The year 2013 is long gone, but before it becomes too late into 2014, let's have a look back at some of the more "traditional" songs and albums to drop over the past year. On this episode, I'm joined once again by my drunken buddies Tyler and Mike, who offer some colorful commentary to the show. While I was busy dodging bottle caps and yelling at Mike to shut up for two seconds, I streamed the show live over on our Mixlr page. Check it out next time I do a live show. It's free to use and doesn't require an account to listen. Show times are random, but I usually post when I'll do one over at our Twitter and Facebook page. Interested in learning what my favorite albums and songs of 2013 were? Read on to find out!
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13. David Bowie
The Next Day
The Next Day
The first David Bowie album in ten year, The Next Day is a great call back to the singer's roots. Following in the same vein as "Heroes" there is plenty this album has to offer. A good place to start if you are looking to hear more about this singer/songwriter.
Buy the MP3
Buy the album
Buy the MP3
Buy the album
Recover
Bones of What You Believe
On the show I erroneously said that this Scottish, electronic, rock band had released the song Recover only on an EP early in 2013. Much to my delight, they dropped a full album late in the year, and after listening to it, I found it to be a better effort. The whole LP has a lot of bright syth sounds to it (much like the Noanowa song I played on our half year special). The result is a very dream like sound in the same vein of other electronic artists such as M83 and iamwhoiamwhoami. Recover remains my track of choice off the album, a song that I still have on repeat.
Buy the MP3
Buy the album
On the show I erroneously said that this Scottish, electronic, rock band had released the song Recover only on an EP early in 2013. Much to my delight, they dropped a full album late in the year, and after listening to it, I found it to be a better effort. The whole LP has a lot of bright syth sounds to it (much like the Noanowa song I played on our half year special). The result is a very dream like sound in the same vein of other electronic artists such as M83 and iamwhoiamwhoami. Recover remains my track of choice off the album, a song that I still have on repeat.
Buy the MP3
Buy the album
You might think he loves you....
Government Plates
Another sudden and surprise release from the nightmare trio out of California, Death Grips Government Plates appeared out of nowhere late into 2013. Building off of their last release, No Love Deep Web, this album focuses more on electronic music producer Flatlander's shocking and high pitched work than it does crazy samples. Zack Hill continues to bring his hellish drumming into the mix while MC Ride is somewhat toned down a bit, regulated to sometimes just a single verse on some of the tracks. While I do miss some of Ride's yells, I think this is a great entrance for people looking to get into something that is different to norm, with Flatlander really taking the helm on this release.
Stream the album on Youtube.
Download for free off of thirdworlds.net
Another sudden and surprise release from the nightmare trio out of California, Death Grips Government Plates appeared out of nowhere late into 2013. Building off of their last release, No Love Deep Web, this album focuses more on electronic music producer Flatlander's shocking and high pitched work than it does crazy samples. Zack Hill continues to bring his hellish drumming into the mix while MC Ride is somewhat toned down a bit, regulated to sometimes just a single verse on some of the tracks. While I do miss some of Ride's yells, I think this is a great entrance for people looking to get into something that is different to norm, with Flatlander really taking the helm on this release.
Stream the album on Youtube.
Download for free off of thirdworlds.net
Silent Partner
Deserve
A relatively unknown release that dropped in October, Weed is mixes in elements of garage rock with bits of drone and psychedelia. This album hooked me in from the first guitar riff to the very end. A lot of it is very noisy, so if you are looking for something loud and piercing with some catchy hooks, check it out.
Listen to the album on Bandcamp.
Buy off of Couple Skate Records.
A relatively unknown release that dropped in October, Weed is mixes in elements of garage rock with bits of drone and psychedelia. This album hooked me in from the first guitar riff to the very end. A lot of it is very noisy, so if you are looking for something loud and piercing with some catchy hooks, check it out.
Listen to the album on Bandcamp.
Buy off of Couple Skate Records.
a lazy coon's obiter dictum
things that happen at night
Milo, a wordsmith I'm convinced who comes from beyond another astral plane, released this EP alongside another titled things that happen at day very early in the year. While a bit darker in tone, this EP still offers the same kind of strange yet familiar references with a bit of a nerdy hook to them. I recommend checking out both EPs for the full effect.
Listen and buy to things that happen at day on Bandcamp.
Listen and buy things that happen at night on Bandcamp.
8. Anamanaguchi
Still riding high off of 4 Loko since it was banned, Anamanaguchi returned in 2013 with this massive full album. Endless Fantasy has many of the same tones heard on their previous releases, but there are a few new surprises to be found here too. This album has a bit of a pop feel to it on some of the tracks, but I think are an interesting and welcome change to the bands already well established chip sound. Be sure to also check out the crazy music videos they did for「MEOW」and their title track where they literally send a pizza into space!
