Favorites of 2013 in CD

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Jack of All Parades
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Favorites of 2013 in CD

Post by Jack of All Parades »

For myself- a better year than 2012, listening wise, at least. Though I find the favorites are still dominated by old, established acts and artists but there were a few new introductions for my ears. There is no particular order to this list though the Isbell effort truly does top my 2013 listening favorites:

1 Jason Isbell's Southeastern- no stronger record this year and a new artist to me. His skill with narrative and natural rhyme is impressively strong. His voice is a joy. There was no better song than "Live Oak" this past year for me.

2 The National Trouble Will Find Me- a continuation of their emergence with the earlier High Violet. Hypnotic and mood embracing, songs like "Fireproof" and "I Need My Girl" have seeped into my unconscious listening time. Arguably one of a handful of American bands today that are essential.

3 Arcade Fire Reflektor- I wish I could re release it edited down to an essential one cd. That would be some record. Reflection and earnestness meets the dance floor and the dance floor does not always win. When it does, though, this record reverberates for me in songs like the title track or "Afterlife".

4 Whitehorse The Fate of the World Depends Upon this Kiss- many many thanks to PD for introducing this husband/wife duo from above the 49th parallel to me. Her sultry voice paired with his sinuous Gretch chords and harmony vocals are intoxicating. Nothing has simmered on the turntable this year more for me than their song "Achilles' Desire".

5 Elvis Costello and The Roots Wise Up Ghost- this was such an unexpected treat. Not all of it works[ "Stick Out Your Tongue" or "Grenade"]for me but when it does like with "Walk Us Uptown" or "Come the Meantimes' or the title song contemporary concerns and fears are engaged with passionate lyrics and imbued with an urban angst and rhythm that is fresh to my ears. EC's vocals are also sublime.

6 Norah Jones and Billie Joe Armstrong Foreverly- this one comes out of left field and it really works. Take the classic Everly Brothers record Songs Our Daddy Taught Usand revisit it in 2013 with a male/female perspective. An homage that brings the dark tales from the original album alive hopefully for new listeners.

7 Neil Young Live at The Cellar Door- a live set in the archives series that goes back to late 1970. His voice is gorgeous and the solo piano numbers[five of them] are to be treasured. I am in love with his simplified version of "Learning to Fly".

8 Jill Barber Chansons- another PD introduction and this one just sparkles. There is not a dud on the record. A classic representation of the French/Quebecois chanteuse tradition. I know it is good because my oldest daughter's French boyfriend took my copy, he loved the record so. I immediately replaced it.

9 Tom Jones "Spirit in the Room"- Tom has the goods these days and his performance on this record of the old ballad "Lone Pilgrim" and Paul Simon's "Love and Blessings" testify to this. Like last year's "What Good am I?", he now owns Leonard Cohen's "Tower of Song".

10 Rodney Crowell and Emmylou Harris Old Yellow Moon- my guilty pleasure this year and a joyous celebration of close harmony singing to boot. Also my favorite concert of the year.

11 Bob Dylan Another Self-Portrait Bootleg Vol 10- by stripping away the frou frou arrangements of the original and restoring items consigned to the editing floor like the gorgeous "Pretty Saro" Bob reclaimed an album for me.

12 Vampire Weekend Modern Vampires of the City- their strongest record to date. They now totally have the goods as a working band and a sound that is distinct and that should give them some career mileage. Young people on the loose in the big city confronting their impending lives and eventual ends. Fun meets angst and one has to grow up fast.

13 Peter Beets Portrait of Peterson- improvisational jazz that is strong and vibrant just like the influence being celebrated on the record. Saw his working NYC unit earlier this year at Smalls in the Village and I was blown away by their tightness and execution and 'joie de vivre'.

