[Saoirse]

Not a thread for posting favorite albums or critics best of lists, but really, what are your personal thoughts on 2013?


I think if it were to be compared to 2012, there's no question the previous year had the "big" albums. Little in 2013 compares to the scope of say Good Kid, m.A.A.d city, Channel Orange, Shields, Bloom, Visions, The Idler Wheel, Lonerism, The Seer and so on, 2012 definitely was the year of the monoliths. The best work of 2013, in contrast, was just generally weirder, quirkier and a lot more introspective in a way. I mean of course there were the monsters of Yeezus, Shaking the Habitual, m b v and Reflektor to name a few, but even those were a lot more off-the-wall and less concerned with fitting themselves into a perfect shape. 2013 was also like attending a school reunion with your favorite old artists that are actually worth seeing for once. Great comebacks ranging from everybody such as My Bloody Valentine, David Bowie, Queens of the Stone Age, Prefab Sprout, Pet Shop Boys and many, many more. Really, though it just seemed to be the solo artists, misfit mcs and djs/producers that produced the most interesting and invigorating work this year, though no offense to a lot of stellar work from the bands and musical collectives who also made music this year.

Not a whole lot of major letdowns this year either. Nepenthe, Chance of Rain and Personal Record dissapointed quite a bit but that's only because I was expecting so much, they were still fine records. Torres remains the greatest personal rec (from Lethal) and D.A.I.S.Y Rage and Same Trailer Different Park remain the albums Ive listened to the most .

It was another terrific, loaded year for the women singer/songwriters, with the divine Loud City Song and Torres to just name a couple, Laura Marling finally proved she was worth the hype (even if Once I was an Eagle wasn't quite perfect) and a lot of quirker almost-pop stars like Lorde and Charli XCX put out very promising work that hopefully they'll only strengthen their sounds and mature their songwriting with their next efforts.

And it may have been the best year for country since the early 70s, Same Trailer Different Park, Like a Rose, The Stand In, 12 Stories, Come Cry with Me, Im a stranger here, Annie Up- all terrific standouts among many other worthwhile releases. Country has never been an album genre that much, but ecstatically it's looking like that may very well change.

Ill probably have more to say when I go over all the albums of 2013, but really what is your impression of 2013? anything from stream-of-conscuious musings to detailed round-ups of hip-hop, mixtapes, singles etc.


2013 was the bestest and 2014 will be even better

[Defago]

I definitely haven't listened to even close enough music from this year as I'd have liked to. I'm trying to catch up as end-of-year lists pop up, but it definitely deserved much more attention from my part.

While last year I felt the poppier albums were way better than the more experimental ones, this year most of the best albums are the quirkier ones, and I think my top 10 is made out entirely of solo albums - most of them made by bands/people I didn't know of before, whereas on 2012 most of my favorites were by bands I already knew well-ish.

I'm definitely going to try to start 2014 trying to keep up to date with everything and maintain a yearly chart since day 1, instead of waiting until December to realize what a fantastic year I've kind of missed.

[Guest]

I still haven't heard as much music from this year as I'd like, but from what I have heard it's been one of the best since the turn of the century. Paramore, Queens of the Stone Age, Sky Ferreira, Chance the Rapper, My Bloody Valentine, David Bowie, and Nancy Elizabeth all put out outstanding records this year.

[dmercado]

I always like to wait until after the year is finished to give a more fair look-back, especially in case great albums make an appearance late in the game. Just this week Childish Gambino released an album that was not what was expected (for better or for worse). That said, I would say that I've enjoyed 2013 music more than I did 2012 and 2011 music. This makes sense because I really liked 2010 and a lot of those same artists had new releases this year as well. None of the albums this year were as big, though, as good kid m.a.a.d city and channel orange, imo, but overall there were plenty of good releases.

[Puncture Repair]

It's been a really solid year, especially for already well-established artists.

I think House and Dance Music really excelled in 2013, perhaps more than any other genre.
Didn't see many great Hip-Hop releases this year, in contrast with 2012 which wouldn't stop delivering.

[SamuelPear]

Even though I didn't have a good overlook of the many records released this year, for what I have listened, I think we had a pretty decent year for music ! We had some amazing records, my personnal favorites: Reflektor, AM, Yeezus, Like ... Clockwork and mbv), good records: Random Access Memory, Trouble Will Find Me ...

Anyone would recommend me a big left out from 2013 highlights ?
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SamuelPear a le swag

[Precedent]

It's been a fantastic year, one of my favorites for sure.

Foxing put out an incredible experimental/indie rock/emo album, left me speechless.
Brad Paisley did his thing, VERY honest country/southern rock.
Arctic Monkeys put out one of the most consistent albums that I've ever heard.
Eminem changed his style and put out a nearly alternative hip-hop album.
Kanye West defined/started something that I think will be VERY important.
Pusha T released a "modern classic"
Twenty One Pilots came out with their major lebel debut, it's fantastic.
Mark Kozelek & Jimmy LaVelle released a cool record.
Kacey Musgraves has some of my favorite songs on Same Trailer Different Park
Scotty McCreery released the best album that I've ever heard come from anyone on American Idol.

I'll have more later

[Guest]

Two essential comps came out in 2013

Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.

Longing For The Past The 78 Rpm Era In ...us Artists

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The Crying Princess 78 RPM Records From...us Artists

As far as albums go I like uh.. MBV and that electronic musique de niger album although I havent heard alot this year

[Necharsian]

[revolver94]