Stream the album on Youtube.
Buy the MP3
Buy the album
7. Jim Guthrie
This album is very different from what singer/songwriter Jim Guthrie has been doing for the past few years with video game soundtracks. In part that is what I kind of like the most about it. Focusing more on his songwriting chops, I quite enjoyed the sentiment of this album's lyrics and wordplay. Add in the light psychedelic tones and impressive guitar work, this is one album that is worth checking out if you are looking for something along the lines of comforting folk music with a bit of pop flavor.
Listen and buy the album on Bandcamp.
6. Chance The Rapper
Cocoa Butter Kisses
Acid Rap
The second mixtape to drop from this up and coming MC from Chicago, Chance the Rapper paints an interesting picture of both the beauty and ugly side to life. Much of this release feels very personal, with a lot of the subject matter dealing with growing up in the inner city. Like on the song Pusherman, "It just got warm out, this this shit I've been warned about I hope that it storm in the morning, I hope that it's pouring out. I hate crowded beaches, I hate the sound of fireworks. And I ponder what's worse between knowing it's over and dying first." Lines such as this are what sold me on the mixtape, but there is also a bit a lightheartedness to be found.
Listen to the mixtape on Youtube.
Download the mixtape for free here.
5. Zorch
We All Die Young
ZZOORRCCHH
Loud and sporadic, Zorch blasted this out halfway through the year with the ferocity of a lazer cannon. A combination of heavy rhythmic drums and electronic work, listening to this LP is akin to flying through space at warp 5 while duct-taped to the hull of rocket ship. Rarely does this album let up on the sonic blasts it pours out on every track. It's manic music to jam to with lyrics that may just put a smile on your face, and may even give you a better outlook on life.
Stream and buy the album on Bandcamp.
4. Yellowbirds
Stop Tonight
Songs From the Vanished Frontier
When I asked Sam Cohen back in 2012 about his upcoming release, he mentioned drawing inspiration from artists like the Impressions. Listening to Songs From the Vanished Frontier seems to build upon that idea, with the song Stop Tonight being a good example of this. A quieter release compared to Yellowbird's last release, The Color, but it still contains all the hallmarks of the what Sam is producing. Give this album a listen, it just might grow on you.
Listen to the album and buy it on Bandcamp.
3. Deafheaven
Vertigo
Sunbather
I may have been behind on my metal releases for 2013, but I would be remiss if I didn't mentioned this howling album from the death metal group, Deafheaven. A mix of both metal and post-rock, Sunbather swings back and forth from being both brutal and soothing in its 60 minute run time. At times it can be a bit hard to understand the lyrics on the first go around, but once you get past the screams there are some harrowing verses. "I'm dying! Is it blissful? It's like a dream. I want to dream." If you're too shy from metal music, or are looking for something different, give this one a spin.
2. Ghostface Killah and Adrian Young
Center of Attraction
Twelve Reasons to Die
Revenge is both served cold and sweet. Wu-Tang member Ghostface Killah and producer Adrian Young just make it sound good. Sounding like it belongs in a Leone western, Twelve Reasons to Die tells the story of the rise, fall, and return of gangsta Tony Starks. Most of it is straight forward, though there are some surprising twists that I won't spoil here. Most of what I love about this album are the instrumentals from Adrian Young, but Ghostface also brings his A game along with a slew of others on this seminal record. Like a good pulp story, this tale of revenge will keep you engaged from the first groove till the end.
Listen to the album and buy it on Bandcamp (also includes the instrumentals in the same package).
1. Melt-Banana
Candy Gun
Fetch
About a year ago, site EIC and Shuffled co-host Alex Cronk-Young asked if I knew if there was an upcoming release from the crazy, noise, rock band from Japan. I could only guess if they had anything up their sleeves for future. I didn't know it then, but Melt-Banana would release what would be far and away my favorite album of 2013. Fetch is an absolute crazy journey through sounds that are all over the place. The high pitched yells of singer Yasuko Onuki match the ferocity of nearly every bass line and guitar riff that Ichirou Agata lays out through out the LP. The added electronic backing and fast paced drums only add to the effect of this insane, off the wall record. A great melding of what this band can do, and even a great place to start if you are curious and want to dive into more eccentric music. I can't recommend this album enough.
Stream the album on Youtube
Buy the MP3
Buy the album
Other songs used in this episode that a I really wanted to add to the list of thirteen are from Infinity Shred's album Sanctuary and the Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds.
Big thanks to my friends for chilling out and sharing their zaniness to the night! Also, big ups to Ser Flash for making our show's theme music. Check out more of his music at smpmusicproductions.bandcamp.com
Milo, a wordsmith I'm convinced who comes from beyond another astral plane, released this EP alongside another titled things that happen at day very early in the year. While a bit darker in tone, this EP still offers the same kind of strange yet familiar references with a bit of a nerdy hook to them. I recommend checking out both EPs for the full effect.