I would add two honorable mentions: Richard Thompson's Electric- it reminded me of how great a player and writer he can be- his live performance that I saw earlier this year almost stole the show from Crowell and Harris. The Beatles Live at the BBC Vol 2 - as if I needed further evidence of their strengths as a working unit this album further cements them for me. The humor is infectious and I find it so funny to listen to them doing song shout-outs to various people in the UK- it is not unlike listening to a local radio program here featuring some new and upcoming artist. Eerie and most strange and sweet.
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Re: Favorites of 2013 in CD

Post by Poor Deportee »

"Live Oak" vies with Vampire Weekend's "Step" for Song of the Year in my book. Very different songs, but both absolutely outstanding.

I can't add to Jack's list (I was going to nominate AC Newman's Shut Down the Streets, but a quick search reveals that it was actually released in October 2012!). Great post, though!
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Re: Favorites of 2013 in CD

Post by Otis Westinghouse »

My top 10 more or less in order and their standout tracks would be:

1. The National Trouble Will Find Me
Seeing them live only confirms their magnificence. I'm not sure there's a better band out there at present. My song of the year has to be:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSEPs3r1yMk

2. Prefab Sprout Crimson/Red
Pop heaven despite the drum machine. Three or four songs here are up with anything he's ever done, especially the madly joyous and infectious Billy, in which the addressee has mastered a trumpet found buried in the snow by practising it long and slow, playing with feeling, and the song's protagonist is somewhat randomly in love with Susan.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUt4AZ3J42A

3. Lloyd Cole Standards
My hero returns with his best solo album since Love Story. Sublime. Can't wait to see him backed by The Leopards in January, not least when they do this, another slow, sublime 2013 classic:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcDUDm4nNm8

4. David Bowie the Next Day
Great to have him back with a very strong album. Not as great as Heathen for me, but with a sublime single at its heart. The huge success of the V&A Bowie Is... show, the great Five Years docu and the general buzz around the man and his legacy in the first half of the year was heaven for me, with the impressive twist that he himself never appeared anywhere:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0RcyLaEK1k

5. John Grant Pale Green Ghosts
I love this man, his voice, his words, and his was one of the best in a great year of gigs for me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1K98pS3ZLHs

6. Vampire Weekend Modern Vampires of the City
With you all the way on Step, PD, the standout track on a very good Vamps third album all round. That song has stuck in my head and won't leave it. Happened today, for example. Love the vulnerable vocal, the harpsichord part, and the fantastic melody. Nice edit of their three songs from this year's Later appearance here, with Diane Young, Step (c. 2.53) and Unbelievers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DUNBs5fX0E

7. Arcade Fire Reflektor
Maybe not as impressive in pure songwriting terms as its predecessor, but still full of interest, vitality and originality. They have obvious influences but a sound and feel that is uniquely theirs, and I love it. It may sprawl a bit, but hey, that's why it's on 2 CDs. I wouldn't cut any of it. I totally applaud putting out 2 CDs over one overlong one, and keep it that way on the iPod.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bdij2SWvnsc

8. Elvis and the Roots WUG
'Nuff said already, very good but not as great as hoped. Tripwire a classic, but Puppet a very strong runner-up:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywocxxfzxQU

9. Ron Sexsmith Forever Endeavour
Not in his top 5, but still full of lovely stuff, and so great to see it at the Royal Albert Hall in March. Especially this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fctu9oAhBFw

10. Villagers {Awayland}
A progression in terms of arrangements and production, but not as stunning a set as the brilliant debut album. Fun and very literal video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uSTkb3s5Xs

It's been a pretty strong year for favourite artists of mine both from my teens (or earlier!) and more recent. Not one of the above was a first time purchasing a CD by the artist for me, but I'm more interested in exploring stuff that's going to give me meaning and connection than following the new for the sake of it, as some are wont too. I am aware of lots of other stuff I could be getting into had I the time. Honourable mentions here too for Johnny Marr's The Messenger (and what a great gig that was), Laura Marling's Once I Was An Eagle, Laura Mvula's exciting debut Sing To The Moon, Edwyn Collins' Understated and most of the Daft Punk album, especially that monster hit.

