson and his band Enation, with the release of their new album being showcased on a billboard in Times Square - all thanks to the voting of their fans! Now help Enation end the year on a kick and vote for them in OurStage's Fan Favorite poll! Voting ends tomorrow, so go HERE to vote!

Also check out Enation's new East Coast tour dates below, and go HERE for ticket info!!

Friday, Feb. 24th, 2012 (CT)
Jonathan Jackson (GH) & Enation
Treehouse Comedy Production @ Marisa’s
Trumbull, CT
Showtime: 10:00 p.m.
Tickets: $75.00 includes concert, includes meet/greet & autographs

Saturday, Feb. 25th, 2012 (NY)
Jonathan Jackson (GH) & Enation
Governor’s Comedy Club
Levittown, NY
Showtime: 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $84 includes concert, includes meet/greet & autographs

Sunday, Feb. 26th, 2012 (NJ)
Jonathan Jackson (GH) & Enation
Uncle Vinnies
Point Pleasant, NJ
Showtime: 1:30 p.m.
Tickets: $75 + tax includes concert, includes meet/greet & autographs

Enation posts rehearsal pics!

Looks like a lot of GH guys are in rehearsals! Not only is Port Chuck rehearsing for their upcoming shows this weekend, but Jonathan Jackson's band Enation is hard at work in rehearsals too. Enation has a free show at Molly Malone's in LA tonight!

Go HERE to read my review of Enation's new album My Ancient Rebellion.

Album Review: Enation - My Ancient Rebellion

Today the much anticipated new album from Enation is out, and it does not disappoint. My Ancient
Rebellion represents everything I love about the band: it's calm, soulful, cryptic and artistic.

Jonathan Jackson's voice is captivating and so full of emotion in these poetic tunes. Between the passionate "Tears of Hope" ballad, the meaningful
groove of "The Salvation of One" and the upbeat anthem "The Rushing Wind", those are only a few examples of the contrast and the glimpses of inspiration this album holds. Each song takes you on a journey of soul searching and makes you look at things in a different perspective.


And to add on to the excitement of the day, Enation is at Times Square in NYC checking out their About.Me billboard!

You can also read my interview from back in August with Enation HERE.

Enation offers Special Autographed Package of My Ancient Rebellion

In anticipation of their their new album My Ancient Rebiellion being released a week from today, Enation had a surprise for their fans!

When 'My Ancient Rebellion' is released we are going to sell a Special Autographed Package for a limited time & a limited quantity. The package will include:
* Autographed copy of 'My Ancient Rebellion' - by all five Enation members
* T-shirt of your choice
* 8x10 Photo of your choice
* Enation Sticker

Price: $30

Note: Because we are all in different states we will be signing the CD's on our trip to NY next week and then mailing them to our store to be delivered to you.

~ Enation

Cool! You can order your Special Autographed Package HERE next Tuesday.

Who else can't wait for Enation's new album? You can also check out my review of Enation's new single "The Rushing Wind" HERE as well as my interview with Enation HERE.

Enation wins grand prize from About.Me!

If you've been keeping up with Enation's tweets, you'd know they were part of About.Me's Campaign to find a new 'face'. Not only would the winner become the new face of About.Me, but would be on a billboard in Times Square. Now thanks to all of the votes from their dedicated fans, Enation announced on twitter tonight that they're won the grand prize!

Jonathan Jackson took to twitter as well to tweet the news and his thanks, saying "Enation WON THE GRAND PRIZE FROM THE ABOUT.ME CAMPAIGN! Thank you!!!!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you, everyone for your amazing support - and passion for our music."

Congrats to Enation for winning! This has been quite a week for the band, not only are they now About.Me's new face and will be on a billboard in Times Square, but their new single "The Rushing Wind" off of their new album, out October 11th, was released on Tuesday! Check out my review of "The Rushing Wind" HERE, as well as my interview with Enation from last month HERE.

Song Review: Enation - The Rushing Wind

Among the great new music that's out today is the new single from Enation called "The Rushing Wind". Off of their new album My Ancient Rebellion, out October 11th, "The Rushing Wind" is an enjoyable mix of edge, soul, and with what even sounds like a hint of groove in there. Jonathan Jackson, aka Lucky Spencer on General Hospital, definitely shows off his strong, endearing voice in this song, especially throughout the chorus. With the perfect combination of vitality and intriguing lyrics, this is a great choice for a first single that'll leave you wanting to come back for more. Frankly, I can't take it off repeat!

After you buy "The Rushing Wind" on iTunes, be sure to stop over to Enation's About.Me page and vote for them to be About.Me's new face and be on a                                                         billboard in NYC! Today is the last day to vote, so head on over before you're                                                     too late!

Enation tweets their new album cover!

Enation tweeted earlier their album cover for their new album My Ancient Rebellion, out October 11th!

