My Favorite Albums of 2013
My favorite Albums from 2013 (reposted from Google+, a year ago)
A lot of great stuff came out in 2013, and a few acts disappointed me. Here are what I consider the highlights. (In chronological order)
Daft Punk - Random Access Memories
I really enjoyed the Tron Legacy soundtrack, but I didn't consider myself a DP fan. But at Coachella in April, a promo for Random Access Memories popped up on a video screen. This was the first time I heard Get Lucky. It was so alive. The crowd went crazy, and shortly afterwards, the world was sold on that song.
The album was polarizing. Many of my friends dismissed it immediately. I loved it from the start. To me, it's a perfect album.
Check out: Touch (featuring Paul Williams)
Lil Wayne - I Am Not a Human Being II
I've never been one to shy away from guilty pleasures. IANAHB2 was my summer jam. I listened to it every day for months. I couldn't always relate to the lyrics, which are primarily about pussy, drugs and beating people up, but I could certainly appreciate the album production and LW's word play.
I even wound up seeing him perform it live, towards the end of the summer. I had a coupon.
Check out: Rich as Fuck
Janelle Monae - The Eletric Lady
I loved Janelle's previous album, but I was convinced lighting couldn't strike twice. But between the opening song (featuring PRINCE), Primetime (with Miguel), a series of whack-a-doodle radio skits and a slew of standout tracks, she's outdone herself with this one.
Check out: Prime Time
Arcade Fire - Reflektor
AF provided us with another top notch collection. Reflektor, to me, feels like an album album. In this age of mp3 singles, it's nice to have something like this.
Check out: Here Comes the Night Time
Beyonce - Beyonce
This one came out of nowhere. Beyonce is back to doing music that I can actually enjoy. And having a video for every song on the album is a fun gimmick.
Check out: Mine (featuring Drake)
HONORABLE MENTION:
Of Montreal - Lousy with Sylvianbriar It's great, and I listen to it frequently, but to call it one of my favorites of the year would be kidding myself.
Miley Cyrus - Bangerz Speaking of guilty pleasures.
DISHONORABLE MENTION:
Nine Inch Nails - Hesitation Marks I want to love this album, so much. But let's face it. It's boring.
A lot of great stuff came out in 2013, and a few acts disappointed me. Here are what I consider the highlights. (In chronological order)
Daft Punk - Random Access Memories
I really enjoyed the Tron Legacy soundtrack, but I didn't consider myself a DP fan. But at Coachella in April, a promo for Random Access Memories popped up on a video screen. This was the first time I heard Get Lucky. It was so alive. The crowd went crazy, and shortly afterwards, the world was sold on that song.
The album was polarizing. Many of my friends dismissed it immediately. I loved it from the start. To me, it's a perfect album.
Check out: Touch (featuring Paul Williams)
Lil Wayne - I Am Not a Human Being II
I've never been one to shy away from guilty pleasures. IANAHB2 was my summer jam. I listened to it every day for months. I couldn't always relate to the lyrics, which are primarily about pussy, drugs and beating people up, but I could certainly appreciate the album production and LW's word play.
I even wound up seeing him perform it live, towards the end of the summer. I had a coupon.
Check out: Rich as Fuck
Janelle Monae - The Eletric Lady
I loved Janelle's previous album, but I was convinced lighting couldn't strike twice. But between the opening song (featuring PRINCE), Primetime (with Miguel), a series of whack-a-doodle radio skits and a slew of standout tracks, she's outdone herself with this one.
Check out: Prime Time
Arcade Fire - Reflektor
AF provided us with another top notch collection. Reflektor, to me, feels like an album album. In this age of mp3 singles, it's nice to have something like this.
Check out: Here Comes the Night Time
Beyonce - Beyonce
This one came out of nowhere. Beyonce is back to doing music that I can actually enjoy. And having a video for every song on the album is a fun gimmick.
Check out: Mine (featuring Drake)
HONORABLE MENTION:
Of Montreal - Lousy with Sylvianbriar It's great, and I listen to it frequently, but to call it one of my favorites of the year would be kidding myself.
Miley Cyrus - Bangerz Speaking of guilty pleasures.
DISHONORABLE MENTION:
Nine Inch Nails - Hesitation Marks I want to love this album, so much. But let's face it. It's boring.