Albums I would like to get are the second ones by James Blake and Anna Calvi (she was great on Later), the alleged returns to form for Franz Ferdinand and the Manics, and Laura Veirs' latest.
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Re: Favorites of 2013 in CD

Post by Who Shot Sam? »

My purchases have fallen way off this year, so I don't know that I'd have ten to include. Very much enjoyed WUG. In addition i will put in a good word for Richard Thompson's Electric. Would also echo the praise for the Dylan Self Portrait re-issue and Bowie.
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Re: Favorites of 2013 in CD

Post by Who Shot Sam? »

Don't know how I left Laura Marling off my list, but she's probably be at the top.
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Re: Favorites of 2013 in CD

Post by Otis Westinghouse »

I gave it a reference, and I am impressed by it and her, but something stops me from returning to it. Feels like a few plays are enough. Enjoyed her gig, though.
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Re: Favorites of 2013 in CD

Post by Richard »

A year where my listening mostly stayed with the familiar – Bragg, Cave, Costello, Oldham, Sexsmith and Mark E Smith. But a few newer artists managed to find a way to get great stuff noticed.

ALBUMS OF THE YEAR

Atoms For Peace – Amok
In reality Thom Yorke’s solo follow-up to The Eraser. But this time with expert assistance from Flea and Joey Waronker. It has been criticized for some seemingly pedestrian lyrical turns. I think you will overlook this when you are seduced by the groove.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWrUEsVrdSU

Billy Bragg – Tooth and Nail
Billy has flirted with country sounds throughout his career. Here he finds a way to blend his love of Americana more fully with his worldview. Billy is asking the big questions, or at least the big questions for a middle-aged politicized atheist. The songs feel more like songs and not the leaden polemic he has occasionally served up in the past.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xDd-BvClH8

Bonnie Prince Billy and Dawn McCarthy – What The Brothers Sang
Will Oldham has been the deepest, darkest, most affecting of those lumped into the Americana basket this century. Here he harmonizes with Dawn McCarthy who was on his Bonnie Prince Billy album The Letting Go. They tackle a selection of Everly Brothers tunes and avoid the obvious. Not as essential as the Oldham penned Bonnie Prince Billy albums but still find myself playing it often.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfFdEZd5g_Q


Eleanor Friedberger – Personal Record
This is Eleanor’s 2nd solo album away from her brother Matt and their Fiery Furnaces collaboration. As an entry point into the FF’s often challenging discography this album would be a great start.
Personal Record is a catchy selection of classic pop stylings that don’t completely smooth out the expected Friedberger idiosyncrasies.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kb0yehPyEJU

Elvis Costello And The Roots – Wise-up Ghost
If Elvis’ lyrics often create their meaning through tone and context rather than literal interpretation, what happens when he moves that tone and context? If Wise-up Ghost is any indication the re-configured lyrical motifs sparkle and simmer breathing new life into his word play without denying any oxygen to their original home.
Their new context is set into a Roots groove that coerces Elvis to sing with more melody and restraint than he has shown in a few of his post-millennium releases.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ydig8n1jw-8

The Fall – Re-Mitt
Ever had a friend or family member sucked into the world of a cult? Fallen into the clutches of a Moonie, a Hare Krishna, a jazz fan? You listen to their arguments and they are baffled that you are not open to their craziness.
Welcome to the world of the Fall fan. I only have 23 of their 30 albums so I may not fully qualify. But here I am calling Re-Mitt one of the years best so I am maybe in deeper than I should.
Fall Heads Roll may be the last classic Fall album but Re-Mitt offers enough to keep you going back to it
As Mark E Smith’s voice has aged it gurgles, groans and growls more than sings. Less a vehicle for his always interesting lyrics and more another instrument in the mix.
When you can discern lyrics he references James Murphy, the ancient Hittites debt reduction schemes and a life after meth.
Sir William Wray, Jet Plane and Loadstones will be the most accessible to those familiar with the Fall back catalogue.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rl5l1ErGtkE

