Here we go!
Part three of my music review looks at many releases that
made consistently solid impressions on me, but just missed the upper half of
the list.
The albums on this section of the list might be the most
diverse from beginning to end—yet, who knows anymore what diverse means?
All I know is that list, if it provides anything at all,
provides some variety to showcase the different styles of tunes that are still
hanging around in the world and the styles that are currently being invented
and/or reinvented.
Let’s do this, part 003!
75. Climax, Beastmilk
Released: November 29,
2013
Joy Division lives! Well, sort of… Add more doom to the
pioneers of goth rock, and you’ve got Beastmilk. Climax is a testament to music’s history and is a gateway to the
future.
74. Houses, Mel Washington
Released: February 19,
2013
Washington’s voice is so full. Every song is dominated by
his hefty pipes and acoustic twinge. Houses
takes folk and gives it a kick in the ass.
73. because the internet, Childish Gambino
Released: December 6,
2013
because the internet
makes a pivotal statement on the landscape of hip-hop. Donald Glover allows
himself to be vulnerable , which is admirable because he obviously didn't
want/couldn't release an album that was comfortable for him or the listener
because he is not comfortable right
now.
72. Anything in Return, Toro y Moi
Released: January 16,
2013
Anything in Return is
probably the most accessible album on this section of the list. Toro y Moi
consistently creates chill tracks perfect for any audience—an amalgam of
hip-hop/indie rock.
Play:
71. Heroes and Ghosts, This Patch of Sky
Released: December 01,
2013
Since God is an Astronaut released a terribly disappointing
album this year, it was great to come across This Patch of Sky. Dynamic
atmospheric heavier post rock with groovy tendencies.
70. Shadows, Lenka
Released: June 02,
2013
I had a few albums on shuffle when I went through Shadows. Almost every track stood out to
me. Lenka might be one of the most optimistic composers today. I appreciate her
positivity and pop sensibilities.
69. My Name is My Name, Pusha T
Released: October 08,
2013
Apart from “Nosetaglia,” which is one of my favorites tracks
this year—Pusha T emblazoned the hip-hop scene with this blistering ten-track
album that consistently establishes his voice as the future of hip-hop.
68. An Autobiography, Old Gray
Released: March 11,
2013
When I first heard An
Autobiography, I thought to myself,
“if I could make any type of music and become known for it—it would be Old
Gray.” Amid the positive resurgence of emo music, Old Gray toes the line of emo
and post-hardcore, while crafting a series of fiery stories.
Play:
67. Disillusion, O’Brother
Released: August 20,
2013
While slow-pacing is a characteristic of sludge metal, Disillusion seems to take a few tracks
to really gain any speed whatsoever. And then, once the album hits, it hits.
And it hits hard. O’Brother is nothing if not patient and deliberate—traits many
acts lack these days.
66. Still, Weekend Nachos
Released: November 11,
2013
Hardcore. Short and to the point. If you don’t like it, move
on. That’s the mentality of this album and I appreciate it so much. Weekend
Nachos may be a silly band name, but it doesn’t get in the way of the brutality
of this album.
65. Creation / Destruction, Fit For A King
Released: March 12,
2013
I didn’t expect to rock out as hard to this metalcore
release as I did. This album is perfect for anyone who need some metal tunes
for a hard work out. It’s also nice to see that Solid State has an impressive
roster of up-and-coming acts right now.
64. Heartthrob, Tegan and Sara
Released: January 29,
2013
When I first heard this album, I laughed through most of it.
It isn’t the Tegan and Sara I know. At all. I’ve been following them for years
and I did not expect this album (out of their EIGHT) to be the one to
launch them out of obscurity. All T&S did was prove they can make pop music
better than the people who have been making pop for years.
63. Mountains of Sorrow, Rivers of Song, Amos
Lee
Released: October 08,
2013
For those familiar with Amos Lee, you’ll be happy to know
that Amos Lee is still the master of folk. Yes. I stand by that statement.
While Mountains of Sorrow contains an
uncharacteristic amount of filler compared to previous Lee releases, he still
possesses the best wherewithal to play to his strengths—which are sultry vocal
explorations coupled with assertively honest lyrics.
