****, I haven't commented in a while! I will make up for it now:
These past few sets have been great! I am aware of The Knife, but haven't heard that album. I like the song you embedded though. By accident, I played it and the Black Sabbath embed at the same time hahaha. That is quite the experience!
I like seeing Lorde included, and the Tegan and Sara album is really great. Speaking of, Black Sabbath's 13 at #13! I love it. CHVRCHES, the best! And yeah, it's weird about the Arcade Fire album. An album produced by James Murphy seems designed to be #1, but it won't chart in my top ten either. Consistently may be the problem, you'e right. But what a problem to have. You are 100% right that "Pusher Love Girl" is the best song from JT's two albums this year. And I always love seeing ADTR on your list. Glad that the new album is a return to form.
OMG we're almost at the end. I was actually really excited to do the albums list this year, because of the 2013 excellence that I've mentioned so many times. So we are, at the Hateful Eight. Cause these next two especially are all about hate and rage and ANGER.
8. Random Access Memories by Daft Punk
Favorite Song - "Get Lucky"
Yes, even though there are several A+ tracks on here, I go with the most boring choice. Not that the song itself is boring, just the choice. The song itself has remarkable lasting power. I , and everyone else, have heard it hundreds of times already. Does it ever get old? OF COURSE NOT. WE'RE UP ALL NIGHT TO GET LUCKY x 100 more times. Anyways, with the EDM surge of the past couple years it's not really that surprising that Daft Punk was able to have such a successful year. What was unexpected was how they did it. Rather than moving forward with the sound they pioneered, which is now used in every pop song, they went the complete other direction. Often times considered the future of music, when their present came Daft Punk looked to the past. Smooth guitar riffs are featured far more often than booming synthesizers. There are non-robotic vocals on many of the best songs ("Get Lucky" , "Doin' It Right" , "Fragments Of Time" , "Lose Yourself To Dance" , "Touch" and "Instant Crush ) . Actually the only one of my favs that features only robot voice is "Game Of Love". Daft Punk have no interest in playing the game of pop, but they managed to conquer it anyways.
7. Amok by Atoms For Peace
Favorite Song - "Default" / "Judge Jury Executioner"
Yeah I had to cheat on the favorite song again ... sue me! So what happens when you combine Thom Yorke, Flea, Nigel Godrich , Joey Waronker and Mauro Refosco? You get a frickin awesome supergroup is what happens. The best supergroup since Velvet Revolver and Audioslave? Hell yeah! Even better? Maybe. Let's wait and see. I'd certainly be fine with these guys making another record or five. It will more likely be A Perfect Circle or Postal Service type situation, where we will still be waiting for the next record in ten years, but that's fine with me too. It was recommended, to me, that this album is a headphones only experience. And while I am listening to it on my speakers now and it still sounds great, I would agree. Headphones will let the music absorb and take you on your own personal musical journey . Especially good headphones. Go with Sennheiser. Awesome headphones without the ridiculous cost of Beats By Dre. I mean seriously who wants to pay $200 for headphones unless you're about to record an album. It's ridiculous. Soundwise, I'd say "Amok" is closer to Thom Yorke's solo album "The Eraser" than any Radiohead or Red Hot Chili Pepper album, but still unique enough to easily stand on its own. "The Eraser" even has a song called "Atoms For Peace" on it, so there is your origin story.
The Furious Six will be up next. They are all from artists who have placed highly in the past. No Taylor Swift-like shockers this year, sorry.
