Thanks for the comments all. Lez keep on truckin and buckin.
28. Nomad by Bombino
Favorite Song - "Her Tenere"
DAUERBACH PRODUCTIONS! I might be incorrect about this, but I believe this is the first ever fully non-English album to ever place on one of my lists. I've had plenty of non-American artists throughout the year, but they always sang in English or didn't sing at all. I might have had some non-English songs pop up, but Bombino is the first ever full album. Bombino comes to use from Niger, in Africa, and is part of the nomadic Tauregs. His guitar playing is so great that it doesn't even matter if you can understand the words. This album (and his first) take you on a journey. Not a drug journey, mind you, but a Hobbit-like journey with elves and deserts and stuff. Except that it doesn't end in the middle of an action sequence! Bombino takes you all the way to the end unlike Mr. Jackson.
27. Head In The Dirt by Hanni El Khatib
Favorite Song - "Family"
More Dauerbach productions!!! For people confused by that term, it means that the album is produced by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys. Hanni's sound is a lot more similar to the Keys' than Bombino's, so the uninitiated might wanna start here before journeying with the Nomad. Hanni self describes his music as being for anyone who has ever been hit by a train or shot. I can't really relate to that, but I love the quote anyways and I love the music. Danny sure knows how to pick out great guitarists and bring out the best of them! Hopefully we'll get a new Keys' record next year, but if he just kept pumping out hits like Nomad and Head in the Dirt for the rest of eternity I would also be satisfied.
26. In Rolling Waves by The Naked and Famous
Favorite Song - "Rolling Waves"
I fell in love with this band over the summer when I found out they were the ones who made "Young Blood", which I had always assumed was a Passion Pit song. So I played that song at least once a day and eagerly awaited their new album. "In Rolling Waves" tones it down quite a bit, and sometimes misses the energy from "Passive Me, Aggressive You". Not always though, as there is a wonderful balance between calmness and passion that features on my favorite songs "Hearts Like Ours" , "Rolling Waves" and the far too short "Golden Girl". "Before we sleep can you just say / for the last time today / take a piece or just walk away / like rolling waves" is beautiful coming from Alisa Xayalith. I'm hoping to see them in March!
Here's the video that made me love them in the first place. It's not a 2013 song, but was a big part of my 2013 so I'll post it anyways.
And the top 25 is still to come! I keep saying this, but it's unbelievable that these albums placed outside of it considering how much I loved them. Would have been easy top 20 last year. 2013 POWER! What could come next?
Trent Reznor has always been a friend of electronic music made on a computer. Way before it was even cool to do it. Yet due to changing sounds in rock, he's always mixed it up with grunge or other forms. While "Hesitation Marks" is far from the best NIN, I've never heard Trent sound more comfortable. What he has always done is now the mainstream way of doing things, and since he's older and less emotionally fragile, this doesn't bother him in the slightest. Marks is certainly not a pop album, but I wouldn't have been surprised to see "Copy Of A" , "Came Back Haunted" or "Satellite" translate into the top 40. All three, along with "All Time Low" are damn catchy and my favorite songs on the record. Just skip the beyond awful "Everything" and this album is a huge win.
24. Days Are Gone by Haim
Favorite Song - "The Wire"
Runner up for best debut album of 2013. I wasn't sure how popular this band was around here, so just posted the trendy lead single. The album kick off "Falling" and the crazy dubrock "My Song 5" would have also been worthy of videos. That riff in MS5 is just so damn cool. Actually made the album for me, even though I like "The Wire" more. Does that make sense? No, probably not. Nothing does these days. Anyways, Haim has rightly been compared to Stevie Nicks. So if you enjoy Fleetwood Mac, alternative indie rock or great female singing then this is 100% worthy of being checked out.
23. Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action by Franz Ferdinand
Favorite Song - "Brief Encounters"
This the fourth album from Scotland's own Franz Ferdinand and also the fourth time they have appeared on my year end lists. That is called consistency! I was torn between putting "Brief Encounters" or "Evil Eye" as my favorite as they are both wonderful. So check out both if you are just going to take a sample of "Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action". Yet if you were already a Franz fan you wouldn't need to take a sample. And if not, then this probably won't be a sell if the others were not. There's really not much else to say, this is just the natural progression of the Franz Ferdinand. It's like World War 1, but the complete opposite.
