2013 List
Because I didn't get the chance to listen to as much stuff as I would rhave liked this year, rI've decided to just rlist stuff I've heard and ranking rthem with some quick description/blurb, rand what I thought was the rbest rsong of the album. So, anyway.... |
| 27 |  | The Strokes
Comedown Machine
a major disappointment. I'm a big fan of The Strokes, and I really expected some great things after Angles
came out because I sincerely thought it introduced a pretty decent sound. "Machu Picchu", "Metabolism",
and "Life is Simple?" were fantastic, and while Angles had more than a few kinks that needed attention, it
was easy to let it slide because it felt like a prototype album that where the band was still trying to hone
their new sound. Comedown Machine was supposed to be the album that showed them perfecting their
'80s-new wave-meets-indie garage rock' sound, but only about half of the album actually accomplishes that.
Top track: "Tap Out" |
| 26 |  | KiD CuDi
Indicud
I've always liked Kid Cudi. The beats and production was always really great, even if he isn't
the best rapper/lyricist out there. I loved both of the 'man on the moon' albums, and while I
think that this is a good album, I thought it was pretty boring. I can't find any charm in it,
other than a few good songs. I don't know why, but I just did not dig this as much as I was
hoping. top track: "Red Eyes" (with HAIM!) |
| 25 |  | Atoms for Peace
Amok
This was boring. I love Thom Yorke, but most of this was either average or
unmemorable. It has its moments, but doesn't even come close to the greatness of The
Eraser (although technically this isn't a Thom Yorke solo album). Top track: "Ingenue" |
| 24 |  | Clutch
Earth Rocker
I kind of ignored Clutch for awhile, and this album kind of revived my love for the
band. Top track: "Gone Cold" |
| 23 |  | Uncle Acid And The Deadbeats
Mind Control
Not as good as Blood Lust, but still enjoyable. For those who enjoy retro-stoner stuff. Top
track: "Valley Of The Dolls'' |
| 22 |  | Ducktails
The Flower Lane
the only reason I know this album is because it was mentioned in olympus during the staff
list discussions. I had a chance to hear it a few weeks ago and it was really great. nice
catchy psych-pop tunes with an '80s kind of feel. shout out to Alex Robertson, and
everyone else who talked about it in the thread. top track: "Letter of Intent" |
| 21 |  | Thundercat
Apocalypse
I didn't know anything about Thundercat other than the fact that he's worked with Flying
Lotus, so this was my first time listening to his actual music. This really shouldn't be here
because I've only heard it like once in full to get a sense of it, but I've been going back to
individual tracks from time to time and I'm starting to see the love it's getting. Top track:
"Heartbreaks + Setbacks" |
| 20 |  | bansheebeat
Spiral Power
Shout out to one of my favorite users, Dylan Browne. This album is fantastic if you haven''t
heard it. Top track: "Nightosphere" or "Tepplin" (can't decide) |
| 19 |  | Chance The Rapper
Acid Rap
I didn't like this all that much when I first heard it. I found his voice a little annoying and by
the nature of some of the vocals, I thought this was going to be some immature hip-hop
record. I started listening to it and while I loved the instrumentals, I couldn't get into the
vocals. Songs like "Pusha Man", "Chain Smoker", and the glorious title track kept pulling me
back to it and I've steadily been falling in love with it. I'm really hoping this whole psych-
hop thing picks up more and more. It's really making for some interesting beats. Top track:
"Acid Rain" |
| 18 |  | Sound and Fury (FI)
Pulsacion
A mixture of avant-garde jazz, big band, and fusion. Top track: "Pulsacion" |
| 17 |  | Pond (AUS)
Hobo Rocket
A solid effort, but overall not among their best. Top track: "Aloneaflameaflower" |
| 16 |  | Run The Jewels
Run The Jewels
I didn't discover EL-P until earlier this year (Sobhi being the reason), and the guy is
amazing. He has a real talent for composing catchy beats that draw your attention,
but at the same time are creatively eccentric enough to keep you coming back. Killer
Mike also kills on this too- it's just well rounded album overall. Top track: "Banana
Clipper" |
| 15 |  | Queens of the Stone Age
...Like Clockwork
That Josh Homme can do no wrong. Top track: "Keep Your Eyes Peeled" |
| 14 | | Tera Melos
X'ed Out
It was great listening to Tera Melos for the first time in quite a long time. I got into
them in high school when I was first introduced to hardcore and math rock by a friend.
I've kind of moved away from that style of music, but the nostalgia this album
brought... oh, man. The album introduces a poppier sound that I think suits them
really well. Top track: "Bite" |
| 13 |  | Wayne Shorter Quartet
Without a Net
Some jazz guy. Top track: "Pegasus" |
| 12 |  | Standstill
Dentro de la Luz
Imagine what Grizzly Bear (veckatimest era) would sound like if they were more melancholic and spoke
spanish, and that's pretty much this album. This is a group from Spain that I discovered while I was
visiting my mother's family years ago, they're unbelievably brilliant. They've kind of evolved over the
years from post-hardcore to Ok computer-esque alt rock to the prog-folk/baroque folk in their newer
stuff. This is not their best album, but still highly enjoyable top track: "La Casa De Las Ventanas" |
| 11 |  | Tricky
False Idols
Without a doubt one of his finest albums since the '90s. I jokingly referred to this as trip-pop one
time because rather than going back to the more diverse sounds of his past few albums, False
Idols focuses on being catchy, mellow, and instant (don't expect any "Early Bird" or "Baligaga"
like tracks here). I love this album though, it's mellow and moody, and it's where Tricky shines
best I think. All of the tracks kind of blend together though, there's no real standout tracks,
everything is just "good" (if that makes sense). Top track: "If I Only Knew" (the feels!) |
| 10 |  | Arctic Monkeys
AM
A lot of relationship troubles in this one. Definitely makes up for SIAS. Top track:
"fireside" |
| 9 |  | Poppy Ackroyd
Escapement
Im a huge fan of Hidden Orchestra and I was really excited when I heard Poppy
Ackroyd (violinist of the band) was releasing a solo album. Much different from the
mellow, nu jazz style style of Hidden Orchestra, it's much more influenced by classical
music. Top track: "Rain" |
| 8 | | Boards of Canada
Tomorrow's Harvest
They're back! Top track: Come to Dust |
| 7 |  | Sigur Ros
Kveikur
Some band from Iceland. Top track: Brennisteinn |
| 6 |  | My Bloody Valentine
m b v
blue fuzz. Top track: "Who sees you" or "Only Tomorrow" (can't decide) |
| 5 |  | The Flaming Lips
The Terror
I LOVE The Flaming Lips. And while this was a bit of a grower, it didn't take long to
win me over. Top track: "Look...The Sun is Rising" and "You Lust" |
| 4 |  | Daniel Guggenheim
Beyond Moments & Time
This one got overlooked pretty much everywhere. It was a great album in my opinion.
It's a pretty accessible post-bop album for those interested. top track: "Mystery in
Casablanca" (it's got a kind of 'Eastern Sounds' feel to it) |
| 3 |  | Deerhunter
Monomania
(noise rock/dream pop) trippy noise-rock collages and mellow garage pop. nothing
too out of the norm from Deerhunter as far as concept, but it definitely sounds
different. Top track: "Sleepwalking" |
| 2 |  | Chick Corea
The Vigil
Jazz album of the year for me. Top track: "Portals to Forever" |
| 1 |  | Steven Wilson
The Raven That Refused to Sing
Steven's best solo album, and probably among his finest ever too. Top track/song of
the year: "Luminol" |
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