Random Access Memories is an amazing album! Didn't even know they were going to release an album in 2013 , it was a great surprise. I love almost every track, and yes! Get Lucky is my favorite song too
After losing two key members, Josh and Zac Farro, Paramore went on a hiatus. They took up with producer Justin Meldal-Johnsen, who also did this years #14 album "Heartthrob". And while "Paramore" isn't quite as much a departure as that, it does follow a similar formula. AKA making the songs more poppy. Going in I would've thought that was a bad idea, but Johnsen wisely focuses on what makes Paramore work - Haley. Not once is she ever drowned out by the music here, always front and center doing the best work of her career. "Fast In My Car" , "Grow Up" , "Ain't It Fun" , "Last Hope" , and "Still Into You" are all big time tracks for her to show off. However I was just as impressed with the short interludes that take place in between. She sounds like she's singing right on the beach with her lover taking on the strings. On why the album was self-titled "The self-titled aspect of the whole thing is definitely a statement. I feel like it's not only reintroducing the band to the world, but even to ourselves ... By the end of it, it felt like we're a new band." Couldn't agree with her more. This is definitely the start of Phase 2 for Paramore and I love where its going.
5. B-Room by Dr. Dog
Favorite Song - "Broken Heart" / "Distant Light"
Last years #1 takes a a 4 spot tumble this year, but that doesn't have anything to do with the quality of the music. I'd probably rank "Be The Void" ahead of "B-Room" by a little, yet "B-Room" would have been #1 last year too. This year just has an unpenetrable top 3, even for someone as awesome as the D Dog. Once again they bring an incredible amount of diversity to their albums, no two songs sound the same. Besides the songs being amazing, that may be the top reason I've become so fond of this band. "Cuckoo" sounds like a Steely Dan song from the 60s, "Distant Light" takes you on a journey to the future. Mixing psychedelic with folk and classic rock, Dr. Dog have created a unique sound that is apparently catching on beyond these year end lists. I'm still pissed that they sold out in November, before I got a chance to buy tickets. Now that's mostly my fault, as I thought I could avoid the stupid online fees by just buying at the door. Nobody else knew who Dr. Dog was before that day ... atleast in my imagination. I guess it's good and well-deserved for them, these last two albums are definitely the best work they've ever done (their career stretches back a ways too). I wanted to see them live though! Now I have to wait, and hopefully they'll play in a bigger arena next time.
4. ...Like Clockwork by Queens Of The Stone Age
Favorite Song - "Keep Your Eyes Peeled"
OMG that guitar riff is so sexy. Queens are just bringing it hard on this track and several other on the album. Even "My God Is The Sun" is probably the heaviest song they have ever released. "I Sat By The Ocean" , "If I Had A Tail" and "Smooth Sailing" also have incredible riffs and guitar work in general. The first time I listened these were the standouts, but on the many subsequent listens I've learned to love the softer ones as well. Does this happen for every QOTSA album? Quite possible. "Vampyre Of Time and Misery" is wonderful though, as is "Kalopsia" and "I Appear Missing" . Like Dr. Dog, this would be an easy #1 in a softer year, and it's not even top three of 2013! Queens had been away for far too long, but if it took that time to make this masterpiece, then I'm fine with it. I hope they don't become Tool or anything though. Just keep the amazing tracks coming. Homme, Johannes and Goss were also big parts of the Sound City OST with buddy Dave Grohl, who returned the favor by playing drums on the album (but I don't think he's on every song). Trent Reznor also had a hand in creating this and Sound City. So I like to think of all these bands as one big family who are making the world a better place for rock.
The best top three ever (maybe) is coming up. It was really hard to lock in placements for all of these ... But #1 itself is standing tall. Have no worries there. Hopefully it's not too obvious at this point.
Not my favorite album from Paramore, but I enjoyed their album, it's great! and for me, better than Brand New Eyes
Need to listen to that Dr. Dog album
O!! These sets have been really great! I love every album listed. I'm shocked that Dr. Dog is not #1. I also love the Phase 2 reference for Paramore. PARAMORE: AGE OF ULTRON. Your write-ups are great as always, and I can't wait for THE TOP THREE.
It's been a long time / since I left you / without a dope beat to step to.
Sorry for the short hiatus y'all. I'd like to finish it off with one mega update here, but more likely it will just be #2 and #3 with #1 and the song list coming next time. So lets get to it before I lose motivation again!