So I just found out that my #1 artist of 2011, The Sounds, put out a new album last year and nobody told me about it. Stupid American media! I still haven't listened to it, but since I loved their other four albums it's a good bet I'll love this one too. Not quite sure whether to shove it in here and push everything back a spot, or just push it to the inevitable 2014 list. Thoughts? Solutions?
O! These past couple of sets have been Bombino-GREAT! That was a stretch haha.
Anyway, Bombino! **** yeah! That album rocks. And so does Hanni el Khatib! You've told me a lot about the Naked and the Famous, and I like what i've heard (including the embedded clip). I hope you do get to see them in March!
And in the second set, NIN! I love "Everything," but otherwise I agree with your take on MARKS (though i'm probably more overall positive on it then you, as I think it's the most I have liked a NIN record in a while, but who gives a **** about that. I'll save that for my write-up!). Haim is great! I didn't listen to enough of the Franz album this year. Crazy to think that, as I used to be such a big fan. I mean, what i've heard from them now still sounds good, but you know what I mean.
A+ STUFF AS ALWAYS O. READY FOR THE NEXT 25. And indeed, that is quite the predicament that you are in, regarding The Sounds. That sucks that you haven't heard it! If it's really great just give them 1-B or something. Not a very good solution, but it's the best I have come up with on the spot.
NIN is definitely a band I want to check out this year. I'll listen to the album from them you just listed. Also, it's great you like The Naked And Famous. I still remember Young Blood, which is one of my favorite songs from 2011 and, why not, one of my favorites from the decade.
Well, I didn't miss Hesitation Marks! THERE'S HOPE FOR ME YET!
I kind of feel the same way about HM, actually. Almost the exact same. And of course, I did not listen to new Franz in full OR new Naked and Famous. 2014, be my saving grace.
So my "crisis" has been averted. While "Weekend" by The Sounds is great and a worthy addition to their discography, it's not a listbreaker like "Something To Die For" was. And since it hasn't been released in America yet, I'll just push it into 2014.
So we shall continue on with hopefully no further delays. Until I find out that The Beatles came back with the ghosts of Lennon and Harrison...
22. The Next Day by David Bowie
Favorite Song - "Love Is Lost"
There are two classic rock artists on this years countdown. One, that is appearing later, brought back their old sound with modern production, and perfection. Bowie effortlessly created an album that masters the modern sound though. Perhaps that is because Bowie always sounded futuristic, and the future has finally arrived. Any one of these songs could have easily been on "Reflektor" and nobody would have batted an eye. And it kind of incredible. The second (or third) Bowie renaissance is upon us.
21. Sunbather by Deafheaven
Favorite Song - "Sunbather"
The highest rated album of the year is no easy listen, let's just start off like that. During the summer when I first dipped into the Deafheaven pool my first thoughts were "WTF is this" and "Why the heck is he singing like that". But the massive songs always brought me around by minute two or three (out of ten). The formula of the album is a) very long song b) long interlude a) very long song and so on. So you get a break between epics to process what just happened, which is helpful. It's not easy listen, but a very rewarding one if one has the patience to give it a chance. Now tt makes me think "What would have happened if U2 decided to make metal?" It is angry but also uplifting. Post-rock mixed with black metal. It's unlike anything I had ever heard prior. For me that was a good thing, for most it probably won't be.
20. Beyonce by Beyonce
Favorite Song - "Haunted"
Well this was certainly one of the biggest surprises of the year, actually I'm just going to call it the biggest. I've never been a Beyonce hater or anything, but she's never really clicked with me like this. I think the last time she appeared was way back in 2006 or 2007 on the songs list with "Irreplacable". That is a long time! But in 2013 she got weird. She took the new trend of barely promoting your album to the next level by not promoting it at all. The album just popped up overnight and nobody saw it coming. Not only that, she recorded music videos for every single song. And still nobody knew what was going on! How is that even possible? Anyways there are several incredible tracks of this album, including the already mentioned "XO" and "Haunted" . I also love "Pretty Hurts" , "Blow" (mmmm Beyonce skittles) , "Mine" (which features a surprisingly tolerable Drake) , and ... well actually pretty much every song is great. Watch the throne indeed, cause your wife just stole it from you, HOVA.
