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.”
5
Discoverer
Tunnels
For whatever reason, a completely tragic oversight occurred on my part last year concerning this album. I picked it up – or rather downloaded it – and was unable to digest it fully. I knew it was good, so it made my honorable mentions list. But since then I’ve been able to spend time with it, and it’s one I’ve spent a LOT of time with. So I’ve removed it from last year’s honorable mentions list and elevated to it’s rightful place, in the best of MY year for lucky 2013. Most albums I put in my tops of the year are new albums naturally, but it also includes music that’s new to me no matter when it came out, so although this is from last year, alas its belated honor of being part of this years musical elite. And why is that? Well, naturally because It’s an INCREDIBLY GORGEOUS ALBUM, and unlike most electronic albums that drone on for way too long, its a perfect slimmed down 39 minute eight track masterpiece. I’m rather confused why this one hasn’t been picked up by much of the electronic music world, as it taps into so many sensibilities similar to other bands and musicians whose recordings pale in comparison in successfully capturing the moods and melodies Discoverer has been able to capture with Tunnels. The music itself, well it’s a bit new age, it’s a bit pop, it has a bit of a Boards of Canada-esque thing going on, and it’s an incredibly relaxing, smooth and melodic trip throughout. It sort of reminds me of the album Night and Day by Oriol that made my tops in 2010. That one had more of a tropical sorta feel to it – but it’s all cut from the same cloth – this sort of driving through Miami circa 1980’s Miami Vice on a hot summer 3am morning with the neon lights blurring by and the night’s events merely just a happy memory. It’s warm, electric, luxurious, deeply melodic, and somehow very bright and upbeat for a sound that can be considered downbeat (evidence above, ‘Circular Motherboard‘). You couldn’t find a better background soundtrack to all those dinner pool parties you have in LA surrounded by swaying palm trees under a star filled night. Instrumental music whose hooks stay in your head all day, you know you’re hearing a true talent.