There are no big new album releases this week, so it is a great week to dig deeper into less often heard pop artists. The list is led by a critically acclaimed new dance pop artist.
1. Natalia Kills - Perfectionist
Courtesy Interscope
British dance pop artist Natalia Kills will introduce herself to US pop audiences when she opens for Katy Perry on her current concert tour. Natalia Kills reached the top 3 on the US dance chart with the single "Mirrors." This is her first full-length album.
2. Blue October - Any Man In America
Courtesy Red
Rock band Blue October are best known to pop fans for their 2006 single "Hate Me." It reached the top 30 on the pop singles chart and was a #2 modern rock hit. The band now have five adult pop top 40 hits to their credit. The most recent was 2010's "Should Be Loved" from the #13 hit album Approaching Normal.
3. The Cool Kids - When Fish Ride Bicycles
Courtesy C.A.K.E.
The Cool Kids are a critically acclaimed hip hop duo. This is their first full-length album and it includes featured appearances from Travis Barker of blink-182, Ghostface Killah, and Asher Roth.
4. Ana Popovic - Unconditional
Courtesy Eclecto Groove
Ana Popovic was born in Serbia. She was introduced to the blues by her father and has become a top internationally recognized blues guitarist. In 2003 she was the first European artist ever nominated for the W.C. Handy Award for Best New Artist.
5. Breaking Benjamin - Shallow Bay: The Best Of Breaking Benjamin
Courtesy Hollywood Records
There has been controversy surrounding this release. Rock band Breaking Benjamin have landed in the top 10 with their last two studio albums. They have two platinum and one gold certified album in the past. Eight songs by the band have reached the top 10 of the mainstream rock chart.
6. Jeff Bridges - Jeff Bridges
Courtesy Blue Note
Actor Jeff Bridges introduced fans to his musical talent with his Academy Award winning acting role as a washed up musician in the film Crazy Heart. He worked with producer T-Bone Burnett to put together his first solo album.
7. Nero - Welcome Reality
Courtesy Island
Dubstep duo Nero are one of the hottest new pop artists in the UK this year. Their current single "Promises" has gone all the way to #1 and is their second top 10 hit. They were nominees in the BBC's Sounds Of 2011 poll.
8. Jewel - The Merry Goes Round
Courtesy Fisher-Price
Pop-country singer-songwriter Jewel had a #1 kids album with Lullaby back in 2009. Now, having gained more exposure from her role as host of the songwriting competition show Platinum Hit she is returning to kids music once again here.
9. Eli Young Band - Life At Best
Courtesy Republic
The Eli Young Band are a rising country act. Their last album Jet Black and Jealous went top 5 on the country albums chart and into the top 30 on the overall album chart. "Crazy Girl," the first single from Life At Best is already in the country top 15 and is the band's first song to reach the top 50 on the Billboard Hot 100.
10. Chimaira - The Age Of Hell
Courtesy Entertainment One
Heavy metal band Chimaira are considered to be part of American heavy metal's new wave. Each of their last four studio albums has been more successful on the charts than the one which came before. 2009's The Infection, the most recent, reached #30 on the album chart.
