|
FINALLY DONE! BEST #1 EVER | Beatfreak's Catch 22
ATRL Moderator
Member Since: 11/16/2004
Posts: 28,450
|
RAM & Get Wet
|
|
|
ATRL Contributor
Member Since: 4/24/2011
Posts: 8,547
|
I liked RAM and Beyoncé.
Honestly, TRF.
|
|
|
Member Since: 11/13/2009
Posts: 25,902
|
15. Armin van Buuren - 'Intense'
SYNOPSIS. Multiple DJ Mag #1 DJ of the Year winner and trance legend Armin van Buuren returned in 2013 with a collection of fresh dance tracks that walks the line between classic trance and trendy progressive house. In fact, the album not only walks the line but dances it proudly. Intense! Mission accomplished.
STANDOUTS. This Is What It Feels Like, Beautiful Life, Waiting For The Night, Turn This Love Around
14. Avicii - 'True'
SYNOPSIS. Rising EDM star Avicii kicked off his True era with a polarizing live set at Ultra Music Festival in March of 2013. His clash of house and country/folk music had progressive musicians applauding and skeptical festival-goers complaining. However, once Wake Me Up! dropped as the lead single, the general public came around and the radio ate the track up. It has gone on to become one of the top tracks of the year, and the album has been very successful. Avicii made a risky but smart move in standing out sonically from his contemporaries.
STANDOUTS. Wake Me Up!, You Make Me, Dear Boy, Lay Me Down
13. Dirty South - 'Speed of Life'
SYNOPSIS. If 2013 has taught us anything about EDM, it is that not only are DJs the new superstars but they are artists in their own right. They must make a name for themselves with a distinct style and sound, and like others on this list, Dirty South has done just that. Keep in mind that Dirty South has been no stranger to big room dance anthems in prior years, but his full-length album Speed of Life has clearly put him ahead of the game. With his melodic mesh of house and trance with synthesizers and crooning vocals from Rudy and Joe Gil, this is the type of album you want playing during your drive on a fun night out.
STANDOUTS. Super Sounds, Until the End, Champions, Something Like You
|
|
|
Member Since: 5/7/2009
Posts: 10,129
|
Beyonce being so high already
|
|
|
Member Since: 10/13/2003
Posts: 48,022
|
Avicii
|
|
|
Member Since: 2/13/2012
Posts: 62,082
|
ARTPOP, Beyonce That fan art for Britney Jean though
|
|
|
Member Since: 4/23/2012
Posts: 2,432
|
Great to see PRISM, Smallpools, and Intense!
|
|
|
ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 9/26/2001
Posts: 22,475
|
Krewella being above RAM really bothers me, for some reason. I'm sure I'll get over after listening to more RAM, though.
|
|
|
Member Since: 11/13/2009
Posts: 25,902
|
12. Eminem - 'The Marshall Mathers LP 2'
SYNOPSIS. Eminem returns to complete form with his second edition of The Marshall Mathers LP. Em is on top of his lyrical game, and he's got a nice group of vocalist collaborations to back that up. Not too shabby. The great thing about Shady is that he is at that pivotal point in his career where he really has nothing left to prove yet he still churns out epic tunes. Many rappers and rap fans may count him down and out, but what Britney Spears is to pop music Eminem is to hi-hop. He will always have his own lane, and if this album is any indication of what's ahead, that is really all he needs.
STANDOUTS. Survival, The Monster, Headlights, Wicked Ways
11. Linkin Park - 'RECHARGED'
SYNOPSIS. Linkin Park rewarded fans this year with another eclectic remix album. This compilation features remixes of their signature hits by EDM giants (Tom Swoon), including a Steve Aoki assist on their newest track A LIGHT THAT NEVER COMES, as well as collaborations with rappers (Pusha T) to bring multiple genres together for one cohesive effort. Not bad for a fun remix project. The stakes have gone up for the next LP studio album!
