Fav Tracks: Almost Fare, Pierce the Morning Rain, Don't Pretend You Didn't Know
Fav Tracks: Belispeak, Obedear, Ungirthed
Fav Tracks: ABC City, Chasing My Mind, Orpheo
Fav Tracks: Sever, Idle Talk, Drops
Fav Tracks: Hangover Child, The Challenge is Much More, Dome Rust
Fav Tracks: Marienbad, Goddess Eyes II, In the Same Room
Fav Tracks: Another's Grind, Way In Way Out, Let it Go
Fav Tracks: To Just Grow Away, Revelation Blues, 1904
Fav Tracks: Applesauce, Rosie Oh, New Town Burnout
Fav Tracks: 93 Ave. Blues, Mother of the World, The Wolf
10. Grimes - Visions
This album initially caught me off guard in a rather abrasive way. I enjoyed the synth driven tunes, but really struggled with digesting Claire Boucher's bizarre falsetto. That being said, several listens to this lp have allowed me to grow more comfortable with her uniqueness and appreciate what she's doing. To me, the standout tracks are probably the more well known one's (Oblivion and Genesis). The former probably being my favorite music video of the year.
9. Pallbearer - Sorrow and Extinction
I don't posses a whole lot of familiarity with doom metal, and I probably would not have listened to this if a friend had not provided me with a physical copy. I am thankful for that friend. You see, I had been hanging my hat on Swans and GY!BE this year when I required a darker ambient experience. Those albums are fantastic in their own right, but Pallbearer really fills the voids for me. I suppose my go-to track is the opening one (Foreigner). It begins with a delicate acoustic guitar, but evolves into a most mournful climax before settling somewhere in between and setting the listener up perfectly for 'Devoid of Redemption'.
8. Kendrick Lamar - good kid, m.A.A.d. city
Although I was excited, I was also concerned about how Kendrick would be able to follow up last year's Section.80. Thankfully he met, and in many ways surpassed, the standard that he set for not only himself but hip-hop. This is a cohesive album that starts off with an intro that sets up the story for the next hour plus. 'Money Trees' incorporates a beautifully used Beach House sample that makes me all kinds of happy. This is immediately followed by 'Poetic Justice' which accurately describes how well the Janet Jackson sample is used. 'Swimming Pools' is maybe the most well known track and is definitely one of the best on the lp. As an appreciator of classic hip-hop I've been disappointed with where the movement has gone as a whole. Thankfully artists such as Mr. Lamar allow me to feel somewhat optimistic.
7. Ty Segall Band - Slaughterhouse
This is a great noise rock/garage rock album. The guitar riffs are superb and Ty Segall's personality is out front without overshadowing the other members. Segall has been rather prolific the past seven to eight years working on a variety of projects. Although I have not heard all of what he's put out, this lp is my favorite thus far. It's also one of three albums that he released this year. There certainly aren't any weak tracks on here. That , it starts off really strong with 'Death' and 'I Bought My Eyes'. Some other highlights are, 'The Tongue', 'Tell Me What's Inside Your Heart', 'Wave Goodbye'... actually it's too difficult to pick a favorite. This album is consistently solid throughout. If I had to pick a least favorite track it would be the title track. That being said, if you're interested in something fun and noisy you can't go wrong with this.
6. Spiritualized - Sweet Heart, Sweet Light
Jason Pierce's new record sort of reminds me of what I think rock 'n' roll storytelling is supposed to be, à la Lou Reed. Although I enjoyed it from the get go, this album has grown on me quite a bit this past half year. I'm possibly partial to it because I wore it out while I was going through a difficult personal transition. The whole long play is wonderful, but I especially enjoy the first handful of tracks. 'Hey Jane' is perhaps the most enjoyable the first go around, but 'Little Girl' may currently be my favorite track. Furthermore, 'Too Late' is probably the most intimate song I have heard in a long time, and it usually prompts me to head in a rather emotional direction. For those who maybe use the arts as a religious outlet, this release could be a reflective soundtrack.
5. Death Grips - The Money Store
WHOA! This album was so abrasive it made the new Grimes lp seem like oxygen. Death Grips are essentially an experimental punk/hip-hop group from Sacramento. If you are interested in checking out Death Grips, I'd recommend their mix-tape from 2011, "Exmilitary". I should not try to compare them to anyone, but against my better judgment, I'd say that their sound and energy are similar to what one might expect from a Black Flag and Wu Tang Clan collaboration. My favorite tracks are probably 'Get Got', 'The Fever', 'Hustle Bones', 'Double Helix', and 'The Cage'. For better or worse, this is the album that I listened to the most this past year. Once it sucks you in, it's difficult to not keep going back for more.
4. Wild Nothing - Nocturne
I first listend to Jack Tatum's outfit when they opened for Beach House this past summer. I did not realize then how much I would respect them. This album was easily the biggest grower of the year for me. At first, I thought that this was just another overly-saturated reverb album. Even as an appreciator of the dream pop/shoe-gaze movement, I can admit that there is a delicate line, in regards to guitar effects. The more i revisited "Nocturne", the further on the hook I went. Stand-out tracks 'Shadow', 'Midnight Song', 'Through the Grass', 'Disappear Always', and 'Paradise', have already become mainstays in my weekly rotation of necessary driving songs.
Ariel Rosenberg's most recent outfit put out a stellar album in 2010, "Before Today". I suspect that many will have a difficult time appreciating "Mature Themes" more, but I do. For me, 'Kinski Assassin' starts the lp off with so much momentum that I am incapable of coming back down until the closing moments of 'Baby'. This is an experimental/lo-fi pop record that may not be for everyone. If you're interested in checking it out, I recommend 'Mature Themes' or "Only in My Dreams'. My other favorites are probably 'Pink Slime' and 'Farewell American Primitive'. Something that keeps me coming back to Rosenberg is his ability to be so ridiculous that uncomfortable truths are a bit more approachable.
3. Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - Mature Themes
2. Death Grips - NO LOVE DEEP WEB
Yep... these guys again. This album is perhaps less approachable than "The Money Store" which, similar to "Mature Themes", was so overt that serious issues weren't so daunting. "NO LOVE DEEP WEB" is significantly more introverted and minimalistic. You can tell that this is the record that Zach Hill and Stefan Burnett more innately relate to. Obviously, I'd vouch for any of these tracks. My personal favorites are, 'Come up and Get Me', 'No Love', 'World of Dogs', 'Hunger Games', 'Bass Rattle Stars Out the Sky', and 'Artificial Death in the West'. Listen at your own risk.
1. Beach House - Bloom
Well, here we, number one. I imagine that this will not surprise those who know me well. I don't even know where to start with Beach House. If you're not aware, they're a duo from Baltimore. French native Victoria Legrand tends to the vocals (à la Nico), lyrics, and keys. Alex Scally masters the guitars and effects. The project is as dream pop as dream pop could be. They are the champions of the genre and have improved on each album, this being their fourth. I don't see a need to list my favorite tracks... it just depends on the situation. Odd as it may sound, some of my favorite moments of this past year were soundtracked by "Bloom". Other great moments were learning that I had influenced others to adopt Beach House into their hearts. I am pleased to be done with this list and am impressed and appreciative if you have navigated your way through it. Be well, and have a blessed 2013!
