Adele‘s ’21′ was nominated for Album of the Year at this year’s Grammys. As it turns out, the Brit’s sophomore effort already won the title elsewhere: Rolling Stone.

The magazine perched the soul songstress at the top of its 50 Best Albums of 2011. She’s in good company — resting at No. 2 is ‘Watch the Throne’ by Kanye West and Jay-Z, while Lady Gaga‘s ‘Born This Way’ is at No. 6.

The magazine called ’21′ “this year’s most stunning pop success, transmuting the young Brit’s personal sorrow – the collapse of an 18-month relationship – into a 13-million-selling smash that leapt across borders and oceans and united everyone from teeny-boppers to baby boomers to hip-hop-heads.” Pretty much everything they said is true. Adele’s smash ‘Rolling in the Deep’ has been sampled or covered by everyone from the ‘Glee’ cast to John Legend, Romeo and Linkin Park, while her heartwrenching ballad ‘Someone Like You‘ received similar treatments also from the cast of ‘Glee’ as well as Taio Cruz, Katy Perry and YouTubing 10-year-olds.

The magazine notes that Adele’s sound is unlike anything else on the charts right now. Rolling Stone calls it “state-of-the-art retro soul, with touches of Motown, bossa nova and 1970s piano pop.” But the magazine gives the most credit to Adele’s raw talent. “At its heart was that voice: giant, classic-sounding, promising emotional depth way beyond its years.”

The ‘Rumour Has It‘ singer has been cleaning up left and right this awards season, with five Grammy nods and an American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Album for ’21,’ as well as another spot alongside ‘Ye and Jay on Time’s year-end music list. All these accolades — and the rave reviews of her DVD ‘Live at Royal Albert Hall‘ — should help the recovering chanteuse feel better.

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