Well well well. It seems my blog has all but died but for my annual “albums of the year.” Perhaps this year I’ll make more of an effort to write more…yes. But alas, I say this each and every year. No Miley here friends. Also, Arcade Fire??? …WTF??? Omitting the blah blah, here is my top 10 of 2013, with some honourable mentions. For the most part, another great year in music! 🙂
10. City and Colour, “The Hurry and the Harm” (LP)
Dallas Green has the voice of an angel. Yes, simply beautiful. From the opening track, “The Hurry and the Harm”, to “The Lonely Life”, to the slightly more rockin’ first single “Thirst” to the angelic “Take Care.” A solid good and great album.
09. Young Galaxy, “Ultramarine” (LP)
I have always been a fan of Young Galaxy. There is something I really like about the smooth, toe tapping melodies that they make. Favourites on this album include: “Fever”, “Pretty Boy”, “New Summer”, “Fall for you”, “What We Want”
08. The Black Angels, “Indigo Meadow” (LP)
I simply love these folks. Super psychedelic. One could for surely got lost in the reverb grooves (haha!). Favourites include: “Evil Things”, “Broken Soldier”, “War on Holiday”, “Love Me Forever” and, of course, “Don’t Play with Guns”
07. Shotgun Jimmie, “Everything, Everything” (LP)
Someone, this “one” in particular, would consider Shotgun Jimmie to be a national treasure. His infectious beats, not to mention his most excellent of live show that he puts on, his kind nature. Just a fantastic person and musician. So many favourites on this one but in choosing, “Carry On”, “3212” (tractor beam, tractor beam!), “Skype Date”, “Proud Champions”, “Standing in a Line”, “Growing Like a Garden” (fantastic live!), and “Sum of my Parts”
06. Ron Sexsmith, “Forever Endeavour” (LP)
Although making comparisons really isn’t a fair thing to do, if I were to do a comparison I would say Ron Sexsmith is the Neil Young of my generation. From his thoughtful songwriting, to his delicate guitar and beautiful voice. Perhaps another Canadian treasure! Favourites include: “If Only Avenue”, “Back of My Hand”, “Nowhere Is”, “She Does My Heart Good”, “Nowhere to Go”, and “Me, Myself, and Wine”
05. Killswitch Engage, “Disarm the Descent” (CD)
What an album! My brother Joey introduced me to these fine lads. I always say, once a metal fan, always a metal fan. And these boys sure do metal well!! Not to mention that this album in particular has done wonders during my bicycling routine 🙂 My favourites include: “In Due Time”, “Time Will Not Remain”, “The Hell in Me”, “Slave to the Machine”, “Beyond the Flames.” What a kick ass album!
04. Vampire Weekend, “Modern Vampires of the City” (LP)
“If ‘Diane Young’ won’t change your mind, baby, baby, baby, baby right on time.” Since first hearing this song I was like, “What the What, so good!” Ok, I think I might have the lame award there. But seriously, this album is fan-tas-tic! From “Don’t Lie”, to “Everlasting Arms”, “Obvious Bicycle”, “Finger Back”, “Step”, “Ya Hey” …ya hey, there is not one bad song on this album! If you don’t have this, whatcha waiting for!?!
03. Portage and Main, “Never Had the Time” (LP)
Truth be told, when I first heard these guys I really did not like them. Perhaps it was the Radio3 over playing their single. Unsure. However, this album soon became a highlight of my 2013. Seeing them live at the Artesian was one of my most memorable highlights this year for live music (Skydiggers as well, and of course, you’ll soon be finding out about another 😉 Perhaps “The Band” of my generation. I just love this album! Every song is great but in choosing favourites, “Oona Jean”, “Epitaph”, “Sweet Darlin”, “As a Child”, “This Old Heart”, “It is You”, and “Better Man”…yeesh, just all 10 songs are great!
02. Blue Rodeo, “In Our Nature” (LP)
One of my favourite bands of all time, and one of Canada’s finest (or the world’s for that matter). This particular album is really so very great. Truth be told, it has rekindled my eagerness to write music of my own (just as Portage and Main as well as my #1 album of 2013). Such a treat for everyones ears 🙂 All is good but if picking a few favourites, “Paradise”, “Over Me”, “Mattawa”, “Made Your Mind Up”, “Wondering” and “New Morning Sun” …oh and “Out of the Blue” …and “Never Too Late” …and “When the Truth Comes Out” …and 😉
01. David Francey, “So Say We All” (CD)
One of my most favourite days of 2013 (minus a really big day I had in May ;), we went out to see this lovely person with his band at the Exchange. If you have not heard of David and his music, please do yourself a favour and youtube it up! I’ve listened to this album now thousands of times and I get shivers and goosebumps still. I always say the sign of a great song is one that gives me goosebumps. There are no individual favourites as I love each song on this album start to finish, from the opening “Rain”, to “Pandora’s Box” to “Satellite” to “Long Long Road” (so very great), to “Blue Yonder” (listening right now and goosebumps!!), to “BitterRoot” – “So Say We All,” this album is pure brilliance!
Well, there you have it friends! My top 10 of 2013. What I like to call “cyrus-free!” and, sadly, Arcade Fire free (what the hell was that that they released?!?) There were many other very good albums of 2013, just to mention a few, in no particular order:
- The National, “Trouble Will Find Me” (LP)
- Justin Rutledge, “Valleyheart” (CD)
- Alice in Chains, “The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here” (LP)
- Basia Bulat, “Tall Tall Shadow” (LP)
- Burns and Maciag, “Neyaskwaw” (LP) – of course I would have this one!! 🙂
- Pearl Jam, “Lightening Bolt” (CD)
- Powerwolf, “Preachers of the Night” (CD)
- Pokey LaFarge, Self Titled” (LP)
- Dream Theater, “Self Titled” (LP)
- The Burning Hell, “People” (LP)
Here’s hoping for a great 2014 for music! – tMac
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