2013 Music: Catch Up Of Stuff I Missed

When I posted my "Best Of..." list I mentioned there were some notable 2013 releases I needed to still catch up with.

Frightened Rabbit "Pedestrian Verse"

Frightened Rabbit is a Scottish band that has been making records for a while now. The previous records have been all right, but I think "Pedestrian Verse" is the first of their records to really strike a chord with me. Press reports have said this is the first Frightened Rabbit record where vocalist/guitarist Scott Hutchison split up songwriting duties, and in my opinion, it shows. The stand out songs are "The Woodpile" (which made my top 20 songs of 2013), "State Hospital" and my favorite track after several spins, "December Traditions"

Pixies "EP 1"

I love the Pixies. A lot. "Doolittle" may in fact be the most influential record of the 1980's. I wasn't even aware this EP had come out. The first real new material in 20yrs, and it wasn't even on my radar. I feel like such a failure. I heard Kim Deal left the band, again, but Kim Deal leaves the Pixies more often than I change my furnace filter. I was super excited when I finally got my hands on this record. The first track "Andro Queen", what is this? It's not bad at all, but it sounds like a Frank Black b-side. "Another Toe In The Ocean", seriously? Now a song that didn't make last years Bob Mould record? Again, not bad, but it's a Bob Mould song right? "Indie Cindy", now we are talking. This is a boss Pixies song. This is what we have been waiting for. "What Goes Boom", not your typical Pixies song, but it's a frenetic rager. After a bunch of listens I really enjoy this record. While the first two tracks aren't what you expect from the Pixies brand, it all comes together quite nicely.

HAIM "Days Are Gone"

HAIM seems to have been the "it" band for 2013. Really hyped first record, slots at all the major festivals pre record release. And the hype is legit, though a little over the top for my taste. I really like the story of the Haim sisters, part of a family band, splitting off and being a local band for a number of years, and taking gigs with other bands. Who knew I saw Danielle Haim play as part of Jenny Lewis' band at the Berrymore in Madison in like 2008! I like this record a lot, tt's got a lot of well written pop songs. "The Wire" is a really catchy song, and by far the standout track, though I enjoy the varied live versions out there better, which takes me in to my only real quibble with "Days Are Gone." As I have mentioned in this space a thousand times already, the production on this record is so clean it's a little distracting. Watching HAIM perform live on SNL and YouTube clips, this a pretty dynamic live band. There is an intensity, and grit, and playfulness to their live show that doesn't come across on the record. I know my friend Jonathan has a musician crush on the gentleman credited as the Producer, but we can disagree with his work on this record. It's over produced, to the point of being twee. Still a really fun record to listen to, and I imagine a great windows down record if spring ever happens.

Paul McCartney "New"

So, I have never put too much effort in to the Beatles and their solo projects. What else do I need to learn about the Beatles? I like them, "Revolver" is an amazing record beginning to end, "Live and Let Die" is cool, that weird George Harrison solo song/video in the 80's was entertaining, Ringo. I've never really been in to Paul McCartney's solo stuff, though I give him credit for not just cashing checks from what he finished when he was like 33 and taking some risks. "New" is a solid record. It sounds like a Paul McCartney record. I'm glad I listened to it, and might go back to it a few times if in the right mood.

R Kelly "Black Panties"

So...ummm..Kells. I don't have a lot to say except, ummm. I was really excited when this record was announced, Kells greatest hits collection gets played more often than I would like to admit (except for "Gotham" and "I Believe I Can Fly", and that duet with Celine Dion, those get skipped, every time.) And when the track listing got leaked, I was even more stoked. Titles like "Legs Shakin", "Throw This Money On You", "Crazy Sex" and "Marry The Pussy", who couldn't be excited !?!?! The record is ok, it's a late period R Kelly record. Ok, I'm a bad person, I really like "Marry The Pussy", and "Crazy Sex". I doubt Kells could ever touch the track for track greatness of "12 Play", nor the sheer madness of "Trapped In the Closet", but it's an OK R&B record with a couple club bangers that's not bad to throw in a gym mix. If you couldn't tell, it's dirty, so take that in to account. But, I mean, come on, "Marry The Pussy". If you take nothing else away from this, it's "Marry the Pussy"

I still have several 2013 records in the queue to get to. Parquet Courts "Light Up Gold" and their EP "Tally All The Things You Broke", Arctic Monkeys "AM", and Best Coast's "Fade Away"(another band I LOVE that had an EP (record?) slip passed me in 2013.)