STANDOUTS. A LIGHT THAT NEVER COMES, I'LL BE GONE, ROADS UNTRAVELLED, POWERLESS
|
|
|
Member Since: 11/4/2006
Posts: 37,808
|
Eminem's new album is great
|
|
|
Member Since: 12/22/2008
Posts: 14,438
|
|
|
|
Member Since: 5/23/2007
Posts: 65,087
|
Intense, Eminem and Linkin Park! Avicii's album was a big letdown for me, I was expecting an album full of Levels or Silhouette's and we got an album full of Wake Me UP's
|
|
|
Member Since: 4/23/2012
Posts: 2,432
|
|
|
|
Member Since: 11/13/2009
Posts: 25,902
|
10. Sub Focus - 'Torus'
SYNOPSIS. Sub Focus returned to the EDM scene this year with a pleasing balance of their unique mesh of 80s retro sounding beats and dubstep influences while exploring melodies reminiscent of the year's trending progressive house tracks. The result is a beautiful record unlike anything else released by contemporaries. Although they are underrated, they should not be slept on! This album has something for everyone.
STANDOUTS. Endorphins, Turn It Around, Turn Back Time, Tidal Wave
9. Mack Wilds - 'New York: A Love Story'
SYNOPSIS. Mack Wilds flew under the radar this year, but he unarguably delivered one of the best urban contemporary albums in recent memory. His backstory is reminiscent of urban powerhouse Drake, as a TV series actor turned singer at a young age. Here's to hoping he will see even half of Drake's success in 2014 because this album is simply too good to be continued to be ignored. Not only is it authentic and real, but it sounds like Mack had a fun time making it, which is what creating music and art all boils down to. The album is so cohesive and magical that I wish it were possible to include every track in the standout section. If you take anything away from a year-end list, I hope it is a listen to this album (which you won't soon forget).
STANDOUTS. Own It, MaGic!!!, Remember the Time, Duck Sauce
8. Pepper - 'Pepper'
SYNOPSIS. Alternative band Pepper is far from new to the music scene, although I only discovered them this year through their new self-titled effort. It was a discovery I'll always be thankful for, because Pepper delivers a raw and real sound to the alternative rock world with this album. Dare I say this is a modern answer to No Doubt's question with Tragic Kingdom? I will say it has its mellow moments, moments which are greatly welcomed by my ears. When the night out is over and it's time to hang out on the couch or enjoy a chill-out summer day, this is the soundtrack you want playing.
STANDOUTS. These Hands, Hunny Girl, Undone, Don't You Know
|
|
|
Member Since: 5/23/2007
Posts: 65,087
|
Endorphins is am amazing song! I love Sub Focus, definitely need to check out that album
|
|
|
ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 9/26/2001
Posts: 22,475
|
I never did get around to listening to Recharged in full, even if I was intrigued by "A Light That Never Comes".
As for MMLP2...I don't know, just left me feeling cold after the fact. Maybe I've finally grown up.
|
|
|
Member Since: 11/13/2009
Posts: 25,902
|
7. Drake - 'Nothing Was the Same'
SYNOPSIS. Drake has had a stellar year. The release of his latest effort comes at a time where urban is reaching new peaks, and new crossover hits are being made constantly. The album, although criticized for being too emotional for some personal tastes, holds up as strong, ballsy effort in a market saturated with Tom Ford rocking clones. Drake sidesteps the issue of being lost in the crowd by standing out, something we have seen in many of this year's success stories. The album plays like a great story from start to finish, and skipping a track on this album would be like skipping a climax chapter in a novel. Drizzy has blessed us with something really special here.
STANDOUTS. From Time, Hold On, We're Going Home, Come Thru, All Me
|
|
|
Member Since: 12/22/2008
Posts: 14,438
|
|
|
|
Member Since: 10/3/2009
Posts: 35,844
|
Intense. I had it placed at #40.
|
|
|
Member Since: 11/8/2011
Posts: 31,648
|
Nothing Was the Same BEST OF THE YEAR!
|
|
|
|
|