Here they are, the 25 albums from 2013 that you need to check out/remember. Enjoy.
PS – You can check out the majority of this list on Spotify here.
—
25) Chelsea Light Moving – Self Titled
Thurston Moore’s new band put out their self titled debut in the first part of 2013, and I’ve been listening to it fairly often ever since. It’s a meaty, noisy indie rock effort that gets better the more time you spend with it.
:Chelsea Light Moving – Burroughs:
24) Thao And The Get Down Stay Down – We The Common
We The Common didn’t resonate with me as much as Thao’s previous two albums, but I still find it to be a really good effort. She continues to be one of my favorite songwriters.
:Thao And The Get Down Stay Down – We The Common:
23) Marnie Stern – The Chronicles Of Marnia
Despite being a long-time fan of Marnie Stern, The Chronicles Of Marnia is the first album of hers that I’ve fully liked. Probably because it’s easily her most focused effort to date.
Check out the album here.
22) The Men – New Moon
I know everyone prefers the Men’s heavier efforts, but I adore the almost folkish indie rock sound that makes up New Moon. Don’t be afraid to toss on headphones for this one.
:The Men – The Seeds:
21) Grape St. – A Date With You
A good chunk of my 2013 was spent singing-a-long with Grape St’s A Date With You. The Austin act sure knows how to put together a catchy garage rock tune.
:Grape St – A Date With You:
20) Terry Malts – Nobody Realizes This Is Nowhere
Terry Malts’ Nobody Realizes This Is Nowhere took a few listens for me to completely warm up to it, but once I did I never wanted to let go. If you like fuzzed-out pop punk, then you need this album.
:Terry Malts – I Was Not There:
19) White Denim – Corsicana Lemonade
Even if you’re not a big fan of White Denim, you have to appreciate how hard they work to constantly expand their sound. Corsicana Lemonade is really nice step forward for them.
:White Denim – At Night In Dreams:
18) Joanna Gruesome – Weird Sister
Weird Sister is one of the more scatterbrained, largely crazy indie pop efforts of 2013, but it works. Here’s hoping Joanna Gruesome never change.
:Joanna Gruesome – Sugarcrush:
17) Foxygen – We Are The 21st Century Ambassadors Of Peace And Magic
Foxygen’s poor/bizarre live showings seem to have soured most people’s opinion of the band, and that’s just too bad. We Are The 21st Century Ambassadors Of Peace And Magic is a really good album that proudly showcases the band’s various influences.
:Foxygen – On Blue Mountain:
16) Bosnian Rainbows – Self Titled
Omar Rodriquez-Lopez (The Mars Volta) and Teri Gender Bender (Le Butcherettes) are at the center of Bosnian Rainbows, and their self titled debut is full of well crafted alt-rock gems. Still not sure how I feel about their name, though.
:Bosnian Rainbows – Morning Sickness:
15) Polica – Shulamith
If you’re pessimistic and happen to remember how high my expectations were for Polica’s Shulamith, then you might look at this “middle of the pack” placement and call the album a disappointment. Believe me though, that would be silly. Lots of great tracks to be had on this one.
:Polica – Chain My Name:
14) The Mantles – Long Enough To Leave
If I had things my way, everyone would start including the Mantles in the first wave of bands that roll out of their mouth whenever the Bay Area comes up in conversation. Long Enough To Leave is loaded with very catchy retro pop tunes.
:The Mantles – Hello:
13) The Octopus Project – Fever Forms
The Octopus Project have long been a solid act, but I think Fever Forms is proof that they’re actually a great one. I’m excited to see where they go from here.
:The Octopus Project – Whitby:
12) Diarrhea Planet – I’m Rich Beyond Your Wildest Dreams
Only one album in 2013 actually made me want to throw up rock horns in a non-ironic way, and it was Diarrhea Planet’s I’m Rich Beyond Your Wildest Dreams. Listen loud.
:Diarrhea Planet – Separations:
11) Haim – Days Are Gone
The girls in Haim have been making music for most of their lives, so of course Days Are Gone is packed with some of 2013’s better crafted pop songs. On another note, this album is a sing-a-long lovers dream.
:Haim – The Wire:
10) A Giant Dog – Bone
Pop punk is fun stuff, but I usually wear the albums out and then promptly shuffle on to something else. This didn’t happen with A Giant Dog’s Bone though, the songs are too good to just let go of.
:A Giant Dog – All I Wanted:
09) Kanye West – Yeezus
Kanye West’s Yeezus is such an intense album that I can’t listen to it on a regular basis. With that being said, I think it’s a stellar piece of work from one of the biggest, most interesting pop stars on the planet.
:Kanye West – New Slaves:
08) Thee Oh Sees – Floating Coffin
Thee Oh Sees release so much music that I always move on to whatever new thing they’re doing instead of allowing the “old” effort to settle. Floating Coffin managed to hook me though, and I plan on jamming the gloriously kinetic album for years to come.
:Thee Oh Sees – Maze Francier:
07) FIDLAR – Self Titled
FIDLAR seem like an act that could fizzle out at any moment, so I’ve been loving them while I can. Their self titled debut is as catchy and loud as I hoped it would be when the band first popped up on my radar last year.
:FIDLAR – Cheap Beer:
06) Sigur Ros – Kveikur
I didn’t think Sigur Ros had a bombastic post rock album in them at this point, but Kveikur is just that. If their last few efforts were too far out in left field for you, then this one should win you back.
:Sigur Ros – Kveikur:
05) Vampire Weekend – Modern Vampires Of The City
If I were to jot down a list of my biggest surprises of 2013, Vampire Weekend’s Modern Vampires Of The City would be at the top. I’ll forever feel sort of silly for assuming they could never be this good.
:Vampire Weekend – Step:
04) Chvrches – The Bones Of What You Believe
Chvrches were pretty much all the rage this year, and it’s easy to see why when listening to The Bones Of What You Believe. There’s just not a bad song anywhere on it.
:Chvrches – Recover:
03) Veronica Falls – Waiting For Something To Happen
I’ve listened to Waiting For Something To Happen at least once a week since it was released back in February. I love the songwriting. Also, I think there’s only a handful of indie pop acts that can claim to be as infectious as Veronica Falls.
:Veronica Falls – Buried Alive:
02) Speedy Ortiz – Major Arcana
Speedy Ortiz’s Major Arcana is a sloppy slice of 90s alt-rock, and I absolutely love it to no end. I only wish I had managed to give the band more love on SOTO throughout the year.
:Speedy Ortiz – Tiger Tank:
01) Mikal Cronin – MCII
Mikal Cronin dominated my 2013 with MCII. From front to back the album is nothing but one stellar pop rock song after another, and it pretty much made me a forever fan of Mikal’s. Here’s hoping a follow-up isn’t too far away.
:Mikal Cronin – Shout It Out:
—
5 Honorable Mentions:
Bleached – Ride Your Heart
Quasi – Mole City
Mirror Travel – Mexico
Russian Circles – Memorial
Action Bronson – Blue Chips 2
