And now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for–our Top 5 of 2013!
And now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for–our Top 5 of 2013!
#5: Speedy Ortiz – Major Arcana
There really seems to be a resurgence of the whole 90’s alt-rock aesthetic the last year or two. While some of this style revival is quite laughable (what the fuck is soft grunge?), there are some excellent bands that are paying homage to classic 90’s bands like Pavement and The Breeders. Speedy Ortiz play lo-fi, noisy guitar-pop. Frontwoman Sadie Dupuis’s lyrics and vocals are clever and poetic, but also vulgar, and at times break normative convention of gender–as on “Fun,” where she declares “I’m getting my dick sucked on the regular.” The guitars are fuzzy, laden with tons of distortion, but often shine with great melodies that pair well with Dupuis’ vocals. Major Arcana is an excellent debut, especially in light of Speedy Ortiz having been a band for barely two years. (Video: “No Below”) –Chris Suarez
#4: Vampire Weekend – Modern Vampires Of The City
Modern Vampires Of The City still leaves me spellbound. Upon my first introduction to the band, I would never have pegged for Ezra Koenig as a wordsmith of this caliber. “Step” is the perfect song for anyone staring at the balance beam of youth and maturity with confusion in their eyes. The rest of the album is in many ways a further contemplation of that theme. What does youth mean when you have the rest of your life ahead of you and even more crucial decisions awaiting you? Vampire Weekend don’t provide answers, but they give us a few moments to take a breath before we plunge into what our futures have in store. (Video: “Step”) –Shannon Cleary
#3: My Bloody Valentine – mbv
The record opens and that familiar warmth of Kevin Shields’ guitar tone introduces the long awaited successor to the 1991 classic, Loveless. While some listeners and critics may get caught up in trying to decide whether or not mbv is a superior or inferior record compared to its predecessor, it’s clear that the record is a proper followup, on which Shields’ exploration of what can be done with a guitar continues. Fuzzy, warm, rich, dreamy noise-rock with whispered, soft melodies that are both alluring and haunting–they’re all here. It’s the soundtrack to a sensuous, drug-fueled romp, much like the other records in their discography. Dizzying in the best possible way. (Video: “She Found Now”) –Chris Suarez
#2: Kanye West – Yeezus
When I first heard Yeezus, I was ecstatic because as a listener, it challenged me. This album’s ten tracks, its strange production, and Kanye’s bold proclamations like “I Am A God” made me ask myself questions that even Jay Z’s instantly platinum Magna Carta Holy Grail never inspired. Where do we draw the line when it comes to creativity, to taste? I listen to Yeezus to remind me that nothing is for everyone, but in art there is something for everyone. In this album, I found a lot. Let your guard down, remove your expectations, and you might too. (Video: “Bound 2”) –Black Liquid
#1: Daft Punk – Random Access Memories
On Random Access Memories, the biggest electronic band in the world goes analog and scores its most pervasive hit years. Daft Punk’s fourth studio record is a highly stylized and nostalgic throw back to the mid 70’s roots of the robotic duo’s sound. Whether it’s through collaborating with legendary disco guitarist Nile Rodgers, synth pioneer Giorgio Moroder, or the group’s own Kraftwerk derived minimalist pulse, Daft Punk brought Kraut Rock to the mainstream and showed the world that guitar, bass, and drums still have a place in dance music in the 21st century. (Video: “Get Lucky”) –Alex Criqui
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That’s the countdown, folks! Check back later today for a bonus look at our contributors’ individual top 5s. Click here to see numbers 6 through 15 on our list, Click here to check out numbers 25 through 16, and click here to check out our five favorite albums that didn’t make the cut as well as a list of all contributors.
