I
think one thing we can all agree on is that 2013 has certainly been an
interesting year for music. With Working Bitches
Roaring whilst swinging on Wrecking Balls
to great Applause; Rap Gods
sampling classic rock riffs
and lyrics, and Daft Punk
once again proving that nobody else on the planet should make electronic music,
it’s easy to forget that its actually been a pretty good year for rock n’ roll.
True, the elder statesmen of the Seattle
Sound are looking a little rough around the edges, but when the tired 40-something
rockers of Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains
and Soundgarden, all put out albums within a 12 month
period, its going to make you want to break out the pogs and inject some 90s
style angst straight into the heart, Tarantino style. On the whole this was a
year for dance beats and headline whoring performances I need not link here.
Featured above: Tarantino style angst
injection.
In all the commotion generated by artists’
antics (rather than their art) this year, we’ve all probably missed a few
things. Don’t worry, though, I’m here to catch you up because, god knows, I’ve got nothing better to do then sit in a dark room and learn the stupid
minutia about bands only 12 people on the planet have heard of.
In no particular order, here are my picks
for the 10 best albums of 2013. I’ve written about a few of them before, and
others have had some pretty decent media coverage. A couple might be new to you
though, so if you get the chance, check them out.
…Like Clockwork, Queens of
the Stone Age
Surprise,
Surprise, death seems to suit Queens front man Josh Homme. Since coding on the
operating table during surgery in 2010, Homme has put together the most haunting Queens of the Stone Age album yet with the help of his rotating crew of
virtuosos. It may not be as metal as Songs for the Deaf, but with guest
appearances from Foo Fighters Dave Grohl, Arctic Monkey’s Alex Turner, and yes,
even Sir Elton freaking John, you know it’s going to be good.
The Bones Of What You Believe, Cvrches
So
I lied earlier, Daft Punk isn’t the only
group that makes good electronic music. I can’t remember how I stumbled onto
these guys EP earlier this year but I’m really glad I did. The Cvrches’ full
length debut came out in November, and I gotta say, I dig it. Not usually a big
fan of synthesizers and sound effects, but Lauren Mayberry, a former journalist
with a law degree, fronts this Irish trio. So their lyrics have a certain
amount of depth and social relevance to them. Oh and it doesn’t hurt that she looks
like this…
I
call this look Hipster Bait.
AM, The Arctic Monkeys
When
I was 17 some kids from northern England released an album called Whatever People Say I Am That’s What I’m Not. It featured tracks about juvenile mischief,
teen angst and urban decay. As an American kid attending a missionary school in
a third world city, to say the album resonated with me would be an
understatement. And I wasn’t the only one. For the better part of a decade, fans
have waited patiently through 3 objectively excellent yet arguably lacking
follow-ups. Finally in 2013 the Arctic Monkeys release AM an inky, sleek, glimpse into the mind of an insecure and neurotic protagonist as he
navigates a world where it’s always 3 a.m.
and the drugs have taken a bad turn. Alex Turner probably didn’t intend to
write an opera, but that’s the way I’m hearing it.
Sisteronix, Deap Vally
I’ve
sung the praises of these queens of California before,
but I never get tired of it. This two piece rocks like the White Stripes would
have if they liked Led Zeppelin more than Led Belly. Honestly I’m surprised I
haven’t heard more love for these guys from the big rock n’ roll press, but I
guess they haven’t kissed the right asses yet. If I could pick one show to go
to this year, it would be Deap Vally.
Specter at the Feast, Black
Rebel Motorcycle Club
I
wrote this when the album came out, so I’ll keep things short. My
favorite band released an album of dark and beautiful rock n’ roll. These guys have been grinding away for 12 years now and in the wake of tragedy put this gem out there. You should listen to it.
Tape Deck Heart, Frank
Turner
How
in the bloody hell did I not know about Frank Turner before this year? With his
heart wrenching acoustic anthems you might think turner is more Mumford and Sons
than The Clash; but this disillusioned punk, who made his bones playing with
the post hardcore outfit Million Dead,
packs a hell of a harder punch then his banjo loving buddies. Tape Deck Heart
is a great place to start, but I’d recommend this guy’s entire back catalogue. You won’t be disappointed.
Sound City Soundtrack,
Various
Again
I’ve made mention of this one before. It's got Stevie Nicks, It's got Trent Reznor its got Paul Freaking McCartney. The movie’s great, the album’s better,
Dave Grohl has apparently developed into the friendliest workaholic on the
planet.
Red Gold Green, RDGLDGRN
My
God! An electronic album and a rap
album on one list? My 18-year-old self would throw a brick at my head! In
fairness though, this Resdon, VA, trio refuses to confine themselves to one
simple genera, as they are fond of mentioning.
Some tracks come across more Vampire Weekend then Yezy, and even in his hardest
rapping moments their primary front man, known only as Green, shouts out to DC hardcore heavies
like Bad Brains and Minor Threat. Oh and Dave Grohl (See friendliest workaholic
ever) also put down beats for the entire album. I’ve already got my ticket for
their upcoming show in Denver!
Mechanical Bull, Kings of
Leon
Maybe
I’m a bad American, but I haven’t dug into this album as deeply as I would like
to yet. One things for sure though, the Followill clan is back with a vengeance.
The new tunes bring back a bit of the tongue in cheek punchiness
of the southern boys early stuff, without abandoning the more textured vulnerability of
Only By The Night. Again, this is just coming off a couple listens, but it
sounds like the Kings finally found a happy middle between southern punk and
successful sap.
Trouble will Find, Me The
National
The
national are another new band for me, but these sad bastards have quietly crept
into my heart like the slow burn of good whiskey. A look at
my iTunes most played will show nearly 20 listens for this album, and I don’t
even remember when I got it. That being said, it’s one of the most addictive
pieces of depressing art out there, It’s also a great album to put on when your
trying to convince your girlfriend that you really do have deep, deep feelings.
Dozens
if not hundreds more fine albums were released this year, so if your personal
favorites were not shared on this list, light me up in the comments section. If
you think Haim or Tame Impala deserve more attention the The National, fair enough, tell me off. Should I have given Yeezus or Slim Shady their due, call me a
delusional rock n’ roll dinosaur freak. Your negativity only makes me
stronger!
Happy
New Year everybody! May 2014 bring us even more great tunes!