Foxygen – We Are The 21st Century Ambassadors Of Peace And Magic
Something borrowed, something new. Foxygen’s first full length not lost in the indie ghetto is a marriage of styles and influences. Dylan, disco, homages to San Francisco, Sly Stone samples all blend, if not seamlessly, with enough charm and wit to keep this spinning on your hard drive.
‘There's no need to be an asshole, you're not in Brooklyn anymore.’
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtdWGGpvY1s

Nick Cave – Push the Sky Away
No Mick Harvey after 36 years with the Bad Seeds. His musical vision has been integral to Nick Cave’s musical vision for so long it was intriguing to hear what Cave would be capable of without him.
To soften the blow Barry Adamson renewed his acquaintance with the Bad Seeds, last seen on their debut in 1986.
The result is a powerful dark twin to Billy Bragg’s Tooth and Nail. A middle-aged man deciphering where he has been and what may lie ahead. (Strangely both albums reference the Higgs Boson particle.)
Nick cave is alone in referencing Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GWsdqCYvgw

Ron Sexsmith – Forever Endeavour
So remarkably consistent it is hard not to take Ron Sexsmith for granted. Forever Endeavour is one the year’s most enjoyable releases. There is not much here to win over new fans, but that shouldn’t discourage the faithful.
Maybe only Townes Van Zandt in his lifetime was a more underappreciated great songwriter. And at least Townes had people knocking down his door to record his songs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4d31vuiNsp8

Vampire Weekend – Modern Vampires In The City
A gentle melancholic opening with Obvious Bicycle and then half a dozen songs that in any other era would have been career defining hit singles.
It is great to have such a literate blast of pop still able to find an outlet.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mDxcDjg9P4

Yo La Tengo - Fade
Fade is a slice of the gentle side of Yo La Tengo. Their recent concerts opened with an acoustic set that highlighted the delicate nature of Fade, but they finished the live shows with more of the sonic guitar overdrives to drive home the message that they hadn’t gone completely mellow.
Don’t le this mellowness suggest a loss of quality though. This is a beautiful album, full of experiment within the confines of restraint. Great songwriting and playing is all over Fade, as to be expected.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJyjzHIgqr4


SINGLES OF THE YEAR

Cayucas – High School Lover
You may be sick of this. But the lyrics still make me smile. Surely a Beach Boys classic for the 2000s? Just hearing this will thaw whatever winter chills are blowing down your street right now.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Io8PqddrRIs

Daft Punk – Get Lucky
Irresistible!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5EofwRzit0

Parquet Courts – Stoned And Starving
They sound as though they are channeling Roadrunner and Pablo Picasso era Modern Lovers. (Not that Jonathan Richman would have been stoned or starving!) And isn’t that enough?
Released in 2012 but not anywhere it would be noticed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_X6FaHq9jQ

Phosphorescent – Song For Zula
Song For Zula is an epic in every way imaginable. But manages to avoid the bombast that such a description might evoke.
Even manages to be a kind of answer song to Johnny Cash’s Ring Of Fire.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPxQYhGpdvg

Tame Impala – Elephant
Ok this one really is 2012 but I don’t always catch on that quickly.
The one Tame Impala song that is good enough that you can ignore the singer’s awful John Lennon pastiche singing style.
‘He pulled the mirrors off his Cadillac
'Cause he doesn't like it looking like he looks back
He talks like his opinion is a simple fact.’
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnKUD_OztRE
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Re: Favorites of 2013 in CD

Post by Otis Westinghouse »

Hi Richard, good to see you round these parts, and nice choices here. Second glowing ref to Foxygen of the day (along with the Grammy list cited on WUG thread). had never heard of them before. With you all the way with Ron. I have more Fall than I know what to do with, but nothing can match the early years. Atoms ForPeace didn't scream Buy Me, despite being a Yorke release. A couple of other interesting things here to follow up too.
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Re: Favorites of 2013 in CD