2013 Year In Music: Top 20 Songs

This was a lot harder than I anticipated when I started running my mouth in my Albums post. I don't feel like racking my brain and trying to rank these., but there are 20 songs from 2013 that I love. I can tell you that "Get Lucky" by Daft Punk is far and away my favorite song of 2013. Enjoy. I have also included a handy Spotify playlist for your convenience. 

Get Lucky--Daft Punk featuring Pharrell Williams

Retrograde--James Blake

Blurred Lines--Robin Thicke featuring TI and Pharrell Williams

Royals--Lorde

We Can't Stop--Miley Cyrus

Follow Your Arrow--Kacey Musgraves

We Sink--Chrvches

Tom Ford--Jay-Z

Fuckin Problems--A$AP Rocky featuring 2 Chainz, Drake and Kendrick Lamar

Bitter Rivals--Sleigh Bells

Step--Vampire Weekend

Breakfast Can Wait--Prince

Closer--Tegan and Sara

Started From The Bottom--Drake

Mirrors--Justin Timberlake

Blood On The Leaves--Kanye West

Where Are We Now?--David Bowie

Rose Tattoo--Dropkick Murphys

Same Love--Macklemore and Ryan Lewis featuring Mary Lambert

The Woodpile--Frightened Rabbit

Reflektor--Arcade Fire

2013 The Year In Music: Top 20 Records.

I know it's January 5th, but look, the end of the year is my busiest time at my J-O-B. I do not work as hard from March through November as I do from December through the end of February. You mad bro? I'm not bitter about it, it's the life I have chosen.

Excuses aside, before I started taking stock of the music of 2013 I thought this was kind of a down year. I was wrong. 2013 was a strong year in hip-hop, R&B, and pop music. Most of the records not on my top 20 could easily have made the list. Looking at lists complied by my friends, I realize we come together in a wildly divergent way, some really odd cross over choices. But that's what makes this all fun.

Since no one has been clamoring for my opinion, here it is.

#20 Dave Grohl, et al. "Sound City: Reel To Reel"

Soundtrack to the excellent documentary about the famous studio in L.A. Dave Grohl is just hanging out with his friends making records on a classic sound board. Ever want to hear Rick Springfield as a member of the Foo Fighters? Check. Paul McCartney as a member of Nirvana? Check. Dave Grohl, Josh Homme and Trent Reznor working together? Check. This a rock record crafted with love. Also number 6 on my buddy Newgazzi's 2013 list.

#19 Elvis Costello and The Roots "Wise Up Ghost"

I was intrigued when I heard this record was coming out. The Roots are top notch, the house band of popular culture. Elvis Costello is a prolific recording artist who loves to dabble in many styles of music. This a cool record. It has a dirty kind of vibe to it, like it was recorded at Stax in Memphis in 1967. Elvis Costello has a grime to his vocals that is evocative of bygone era of American Soul music. The only reason this was not much higher on my list is that it's too long and by the end unfocused, the bonus tracks version comes in at 72 minutes. Honorable mention over at Newgazzi

#18 Kacey Musgraves "Same Trailer, Different Park"

Oh snap, a country record! The worst sin art can commit is to treat it's consumers as if they are stupid. That is how I feel "Nashville" treats fans of country music. Whether it's the over the top, soulless production values or the schmaltzy and/or lowest common denominator lyrics, it's all just offensive to me. "Nashville" seems stuck in the 1962 version of the American music business.

That being said, Kacey Musgraves (and Brandi Clark) may be leading the charge for some change in "Nashville". The production on this record is still really offensive, there is no soul in the musicians who play on this record, it's so clean you could eat off the spotless sound quality. But the voice and the songs are there. "Follow Your Arrow" is not a country song that gets made before 2013, and puts crap like Florida Georgia Line to shame. I think I might really like to see Kacey Musgraves live ( I loved Jamey Johnson live, but his records are bullshit).

