Ben's 2013
Best Albums of 2013:
1. The Next Day – David Bowie
2. 13 – Black Sabbath
I managed to win tickets to see Black Sabbath this summer from a wonderful website known as Global Citizen (seriously, check them out, Kitty and I live and breath by them). Anyways, I decided before the concert I had to pick up the new Sabbath album, “13,” and give it a whirl so that I’d know some of the words for the concert. That ended up not mattering because I lost my voice about 5 minutes into the concert after “War Pigs” and headbanging till I induced a migraine (the most metal migraine of my life). Oh right, the album. What can I say other than it sounds like Sabbath? It is heavy, grinding, sludgy, oozing with the Dark Lord’s evil presence. The blues influence is still there, especially on the solos, where the indomitable Tony Iommi shreds with the greatest of them. Songs like “End of The Beginning” and “God Is Dead?” keep with the Sabbath tradition that began on the first album: slow, grinding tempo; dark, nearly blasphemous lyrics screeched out by the Prince of Darkness himself; booming bass lines that fill the listener’s soul with dread. If you have metal at your core and are in need of something to raise the horns to, look no further than “13.”
While this is technically an article for 2013 and its accomplishments, I would be lying by saying that all I listened to all year was the newest, hippest music out there. On the contrary, there were a few albums/artists I listened to more than ever.
Favorite Artists in 2013:
- Foo Fighters
- Halestorm
- K'Naan
Favorite Concert of 2013:
- Paul McCartney
Kitty's 2013
Best Albums of 2013:
1. …Like Clockwork- Queens of the Stone Age
This has been the year of the Homme for me thanks to this album. Queens of the Stone Age have always been a band I loved and respected but this album just blew me away and solidified their spot at the top of my favorites. After a near death incident in the operating room, this album opens up a more personal side of Homme while still keeping that perfect desert sound we all know and love. From the dark opener of ‘Keep Your Eyes Peeled’ to the sentimental title track ‘…Like Clockwork’ that closes out the album, every single moment takes you to a new place in music and Joshua Homme’s mind.
2. AM- Arctic Monkeys
I bought a leather jacket and a jar of pomade because of this album. It is easily the coolest album of the year. A more laid back sound than what some Arctic Monkeys fans are used to, it just doesn’t give a damn as it waltz around your house smoking a cigarette and ashing on your carpet. The entire album is filled with sultry overtones and mesmerizing beats that enter your bloodstream and make you feel as cool as the music sounds. This was my wildcard album for the year and I was thoroughly surprised by how much I enjoyed it.
3. Lightning Bolt- Pearl Jam
‘Lightning Bolt’ was my most anticipated album of the year. After seeing Pearl Jam in July at Wrigley Field and getting to hear a few of the tracks live, I had high hopes when the release came around. I was in no way disappointed. It’s easy to tell Pearl Jam are a bunch of rock and roll dads in these songs, but in no way is that a bad thing. It’s mature for them with still having heavier songs like ‘Mind Your Manners’ which takes you back to their punk roots and shows their sentimental side in ‘Sirens.’ Every single track is so perfectly orchestrated with the instruments and how they interact with Eddie’s vocals and lyrics. It was hard for me to pick my third album for this list because so many deserved this spot but I let my heart pick over my head this time.
Honorable mentions: Trouble Will Find Me- The National, Reflektor- Arcade Fire, Sound City: Real to Reel- Various Artists.
Favorite Artists in 2013:
1. Queens of the Stone Age
2. Pearl Jam
3. Foo Fighters
Best Songs of 2013:
1. Kalopsia- Queens of the Stone Age
2. Cut Me Some Slack- Sound City Players (McCartney/Smear/Novoselic/Grohl)
3. Lose Yourself To Dance- Daft Punk
Favorite Concert of 2013:
- Pearl Jam at Wrigley Field, Chicago
Dream Festival Headliners:
1. Foo Fighters
2. Pearl Jam
3. Queens of the Stone Age
4. Arctic Monkeys
But to cheat a little and make it a true fantasy:
1. Led Zeppelin
2. Pink Floyd
3. The White Stripes
4. Nirvana
Daly's 2013
Best Albums of 2013:
1. Modern Vampires of the City – Vampire Weekend
MVOTC was my favorite album of this year. Released in May, it was the soundtrack to much of my summer. Addictive tracks like “Diane Young” and “Unbelievers” created an irresistible track list.
2. Lightning Bolt – Pearl Jam
After getting the amazing opportunity to see these guys at Wrigley in July (thanks Kitty and Global Citizen), Lightning Bolt was my most highly anticipated album of 2013 – and it did not disappoint. Eddie and the boys produced a flawless work of art featuring some of the most lyrically important songs I have heard in a while. (see: “Getaway,” “Sirens”)
3. Get Up! – Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite
I always tell people there is a Ben Harper for everyone. Whether it’s rock, reggae, or pop, the man has an album that can appeal to almost every genre. Adding to the list, Harper teamed up with blues legend Charlie Musselwhite to tag team this bleeding heart, harmonica ridden masterpiece.
