Member Since: 8/2/2008
Posts: 22,610
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| Top five!
TOP ALBUMS #FIVE - #ONE
#FIVE
"NATIVE"
ONEREPUBLIC
| Coming off a rather poorly received sophomore album, it is quite interesting to see how OneRepublic will regroup to formulate a third album that will hopefully attract new fans and win back the lost ones. Their answer to this calling is "Native." I guess third time really is a charm, since the album moved enough copies to debut at #4 in the Billboard Hot 200, a significant jump from "Waking Up's" #21 debut. But does a higher chart peak mean better quality? I can definitely say yes in this case. Let's not even talk about the lyrical quality since we all know Ryan is a genius in that department, but what I really loved about this album is how it sounded more inspired and inventive without losing their signature sound.
Favorite tracks: "Preacher", "I Lived", "Counting Stars" |
#FOUR
"THE 20/20 EXPERIENCE" (1/2 & 2/2)
JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE
| There is already enough awesomeness in the singles alone for this album to secure a spot in my top albums of 2013. Place the already classic "Mirrors" (which has yet to appear in my top songs list), "TKO", "Suit & Tie" and "Tunnel Vision" in queue one after the other and notice that just before the fifth song starts, it will seem like you have already finished one full heck of an album. I mean, it's like hearing 3 different regular songs chained into a single 8-minute track and still sound very united yet diverse. It's insane. He's really killing the competition and he has just re-cemented his longevity in the industry through this spectacular showcase of musical brilliance.
Let's just forget "Take Back The Night" trash happened.
Favorite tracks: "Mirrors", "Tunnel Vision", "TKO" |
#THREE
"SAVE ROCK AND ROLL"
FALL OUT BOY
| Five years after the not-so-impressive Folie à Deux, FOB is back with an album called "Save Rock and Roll" which is here not really to save, but more like to reinvent their brand of rock. I feel like this album reflects their truest sound, something that shows the influence of pop more than rock. This is like their coming out album.
Also, let me just say that this is the best Patrick has ever sounded. Seems like he really enjoyed recording this album. There is also a great selection of featured artist, and almost every track sounds tailored fit for radio. "Infinity on High" has always been my most favorite album of theirs, but this one is slowly climbing up to snatch that crown.
Favorite tracks: "Death Valley", "Alone Together", "My Songs Know...", "The Phoenix" |
#TWO
"PARAMORE"
PARAMORE
| A lot of people questioned the future for Paramore after the break-up mess three years ago, but here they are showing us how to rise out from the wreckage of a broken line-up and transform into a tougher and more mature band. Their latest self-titled album is something else. It's special. This is the most adventurous and experimental they have ever sounded, as demonstrated in tracks like "Aint It Fun," "Crazy Girls" and the interludes, but they definitely have not lost their trademark sound which is still present in tracks like "Now", "Anklebiters", and "Proof." The trio has obviously left everything on the floor for this masterpiece. Carrying with them their musical abilities fueled by influences and experiences they have gathered along the way. the band has surprised both fans and nonbelievers with possibly their strongest showing ever.
Favorite tracks: “Proof", "Last Hope", "Still Into You", "Aint It Fun" |
#ONE
"TOO WEIRD TO LIVE, TOO RARE TO DIE!"
PANIC! AT THE DISCO
| An album might have well-written lyrics, pitch-perfect vocals, a great opener and ender, or a consistent theme maybe, but it's not always about the technicalities...sometimes it's about impact and the level of enjoyment it provides. Which is why, despite being technically inferior compared to the previous albums featured, Panic! at the Disco's "Too Weird To Live, Too Rare To Die!" ends up as the supreme album of 2013. What is truly amazing about this album and this band for that matter, is their ability to shift sounds and genre and still come up with something unexpectedly good. They've been constantly changing their style from one album to another since "A Fever You Can't Sweat Out," but there is one trait that they have carried throughout the evolution --- weirdness --- which is what Panic! fans like me loved about them to begin with, and this album is no exception to that. It's a mixture of everything. It's weird, it's dark, it's striking, it's compelling, it's fabulous, it's awesome, and I love everything about it.
Favorite tracks: "This is Gospel", "Nicotine", "Collar Full", "Far Too Young To Die" |
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