Listen and buy to things that happen at day on Bandcamp.
Listen and buy things that happen at night on Bandcamp.
「MEOW」
Endless Fantasy
Endless Fantasy
Still riding high off of 4 Loko since it was banned, Anamanaguchi returned in 2013 with this massive full album. Endless Fantasy has many of the same tones heard on their previous releases, but there are a few new surprises to be found here too. This album has a bit of a pop feel to it on some of the tracks, but I think are an interesting and welcome change to the bands already well established chip sound. Be sure to also check out the crazy music videos they did for「MEOW」and their title track where they literally send a pizza into space!
Stream the album on Youtube.
Buy the MP3
Buy the album
Taking My Time
Takes Time
Listen and buy the album on Bandcamp.
Cocoa Butter Kisses
Acid Rap
The second mixtape to drop from this up and coming MC from Chicago, Chance the Rapper paints an interesting picture of both the beauty and ugly side to life. Much of this release feels very personal, with a lot of the subject matter dealing with growing up in the inner city. Like on the song Pusherman, "It just got warm out, this this shit I've been warned about I hope that it storm in the morning, I hope that it's pouring out. I hate crowded beaches, I hate the sound of fireworks. And I ponder what's worse between knowing it's over and dying first." Lines such as this are what sold me on the mixtape, but there is also a bit a lightheartedness to be found.
Listen to the mixtape on Youtube.
Download the mixtape for free here.
We All Die Young
ZZOORRCCHH
Loud and sporadic, Zorch blasted this out halfway through the year with the ferocity of a lazer cannon. A combination of heavy rhythmic drums and electronic work, listening to this LP is akin to flying through space at warp 5 while duct-taped to the hull of rocket ship. Rarely does this album let up on the sonic blasts it pours out on every track. It's manic music to jam to with lyrics that may just put a smile on your face, and may even give you a better outlook on life.
Stream and buy the album on Bandcamp.
Stop Tonight
Songs From the Vanished Frontier
When I asked Sam Cohen back in 2012 about his upcoming release, he mentioned drawing inspiration from artists like the Impressions. Listening to Songs From the Vanished Frontier seems to build upon that idea, with the song Stop Tonight being a good example of this. A quieter release compared to Yellowbird's last release, The Color, but it still contains all the hallmarks of the what Sam is producing. Give this album a listen, it just might grow on you.
Listen to the album and buy it on Bandcamp.
Vertigo
Sunbather
I may have been behind on my metal releases for 2013, but I would be remiss if I didn't mentioned this howling album from the death metal group, Deafheaven. A mix of both metal and post-rock, Sunbather swings back and forth from being both brutal and soothing in its 60 minute run time. At times it can be a bit hard to understand the lyrics on the first go around, but once you get past the screams there are some harrowing verses. "I'm dying! Is it blissful? It's like a dream. I want to dream." If you're too shy from metal music, or are looking for something different, give this one a spin.
Listen to the album and buy it on Bandcamp.
Center of Attraction
Twelve Reasons to Die
Revenge is both served cold and sweet. Wu-Tang member Ghostface Killah and producer Adrian Young just make it sound good. Sounding like it belongs in a Leone western, Twelve Reasons to Die tells the story of the rise, fall, and return of gangsta Tony Starks. Most of it is straight forward, though there are some surprising twists that I won't spoil here. Most of what I love about this album are the instrumentals from Adrian Young, but Ghostface also brings his A game along with a slew of others on this seminal record. Like a good pulp story, this tale of revenge will keep you engaged from the first groove till the end.
Listen to the album and buy it on Bandcamp (also includes the instrumentals in the same package).
Candy Gun
Fetch
About a year ago, site EIC and Shuffled co-host Alex Cronk-Young asked if I knew if there was an upcoming release from the crazy, noise, rock band from Japan. I could only guess if they had anything up their sleeves for future. I didn't know it then, but Melt-Banana would release what would be far and away my favorite album of 2013. Fetch is an absolute crazy journey through sounds that are all over the place. The high pitched yells of singer Yasuko Onuki match the ferocity of nearly every bass line and guitar riff that Ichirou Agata lays out through out the LP. The added electronic backing and fast paced drums only add to the effect of this insane, off the wall record. A great melding of what this band can do, and even a great place to start if you are curious and want to dive into more eccentric music. I can't recommend this album enough.
Stream the album on Youtube
Buy the MP3
Buy the album
Other songs used in this episode that a I really wanted to add to the list of thirteen are from Infinity Shred's album Sanctuary and the Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds.
Big thanks to my friends for chilling out and sharing their zaniness to the night! Also, big ups to Ser Flash for making our show's theme music. Check out more of his music at smpmusicproductions.bandcamp.com
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