Saturday, December 21, 2013

The U & U Show 344 | The 20 Best Albums of 2013



Magnolia Electric Co. : It’s Made Me Cry : It’s Made Me Cry EP (2009)
-          From his Record Store Day Release
-          Josephine was his latest full-length
-          Jason Molina’s current moniker he’s releasing music under.
-          Also released music in his name and Songs: Ohia



20 : Volcano Choir : Dancepack : Repave (2013)
-          debut album was 2009's Unmap.
-          Justin Vernon (aka Bon Iver) project with Collections of Colonies of Bees.
-          Bon Iver’s owned the 2008 music world

 

19 : Majical Cloudz : Turns Turns Turns : Impersonator (2013)
-          Debut LP
-          Debut full length, Impersonator, is on its way.
-          Intense and completely engrossing band I caught as an opener for Youth Lagoon.



18 : King Krule : Easy Easy : Six Feet Beneath the Moon (2013)
-          Full length debut. 1 EP out.
-          Aka Archy Marshal… formerly Zoo Kid
-          18 year old British singer/songwriter.
-          Unique vocals highlight the musically restrained tracks.



17 : Marnie Stern : Nothing Is Easy : The Chronicles of Marnia (2013)
-          4th album. 
-          Her previous album was a 2010 Best of the U & U.
-          A wild mix of the joyous unpredictability of Ponytail and the harder Yeah Yeah Yeahs tracks.
-          The band I'm most excited to see play SXSW 2013 of the announced acts so far.



16 : Mikal Cronin : Weight : MCII (2013)
-          S/t solo debut out in 2011.
-          Album is produced by fellow west coaster, Ty Segall.
-          Also in a surf-punk band called the Moonhearts & Ty Segall's backing band, just like Ty's in Mikal's band.



15 : The National : Demons : Trouble Will Find Me (2013)
-          6th album
-          One of two lead singles out now.
-          Has the vibe of their last full length album, 2010's High Violet.



14 : Moonface : Love the House You're In : Julia With Blue Jeans On (2013)
-          3rd full length album from this Spencer Krug (Wolf Parade & Sunset Rubdown) project.
-          Debut, Heartbreaking Bravery, was my pick for best album of 2012.
-          This is album is a solo piano effort.



13 : Wooden Wand : Outsider Blues : Blood Oaths of the New Blues (2013)
-          James Jackson Toth project's forthcoming album.
-          This song will be on my best of 2013, and I know I'm saying that in January.
-          Last release was 2011's Wooden Wand and the Briarwood Virgins.
-          Also released music as WAND after his band left him.
-          SXSW 2012



12 : Gregory Alan Isakov : Saint Valentine : The Weatherman (2013)
-          5th album
-          More traditional-leaning folk singer-songwriter.



11 : Courtney Barnett : History Eraser : The Double EP: A Sea of Split Peas (2013)
-          Re-release of her first two EPs.
-          Alt-indie rock that makes me think of Petty, Dylan and Joan Osborne.
-          25 year old from Australia.
-          Playing CMJ 2013



10 : Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. : War Zone : The Speed of Things (2013)
-          2nd full length. Right off the heels of its teaser Patterns EP.
-          Their 2010 debut EP garnered them a lot of good reviews.
-          The best live band going right now.
-          CBGB Fest.



9 : Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds : We No Who U R : Push Away The Sky (2013)
-          15th studio album
-          Most recent was 2008’s ‘Dig, Lazarus! Dig!!!’ and then his two Grinderman albums.
-          Like a few artists out there, like Lou Reed and Tom Waits, he has a huge cult following and a unique/distinct sound.
-          SXSW 2013



8 : Willis Earl Beal : Coming Through (Feat. Cat Power) : Nobody Knows (2013)
-          2nd full length.
-          Debut was lo-fi, unflattering and didn't show off his insanely powerful voice.
-          Big time comparisons to Tom Waits.



7 : Waxahatchee : Brother Bryan: Cerulean Salt (2013)
-          2nd full length.
-          Project from Kate Crutchfield.
-          Played an impressive solo set at SXSW.
-          Debut was lo-fi and a rougher DIY style album.



6 : Youth Lagoon : Dropla : Wondrous Bughouse (2013)
-          2nd album.
-          Trevor Powers recorded the debut at 20 yrs old
-          Beachy (at times), spacey indie pop.
-          SXSW 2013



5 : Bill Callahan : Small Plane : Dream River (2013)
-          5th solo album.
-          His 4th, Apocalypse, was one of the best albums of 2011.
-          Former leader of Smog.
-          His voice has so much warm, fatherly power. Fall and winter don’t stand a chance.



4 : Way Yes : Mancado : Tog Pebbles (2013)
-          2nd full length.
-          Debut full length, Walkability, was out in 2012 and featured the amazing track 'Important.'
-          If you like this band look up the Listening Party. Also reminiscent of mellower Yeasayer and Yellow Ostrich.
-          CMJ 2012



3 : Kurt Vile : Shame Chamber : Wakin On A Pretty Daze (2013)
-          5th album.
-          Former guitarist for the War On Drugs.
-          He said he was inspired by the album Tusk when making this album.



2 : Foxygen : We Are The 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace and Magic : We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace and Magic (2013)
-          2nd full length.
-          Debut album that was just rereleased after Jagjaguwar signed them in 2011.
-          Funkier Rolling Stones feel.
-          CMJ 2012



1 : Arcade Fire : Reflektor : Reflektor (2013)
-          4th full length
-          Produced by James Murphy and this track sounds like it especially.
-          David Bowie also contributed to the album.
-          This release is going to further propel them into being one of the indie bands with the most mainstream success.




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