Top 10: Album of the year

[El Rev sXe]

Obviously, as the title says, it is that time of the year, time for all the countdowns. Let's get into.

Honorable mentions:

Daft Punk: "Random access memories"

Dream Theater: "Dream theater"

Top 10:

10 Periphery: "Periphery II, this time it's personal": The new promise of progressive metal, a very solid record with INSANE progressions, arrangements and really great lyrics. Favorite tracks: Scarlet, Have a blast.

09 Stone Sour: "House of gold & bones part I & II": Amazing concept album, probably it is their best effort. Until this point, nothing, none other album in their career is close to being this good. Favorite tracks: Peckinpah, Absolute Zero, Taciturn, The conflagration, '82.

08 Carajo: "Frente a frente": Probably a record and a band you guys have never heard of, but they are from Argentina they made some kind of hardcore punk and in this particular record they have tons of orchestral arrangements and even some dubstep. They are really good. Chek them out:

Spoiler

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07 Café Tacvba: "El objeto antes llamado disco": Another band that you probably never heard of, well they are from Mexico and they are a neo prog band, really, really good. Favorite tracks: De este lado del camino, Aprovéchate, olita de altamar, Espuma.

06 Eminem: The Marshall Mathers LP 2": Well it looks like finally Slim Shady is back and it's having fun once again. Named after his masterpiece, MMLP, this record as far I'm concerned, makes honor to it's previous album. Even more pop-rap oriented tracks such as his collaboration (once again) with Rihanna are really good. Favorite tracks: Berzerk, Rap god, Stronger than I was.

05 Steven Wilson: "The raven that refused to sing (and other stories)": The king of prog rock, at least for me, in this particular record shows one of the greatest progressive tracks, the raven that refused to sing, definitely the best track on the record. However this is something that you can't only listen to the lead single to understand completely the concept of the album.

4 Arctic Monkeys: "AM": I wasn't a big fan of Arctic Monkeys, I had listen a couple of their albums, but I'm not a big fan of the "indie" scene. However, with AM, they prove to be a very solid act, with anthems, kind of psychedelic rock songs and some sexy songs that you can dance to. Favorite tracks: Do I wanna know? R U mine? Knee socks.

03 Black Sabbath: "13": Many people have said that this record could be the one that followed "Black Sabbath" back in 1970 because it has that same very dark and creepy atmosphere. I don't have much to say about it except it is a great record. Favorite tracks: End of the beginning, Loner, Zeitgeist, Damaged soul.

02 Alter Bridge: "Fortress" Man this was really impressive! It's not simply alternative metal, they are going towards more progressive ground. Honestly, I think this is their best record, they are becoming really amazing musicians. Favorite tracks: Cry of Achilles, Addicted to pain, Lover, Calm the fire, All ends well, Fortress (yeah pretty much the whole record seems to me amazing).

01 Queens of the Stone Age: "...Like Clokckwork": For me, this was a no brainer, this record fucking impressed me and still does. I think is basically perfect. From the introduction of broken glass in "keep your eyes peeled" with it's heavy, dark and bluesy riffs, all the way to the sort of epitaph of the song "like clockwork" it's a very dark journey where you can definitely feel death, hopeless, pain amongst other dark themes. Anyway I love this record very much, but everything can be summed up with "I appear missing". An epic song, simple as that.

So guys what are your top 10 (or 5, doesn't matter) records of the year?

 

[Blade]

This is going to be in no particular order. And it'll be albums off the top of my head, so I might not make it to 10.

Medals - Disguises

Scottish Album number 1! This was what Reflektor would be if it was written by a more talented yet criminally underrated songwriter. A combination of inspirational yet funky soul pop crossed with some dark undertones makes it one of the most infinitely replayable and varied album on the list, even if it's only just over half an hour long. A great listen from start to finish. How JP Reid isn't filthy rich, I shall never understand. Also, "Let's agree there is hope in every circumstance" may be the best lyric of the year.


CHVRCHES - The Bones of What You Believe

Scottish Album 2! If you can get over how drop-dead gorgeous Lauren Mayberry is, you'll notice that she's a great lyricist and songwriter. And with the intelligent synth and beats of the two lads supporting her, it makes for some wonderful electropop. But yeah, Lauren is pretty hot.

These New Puritans - Field of Reeds

Scottish Album 3! Seriously, Scotland has the best music right now. Yeah, Field of Reeds is artsy and pretentious and possibly Thom Yorke's wet dream. But it's also challenging and beautiful and really, really good. It's like Elbow, if Elbow had a bit more balls and Guy Garvey didn't think he was 60 years old.