62. If You Leave, Daughter
Released: March 18,
2013
I honestly have no idea where this album came from. It’s
relaxing, atmospheric, and experimental in tandem with Bon Iver meets Florence
+ the Machine. Put the album on and let it take you over.
Play:
61. Love’s Crushing Diamond, Mutual Benefit
Released: October 07,
2013
This album is a relaxing exploration of all things folky,
jazzy, pop and orchestral. Mutual Benefit’s first LP brings longtime solo
composer, Jordan Lee, to the forefront of a much-desired full-ensemble musical
experience. Lee’s work may place him in high esteem with similarly minded
creative, Sufjan Stevens.
60. Acid Rap, Chance the Rapper
Released: April 30,
2013
Chance the Rapper put together a refreshing string of
upbeat, cocky, and powerful hip-hop tracks. His voice and beats make this one
of the more unique hip-hop releases of 2013. And yes, my favorite song on this
album is called, “Favorite Song.”
59. Corsicana Lemonade, White Denim
Released: October 29,
2013
While I dig this album. White Denim is a band best-fit for
the stage. They must be experience live to understand how all of this works. I
will never forget the first time I saw White Denim live. I think they played
three songs (Read: they took two breaks), went over their time by ten minutes,
and absolutely melted my face. So much rock and roll and guitar solos.
Play:
58. Memorial, Russian Circles
Released: October 29,
2013
Kings of dynamo heavy post rock, Russian Circles, returned
this year with a glorious romp of dark, exploratory instrumental tunes. The
stories this band can tell without uttering a single word are absolutely
stunning.
Play:
57. Acceptance Speech, Dance Gavin Dance
Released: October 08,
2013
DGD has had some difficulty maintaining a consistent lead
singer. Enlisting vocalist, Tilian Pearson (Tides of Man), for Acceptance Speech made for an incredibly
intricate and diverse album from this math hardcore outfit. Each track bleeds
into the next with startling ease Pearson’s patented falsetto places him amid
scene mainstays for years to come.
56. One of Us is the Killer, Dillinger
Escape Plan
Released: May 14, 2013
Dillinger continues to revamp its brand of spastic metal.
This release shows the band making an effort to be more accessible with its
tunes, while still maintaining a dominant handle on the situation. I required
this album on many of my longer runs during the year because it just kept me moving
from beginning to end. [Note: One of Us…
is probably my favorite album cover of 2013.]
55. Absent Light, Misery Signals
Released: July 23,
2013
After over five dormant years, Misery Signals trusted its
fans, who funded an extremely successful Indie GoGo campaign to make this album
a reality. The time away certainly helped, as Absent Light is a triumphant return to form for these Wisconsin-natives, and shows a more mature, more intentional metalcore sound.
54. Open Season, High Highs
Released: January 29,
2013
Open Season is a
bright album with much promise of room to grow for this Australian indie folk
band. Pop fans will enjoy the accessible nature of the hooks and choruses,
indie fans will enjoy the exploration of genre in this, at-times, symphonically
atmospheric release.
Play:
53. We Wander at Night, The Earth and
Everything in it
Released: April 30,
2013
This may be the best album that only maybe a handful of people
actually heard. Yishai poured his soul into this album. The existential lyrics
drop with blood and sweat and beckon the listener to focus on what really
matters in life, rather than its trivial, material matters. Fans of As Cities
Burn, O’Brother, Fear Before, and Psychic Babble (Colin from Circa Survive) may
enjoy these tunes.
52. Behold, My Epic
Released: December 10,
2013
My Epic has been creating religiously introspective tunes
for a while now. Its first two LPs featured a band struggling to find that experimental
balance of heavy/light. Behold
portrays a band finally in control of their sound. There is purpose to each
scream, purpose to each crescendo—My Epic has finally come into its own.
Play:
51. Ceremonies, ef
Released: September
01, 2013
ef does a wonderful job blending the styles of dynamic
instrumental post rock with jazz and atmosphere. Ceremonies is an unbridled collection of songs that lift this band
to creative dominance. Take a listen to “Delusions of Grandeur” in full and try
to argue otherwise.
There you have it! Part Three is in the books!
Look out for Part Four this weekend!
Be sure to check out the rest of the countdown:
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