BEST ALBUMS OF 2013
10. Little Green Cars “Absolute Zero”
These kids are so fucking young. Like, scary young. I saw
them live and was like “Yo, it is very dangerous to have babies near this much
electrical equipment. For reals, this is irresponsible, guys.”
9. The Growlers “Hung At Heart”
I thought that on the song “Naked Kids” Brooks Nielsen was
saying he had an “epiphany beaver.” Which makes sense cause this album makes me
want to waste my days doing hallucinogens and then have dirty, salty sex on
some beach in California.
8. Tame Impala “Lonerism”
There is a strong argument to be made here about how rock
and roll isn’t dead. And it has absolutely nothing to do with The Black Keys.
The drums alone on this album are unreal. Just go through every song and listen
to Jay Watson lay down some tasty organic, free-range beats.
7. Local Natives “Hummingbird”
This album is better than Gorilla Manor. That may be
controversial to some. But hey, fuck you.
6. Vampire Weekend “Modern Vampires of the City”
YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO
YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO
YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO
YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO
YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO
YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO YOLO #SpringBreak4ever
5. Phoenix “Bankrupt!”
Phoenix seems like a band we can all enjoy.
(just watch the whole thing)
4. Earl Sweatshirt “Doris”
The long awaited sophomore album from Odd Future prodigal
son Earl Sweatshirt did not disappoint. Which is probably its biggest triumph.
The amount of hype surrounding the most lyrically gifted disappearing act of
the collective set up the return to the public eye to be a let down. The stakes
had never been higher. With conspiracy theories abound about Tyler, The
Creator’s "Wolf" and many people finally growing wise the shock value violence of
OFWGKTA’s style of rap, this album had to be something different. And it
delivered. With dark beats that vary and a technically proficient flow, and a
lyrical style that seems to roll out of Earl’s mouth in a way all his own, "Doris" was unlike any previous OF albums. It also showed a significant amount of
character growth for the young rapper. No longer are there quips about anal
raping nuns. Instead we are delivered personal struggle, strife, and dreams.
The best guest appearance on the album is also the most unexpected as the
soulful Frank Ocean drops his crooning veneer to spit what appears to be the
second half of what was started on his own “Super Rich Kids” from the
critically successful “Channel Orange.” The album was solid start to finish,
ending on a particularly high watermark with the gorgeous “Knight.” Tripped out
slowing vocals over a Christian Rich beat (which is distinctly reminiscent of
Flying Lotus), Earl ends wandering off both lyrically and literally with the
send off: “Young, black and jaded/ Vision hazy, strolling through the night.”
3. DARKSIDE “Psychic”
I started smoking weed this year.
(This is a picture of a kitten in a sweater. I didn't post music here because you really have to listen to this album all the way through from start to finish with headphones on. Look at the picture while you do. I dunno. Weed is legal now in Washington, so do what you want.)
2. ASAP Rocky “Long. Live. ASAP.”
Did you forget that this album came out in 2013? I didn’t. It was
fantastic.
1. Portugal. The Man “Evil Friends”
As heard featured in this TacoBell commercial. Art is dead.
Long live art.