Low - The Invisible Way

Ah, Low. The most soothing band in the world. Admittedly, they've been less soothing in their last few albums. But they also haven't been quite as good in their last few albums since they peaked with Things We Lost in the Fire. With that said, the Invisible Way is still a great album worth your attention.

Sky Ferrereira - Night Time, My Time

It's strange how seemingly every talented female solo artist tends to be overrated. I'm looking at you PJ Harvey and Bjork. But Sky Ferrereira is something different. It never feels like she's trying too hard, unlike the two aforementioned chicks, and it makes for more enjoyable music, even if it's not particularly deep. She's almost like Lady Gaga, but more heroin-feulled and with infinitely better songwriting ability.

Biffy Clyro - Opposites

Scottish Album 4. It's had its critics (mostly old-school Biffy fans), but there's far too much they do well on this album, I find it impossible to dislike. Firstly, having the balls to do a double album in this day and age is pretty awesome. And I mean a real double album. Two CD's together in one packaging, not those fake double albums that Stone Sour and System of a Down made. It's highs don't match that of their earlier albums, but it's far more consistent. On top of that, Simon Neil shows off his stunning songwriting range in a way we've never seen before. He's truly the Billy Corgan of his generation; immensely talented, yet oddly never hitting his full potential. A bona fide rock god, yet somehow dreadfully uncool. But I love him to death.

Frightened Rabbit - Pedestrian Verse

Scottish album number 5. Seriously, Scottish music is where it's at right now. After my Biffy Clyro rant, this is much more straight forward. This is Mumford and Sons if M&S had talent and range.

Deafheaven - Sunbather

Now, I'm not a big fan of metal as it kind of bores me. A brave thing to say on a wrestling forum, I know. But Sunbather absolutely blew my mind the first time I listened to it. It's grandiose, it's intense, it's ambitious. I swear to God, it's like Matt Bellamy tried to write a Black Metal album. It's nothing you'd play in your mother's car, but try listen to this without being absolutely stunned. Even the most cynical, anti-metal hipster will admit this album is pretty amazing.


That's about all I've got right now. Any other albums I remember listening to are either too obvious, like David Bowie, or crap that's overrated because the band is "cool" like Vampire Weekend.

 

[#tamale]

Talking about I hated, didn't care for, liked, and loved in 2013.

#yourshitstinks

The National - Trouble Will Find Me: Boring post-punk indie bullshit with cliche lyrics.

Jay Z - Magna Carta Holy Grail: Holy hell was this bad. Uninspired trite from the Jigga man which is the norm for him these days.

Eminem - The Marshall Mathers LP 2: An album that Eminem himself said he was "too lazy to finish".

Bring Me the Horizon - Sempiternal: They are still the same horrid metal-whatever band. Their super fans try to push them as the second coming of something awesome.

Arcade Fire - Reflektor: I can't believe these are the same people who made probably the most beautiful song of the aughts, Haiti.

Ghost BC - Infestiwhateverthefuck: I hate their image. I hate their stupid frontman. I hate their gimmick. Being all secretive about how evil you are doesn't work when Varg Vikerens walks the world.

#rhymeswithdoring

M.I.A. - Matangi: Nothing has changed since Kala was around six years ago. She's just going through the motions now.

The Knife - Shaking the Habitual: Boring. Prett-ay, prett-ay, prett-ay, pretty boring.

David Bowie/Nine Inch Nails/Black Sabbath/Daft Punk/Eric Clapton: Make some mediocre music. Slap the name on it. Make millions. Rinse and repeat.

Vampire Weekend - Modern Vampires of the City: I'd rather listen to The Knife. They are the music journalists wet dream.

Drake - What was this one called?: Outside of Fancy, Drake personifies boring in the hip hop world.

Arctic Monkeys/Queens of the Stone Age: Continuing the trend of uninspired rock. Both albums were just treading water.

#pickuptheslack

Justin Timberlake - The 20/20 Experience: Don't get all ambitious on me JT. Suit & Tie is probably my favorite single of the year, but this album is really uneven and JT was buying into his own hype.

Kanye West - Yeezus: I supported Kanye for a while, but this was too much. Remember the days of Gold Digger? Now we have some weird fetish video with his baby mamma complaining about something. Come back Kanye!

