[Yoooreds]

Hi everyone, I'm new this group, but I assume I'll fit right in.

I am lucky to work in a job where I can play music all day, so I'm able to discover tonnes of new stuff.

I also keep a record of my top 20 albums each year. They are obviously not to everyone's taste, but of course that is what music s all about.

I don't yet have permissions to post my albums of 2013 in the right spot, so here it is as a sample of my musical taste.

Best Wishes

See post below

[Yoooreds]

My Favourite albums of 2013. Final List

Firstly numbers 20-11. No
description or thoughts, as we I’m saving that for the Top 10. On the off chances anyone is curious, I have added an (S) if it’s available on Spotify.

20. Arctic Monkeys - AM (S)
19. Airbag - Greatest Show on earth (S)
18. Big Big Train - English Electric Part 1 (S)
17. Nosound - Afterthoughts (S)
16. Agnes Obel – Aventine (S)
15. Leafblade - The Kiss of Spirit and Flesh (S)
14. Wooden Shjips - Back to Land (S)
13. Public Service Broadcast - Inform Educate Inform (S)
12. Bill Callahan - Dream River
11. Sound of Contact - Dimensionaut (S)

OK Top 10 of 2013. A few surprises in here, though probably not the top two, which have not moved, most of the year.


10. Blackfield - Blackfield IV
An odd, but listenable departure from the old formula. This time inviting guest vocalists to sing on, what turns out to be the best tracks. X-Ray features vocals from Vincent Cavanagh (Anathema), The Only Fool is Me, with Jonathan Donohue (Mercury Rev & The Flaming Lips) and the brilliant Firefly with the strtfantastic voice of Brett Anderson (Suede). Steven e took up vocal trtsstrstttson three other tracks, most notably Pills.


09. Bruce Soord and Jonas Renke - Wisdom of Crowds
A collaboration between the electronic loops, guitar and production of Bruce Soord (Pineapple Thief) and the distinctive vocals of Jonas Renke (Katatonia). I saw them perform most of the tracks from this album at the K-Scope 5th Anniversary Gigs and they were great, particularly the stand out track, Frozen North

Bruce Soord With Jonas Renkse – Wisdom of Crowds

The next three albums are quite mainstream. For me anyway.

08. The Editors - Weight of your Love
The Editors fourth album, and first after a major line-up change, is also quite a difference in sound. Much less a clone of say Interpol, and according to frontman Tom Smith, more R.E.M. & Arcade Fire, (though I don’t hear it). To me just much more their own sound, with great vocals throughout. It’s still downbeat (which is obviously good) and most songs seem to sing of love lost, (always a great subject)

Editors – The Weight Of Your Love

07. Daft Punk - Random Access Memories
A thousand miles from my usual taste, and totally mainstream, in the extreme. Featuring worldwide mega hit Get Lucky, featuring Nile Rodgers. This is basically a classic 1970s/early 80s synthesiser album by the French Duo in silly crash hats, recorded 40 years on. Unlike their previous three albums, this time recorded with real guest musicians, in a real studio and with real authentic 1970’s synthesisers. In part a tribute to disco pioneer Georgio Moroder, and his sound. In summary, one for the car.

Daft Punk – Random Access Memories

06. London Grammar - If you wait
Annoyingly (in a good way), a recommendation from Nikki, and Mr. Brailsford, both famed for their dubious musical taste IMHO. This debut album by ridiculously young trio, has received outstanding reviews, and it is the voice of Hannah Reid and ‘troubled teenage years. The production is brilliant capturing her voice perfectly. In summary Headphone music


OK Top five and a real leap in quality. All five could be at number one in another year. All five downbeat and suitably depressing.


05. TesseracT - Altered State
The casual listener will probably struggle with this one, as it is a little difficult to penetrate. It is wall of sound/noise. Like a heavier denser version of Pure Reason Revolution’s classic album, The Dark Third. Giving this one time and choosing wisely when to blast you ear drums will pay huge dividends. A great album worthy of the top 5 position.

TesseracT - Altered State

04. Riverside - Shrine of New Generation Slaves
A disappointingly brilliant fifth album from Poland’s finest Progressive. Why disappointing? Well this album is more the same very high standard, and possibly their best album since Second Life Syndrome. One feels that Riverside however have a gigantic bonafide classic in them. One which blows everything in it’s path, out of the water. This is not quite it, and will have to settle for a brilliant 9.5/10. I saw them at Islington O2 Academy, and as ever they were awesome. Indeed they return in the New Year. Tickets booked.

Riverside – Shrine Of New Generation Slaves

03. Midlake – Antiphon
The surprise package in this year’s list. I discovered it via numerous end of year polls and I’m glad I did. Melancholy and almost orchestral in places, I found this easy to like on first hearing, then improve with time. I’m not familiar with their other output, but will delve further in the new year. Note to listeners. Side two, from Vale onwards is where this album truly picks up (or more accurately goes deeper) sound wise. Highlights for me is Aurora Gone and the reprise of Provider. Watch out for the flutes.

Midlake – Antiphon

02. Amplifier - Echo Street
Number one in any other year, Echo Street is seen by the band as a stop gap album between the epic Octopus and their next “major” release, and was recorded in just 60 days. Not that any of this should detract. For those not familiar with Amplifier, they are a guitar and bass heavy live act, and as the name suggests they are a tad loud. I’ve seen them twice this year and my ears are still ringing.
Echo Street hides a lot of this power and sound away for a while, and goes to what lies underneath. Eight great tracks (plus four more on the Sunrider EP, for those who bought the special edition). The tracks are quite varied so picking a highlight is dependant on mood. Today it would be the mighty Extra Vehicular and Matmos, but tomorrow it might be Between today and yesterday and Echo Street.

Amplifier – Echo Street


01. Steven Wilson - The Raven that refused to sing (and other stories)

By a country mile and some. The clearest winner of the poll, I ever did hear. Backed up with my concert of the year at The Royal Festival Hall, which was even better than the performance at The Royal Albert Hall, later in 2013.
This album has already won most polls and awards in the category, and has been criminally overlooked by music press, outside the genre. Some would argue that it is a tribute to King Crimson and Yes, but that would be missing everything. This is an artist at his creative peak, surrounded by the best in the business. Special mention to Marco Minnemann on drums, but to be fair the whole assemble deserve a name check. Guthrie Govan (and that guitar solo on Drive Home), Nick Beggs on Bass, Theo Travis on Flute, Sax & Clarinet, and Adam Holzman on Keys. All brilliant, and all easy to pick out in the amazing production of Alan Parsons and Steven Wilson himself. I can’t rate this album high enough. It’s just brilliant.

[NowhereMan]

Yes, yes, you will fit right in! Get posting and showing us lot some recommendations!

Welcome fella'!

[pa]

welcome !!

I love Obel too

[WindowAbove]

Welcome to BEA! Interesting list.

[undefined]

Can't say I exactly agree with the 2013 list, but you clearly really think about and enjoy music, so yeah you're gonna fit right in
Welcome!

[Patman360]

Welcome, stick around here!
_________________


2023
2022

[Mdemauri]

Welcome. I love Steven Wilson. Nice introduction.

[Norman Bates]

Welcome.

[meccalecca]

Enjoy your stay
_________________
http://jonnyleather.com