#17 Teagan and Sara "Heartthrob"

What a delightful pop record. I was always overwhelmed by the seriousness of the prior Teagan and Sara records, there was something always a little off-putting about the attitude, like I wasn't invited to the show but crashed. Everyone is invited to this record. There are many more words I could say about this record, but it's the number one record of the year for my buddy Jonathan over at LOOK UP and he has the best case.

Jonathan Rundman is a professional musician (like how he makes a living, no day job kind of professional musician) and does a fantastic structural analysis of "Hearthtrob".

#16 Shouting Matches "Grown Ass Man"

Justin Vernon can do lots of things. The Shouting Matches is a blues/rock band that has some swing to it. It is not the quiet introspection of Bon Iver or the artistic challenge of Volcano Choir (which was this close to making this a 2 Justin Vernon list), which I think is why it surprised me so much. Could a critic say this a knock off Black Keys record? Probably. But shut the hell up. I want to enjoy this record while enjoying a glass whiskey in the backyard on a hot night. This was also an honorable mention over at Newgazzi.

#15 Queens Of The Stone Age "...Like Clockwork"

Josh Homme is just an interesting dude, who makes interesting music. Kyuss, Them Crooked Vultures, Eagles of Death Metal, or QOTSA, it's all just good. "...Like Clockwork" gets back to what QOTSA does, just plain rock. It's no "Songs For The Deaf", but it's a really good metal-ish (?) record.

#14 Lorde "Pure Heroine"

I know "Royals" was everywhere in 2013. And it should be, it's a great song. The rest of the record is just as strong. Sparse, even a little funky production that showcases Lorde's strong and unique voice. They lyrics are smart and biting, but not cynical, which is tough line to walk. The downside is that if you hate "Royals", you will hate this record.

#13 Robin Thicke "Blurred Lines"

Another pop record! I really wanted to hate this. I have never been a fan of Robin Thicke's brand of blue eyed soul in the past. But damned if "Blurred Lines" was not just the catchiest jam of 2013.And it's not just the single, the rest of the record has some really nice R&B cuts. Ready for a hot take? This is the record Justin Timberlake should have made.

#12 Sleigh Bells "Bitter Rivals"

Sleigh Bells is not for everyone, but I love them. In my opinion Sleigh Bells is 3 for 3 putting out records that push the limits sonically. Song craft is not at work here, but the intersection of beats and noise make up for that. Give it a shot, most you will probably hate it.

#11 Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros "Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros"

Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros is not for everyone, but I love them. Heard that before? ESaMZ is another challenging band, in a completely different way than Sleigh Bells. Their songs are lo-fi, and weirdly homey, which must be a challenge for such a large band. This record was a complete surprise, coming out with no notice, just days after ESaMZ played at Summerfest with no hat tip to any new music. It's just a good, fun record to listen to.

#10 Savages "Silence Yourself"

This record has so much in common with my number one record. And that's ridiculous since Savages is an all girl post-punk band that is made up of 3 English ladies, and a French lady. The sound of this record is detached, and spacious, and deliberately cold. Savages are not inviting you in, they are letting you listen from the street. It's not just challenging, it's also really good. Also an honorable mention over at Newgazzi.

#9 Low "The Invisible Way"

Duluth,MN's own Low has been putting out quiet records since 1993, always on the cusp of breaking out. "The Invisible Way" just keeps doing what Low does, there are some rockier elements, and there even  is a slight gospel-ly feel to a couple of the songs that is a really nice surprise. Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker both have distinct voices that work so well together. This is another sitting quietly with a glass of whiskey kind of record.

#8 David Bowie "The Next Day"

This was by far the most surprising record to come out in 2013. It had been a decade since any new Bowie music had been released, and this was not on anyone's radar as a potential release. There are so many good tracks here. "The Next Day", "The Stars (Are Out Tonight)" and "Where Are We Now" are the stand outs. David Bowie has never been shy of experimentation, and while there isn't anything like Ziggy, or the Berlin records, or Tin Machine, it's a well produced set of later period Bowie songs. At 66, with various health issues (if you believe the tabloids), his voice sounds like the older man that he is. I hope this isn't the last record from one of the all-time greats.