3. The Marshall Mathers LP 2 by Eminem
Favorite Song - "Rap God"
I said earlier that Beyonce was the biggest surprise of the year, and I stick by that as I expected absolutely nothing from her. Yet Eminem has to be a close second, cause I didn't think he was capable of this anymore. I ranked "Relapse" very high in my 2009 chart, but that was half based on the albums merits and half based on the fact that I hadn't heard albums like "Fantasies" and "Manners". MMLP2 fully earns it's place here in the greatest top 3 ever. It is a call back to the past while at the same time a leap into the future - an evolution of Eminem. He sticks with the personal themes of MMLP1, discussing his anti-love life with the various characters in his life, he still has beefs with the same folk, and he even brings back Stan's brother to get his revenge. Most importantly he got his flow back, spitting like he was an angry young cracker again after being hobbled by drugs and overconfidence over the last couple albums. Where the evolution comes is from behind the voice. No longer does Em have a very similar Dr. Dre beat backing up every one of his songs. A team of amazing producers helps Eminem create a mish-mash of different styles and genres. He also tried this on Recovery, but as I said his rapping was subpar on that album, along with it including boring subjects. Rick Rubin helps bring Eminem to the present by sampling the past, something Eminem had never really done successfully. Yet doing a call in response with the Zombies "Time Of The Season" sounds just right and turning Joe Walsh's "Life's Been Good" into a song about difficulties adjusting to the modern world is brilliant. Really the only time he gets buried in the past is with his old beefs. Hearing him rip on people who haven't been relevant in ten years in the album closer "Evil Twin" is weird. I love "Rap God", and it's still my favorite song on the album, but his "little gay looking boy" part is suddenly uncomfortable. Could have let that one go Em! While these things bring him back to the old Shady, the biggest maturation comes in the second to last track "Headlights". Finally, after killing her on several occasions, Eminem is appreciative of his mother raising him. No matter how much of a drug addict she was, it got Eminem to where he is. He acknowledges that raising two children on your own might cause one to go a little kooky and need those drugs. Of course he switches his hatred over to his absent father, but I call it progress still.
2. Yeezus by Kanye West
Favorite Song - "Blood On The Leaves"
I'd like to start by apologizing to "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy" which I ranked at like #14 or something back in 2010. I was in an anti-hip-hop mood at the time, but that's no excuse. MBDTF is one of the best hip-hop albums ever and it deserved better. Sorry! Ranking these two hip-hop titans, who each claim to be a god, was very difficult. I probably like more songs off MMLP2, and that is usually the tiebreaker, but Yeezus' brilliance has always been in it's simplicity. It only has ten songs, with six of them being potential all-timers. Most of Kanye's trademark grand production has been stripped away. Like Eminem, he had help from Rick Rubin which really comes out as these simplified songs all have more passion than their all-in counterparts would have. I think Kanye was trying to make an album that would be hard to like. Despite well over half his fanbase being white hipsters now, he's still battling to get what he perceives as respect from the "white community". He's clearly mad about his clothing line not succeeding, "they weren't satisfied until I pick the cotton myself" , and even though he doesn't admit it - it must kill him that he still hasn't won the grammy for Best Album. The grammies are a joke Kanye, don't sweat it so much. You've made it bro. The funny thing is, as he gains more respect from critics he is rapidly burning off his mainstream fanbase. Sure he has some PR issues, but a hit will erase any controversy as Chris Brown can testify to. He took his most likely hit and turned it into a naked Kim Kardashian circus. Is Kanye just trolling us or is this a rebellion? I'm sure it all makes a ton of sense to Kanye as its occurring. One thing that has bothered me since the albums release is something that probably shouldn't. "Black Skinhead" is incredible, I love those drums. However, on an album that wants to talk about race you can't say "300 like the Romans". C'mon Kanye! I know that rhyming is more important than factuality, but I bet he's seen that a hundred times and chose to be incorrect on purpose to annoy people like me. So Kanye is trolling us. I'm fine with that though, as long as he keeps making incredible songs. It seems like he may be incapable of doing the opposite.
