2013 Music Review, Pt. 002: Top Albums (100-76)

Greetings!

In the past, I have had a hard time when anyone tells me they, “Listen to everything,” when it comes to music. I have a problem when someone uses this statement because chances are…they are lying.

I claim to be someone who does listen to everything and this year I set out to back it up.

I listened to 489 albums/EPs released in 2013.

That’s 5,431 new songs from 2013.

So much music...

Neo-classical, EDM, Pop, Punk, Hardcore, Shoegaze, Indie, Post Rock, Metal, Black Metal, etc.

I listened to anything and everything that came my way.

Check out my Spotify playlist.

It’s all right here: 2013 Albums!

Alright! Here we go with the bottom fourth of my list!

There are many solid releases in even the first section of my review of music from 2013, so enjoy!

[Note: Album Title in Bold Italics, Artist Name in Bold.]

100. Didn’t it Rain, Hugh Laurie

Released: May 06, 2013

The House MD leading-man deserves recognition. Laurie is a masterful musician and this album explores his versatility as a blues composer.

Play: Hugh Laurie – Wild Honey

99. Headswell, Sainthood Reps

Released: October 22, 2013

If Kurt Cobain were still alive, Sainthood Reps would be his favorite band. Headswell reinvents garage rock with great maturity.

Play: Sainthood Reps – Shelter

98. The Water & the Blood, Dustin Kensrue

Released: September 30, 2013

Any longtime fan of Thrice knows Dustin Kensrue loves Jesus. His worship tunes—including one of my favorite songs of the year, “It’s Not Enough,”—is accessible regardless of faith.

Play: Dustin Kensrue – It's Not Enough

97. Installation, LITE

Released: June 05, 2013

If you’re looking for some intricate guitar tapping/virtuoso instrumental tunes, check out this album from the UK.

Play: LITE – Echolocation

96. Hypernova, The Browning

Released: October 01, 2013

EDMetal. Plain and simple. This is a very heavy and a very dance-able album at the same time. I hate their band name, but love their intensity.

Play: The Browning – Gravedigger

95. Trouble Will Find Me, The National

Released: May 17, 2013

I admit I’m not the biggest fan of The National. However, this album must’ve hit me at the right time. Subtle eloquence & beauty—lyrical majesty.

Play: The National – I Need My Girl

94. Wild Light, 65daysofstatic

Released: September 16, 2013

While Wild Light has great atmosphere and exploration of drum/bass, I miss the more involved drums that made early 65days releases so vivid.

Play: 65daysofstatic – Blackspots

93. Random Access Memories, Daft Punk

Released: May 17, 2013

If the album weren’t so repetitive it would be higher on my list. Regardless, I’m always impressed with Daft Punk’s twist on hip-hop/dance.

Play: Daft Punk – Lose Yourself to Dance

92. Redaction Artifacts, East of the Wall

Released: October 29, 2013

If Thrice would’ve continued getting heavier & meandered into prog-djent metal, it would’ve sounded like EOTW. Wonderful explorations.

Play: East Of The Wall – Arbiters Meet

91. Fear Inside Our Bones, The Almost

Released: June 11, 2013

Aaron Gillespie must’ve listened to naysayers when he left Underoath & released a lackluster sophomore album, because FIOB is dynamic and honest.

Play: The Almost – Fear Inside Our Bones

90. Low Wishes, Air Review

Released: January 29, 2013

Fans of uplifting and positive tunes with somewhat religiously introspective lyrics will enjoy this album.

Play: Air Review – Rebel

89. Rescue & Restore, August Burns Red

Released: June 25, 2013

Leveler was ABR trying to be BTBAM & failing. Rescue & Restore is ABR learning to trust its strengths & succeeding—patient, dominant; heavy, light.

Play: August Burns Red – Spirit Breaker

88. Wax Wings, Joshua Radin

Released: May 07, 2013

Radin packs in many lovingly optimistic acoustic pieces on this album. His full-band sound reminds me of a cross between Matt Nathanson and City & Colour.

Play: Joshua Radin – When We're Together

87. AM, Arctic Monkeys

Released: September 06, 2013

I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about AM—given I’m not too keen on past releases. Yet, this album is full of some good ol’ rock and roll.

Play: Arctic Monkeys – R U Mine?

86. In Rolling Waves, Naked and Famous

Released: September 13, 2013

I’m even surprised I enjoy Naked and Famous as much as I do. Their style of chill pop gives me hope for the future landscape of radio tunes.

Play: The Naked And Famous – I Kill Giants

85. The Slowdown, Pilote

Released: May 27, 2013

This UK producer masterfully blends together the dynamic flavors of chill industrial instrumental tunes with psychedelic, electro, bluegrass, and pop.

Play: Pilote – Shapeshifter Blues

84. The Difference Between Hell and Home, Counterparts

Released: July 23, 2013

Counterparts invigorates post hardcore sensibilities with a take-no-prisoners attitude.

