Killrobotmusic///2013
Oh boy another 2013 list I wonder what will be on it. |
| 20 |  | Thundercat
Apocalypse
I was impressed with how well Thundercat was able to smoothly integrate his nasty
bass chops into fluid, lively R&B tracks. TOP TRACKS: "Heartbreaks + Setbacks,"
"Tron Song" |
| 19 |  | Pigeon
Big Survival
I doubt anyone on here knows of this band since they are a local NJ/NY group, but if
you like post-hardcore in the vein of Bear vs. Shark or Victor! Fix the Sun, I would
highly recommend giving these guys a listen (Name your price d/l @
http://pigeonny.bandcamp.com/album/big-survival). TOP TRACKS: "Meditation on
Ignorance," "Young Lovers" |
| 18 |  | The Dodos
Carrier
I didn't like this album as much as I liked No Color, but there are some good tracks on
here nonetheless. The lighter vibe allows you to really feel the different layers in each
track. TOP TRACKS: "Substance," "Strangers" |
| 17 |  | Colin Stetson
New History Warfare Vol. 3: To See More Light
I think I like this album more as a piece of art than an actual album (whatever the
hell that means). Stetson is a beast as usual, but he works in some melody in really
brilliant ways in certain parts of the album. TOP TRACKS: "To See More Light," Among
the Sef" |
| 16 |  | Pelican
Forever Becoming
Not really much to say here, except for that this is a pretty solid post-metal album.
There is almost a bit of an Isis vibe to a few of the tracks. TOP TRACKS: "Deny the
Absolute," "Immutable Dusk" |
| 15 |  | My Bloody Valentine
m b v
This album might have been higher in the order if I had a better quality version of it,
but I enjoyed a lot of what I heard. I'm ashamed to admit that this album is my first
foray into MBV. TOP TRACKS: "Who Sees You," "New You" |
| 14 |  | Cloudkicker
Subsume
Ben Sharp gave us the most punishing Cloudkicker album since Beacons this year,
and while it lacks the immediacy of its predecessor, Subsume is still one hell of a
sonic journey. TOP TRACKS: "A Weather Front was Stalled Out...," "You Could Laugh
Forever but Never End up Happy" |
| 13 |  | Local Natives
Hummingbird
I found Hummingbird to be somewhat unbalanced, but when it hits, it hits hard. I
really liked how they went into a more atmospheric direction with this one. TOP
TRACKS: "Mt. Washington," "Breakers" |
| 12 |  | Justin Timberlake
The 20/20 Experience
If you told me a few years ago that I would have Justin Timberlake on a end of the
year list I would have laughed at you. I don't this this album deserves a lot of the
hype that it gets on here, but the final two tracks are nearly perfect. Irregardless, a
very important album for mainstream pop. TOP TRACKS: "Mirrors," "Blue Ocean
Floor" |
| 11 |  | Sigur Ros
Kveikur
Another hit and miss album for me, but the aggressive direction really surprised me in
a good way. I think these guys are still at their best in tracks like "Hrafntinna" with its
dramatic flourishes and choruses. TOP TRACKS: "Hrafntinna," "Brennisteinn"Your
Reason |
| 10 |  | Boards of Canada
Tomorrow's Harvest
Like MBV, this album marked another late introduction for me to a pretty seminal
group. While the middle of the album kind of drags, the beginning and end are truly
some awe-inspiring stuff. TOP TRACKS: "Reach for the Dead," "New Seeds" |
| 9 |  | Kurt Vile
Wakin on a Pretty Daze
This album is the epitome of "chill." Vile does an excellent job of stretching out his
tracks without making them come across as boring or overly redundant. A great
driving album. TOP TRACKS: "Wakin on a Pretty Day," "Girl Called Alex" |
| 8 |  | Laura Stevenson
Wheel
I was pretty hyped for this album, and for the most part, it delivers. As usual, Laura is
still her best when its just her beautiful voice with a light instrumental
accompaniment. TOP TRACKS: "The Wheel, "The Hole" |
| 7 |  | Queens of the Stone Age
...Like Clockwork
An impressive return to form after the lackluster Era Vulgaris. It's too bad every track
isn't as good as "I Appear Missing," but the album's variation, from the pummeling
"My God is the Sun" to the sludgy "Keep Your Eyes Peeled" keeps this album feeling
fresh. TOP TRACKS: "I Appear Missing," "...Like Clockwork" |
| 6 |  | Buried Beds
In Spirit
This band deserves some more love; they are truly excellent and this album is a great
listen. A mix of Decemberists-esque theatricality and intellect with some really
intricate baroque pop instrumental arrangements. And to top everything off, the
album is based off of different kinds of myths, legends, and history (check out their
website for more info). TOP TRACKS: "Stars," "Begin Again" |
| 5 |  | Deafheaven
Sunbather
Geoff Rickly said everything about this album in his TheTalkHouse review way better
than I ever could, but I only continue to discover more about this album the more I
listen to it. TOP TRACKS: "Dream House," "Sunbather" |
| 4 |  | Daft Punk
Random Access Memories
Another album that I had no idea I would actually like, but did anyway. As an
audiophile, the production alone is enough to wow me, but there are also some really
great tracks if you dig beneath the already fine singles. TOP TRACKS: "Give Life Back
to Music," "Instant Crush" |
| 3 |  | Deerhunter
Monomania
This album was a big departure from the shoegaze-y direction that Deerhunter had
been dabbling with, but it turns out that they can do garage punk really well, too.
Despite the lo-fi vibe, there are some really brilliant layering that go behind tracks.
TOP TRACKS: "The Missing," "Sleepwalking" |
| 2 |  | The National
Trouble will Find Me
Most bands would be lambasted for putting out similar sounding albums again and
again, but most bands don't do it as well as The National. The band has only
continued to hone its trademark sound on this album, as tracks like the stunning
"Pink Rabbits" or the driving "Graceless" attest to. If The National keeps on putting
out quality albums like this one, I won't mind if they don't try to reinvent the musical
wheel. TOP TRACKS: "Pink Rabbits, "Humiliation" |
| 1 |  | Arcade Fire
Reflektor
If I love the National for their consistency, I love Arcade Fire to the absolute opposite
reason. Sure, after winning a Grammy they could have made a safe, Springstein-
esque rock album, but they just had to go and make some crazy double album that is
all over the place. The album is overlong and a bit of a mess at some points, but that
is part of the reason I like it so much. But the musical journey that this album takes
its listener on is one hell of an experience, and it's one I don't mind taking often. TOP
TRACKS: "Reflektor," "Awful Sound (Oh Eurydice)" |
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