10s: The Top 10 Albums of 2013 [1-5]

1.  Daft Punk - Random Access Memories

                    The best album of the year is a reflection of earlier music through a contemporary lens; it's robotic music with soul.  It is with that sentiment that we explore the dual meaning of the title, Random Access Memories.  The title directly refers to data storage but interestingly enough includes an allusion to the recollection or earlier types or ideas or "memories" of music.  Here, Daft Punk have perfected a retro-futurism that they've never quite nailed as pointedly before but certainly have hinted at (see "Digital Love").  There is an unparalleled intelligence behind this album and that alone makes it one of the best records of the year and furthermore the single greatest Daft Punk album (I don't care what you say).  Although you've probably heard it already, here's the video for "Get Lucky"...

2. Ghost - Infestissumam

                Ghost changed the scene with their debut album, Opus Eponymous, so it goes without saying that many a fan was dying to hear what their follow up would provide.  If you ask me the Ghost fan-base can be torn in two based on the degree to which they appreciate metal (Mercyful Fate influences) vs rock (ABBA influences).  While Opus Eponymous is heavy and guitar oriented, Infestissumam is much more theatrical and rock oriented.  The sound of 70s organ is as alive as their lyrics are optimistically and powerfully ritualistic and satanic.  With Infestissumam is also much more consistent in its philosophical underpinning.  There is a clear vision of a diabolical Genesis whereas Opus Eponymous loosely tied the concept together with songs like "Elizabeth" becoming an abstraction to the large concept of songs like "Con Clavi Con Dio" and "Prime Mover".  Here's the brilliantly Polanski-esque NSFW video of "Year Zero"...
http://vimeo.com/62694560

3.  Kanye West - Yeezus

                     Kanye is one of the most hated yet critically acclaimed artists and it pains me to admit it but Yeezus is an incredible album.  It's antagonistic, minimalist, at times vulgar and other times poignant but all around impressive in it's forcefully anti-pop intentions from the lack of catchy hooks and clear traditional hip-hop beats down to the no artwork cover art.  With "New Slaves" Kanye mounts a rebellion against a modern "slavery" where the blacks of today, including West, are striving to be the most important by surrounding themselves in a facade of affluent capitalism and hip-hop industry.  The metaphor expands as he says, "I see blood on the leaves" which immediately draws a parallel from "New Slaves" to another single, "Blood on the Leaves".  The latter samples the hauntingly beautiful "Strange Fruit" as sang by Nina Simone, which speaks volumes as it presents the image of "strange fruit" aka "black bodies" hanging from the poplar trees.  As you can see there is a lot going on in Yeezus, much of which appears deliberate and for this it's one of the best albums of the year.  Here's the video for arguably the most accessible song on the album,  "Black Skinhead".  

4.  Chvrches - The Bones of What You Believe

                     The best synthpop album of the year is definitely The Bones of What You Believe, the debut full length from the Scottish band, Chvrches.  I had an immediate positive reaction to this album without the need of several listenings.  I think the last time I heard a synthpop album this killer was back in 2009 with La Roux which is in some sense comparable sound-wise.  The album is generally upbeat, which is in part due to this crystal clear production.  The lead vocals of Lauren Mayberry compliment the upbeat nature of the album with an angelic, soft and at times almost downtrodden but optimistic tone.  Here's a perfect example of the album - the video for "Gun".

5. In Solitude - Sister

                 In Solitude is quite possibly the most underrated metal/retro-rock band in the scene now but I suspect Sister is slowly changing that.  This is the third album from the swedes and it's a creature of much more cohesion than their previous two efforts, which in themselves are also excellent albums.  In Solitude always seemed to want to write good metal songs but with Sister they seemed to shift that way of thinking to writing a good metal album - the songs here are more dynamic and feel much more fluid in the albums structure.  The production may be off putting to some as it's much more icy than the previous albums but it fits the gloomy black and white nature of the concept.  With memorable riffing songs like "Pallid Hands", "Lavender" and the title track severe to prove the (should be) significance of In Solitude.  Here's "Pallid Hands".

Find 6-10 here

And there you have it - 

My Top 10 Albums of 2013

1.  Daft Punk – Random Access Memories
2. Ghost – Infestissumam
3. Kanye West – Yeezus
4. Chvrches – The Bones of What You Believe
5.   In Solitude – Sister
6. Polica – Shulamith
7.   Darkthrone – The Underground Resistance
8.  Portugal. The Man – Evil Friends
9. Sleigh Bells – Bitter Rivals
10. Glorior Belli - Gators Rumble, Chaos Unfurls

Other Notables of the year:

• Anna Calvi – One Breath
• Au Revoir Simone - Move in Spectrums
• Deafheaven – Sunbather
• Kvelertak – Kvelertak
• Rob Zombie - Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor
• Satyricon - Satyricon
• Sky Ferreira – Night Time, My Time
• Soap&Skin – Sugarbread ep
• The Thermals – Desperate Ground
• Watain - The Wild Hunt