The Weeknd - Kiss Land: I love you. I really do. You exploded onto the R&B scene like an atom bomb, but this latest effort shows that you are spreading yourself way too thin (five releases since 2011). Fire whoever is managing your career and step back for a while.

Phoenix - Bankrupt!: I thought they had the pop-rock sound mastered after the enjoyable Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix.They traded that sound in order to be a more progressive thinking band with oriental influences. They aren't. They need to stick to their strengths.

#bangable

A$AP Ferg - Trap Lord: In these collective hip hop groups, there is always around eight to fifteen members, but only two members are actually good at what they do. One is A$AP Rocky and this year, A$AP Ferg emerged as a star with Trap Lord. It's dark, weird, tough, and banging.

A$AP Rocky - Long. Live. ASAP: A$AP Rocky seems to be the most aware of how his life changes with his growing celebrity status. It won't stop him from releasing another great hip hop album filled with oddball lyrics and lavish beats. Rocky is still the best at painting the picture in your head with his lyrics and delivery, even if the delivery is just groupies doing some borderline illegal acts.

#enfuego

Dillinger Escape Plan - One of Us is the Killer: Another excellent release which is what's expected of these hardcore music nut jobs. Their intention to grow and be ambitious clicks on all cylinders here. They have perfected their sound. The switch from chaos to harmony is so effortless that it isn't fair to the other bands out there.

Earl Sweatshirt - Doris: Earl was a victim of hype that he didn't he even create. Doris lives up to his hype. It's messy and it's all his. His isn't pop influenced hip hop or even the weird shit Odd Future does. Earl's feel is urban and honest even when he is being distant.

Chance the Rapper - Acid Rap: Delivery, production, beats, lyrics; Chance knows how to excel, but what he is able to master is inviting us in his wandering mind. He is impulsive and acts on pure instinct yet he keeps it confined nice and neat within the album.

#shitslaysson

Danny Brown - Old/Flatbush Zombies - BetteroffDEAD: It's hard not to handcuff these two since they are the best the hip hop world has to offer. They cultivated a cult status on the underground scene and with their continued rise, have not sacrificed their artistry. In fact, they have turned up their game with their fucked up lyrics and melting pot of genres. Don't expect these guys too slow down any time soon.

Iceage - You're Nothing: Brash and in your face, these young punks from Denmark capitalize on the potential shown in their first album. Punk rock is dead. Iceage doesn't care. They will continue to snarl, riff, blast, and shout their songs to the world on You're Nothing. In short, they are really fucking good.

Janelle Monae - The Electric Lady: Soul, funk, and jazz combined with amazing melodies, slick band playing, and incredible production. Janelle is an android, but a genius as well. Her storytelling abilities shine throughout The Electric Lady.

#gamechanger

Deafheaven - Sunbather: They are not the first band that has tried to blend multiple genres, but they have perfected that art in their relatively short career. Continuing the fusion of black metal/hardcore/post rock, the execution of beauty and chaos created by Deafheaven on Sunbather is nothing short of brilliant. In the wide world of rock music filled with mindless drones continuing the path set by the labels, Deafheaven is the bright light. They aren't trendsetters. They are the standard which others will try to emulate.

 

[Alex]

Can't really give you ten albums because I've barely listened to any albums this year but I'll give you my favourites (in no particular order)

Killswitch Engage - Disarm The Descent

Jesse Leach came back as vocalist after Howard Jones left. It's a great comeback. While he may not be as technically gifted as Howard, his lyrics (to me anyway) are far superior

Tomahawk - Oddfellows

Mike Patton is one of the best vocalists with so much range. This album shows that, screamo stuff, crooning he's just amazing and the musicianship is top notch as well. The variety on this album is great.

Black Light Burns- Lotus Island

Wes Borland's 'other band' and in my mind a far superior one to Limp Bizkit. This album is supposed to be an alternative soundtrack a film called The Holy Mountain. You can tell it's in a soundtrack vein. Most of the tracks are instrumental but it just gives off great atmosphere and the few tracks where Wes Borland gets to sing only adds to it.

Alter Bridge - Fotress

Myles Kennedy is a brilliant singer and guitarist. Mark Tremonti is a badass at guitar, Brian Marshall is great at bass and Scott Philips is a beast on drums. This is arguably their heaviest record with some great singing on Kennedy's part (as well as Tremonti's) and the guitar work is flawless.

Alice In Chains- The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here

I'm cheating with this one as I haven't heard the entire album. But from what I heard they talk about some really interesting subjects relating to religion and your own choices.