#7 Dropkick Murphys "Signed and Sealed In Blood"

Bet you didn't have this on your list. Dropkick Murphys have been making Irish themed punk rock since the mid 1990's, and as they age their songs are less mosh pit ragers, and a tad more introspective. Not a lot mind you. "The Boys Are Back" and "Jimmy Collins Wake" are still rambunctious, but "Rose Tattoo" is on my list for favorite songs of the year, and they even have an Xmas tune "The Seasons Upon Us". "Signed and Sealed In Blood" is the most fun record on my list this year.

#6 Vampire Weekend "Modern Vampires Of The City"

Vampire Weekend is everyone's favorite hipster band to dog on. And in a lot of ways they deserve all the criticism they get, they are probably everything that's wrong with Brooklyn. And on the other hand, Vampire Weekend has made 3 consecutive pleasurable indie-pop records. Light hearted, uptempo, fun to listen to songs with interesting rhythmic dynamics that don't get boring.

#5 Avett Brothers "Magpie and The Dandelion"

"Magpie and The Dandelion" picks up where 2012's "The Carpenter" (top 10 of 2012 for me) left off. The Avetts know how to play their instruments really well, and their songs are catching up with their musicianship. There is nothing earth shattering here, just the best Sunday morning sing along kind of record.

#4 Run The Jewels "Run The Jewels"

You have never heard of this record. Run The Jewels is a collaboration of Atlanta mc Killer Mike (you may know him the various Outkast song) and Brooklyn mc/producer El-P (member of Company Flow and produced and rhymed on tracks by Aesop Rock, Atmosphere, Das Racist). Released as a free mix tape, there are interesting beats, entertaining lyrics, and a really tight 33 minute run time. Killer Mike and El-P are a really creative duo (check out 2012' "R.A.P. Music" by Killer Mike and "Cancer 4 Cure" by El-P) that will hopefully do more together. Did I mention it's a free mix tape? Download that shit right now.

#3 James Blake "Overgrown"

Look, James Blake won The Mercury Prize in 2013. This record was slotted this high well before that happened, it had been my early favorite for number two (number one was cemented from the first listen, no one else had a chance.) "Retrograde" is in my top 10 songs of the year. Electronic artists are hard to talk about because people either like them or hate them, there is very little in-between. There is a heart in James Blake's music, and soul in his voice, and a beautiful record is the outcome.

#2 Chvrches "The Bones Of What You Believe"

This made a late charge up the list as I was listening for positions over Decemeber. I had heard and read some people I trust talking about this record all summer, and I finally broke down and checked it out, what a revelation! Melodic pop songs with catchy hooks and a little harder edge on the production work. "The Mother We Share", "Gun" and "Lungs" are just so good, and "We Sink" is also in my top 10 songs list. I think the best way to put it is that I have a major crush on this record.

#1 Kanye West "Yeezus"

Shut up. Shut your goddamn mouth right now. I know Kanye is a douche. I could care less about "Kimye", North West, or that HORRIFIC Birkin handbag. Loving this record is in no way an endorsement of Kimye, you can love the art without endorsing the megalomania. And love this record I do. True story, I listened to it three times back to back to back the day it came out. It is everything it's accused of being. Delusional. Insane. Angry. Guilty as charged. I have never had an experience with music where the music itself has created a barrier between me (as the listener) and Kanye (as the performer). The beats literally feel like a physical wall between us. And it is that kind of genius that makes this record spectacular to me. It knows exactly what it is, delusional, grandiose, and it doesn't care about you or what you think, just hurry up with my damn croissants, and I find that brash honesty in art appealing.

Plus, I mean, THIS (Why two flannels? Why?!?!?!?)

Spotify playlist for your ease. My number 4 is not available on Spotify...but it is a FREE download.

Honorable Mention
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The National "Trouble Will Find Me" #11 at Newgazzi
Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds "Push The Sky Away"
Dessa "Parts Of Speech"
Lady Gaga "Artpop"
Miley Cyrus "Bangerz"
Jus Post Bellum "Oh July"
Joey Badass "Summer Knights"
Busta Rhymes and Q-Tip "The Abstract and The Dragon"
Nataly Dawn "How I Knew Her" #4 at Newgazzi
Eels "Wonderful,Glorius" honorable mention here and #6 here

Criminally Missed
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Haim "Days Are Gone" #2 here
Paul McCartney "New"