Enation's Richard Lee also had this to say about the cover:

Here is our album cover for 'My Ancient Rebellion'. We are really thrilled with it! I wanted to let you in on the creative process, how the cover came about. Originally, I was going to try and design something, and the options I came up with were good, but after contemplation we decided that we should involve the brilliant work of Gary Kelly, who works out of Dublin, Ireland and has worked on many high profile designs including one of our favorite artists, the iconic U2. We had worked with Gary several times over the years and knew his keen eye and artistic sensibilities would benefit us greatly. We let Gary know that we wanted a design that told a story. We love the artwork on 'World in Flight' but felt that 'My Ancient Rebellion' was a more cinematic, non-linear album both sonically and thematically. Jonathan wanted to capture something in the cover design that felt ancient, that told a story that feels as though it has been around for ages. After looking around for images that seemed to resonate with us, including some of Rembrandt's paintings, we came across a 17th century painting LANDSCAPE WITH THE GOOD SAMARITAN
BY GIOVANNI ANDREA DONDUCCI (aka, MASTELLETTA). It was a breathtaking image created hundreds of years ago. It's vast in it's scope and yet tells a very personal story. This album is in many ways about coming to the realization that to live in love and compassion is the greatest rebellion of all. This masterful painting by the 17th century Italian painter seems to capture the spirit of that rebellion in all it's beauty and madness.

We hope you enjoy it, and the music that's to come.
Love is an Action,
Richard Lee
///// Enation

I love how deep and insightful Enation always is about their music :)

Vote for Enation on About.Me!

About.Me is a website that gives anyone a one page website to tell the world who you are and how to connect with you, and they're looking for the "face" of their new ad campaign. And Enation needs your help! 

If Enation wins, not only do they get their page, but they get on a a billboard in Times Square! You can vote for them once a day, every day until September 20th! Go HERE to vote! Good luck guys! Also go HERE for my exclusive interview with Enation. 

Interview with the band Enation

Enation is the independent, soulful rock band consisting of five very talented guys, one being the Emmy winning General Hospital star Jonathan Jackson. Along with Jonathan is his brother Richard Lee, brothers Michael and Luke Galeotti and Daniel Sweatt. Together they form the band Enation.


With the release of their new album My Ancient Rebellion approaching, Richard Lee was nice enough to set up this interview with the guys where they discuss how the band got it's name, their involvement with the organization Not For Sale and will Enation ever perform on GH? 

Where did the name Enation come from?

Richard Lee: The name didn't come easy. We kicked around a lot of ideas, trying to find a name that seemed to capture something about us. When Enation came up, we liked the meaning, which is most commonly used as a botany term for an unusual outgrowth. We liked the idea of Enation being something that grows sort of organically. The Latin root of the word means to 'bring forth', or to birth. The idea in Enation is that it's not something we are steering, but something we are trying to keep up with, allowing the natural process to unfold.  

What was the journey like becoming an independent band?

Richard Lee: We've always been independent so it's all we've known. There are a ton of amazing things about being independent; you get to create with total freedom, you get to control your schedule, you get to present yourself in the truest possible way without a middle man looking over your shoulder. The downside is that it requires a tremendous amount of work doing everything essentially on your own without a label backing. It creates some heavy lifting so to speak. But in many ways it's worth it. We aren't opposed to having label support, but it would have to be under the right conditions. 

Richard, what do you want your listeners to feel when they hear your music?

Richard Lee: I hope they feel that it's coming from a very genuine place in our hearts and that it can connect with them in some way. We like to say that Enation is all about changing atmospheres. So I hope that when someone listens to an Enation album it changes the atmosphere. Music has the power to change our mood. It has the possibility to give us a new vantage point on life. I hope Enation's songs can play a part of that process in someone's life. Ultimately to bring a sense of hope amidst the brokenness all around us.  

Michael, what’s your favorite song to perform?

Michael: Enjoying the performance of a song comes down to a couple of specific factors for me; the part I am playing, the connection I feel with my band mates and the effect the song has on the listener. At this moment I would have to say my favorite song to perform is "World In Flight". I love how it draws the listener in, each member of the band seems to be fully in the song and I enjoy my specific part.

Part of the proceeds from your new album My Ancient Rebellion are going towards the organization Not For Sale. How did Enation get involved with them?