I might still post #1 today. It should be obvious, only one album could have beat these two masterpieces. And with other lists like songs, movies, video games, TV, etc ... Well they'll come if they come lol. Not like y'all care anyways - it's all about the music!
The Marshall Mathers LP 2 is a great album, Eminem never disappoints altought I was very disappointed with Berzerk as the first single, but the song is a grower. Love that album! My fave song is Rap God too
Need to listen to Yeezus in full.
Yeezus Not really into Eminem this era besides his singles and features, unfortunately... but Kanye gave a really nice, experimental release this time around.
It's time to end this! SPARTANS WHAT IS YOUR OCCUPATION!
1. Modern Vampires Of The City by Vampire Weekend
Favorite Song - "Unbelievers"
As good as the rest of this year was, and it was hella good, this was only in doubt for small periods of time following the releases of Kanye and Eminem. One look at my last.fm charts will confirm as much.
1
Vampire Weekend
305
2
Kanye West
200
3
Eminem
198
4
Paramore
167
5
A Day to Remember
161
6
Dr. Dog
154
7
Daft Punk
146
8
Queens of the Stone Age
126
9
The Naked and Famous
118
10
Arcade Fire
102
11
Taylor Swift
101
Total domination as you can see, and rightly so. I've been a fan of the Vamp from the very beginning, when Kroq put them on the side stage of a Weenie Roast webcast in whatever year that was. "A-Punk" was my jam, "Oxford Comma" was unforgettable. The next album placed in my top 20 on 2010, giving us incredible songs like "Holiday" and "Giving Up The Gun". Did I ever think that Vampire Weekend were capable of making an entire album out of songs just as good or better? No! Not in a million years. It's one of the most incredible musical leaps I have ever heard. Is it too strong to compare it to going from "Beatles For Sale" to "Help" and "Rubber Soul" ? Maybe, we'll see how this album lasts over time. One year in and I'm not sure any comparison would be too strong for Modern Vampires.
Picking a favorite song was difficult. For most of the year I would have said "Diane Young", a summer jam that was so addictive that I had to play it when I woke up almost every day in the summer. Yet over the year "Unbelievers" kept creeping up and eventually just became the greatest. SPOILER it's also the #1 song of the year whenever I get around to that. Just in case I don't, I thought y'all should know. Most of the time I value sound/musical quality over lyrical quality, but "Unbelievers" is just incredible in the latter. "Got a little soul / The world is a cold, cold place to be / Want a little warmth / But who's going to save a little warmth for me?" The sound is great too, don't get me wrong. Yet I find myself singing along to "is this the fate that half of the world has planned for me?" more than humming along lol.
This album has been called an observation of god from the point of view of an athiest. I'm not sure that's 100% accurate, but it's certainly a good place to start. In the epic "Ya Hey" Ezra Koenig wonders how a god could even love those who are incapable of reciprocating that love. In "Everlasting Arms" he states "Oh, I was made to live without you / But I'm never gonna understand, never understand". And "Unbelievers" certainly hits on these themes as the title would suggest. The album is not limited to this concept though. "Obvious Bicycle" explores a friend who is down on his luck. "You better spare your face the razor / Cause no one's gonna spare the time for you". Maturation is also a huge theme, as that is probably the best way to explain how Vampire Weekend put out something so moving and incredibly powerful. This might be true, but I'm starting if maybe they had it in them all along. Vampire Weekend and Contra built up a strong reputation, but the Vamp was still just having fun. Now the gloves are off and they aren't messing around. The world is on watch, and we shall benefit from it, as I certainly already have.
I'll just stop now since I could go on all day about this. If you haven't checked out the record yet, do yourself a favor and download it immediately. Thanks for the comments, as always and it was fascinating to read y'all lists as well. I'll try to get up at least a top ten songs lists, I know it seems easy but for whatever reason it's 100% more difficult than ranking albums for me now. So that's why I spoiled the #1. 2013 was the year of Vampire Weekend.
Yes yes YES YES YESSSSSSSSSSS