Happy New Year! To welcome in 2014, Mike and I have compiled an obligatory list of some of our favorite music releases of this past year. What are your thoughts?
Mike
1. Ovlov - Am
Every song on Ovlov’s debut full-length album album is great. Fuzzy indie rock, reminiscent of Dinosaur Jr. and My Bloody Valentine. Be sure to check out both them and their label, Exploding in Sound Records.
1. Ovlov - Am
Every song on Ovlov’s debut full-length album album is great. Fuzzy indie rock, reminiscent of Dinosaur Jr. and My Bloody Valentine. Be sure to check out both them and their label, Exploding in Sound Records.
2. Cloakroom - Infinity
Another flawless album. Featuring members of Grown ups, Native, Lion of The North, etc. Noisy, loud, and engaging rock music.
Another flawless album. Featuring members of Grown ups, Native, Lion of The North, etc. Noisy, loud, and engaging rock music.
3. King Krule - 6 Feet Beneath The Moon
Don’t understand the hype? Go see them live and you will understand.
Don’t understand the hype? Go see them live and you will understand.
4. My Bloody Valentine - m b v
Legendary band. Their first album in over two decades and it picks up right where Loveless left off.
Legendary band. Their first album in over two decades and it picks up right where Loveless left off.
5. Leer - Spring Break No Parents
Very melodic screamo/post hardcore/whatever you want to call it. Overall, these songs are very well written, and the production from Jack Shirley is great.
Very melodic screamo/post hardcore/whatever you want to call it. Overall, these songs are very well written, and the production from Jack Shirley is great.
6. Title Fight - Spring Songs
This release, although very brief, is a great collection of tunes from a great band. Title Fight’s revelation records debut.
This release, although very brief, is a great collection of tunes from a great band. Title Fight’s revelation records debut.
7. Capacities - There is No Neutral
I saw these guys a while back and was very impressed with their live sound. Their newest release is a collection of fast and aggressive screamo songs that will not disappoint fans of the genre.
I saw these guys a while back and was very impressed with their live sound. Their newest release is a collection of fast and aggressive screamo songs that will not disappoint fans of the genre.
8. Speedy Ortiz - Major Arcana
Major Arcana is an album that is both noisy and melodic. Their song “No Below” is definitely one of my favorite songs of 2013. Good stuff.
Major Arcana is an album that is both noisy and melodic. Their song “No Below” is definitely one of my favorite songs of 2013. Good stuff.
9. Chelsea Wolfe - Pain is Beauty
Very dark and atmospheric folk music. Chelsea is great song writer with a beautiful voice.
Very dark and atmospheric folk music. Chelsea is great song writer with a beautiful voice.
10. Scowler - How To Find Light
Raph introduced me to this band, and after a few listens I was very impressed. This release may have been higher on my list if I had heard it earlier. Similar to groups like Blood Brothers and Glassjaw.
Raph introduced me to this band, and after a few listens I was very impressed. This release may have been higher on my list if I had heard it earlier. Similar to groups like Blood Brothers and Glassjaw.
Raph
(Mike and I had pretty similar year-end's lists; rather than repeat many of the same choices, I tried to include a some other albums I enjoyed for the sake of variety)
(Mike and I had pretty similar year-end's lists; rather than repeat many of the same choices, I tried to include a some other albums I enjoyed for the sake of variety)
1. Rozwell Kid & Sleeping Bag - Dreamboats
Aside from also being my most most-played album of 2013, I found the Dreamboats split to be the most satisfying as well - infectious slacker-pop co-written by two of my favorite current bands.
Aside from also being my most most-played album of 2013, I found the Dreamboats split to be the most satisfying as well - infectious slacker-pop co-written by two of my favorite current bands.
2. Ken Burns - S/T
Even though it was their debut release, Ken Burns' self-titled debut is a consistent and powerful album and showcases a band that seems to be confident and sure of their sound and direction.
Even though it was their debut release, Ken Burns' self-titled debut is a consistent and powerful album and showcases a band that seems to be confident and sure of their sound and direction.
3. Calculator - This Will Come to Pass
I've been a fan of Calculator for a couple years now, but their latest release is certainly their crowning achievement to date. Expanding on the maturity and growth that the New Forms 7" showed, This Will Come to Pass is an emotional and ambitious whirlwind of a record.
I've been a fan of Calculator for a couple years now, but their latest release is certainly their crowning achievement to date. Expanding on the maturity and growth that the New Forms 7" showed, This Will Come to Pass is an emotional and ambitious whirlwind of a record.
4. NO TONGUE - Body + Mind
Dark, dissonant, and eerily beautiful post-punk from some of the Bay Area's finest musicians.
Dark, dissonant, and eerily beautiful post-punk from some of the Bay Area's finest musicians.
5. Kaoru Nagisa - Concessive
Featuring everyone's favorite musicians from the Northern Virginia and Baltimore areas, Kaoru Nagisa plays complex and layered screamo that fondly recalls the fast-paced, caustic and aggressive nature of bands such as the Kodan Armada and Circle Takes the Square. They recently released a split with Swan of Tuonela which is equally deserving of a listen.
Featuring everyone's favorite musicians from the Northern Virginia and Baltimore areas, Kaoru Nagisa plays complex and layered screamo that fondly recalls the fast-paced, caustic and aggressive nature of bands such as the Kodan Armada and Circle Takes the Square. They recently released a split with Swan of Tuonela which is equally deserving of a listen.
6. Elvis Depressedly - Holo Pleasures
A powerful and pleasing release of lo-fi and down-trodden pop tunes, perfect for a teenage hikikomori or long car rides at night.
A powerful and pleasing release of lo-fi and down-trodden pop tunes, perfect for a teenage hikikomori or long car rides at night.
7. Allison Weiss - Say What You Mean
In a year where Tegan and Sara's new album shifted away from heartbreaking and personal towards a disappointingly more electronic and pop-based sound, Allison Weiss has filled the void and released a closer sequel to The Con than Tegan and Sara ever did.
In a year where Tegan and Sara's new album shifted away from heartbreaking and personal towards a disappointingly more electronic and pop-based sound, Allison Weiss has filled the void and released a closer sequel to The Con than Tegan and Sara ever did.
8. Wild Moth - Over, Again
My one regret of Fest 12 was leaving before seeing Wild Moth's set. Dreamy and drenched in fuzz, Over, Again is an incredible full length that I cannot recommend highly enough.
My one regret of Fest 12 was leaving before seeing Wild Moth's set. Dreamy and drenched in fuzz, Over, Again is an incredible full length that I cannot recommend highly enough.
9. Donovan Wolfington - Stop Breathing
As exciting as it is that Desaparecidos may have begun making music again, Donovan Wolfington is doing it better; frontman Neil Berthier is not only a good friend of mine but also a phenomenal and talented musician.
As exciting as it is that Desaparecidos may have begun making music again, Donovan Wolfington is doing it better; frontman Neil Berthier is not only a good friend of mine but also a phenomenal and talented musician.
10. Tera Melos - X'ed Out
Though I yearn for the days of Drugs To The Dear Youth and their self-titled, I can't deny how catchy and well-written songs such as "Sunburn" are.
Though I yearn for the days of Drugs To The Dear Youth and their self-titled, I can't deny how catchy and well-written songs such as "Sunburn" are.
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