Richard Lee: Our involvement with Not For Sale first and foremost came when we realized that modern-day slavery is actually an issue we have to deal with in our day. It's hard to believe that people are still being sold into slavery all around the world, America included. The relational and organizational connections came through a couple channels. We were first introduced to them when Jonathan began writing some music for the independent film, "Not Today", a film about a young man's journey from apathy to compassion as he is confronted with the horrors of human trafficking during a trip to India. From that involvement with the film, NFS invited Enation to be a part of their 2010 Global Forum on Human Trafficking, and we were blessed to be able to play a few songs during the concert portion of the event. The next channel came through a connection with a businessman we met who knew a lot of the people at NFS and he got us in touch with them to keep dreaming out loud about what we could do together, and that's where our current involvement with them is at. We are going to be partnering with them again at their 2011 Global Forum and have more ideas in the works. It's exciting to know that simply by being who we are, and that goes for anyone, we can all lend our voice to help end this atrocity and be a part of the modern-day abolitionist movement. (visit: www.NotForSaleCampaign.org)  

Enation got to perform at this year’s GH Fan Club Weekend, what was that like?

Jonathan: It was great performing in front of the fans again, in an intimate setting like that. Our full on rock shows are meant to be epic and anthemic. When we get into a relatively small room like that we have to really focus on creating something that is both intimate and anthemic. It's the same intent with our rock shows, but we have to execute it differently which is a fun creative challenge. It's kind of like the difference between a film performance and a theatre performance.



Jonathan, you’ve gotten to perform on General Hospital a while back. Any chance Enation will ever perform on GH?

Jonathan: We had our song "Eyes of Grace" on the show last November and the response from the fans was amazing. I'm not sure if the band will actually play on the show, but we're open to it. Finding ways to incorporate our music in film and TV has always been something Enation is passionate about because our music seems to fit so well within a cinematic context. 

Daniel, what do you think has been Enation’s greatest accomplishment so far?

Daniel: Well, I think our greatest accomplishments are still to come, but that’s not to say we haven’t accomplished quite a bit so far. I think the one thing that stands out isn’t a concert or an album or a sales figure. I think, at this point, us still being here, still pushing, still making music, still being true to who we are. Despite all the junk that might have caused other bands to split up, or cause their friendships to suffer, we have stuck through it. I would say that we are tighter as a band and as friends than we have been at times in the past, even though we are in different parts of the country most of the time. That to me is a pretty amazing thing, and I think it is important for us to remember.

Luke, choose one word that describes Enation’s music.

Luke: Choosing only one word to describe our music is a little bit challenging, but for me Enation represents, in a lot of ways I guess, truth. I think at times we are a great reminder for people through our lyrics and our actions that there is good in this world, and you can choose to be a light for others, to see that truth as well. Standing up for others is the call that I feel is on Enation. We choose freedom. 

Any message to all of yours fans?

Richard Lee: THANK YOU. We really have the most amazing fans. They are not only passionate about our music, but they are also passionate about making an impact on this world. They're called Enation Army. We like to say that Love is an Action. Enation Army is really about being an army of compassion, a source of hope and love in this often dark world. We hope our lives, and our music, are about something greater than ourselves. 

To all of our amazing fans around the world, thank you. Our new album 'My Ancient Rebellion' is due out October 11th, plus we'll be releasing a single on iTunes ahead of that in Sept. We're really excited about that. The album has, as Jonathan likes to say, "musical landscapes and deep places of the heart." We hope you all pick it up and let us know what you think. We are also playing some concerts in Oct. in CA in partnership with the Not For Sale Campaign. We are really looking forward to meeting many of you on tour in the coming months and hearing your thoughts about the new album.  

Video all about Enation's new album 'My Ancient Rebellion':

http://bit.ly/ancientvid

Connect with Enation! 

http://www.EnationMusic.com

http://www.Facebook.com/EnationMusic

http://www.Twitter.com/EnationMusic

http://www.iTunes.com/Enation

Big thanks to Richard Lee, Jonathan, Michael, Luke and Daniel for taking the time to do this interview! You can get Enation's new album My Ancient Rebellion on October 11th and be sure to keep coming back to Mindful of Music for more reviews and news on the band!

Enation announces their new album track list!

Via @EnationMusic:

Official Track List for 'My Ancient Rebellion'

1. Ad Gloriam

2. Beneath the Surface

3. Prodigal

4. The Salvation of One

5. The Solution

6. The Streets of Hyderabad

7. Breathe On Me

8. I'm In Awe

9. Tears of Hope

10. Forgiveness

11. The Rushing Wind

12. Out of Silence

13. Basileia tōn Ouranōn

Awesome! Can't wait for the album! And stay tuned for my exclusive interview with the band!

Enation's new album My Ancient Rebellion to be released October 11th!

Can't wait! Stay tuned soon for my exclusive interview with Enation!

Go behind the scenes of Enation's new album!

Go behind the scenes & inside the making of 'My Ancient Rebellion', Enation's highly anticipated new album. Lead singer Jonathan Jackson discusses everything from the process of making the album, to the band's accomplishmets as an independent band, as well as Enation's partnership with the Global non-profit anti-human trafficking organization Not For Sale. /My Ancient Rebellion' is due out October, 2011. 

Cool! Who else can't wait for Enation's new album??