Play: Counterparts – Compass

83. Originator, Brooke Waggoner

Released: March 05, 2013

Originator is a great title for this album. Waggoner is on to something here with her wistful piano/folky style. Some tracks are beautiful & elegant, others are haunting & creepy.

Play: Brooke Waggoner – From the Nest

82. The North Borders, Bonobo

Released: April 01, 2013

Chill-step at its finest. Every track allows the listener to relax, focus, and find comfort in the drum-beat-infused atmosphere.

Play: Bonobo – Emkay

81. Saloon, Ongoing Concept

Released: August 20, 2013

These young metal whipper-snappers are going to be huge one day. If they continue to improve on this incredible debut, they’ll take over metal.

Play: The Ongoing Concept – Class of Twenty-Ten

80. Where Does This Door Go, Mayer Hawthorne

Released: July 16, 2013

Hawthorne has always had an affinity for do-wop-infused hip-hop. It is an unexpected sound in today’s music scene, and he makes it work.

Play: Mayer Hawthorne – Crime

79. Opposites, Biffy Clyro

Released: January 28, 2013

Opposites is a mammoth double-album that, unlike JT’s Experience, was released at once & includes wonderful explorations on punk & modern rock.

Play: Biffy Clyro – Black Chandelier

78. Maps, Message to Bears

Released: November 12, 2013

Message to Bears decided to add vocals this time around, which made for some absolutely relaxing tunes for the workplace/studying.

Play: Message To Bears – I Know You Love to Fall

77. Sempiternal, Bring Me the Horizon

Released: April 01, 2013

After its last two impressive albums, BMTH had a lot to live up to creatively. While Sempiternal isn’t as consistent, it reinforces BMTH as metal mainstays.

Play: Bring Me The Horizon – Sleepwalking

76. Forever Becoming, Pelican

Released: October 15, 2013

Pelican brings the heavy. These instrumental tracks are incredibly constructed works of dynamic post rock.

Play: Pelican – Deny the Absolute

There you have it! Part two is in the books. The list only gets more and more packed with dominating releases from 2013 as I progress through.

So stay tuned this week for the part 003/005!

And don’t forget to catch up with Part 001: Eps & Honorable Mention List.

2013 Music Review, Pt. 001: EPs & Honorable Mention List

Greetings!

To start out my 2013 Music Year in Review, I am going to start with some brief reviews of brief releases—EPs!

For those unaware, an EP (or Extended Play) can consist of anywhere between 2-8 tracks, often clocking in at well under 30 minutes in length. These releases tend to be released as extensions of previous releases or previews of music to come. EPs also tend to be the quickest way for new acts to release their first pieces of music.

I will quickly Tweet (in 140 characters or less) about each EP, and then I will list a few albums that narrowly missed my top 100 albums of 2013!

And then I will release the remaining four parts of this review over the coming weeks!

[Key: Album Title in Bold Italics, Artist Name in Bold]

20. The Silent Cry, Collapse Under the Empire

Released: April 12, 2013

This spacious instrumental album reminds me of God is an Astronaut. Powerful, yet soft—all around dynamic instrumental rock.

Play: Collapse Under The Empire – Infernal

19. Go North, yOya

Released: July 16, 2013

The Corvallis, OR-native duo crafted an EP that explores a lot of new territory for their sound, proving their maturity along the way.

Play: Yoya – King of Nothing

18. Little Mind Alike, Twiceyoung

Released: May 07, 2013

Light atmospheric rock for anyone afraid of radio rock and wants a quick fix. I was drawn to this EP a few times; “Way Down” is so damn smooth.

Play: Twiceyoung – Way Down

17. ARC, This is Your Captain Speaking

Released: May 23, 2013

Another solid instrumental EP. Very exploratory.

A new band searching for their sound.

Lots of open space with room for discovery.

Play: This is Your Captain Speaking – Whisky Waltz

16. EP1, Pixies

Release: September 2, 2012

Pixies returned this year! This EP shows their maturity.

EP1 is less chaotic than 90s Pixies.

Solid exploration of chill rock & atmosphere.

Play: Pixies – What Goes Boom

15. 8, Uneven Structure

Released: June 03, 2013

Some heavy prog/djent metal right here.

Many tracks seem to just end, yet the entire EP composition flows dynamically well.

Play: Uneven Structure – Egocentric Focus

14. The Corrections Officer in Me, Self Defense Family

Released: August 27, 2013

Rock and roll, dude. If you want rock and roll, you got it right here. There are twinges of Black Flag and Fugazi—need I say more?

Play: Self Defense Family – It's Not Good for the Man to Be Alone

13. Hymn for the Greatest Generation, Caspian

Released: November 11, 2013

These instrumental post-rock mainstays prove they are consistently dominant. This EP was such a tease! I honestly wanted a little more.

Play: Caspian – The Heart That Fed

12. Blinded, Harms Way

Released: July 9, 2013

Brutal. From beginning to end, Blinded brings the brutality. There are few chances to breathe—but not too many. Just enjoy the hardcore beauty.