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"Elvis Costello And The Roots – Wise-up Ghost
If Elvis’ lyrics often create their meaning through tone and context rather than literal interpretation, what happens when he moves that tone and context? If Wise-up Ghost is any indication the re-configured lyrical motifs sparkle and simmer breathing new life into his word play without denying any oxygen to their original home.
Their new context is set into a Roots groove that coerces Elvis to sing with more melody and restraint than he has shown in a few of his post-millennium releases.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ydig8n1jw-8"

That might well be the best writing on this particular album I have read. You catch the essence of the album in three well chosen sentences. Magnificient job. 8)
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Re: Favorites of 2013 in CD

Post by Richard »

Thanks Otis. Both you and Jack's lists point me to things I may have overlooked or dismissed too easily. Always nice to be directed to new stuff also.

And Jack - thank you very much. Your own literate contributions are one of the reasons I keep coming back to read the Board so flattered to get a compliment from you.
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Re: Favorites of 2013 in CD

Post by Jack of All Parades »

I really enjoyed reading your list. You did something that is hard to do- making choices and then backing them up with cogent and distinctive reasons. I too often am flabby in my prose-bloated and repetitive. You have set a solid example for me to follow. Thank you, too, for your kind words. Plano- is that anywhere near Austin? My daughter and her boyfriend just came back from a four day visit to that city and were really impressed with the locale. She also now has a firmer appreciation of Lyndon Johnson. She brought me back a bat themed Christmas ornament which features Austin. Apparantly there exist some extensive and very famous bat caves in the area that they visited. The exodus at night from the caves and bridge arches around them is supposedly spectacular. She also liked the music clubs and barbecue.
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Re: Favorites of 2013 in CD

Post by Richard »

Jack - Plano is suburban Dallas, so none of the charm or uniqueness of Austin which is about 4 hours south of us.

I would recommend a visit to Austin. Always great music playing live. My current favorite Austin export is White Denim. I would recommend their album D.

Waterloo records is one of the best independent record stores around. Also plenty of interesting and exotic restaurants.

The SXSW film and music festival is there each March. Also home to Austin City Limits, the music TV show and the 3 day music festival.

I am glad your daughter had a fun visit. Nice when word sneaks out that we are not all right wing, creationist extremists living in the lone star state.
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Re: Favorites of 2013 in CD

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Richard- I am most intrigued by your notes on the city and by my daughter's report of her visit. I hope to go there one day if only for the glorious bluebonnets that dot the landscape. Nice to know there is an oasis of sanity in a state I am too often ready to write off as one I would not be caught dead visiting. My neice, who is a working musician based out of New Orleans, frequently plays with her band up in Austin. She, too, loves the place and makes good usage of the hot spring pools. I was surprised when I did some more research that it has the population it has- it is a big city- but what else should I expect from that State. You have helped to put it on the travel map for me and my wife.
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Re: Favorites of 2013 in CD

Post by Richard »

Jack - Austin is indeed a fun place to visit. You are right to note it is a bigger city than it's Potrland-like reputation suggests. It is the state capitol and business and politics are as part of the mix as the music, food and 'Keep Austin Weird' atmosphere.

As for the rest of the state? Well I know you would not have to look too hard to find some Rick Perry or Ted Cruz types to confirm your worst fears. But hopefully you would be able to move on and discover some of the friendly, approachable and more open-mined citizens of this large state. Even in a conservative strong-hold where I live it is possible to find like-minded souls to share progressive ideas. Since day 1 here I have marveled at the diversity at my kids schools. A united nations of that includes almost every continent.

Politically Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, Houston (with an openly gay mayor) and other main cities trend Democrat. The state is still held in sway by the smaller towns and suburbs that hold a much more conservative stance. Our population grows each year with the southward migration of rust-belt refugees and the local hispanic population it is possible that we see Texas switch from red to blue.

