Best Albums of 2012 – ‘Warrior’ By Kesha

There's still booze. There's still sex. There's still debauchery. That's all part of who Kesha is. But on 'Warrior,' she shows there's a lot more to her than gold teeth, Jack Daniel's and raunch.

There are always going to be critics who dismiss Kesha as a one-trick, "sing-talking," slightly filthy pony. And that's unfortunate for them, because she brought all sorts of new elements to her second full length album since breaking onto the scene with 'Tik Tok.'

Kesha embraces more 'We R Who We R'-style anthems for her Animals, including the title track and 'Crazy Kids,' encouraging everyone to just embrace who they are and to "cut the bulls--- out with a dagger."

She also combines raunch with rock n' roll. Her duet with Iggy Pop, 'Dirty Love,' sounds extra dirty when her wails are juxtaposed with Pop's quiet, cheeky carnality. 'Gold Trans Am' sounds like it was written by Joan Jett, while 'Supernatural' describes sex with a ghost. There is still a lot of fun-loving hedonism here, and there's also a self-awareness that many of K-Dollar Sign's peers lack. While other pop stars may claim to be unapologetic, Kesha actually embodies it, singing, "Sorry but I'm just not sorry / 'Cause I swear and 'cause I drink."

That doesn't mean she doesn't still get wistful. On 'Wonderland' and 'Past Lives,' you get a glimpse of the vulnerable girl beneath the glitter, the one reflective of her Tennessee hometown and a deeply romantic soul. Beneath all of that slow burning whiskey is a warm heart.