Best Songs of 2013:
1. Don’t Swallow the Cap – The National
2. Came Back Haunted – Nine Inch Nails
3. Do I Wanna Know? – Arctic Monkeys
Favorite Artists in 2013:
1. Jake Bugg
2. Lorde
3. Phoenix
Favorite Concert of 2013:
- Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Dream Festival Headliners:
1. Arcade Fire
2. David Bowie
3. Kings of Leon
4. Jack White
2. David Bowie
3. Kings of Leon
4. Jack White
Taylor's 2013
Best Albums of 2013:
1. …Like Clockwork - Queens of the Stone Age
Good god. If there were anything to say about this album, it would be just that: good god. Never one to fall for any hype, especially hype surrounding a band that I know is capable of putting out incredible music, I was nothing short of hesitant to get pumped for this release. When a band takes a long break between albums, it usually means a big change is coming - not that there’s anything wrong with that - but some of us don’t always embrace change with open arms. If the wait wasn’t enough, an announcement came that the album was set to be met with a touch of Grohl, and the bar was only raised that much higher. But how did it measure up? Exceedingly, that’s how. I’ve never been so blown away by a collection of songs than I was by these ten. Homme’s vulnerability sets up camp, front and center, with lyrics sprinkled in about everything from his brush with death in “I Appear Missing" to his overwhelming love for his daughter in “Kalopsia." Gone are the days of screaming “c-c-c-c-cocaine!” into a microphone (though those days were the best of em), instead replaced with heavy themes and piano ballads. And you can’t praise this album without mentioning those guests: Brody Dalle, Alex Turner, former member Nick Olvieri, Elton John, and of course, good ole Grohl, among others. If 2013 was music’s finest year yet, it could only be for …Like Clockwork.
2. Chalk Tape - Screaming Females
Chalk Tape might not even be considered an album, but it would be unfair to leave the collection of seven songs out of this list, due to their sheer power and the need to expose this painfully talented band. Screamales met my eyes and ears when I caught them opening for Garbage last fall, and off the record, they totally stole the show. Frontwoman Marissa Paternoster could kick some serious ass on guitar if she wasn’t too busy melting faces. Okay, sorry, the cliches are weighing this blurb down but I can’t help it. There is no other earthly way to explain how phenomenal this band is. Their reputation for phenomenal work came again this past winter when the group gave fans an EP in the form of Chalk Tape, a nice handful of wildly diverse tracks. It has everything from toned-down bongo beats to full walls of sound. In true punk form, the whole thing tops out at just over fifteen minutes long, which only leaves you itching for more. Luckily, these guys (and gal) have a pretty deep discography to immerse yourself in. Do yourself a favor and get on that. Right now.
3. Sound City: Real to Reel - Sound City (soundtrack)
Is this cheating too? A soundtrack? Well it really isn’t a soundtrack is it? Who am I talking to? - Sound City has been on my radar for close to two years and has slowly consumed my life. Back when it was just a mixtape and some stickers, I was already so wrapped up in the possibility of this new project, it was an addiction. The film was eventually announced…then the album...and what a treat the whole package was. I definitely got my fix. Who knows whether or not the folks over at Roswell films could secure rights to the songs in the documentary, or if they even dared to try. Perhaps it was Grohl’s idea to work out new tunes with his freshly acquired board and brand new, immensely talented buds. I don’t know and I don’t really care because whatever happened brought us this gem of an album, one that would have never happened any other way. I couldn’t imagine anyone ever dreaming they’d see Lee Ving’s name following up a song penned by Rick Springfield, but it happened, and it was glorious. Rightfully nominated for multiple Grammy awards and even receiving love from the Oscars, this album has everything a music lover needs for a good time…especially Mantra, but I’ll let you cross that bridge yourself. Hold on tight.
Best Songs of 2013:
1. Smooth Sailing - Queens of the Stone Age
2. Crushing the Kingdom - Screaming Females
3. If I Were Me - Sound City (Grohl/Reznor/Homme)
Favorite Artists in 2013:
*Other than ones already mentioned in other lists
1. Sleater-Kinney
2. Spinnerette
3. L7
Favorite Concert of 2013:
- Sound City Players at SXSW, hands down.
Dream Festival Headliners:
(Current bands only)
1. Foo Fighters
2. Screaming Females
3. Queens of the Stone Age
4. Mudhoney
(Without restrictions)
1. Nirvana
2. Led Zeppelin
3. The Doors
4. Hole
Thanks to Ben Siimes, Daly Tongren, Taylor Weese, for contributing to this post along with myself.
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