What you might like to see? Go west to see the traditional cowboy landscape. It is expansive and beautiful. All the way west in the pan-handle you will see the Palo Duro Canyon. A smaller version of the Grand Canyon.
In Houston go to the Johnson Space Center and view the glories from NASA's salad days. You can view an almost complete Saturn V rocket.
Make sure you see Galveston, but not before reading Isaac's Storm by Erik Larson about the devastating hurricane of 1900.
Dallas has a shiny new arts district that should have a play or classical concert or art gallery (make sure to see the Nasher Sculpture Center) to occupy a night or two. In between spend an evening in Deep Ellum, Dallas' traditional blues neighborhood that has slowly been reviving. Of course stopping to pay homage at the outer facade of 508 Park Avenue where Robert Johnson recorded 1/2 his songs - the other 1/2 were recorded at the Gunter Hotel in San Antonio.

Maybe head north to Denton to see some more local indie bands. It is second only to Austin for live music.

And if it is summer you would have to take in a ball-game at Rangers Ballpark. One of the best designed of the newer ballparks. And a friendly atmosphere even for visiting fans. Just be sure to choose a night game or choose seat on the shady side. It gets intensely hot.

Alright that is enough shilling for Texas. If you can in the Dallas area use the DART light-rail. Everywhere in Texas traffic is congested and full of tolls.
The beauty of the state is its people and the natural wonders. Mostly the big cities are modern monstrosities with no mountains or gorgeous harbors to distract the eye. Urban sprawl has been the go to design concept for a few decades!

I hope that helps.
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Re: Favorites of 2013 in CD

Post by Jack of All Parades »

Richard, that closes the deal-Texas bound in my future. One area that has always intrigued me is the Big Bend area around El Paso.

A few more best of lists from various sources:

http://johannasvisions.com/best-albums- ... magazines/

I like how they all seem to enjoy The National, Vampire Weekend and my favorite- Mr. Isbell :D
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Re: Favorites of 2013 in CD

Post by Otis Westinghouse »

Ouch, nasty 'greengrocer's apostrophe' there. Curious how similar the British lists are and how Bowie and Vampires are big all round. EC & Roots gets some showings (credit to Countdown Kid's influence on American Songwriter list for top 10 listing). Interesting how American John Grant is in the Brit top 10s but nowhere on the American lists. Nice to see Prefab S get recognition for the brilliant new record, but heartbreaking for me to find no ref to Lloyd Cole's magnificent Standards anyway, despite some glowing reviews from the Brits. The Isbell certainly gets some good rankings. Not my cup of tea, personally.
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Re: Favorites of 2013 in CD

Post by invisible Pole »

Finally found some time to look back at the year in music.
Lots of excellent albums in 2013, a few potential inclusions still waiting to be listened to (Cass McCombs, Kings Of Leon).

FAVOURITE ALBUMS (random order)

Prefab Sprout - Crimson/Red
Vampire Weekend - Modern Vampires Of The City
The National - Trouble Will Find Me
Elvis Costello & The Roots - Wise Up Ghost
Lloyd Cole - Standards
Franz Ferdinand - Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action
Bill Callahan - Dream River
David Bowie - The Next Day
Ron Sexsmith - Forever Endeavour
Manic Street Preachers - Rewind

Honourable mentions:
Nick Cave - Push The Sky Away
Suede - Bloodsports
Neko Case - The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You
Billy Bragg - Tooth & Nail
Johnny Marr - The Messenger

FAVOURITE SONGS

Vampire Weekend - Ya Hey
Prefab Sprout - Billy
The National - Pink Rabbits
Suede - It Starts And Ends With You
Franz Ferdinand - Evil Eye
EC & The Roots - Tripwire
Manic Street Preachers - Show Me The Wonder
Lloyd Cole - Myrtle And Rose
Ron Sexsmith - Autumn Light
David Bowie - Where Are We Now

Honourable mentions:
Arcade Fire - Afterlife
Nick Cave - We No Who U R
Daft Punk - Get Lucky
Arctic Monkeys - Do I Wanna Know?
Jake Bugg - What Doesn't Kill You
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Re: Favorites of 2013 in CD

Post by Otis Westinghouse »

Wow, some huge overlaps there with mine. Nice list, and good to actually see someone else celebrating the magnificent Myrtle and Rose. I love the way it has no break from verse/chorus at all until quite late in the song, and when it comes it's a simple but spellbinding piece of guitar. Can't wait for the month to pass till I see Lloyd again with the Leopards in tow. That song, and not to mention Forest Fire, hopefully with a suitably immense finale.