Play: Harms Way – Mind Control

11. Pattern Language, A.M. Architect

Released: February 05, 2013

If you need study music, turn on this EP.

Chill beats with a hint of atmosphere—you’ll be lost in no time.

Play: A.M. Architect – Window

10. Magnesium Dreams, Rags + Ribbons

Released: October 08, 2013

This trio of virtuosos has crafted six absolutely wonderful pieces of music. R+R are a dominant force in the PDX music scene.

Play: Rags & Ribbons – Rubikon

9. Drive All Night, Glen Hansard

Released: December 03, 2013

Glen Hansard is building a folk empire. Eddie Vedder was enlisted for vocals on a great Springsteen cover. Then Hansard does his own thing.

Play: Glen Hansard – Renata

8. Wild Country EP, Wake Owl

Released: January 29, 2013

I am drawn to Wake Owl’s elegant simplicity.

Folksy singer-songwriter telling stories like only a folksy singer-songwriter can tell.

Play: Wake Owl – You'll Never Go

7. [Loners]: Vol. I, Absofacto

Released: June 04, 2013

Chill pop with contagious beats and a wonderful female vocalist.

Highly tolerable, delightfully catchy.

Play: Absofacto – Backfire

6. Inspire, Polyphia

Released: April 21, 2013

These kids shred! Instrumental djent at its finest. Pull up one of their videos and watch these bros plays the hell out of those 7&8-strings.

Play: Polyphia – Persevere (feat. Aaron Marshall)

5. Skisser, Alice Bowman

Released: September 25, 2013

Skisser is a starkly intimate release from this soft-spoken Swede. Bowman’s minimalist approach—an organ, her voice—makes this hauntingly wonderful.

Play: Alice Boman – Skiss 2

4. To Call Each Thing By Its Right Name, Man Mountain

Released: May 24, 2013

Simply: Dazzling post-rock instrumental tunes that rival Caspian, Mogwal and Explosions.

My go-to cyclizing music first-thing in the morning.

Play: Man Mountain - What Has Been Will Always Be



3. Here Goes Nothing, There Goes Everything, These Paper Satellites
Released: June 02, 2013

This Cali-based band shows how it’d sound if Casey Crescenzo & members of White Denim joined Circa Survive. Brilliant exploratory rock.
Play: These Paper Satellites - Murders

1 & 2. Other Things & Sweet Nothings, Plini

Released: March 11, 2013 & October 11, 2013, respectively

When I first happened upon Plini I laughed at the name. Then I pressed play and watched my mouth drop to the floor. Both EPs this man released in 2013 showcase his incredible guitar dexterity. Chill, heavy, prog, jazz, classical. It is all here. And it is all Plini.
Play: Plini – Selenium Forest
Plini – Tarred & Feathered

You can hear all of these EPs, and the others I considered in 2013, at this playlist:

2013 EPs


Prelude to 2013:

Honorable Mention Albums (alphabetical)

These albums just missed the cut for my top 100 albums of the year list:

- A is for Alpine, Alpine (chill indie tunes)

- We Must Be Feeling the Full Moon, Apollo (PNW post-hardcore)

- Reflektor, Arcade Fire (experimental indie rock)

- Amok, Atoms for Peace (rock, Thom Yorke brain-child)

- The Things We Think We’re Missing, Balance and Composure (post-hardcore)

- Obsidian, Baths (somewhat noisy, solid lyrics)

- Ritual Tradition Habit, The Belle Game (chill indie rock, female-fronted)

- Cupid Deluxe, Blood Orange (industrial trip-hop)

- In Spirit, Buried Beds (actual Folklore folk)

- 8:18, The Devil Wears Prada (metal)
- More Than You Think, The Ember Days (post-rock spiritual)

- Lines We Trace, Hey Marseilles (Orchestral indie rock)

- Enola, I Can Make A Mess (acoustic full-band)

- Sky Burial, Inter Arma (post-metal, sludge)

- Letters from the Lost, Jay Nash (singer-songwriter)

- Love in the Future, John Legend (hip-hop)

- Dead Nostalgia, Junior Astronomers (rock, punk)
- Collateral Happiness, Kalabi (chill instrumental beats)

- Meir, Kveltertak (Sludge metal)
- Waves, Melorman (chill instrumental beats, atmosphere)

- Into the Eventyr, Norman (Rock and Roll, man!)

- Summer’s Gone, Odesza (upbeat, chill beats)

- The Slowdown, Pilote (chill industrial instrumental)
- Feast of Love, Pity Sex (Art Punk)

- Evil Friends, Portugal. The Man (experimental indie rock)

- The Storm Has Come, Preacher and Bear (acoustic duo, female vocalist)

- Beta Love, Ra Ra Riot (math pop)

- The Migration, Scale the Summit (Instrumental prog-djent)

- What You Don’t See, The Story So Far (pop punk)

- Keep it Safe, Wild Ones (experimental indie rock, female-fronted)