Another great set, O! Bowie (nice thoughts on it, too)! And 'YONCE! I knew that album would crack the code for you. It is too great to deny! I haven't heard much of the Deafheaven album, but I like what I have heard.
I so agree with Beyoncé's album. It took me by surprise as well. It had been 3 years since the last time I liked a pop album so much. I've seen Sunbather in many lists on blogs. I guess I might give it a check this month. Who knows? Can't wait to see what's next.
The second year in a row that Mr. Ty Segall has placed two albums on my year end list. And no offense to the rest, but "Sleigh Ride" blows them out of the water. It's as heavy hitting as the final battle in Man of Steel. Skyscrapers collapse when Segall hits those drums along with the pure rocking the fudge outness. It's funny that itune has this listed under blues, which I gueesss could apply to the lyrics. But make no mistake, this is hard rock, maybe even an old school metal. And as I mentioned earlier about Segall, all of his albums sound differently. So while last years "Slaughterhouse" kind of had the same hard rock/metal vibe, put the two side by side and they could not be more different.
18. Sound City: Reel To Reel by Dave Grohl ft. Everybody
Favorite Song - "Heaven And All"
When I say everybody, it's not as much of an exaggeration as one would think. Dave Grohl is the only one that is on every track, doing different things on each one. Beyond that we have Sir. Paul McCartney, Stevie Nicks, Trent Reznor, Josh Homme, Chris Goss, Corey Taylor, Lee Ving and many many more. It's the NBA All-Star Game of albums, complete with goofy dancing during the introductions. I'm ashamed to admit I still haven't seen the darn movie though! I really need to get on that. My favorite movie soundtrack in 3 years and I have no context for any of the songs! What a crazy idea! There could never be too many exclamation marks in a paragraph about Sound City!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!
17. The Greatest Generation by The Wonder Years
Favorite Song - "There, There"
"You're just trying to read / But I'm always standing in your light" . I really love that line which kicks off the best song on the #17 album of the year, "There, There". Frequent readers will remember that I've always been a big fan of the pop-punk genre, dating back to the OGs Blink-182. Or maybe Green Day are the OGs. Either way... My all-time favorite pop-punk artist still has an appearance to make here - foreshadowing hintness! Anyways, this album is all about getting old and all the unfortunate things that come with that. Personally they're overreacting a little, not having kids and wives at 26 is just fine. Especially if you have a successful music career taking up your time. Yet if I related to all the lyrics from my favorite pop-punk bands I probably would be cutting my wrists just for the sensation. "I JUST WANNA FEEL SOMETHING MOM GAWWWWWWWD". Luckily I can enjoy this type of music without resorting to that. The raw emotions hit at just the right place.
Pretty rockin huh? I did warn you. Top 16 coming up next. What could be left?
A History of #3s AKA We're really putting my memory to the test now. Once again, with the ones I don't have anymore I'm trying to remember what I liked most that year, rather than what I like most now.
Albums:
2003 - "Get Rich or Die Trying" by 50 Cent
2004 - "Where You Want To Be" by Taking Back Sunday
2005 - "Late Registration" by Kanye West
2006 - "Black Holes and Revelations" by Muse
2007 - "Infinity On High" by Fall Out Boy
2008 - "Evil Urges" by My Morning Jacket
2009 - "Relapse" by Eminem
2010 - "Brothers" by The Black Keys
2011 - "El Camino" by The Black Keys
2012 - "Black & Blu" by Gary Clarke Jr.
Songs:
2003 - "In Da Club" by 50 Cent
2004 - "A Decade Under The Influence" by Taking Back Sunday
2005 - "Title & Registration" by Death Cab For Cutie
2006 - "Welcome To The Black Parade" by My Chemical Romance
2007 - "Radio Nowhere" by Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band
2008 - "Salute Your Solution" by The Raconteurs
2009 - "New Divide" by Linkin Park
2010 - "Lay Me Down" by The Dirty Heads ft. Rome
2011 - "You Are A Tourist" by Death Cab For Cutie
2012 - "The House That Heaven Built" by Japadroids
This is a great set!! FUZZ!! **** yeah Ty Segall! Can`t get better than that. And then you have SOUND CITY! Awesome! And you really should check out the doc. Not only will you learn the history of the studio, but you see some of those songs get made! It will give you a deeper appreciation of them. Also, love the history! A NICE TRIP BACK.