The Best of 2013
Great year again for music, much as it seems the music industry suffers less sales and fewer platinum albums the music fans still gets the best material. I had a hard time choosing but I tend to always take the albums I have played the most.
A quick run down of some of my favorite albums this year. Enjoy.
David Bowie, The Next Day
I was a little bit excited when I heard about his new album but after ten years would it be any good? Fuck yes! Great album and I really mean this. Playing it over and over and each time you find a new song you love. Bowie has influenced so many and I think this one will start it all over again. looking forward to a follow up more than a live show.
Nick Cave and the Black Seeds, Push the Sky Away
This will be in everyones albums of the year list. Right up there with the best they have done. A nice change from the last few albums but needed. The album flows so well and really feels like a full album. Not a second is wasted on this album. Cave handed all the music over to the band with him writing the lyrics. Really shows what the band can do and i think the side projects have helped evolve the whole band.
Billy Bragg, Tooth and Nail
One of the years really good albums. Bragg went to America to make this and took an a very much Americana feel to the album. Risky but it paid off so well. Not often does an album get better as it progresses. The songs are real much like he has always done. Have a look at the video for the single Handyman Blues.
Cult of Luna, Vertikal
Most people will not get this album but if you want to risk it give it a go. Musically inspired by the film Metropolis. Like the film the music is amazing, saw them live and well worth the money. The way this album feels is amazing, a real great project and I can easily see it as a soundtrack to the film.
Carcass, Surgical Steel
Kept this album well under a cover of darkness. Really no bugger had a clue they were recording and the result should be nothing special. But they did invent a whole new style of music and also take it into many sub Genres. Tectonically this album has been built up over many years of music they invented. Only now do you see what they have done.
Baby Animals, This Is Not the End
Back from the 90s and in real style, my token summer album as it is just so much fun. Suze DeMarchi really should have been a big rock star but as the music business is killer at times it just did not happen. Now you get a chance to hear her once more and what an album. Nothing new but all done so well. When you see sun coming out, put this on.
Sheryl Crow, Feels Like Home
No no I give credit where it is due and this is really good. Taking on a country album is really brave and for an artist who really has so much to loose. I have always liked country music but not that cheesy crap you get on MTV. It is simply just good music that anyone can play. Crow shows how good her voice is on many of the tracks and so much so her voice is the key here. But the Americana feel really helps it. Some of the songs are a little bit too sentimental but there are many really good songs here.
Black Star Riders, All Hell Breaks Loose
A real grower of an album, each listen was taking me in more and more. The twin lead guitars are so infectious. It should never had happened and more so have worked but it did.
Hookworms, Pearl Mystic
This album was a real treat, I really like psychedelic rock when it is very good and this is as good as it gets. I have seen them live and they do not disappoint. Many 60s and 70s bands could never be this good. I have always said bands now are better than older ones due to how much they can learn. Here is evidence. Blinding album.
Newstead, Heavy Metal Music
I am shocked I have this hear as on first listen it really is not that great. But as a music fan I find more and more here that I love. The music is simple and direct, Jason takes all that he likes and adds in what he does best. There are some really catchy song on this album, give it another spin.
Elsinore, Push Pull
This is kind of an indie-rock album with many pop additions. Heard lead single on bandcamp and liked it so much I got the album. Nice album for the gloomy autumn days.
Mutation, Error 500
Ginger and co make some real noise and do it so well. Made as a double album this disk has many guests that lend a hand in the destruction. Fun and appetizing to any serious music fans pallet.
Body/Head, Coming Apart
I was lucky to see this live at the last Supersonic and it really worked live. I got this album really expecting it to not work on record but presently surprised. Think of early Swans mixed with Sunn O))). Too alt hippie arty for many but I love this style of music.