I got a free album download voucher and went for Rewind The Film. Show Me The Wonder certainly sticks in the head. I love the Hawley/Bradfield combo on the title track.

Pink Rabbits a fine, fine choice from The National. Interesting that you go for Ya Hey over Step.

I briefly checked out a bit of Bill Callahan. First impression was it didn't grab me as much as the end of year praise made me thing it would, but maybe I'd say the same about Ron Sexsmith if I heard him for the first time, so will play some more.
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Re: Favorites of 2013 in CD

Post by Jack of All Parades »

I was most pleased to see Mr. Isbell sweep the major honors at the 2014 Americana Music celebration last month- Album of the Year, Artist of the Year and Song of the Year. Well deserved and for me simply the best record I heard last year- bar none.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q= ... KApJ0ooCig
"....there's a merry song that starts in 'I' and ends in 'You', as many famous pop songs do....'
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Jeremy Dylan
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Re: Favorites of 2013 in CD

Post by Jeremy Dylan »

His performance on the night was a real barn burner also.
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Re: Favorites of 2013 in CD

Post by Jack of All Parades »

I did not see the awards show- did you go? But I can certainly imagine the power of his performance. I was fortunate to catch him last late summer here in NYC in 2013 when he gave a free show around Lincoln Center. I also caught on public TV back in the late winter/early spring a filmed show he did for members of Lincoln Center in their new Rose Theater with a beautiful backdrop of Columbus Circle with all the traffic in the evening flowing back and forth. He and his wife and his band were captivating. He had not been on my radar until last year- now I cannot imagine him not being on it. His songwriting has a narrative muscularity and attention to specific detail that few possess. His voice is a rich, evocative tenor and he can play his instrument as I saw recently on a clip from his appearance a number of years back when he backed up Justin Townes Earle. In my gut- I think he will be around a long, long time- if he stays sober. His song "Live Oak" was the best thing I heard last year-it consistently holds my attention:

http://youtu.be/OAs05x28wwM
"....there's a merry song that starts in 'I' and ends in 'You', as many famous pop songs do....'
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Re: Favorites of 2013 in CD

Post by Jeremy Dylan »

Jack of All Parades wrote:I did not see the awards show- did you go?
I did, and had a ball. What Michelle Aquilato and the team put together for that show every year is really remarkable. Isbell was terrific, but it was real smorgasboard of great stuff this year - Patty Griffin and Robert Plant, Jackson Browne, Buddy Miller & Jim Lauderdale, Sarah Jarosz, Rosanne Cash...
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Re: Favorites of 2013 in CD

Post by Jack of All Parades »

Ms. Cash is appearing up the road this weekend in Poughkeepsie, NY. Would love to catch her show given the strength of her last record, "The River", released in January of this year. I need to save my coin, though, your namesake's definitive 6 cd opus is coming on November4th. 8)
"....there's a merry song that starts in 'I' and ends in 'You', as many famous pop songs do....'
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Re: Favorites of 2013 in CD

Post by Jeremy Dylan »

It's your money, but I would say... you can buy the box set any time, but the show is a unique moment in music.
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Re: Favorites of 2013 in CD

Post by Jack of All Parades »

I know that the stage announcer on "Mountain Stage" regularly ends the program with the admonition 'get out there and enjoy some live music'- but with one daughter still in college and tuition bills coming regularly- the entertainment dollar only goes so far- I did recently catch Chris Hillman and Herb Pederson in my town and that was quite the treat- a 'live' original Byrd and Burrito Brother on the main street of my hometown. I will counter argue back that the forthcoming complete and definitive Basement Tapes release is certainly a "unique moment in music".
"....there's a merry song that starts in 'I' and ends in 'You', as many famous pop songs do....'
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