Albums
of the year
2013
Every year I spend doing this list I say to myself “Why bother, no one reads all this”, and rightly so I guess? Why would anyone care what I think – and being so longwinded on top of it all? So every time I start this list I intend fully to simplify. But in the end, the complete opposite happens. And on top of it all I stress about getting it all done – over something most people don’t even read at all (are you even reading this?!) – even though I started working on this in late August, and now it’s the middle of November as I finally wrap it up. I guess it’s the excitement of sharing or something that drives me to do this? Or maybe I’m just bored. Who knows. I think it’s the former. Hopefully. And because I’m tired and actually have some other things to attend to – I am going to quote myself from last year for most of the rest of this introduction. Oh and one more thing I want to add before I get to quoting myself – my favorite songs of the year? Katy Perry’s ‘Roar’, Chvrches’ ‘Gun’ and My Bloody Valentine’s ‘New You’. What I wouldn’t give to hear MBV cover ‘Roar’, and even for Katy Perry to cover ‘New You’. That is potential brilliance right there, my friends. Ok …. quoting myself now … “So, here you go, my favorite albums of the year. I guess technically they are what I consider to be “the best”, but by saying that it means these then have to be put in some sort of order, and quantified some way. But I really can’t do that. Depending on the mood of the day, each one of these albums is “the best” at one time or another, so really out of all the albums I’ve listened to over the past year, these are my go to albums – my favorites – my “desert island discs” of sorts. I’ve shared one track from each album as well, songs that I think not only represent what is great about the entire album, but what may spark an interest in you to checking out the whole thing, because to me they are all worth your time and quite rewarding indeed. Enjoy with aloha, and as always, turn it WAY the hell up, and for crying out loud use headphones. Laptop speakers = death.”
3
Crocodiles
Crimes of Passion
This seemed like it would be one of those albums that is just full of hype on the indie circuit (even though I guess not everyone is praising it) but in the end is just that, an over-hyped piece of garbage. But it seems those who do really enjoy this album, REALLY enjoy this album, and I am one of those. It’s true that Crocodiles – and this is their fourth album and only the first one of theirs I have heard – isn’t bringing much new to the table. But they have a great knack for songwriting, and most importantly that skill of tapping into so many sounds of bands that existed in the past and are no longer recording, and basically filling that void of new songs that you’ve been pining for. It may not win in the originality category, but what they do, they do perfectly. So let’s say you’ve been waiting for new albums from the likes of The Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Charlatans, The Raveonettes, The Dandy Warhols, Suede, or even Chapterhouse of all bands, then you will find something to love here (listen to ‘Virgin‘ above). And of course if you were looking for an album that sounds like all of those bands mixed together, then this is your crowning jewel. I find it funny that a lot of lazy music critics are saying Crocodiles (from sunny San Diego) sounds like Echo & The Bunnymen, simply because they have a sound from the 80’s & 90’s, and they happen to have the same name of a Bunnymen album. I’m not hearing it though, at all. So if that scares you off, don’t let it. It’s silly nonsense. Produced by Sune Rose Wagner of The Raveonettes, it’s more akin to their sound than anything. A short, concise album chock full of singles, it may not be your bag, but if it is, you will probably love it to no end. Fantastic.