David's Favorite Albums of 2013

10.) Nathaniel Rateliff- Falling Faster Than You Can Run

The number 10 on my list may be unheard of by some people, but that should be changed. Nathaniel Rateliff’s album, Falling Faster Than You Can Run, is a brilliant folk album, although 2013 may not have had as many big folk acts as 2012(The Lumineers, Of Monsters and Men, Mumford & Sons). Nathaniel Rateliff has opened for many popular folk acts, such as The Lumineers. Wonderfully sculpted songwriting is wound by the ringing of his acoustic guitar and dynamic voice. Nathaniel’s impressive and powerful lyricism make for an emotional masterpiece, which makes it hard to believe that he isn’t being recognized on a larger scale. Nevertheless, Falling Faster than You Can Run remained in my head throughout the year, especially the fantastic opening track, “Still Trying”.

Favorite Tracks: “Still Trying”, “Don’t Get Too Close”, and “Falling Faster Than You Can Run”

9.) Tyler, The Creator- Wolf

I suppose that Odd Future Rapper, Tyler the Creator, is an acquired taste of rap/hip-hop, but his raw talent and style is just so intriguing to me that I can’t help but love it. Releasing his third album at the young age of 22, Tyler has given listeners another piece of the mystery. All of Tyler’s albums seem to feature various “characters” that are interwoven by a vague storyline full of hate, love, violence, and depression. Wolf is a very youthful point in the timeline of Tyler’s series, per se. This album is incredibly dark and features some more personal tracks such as “Colossus” and “Lone”, with many references to the death of his grandmother. The album may feature youthful themes, but it shows Tyler’s maturity as an artist, further adding more detail to his interesting discography.

Favorite Tracks: “Domo23”, “Colossus”, and “Lone”

8.) The National-Trouble Will Find Me

The masters of melancholy are at it again. Trouble Will Find Me definitely keeps a special place on this list. Prior to this album, I must admit I wasn’t too familiar with The National. After hearing the song “Graceless”, I picked up Trouble Will Find Me and then was also on my way to listening to their previous albums. Matt Berninger’s voice is the polar opposite of the majority of today’s music. His baritone vocals only channel the sadness even further. A plethora of powerful and emotional songs on this record, including “Demons”, “Graceless”, and “This is the Last Time”.

Favorite Tracks: “I Should Live in Salt”, “Graceless”, and “Demons”

7.) Daft Punk- Random Access Memories

Who couldn’t love this album? In a time where there are hundreds of thousands of dance tracks being pumped out, Daft Punk came in and took the show by storm. This album is so much more than the smash hit “Get Lucky”. Random Access Memories is a masterpiece by the French, helmet wearing duo. Daft Punk knows exactly how to make such pleasing sounds using the synthesizer. Every track on here is brilliant. The groovy vibes on this record, particularly “Touch”, send you back to the 60’s, 70s, and early 80s; an era of innovative dance music being represented so authentically years later.

Favorite Tracks: “Give Life Back to Music”, “Instant Crush”, and “Touch”

6.) Iron & Wine-Ghost on Ghost

Every time there is a new Iron & Wine record in the works, I can’t help but get excited. After Kiss Each Other Clean was released, my love for this band extended even further, and Ghost on Ghost is no disappointment. Every record Sam Beam creates becomes bigger and bolder. As his albums go on, Sam Beam has trailed far from the singer with an acoustic guitar that he used to be. He adds more and more instruments, and in this record there is a 20’s jazz vibe, with tracks like “Low Light Buddy of Mine” sounding like they came right out of the basement of a speakeasy. The horns are even more prominent on this record than the last, and it proves that Sam Beam isn’t swaying to any current trends, but rather the passion for music from his own soul. I’ve always been drawn to Beam’s vivid lyricism, like “No one knew the arm was broken, although everybody signed the cast”. Yet another magnificent and truly beautiful record by Iron & Wine.

Favorite Tracks: “Low Light Buddy of Mine”, “New Mexico’s No Breeze”, and “Lover’s Revolution”

5.) Jake Bugg- Jake Bugg

2013 was the year of the young, with so many young artists making fantastic records. Jake Bugg released his self titled record at the young age of 19. Listening to this record and knowing how young he is still baffles me. This is one of the most perfect debut albums that I have heard in a long time. Jake Bugg’s Self-Titled is a record that combines the folk and rock sounds that resemble the 60’s and 70’s. Jake has an extensive amount of songwriting talent, as well as vocal and stunning guitar talent. Bugg gives listeners everything from heavy hitters (“Lightning Bolt”) to youthful anthems (“Two Fingers”) to deep emotional cuts (“Broken”). This kid has been turning heads all year and I am looking forward to him continuing to do so in the future.

Favorite Tracks: “Two Fingers”, “Seen it All”, and “Broken”

4.) Chance The Rapper-Acid Rap

Speaking of young talents, Chicago rapper, Chance The Rapper, released a free mixtape, titled Acid Rap, that was a hip-hop masterpiece, and he is only 20 years old. With a title like Acid Rap it is expected that the album has a lingering psychedelic entity to it, while intertwining jazzy elements with hip-hop. His somewhat whiny voice is so unique for a rapper that it catches your ears, and gets your attention.  The young rapper from Chicago depicts his life on the streets of Chicago in songs like “Pusha Man”, with lines like “Down here it’s easier to find a gun, than it is to find a fuckin’ parkin’ spot”. This is one of those albums that I kept coming back to all year and it never lost its luster for me. A truly great album, start to finish.

Favorite Tracks: “Cocoa Butter Kisses”, “Chain Smoker”, and “Favorite Song”

3.) Local Natives- Hummingbird

Hummingbird is a sophomore victory by Local Natives. After such an incredible album like Gorilla Manor, Local Natives stepped up their sound even further expanding their vast harmonies with even more powerful lyrics than their debut. Starting with such a steady paced opener like “You and I” was absolutely genius, as Local Natives brings so many beautiful sounds to the table. There are slower songs on this record in comparison to Gorilla Manor, but Local Natives executes them in such a natural, fluid manner that delights the ears and satisfies the musical pallet. The harmonies are profound, as usual, further extending the talent of Local Natives.

Favorite Tracks: “Heavy Feet”, “Breakers”, and “Columbia”

2.) Volcano Choir- Repave

Every since I heard Justin Vernon in Bon Iver, I have been so intrigued by his musical styles and talent. It’s astonishing to believe how much work Justin Vernon can put out in such little time, dipping his toes in any genre he could get his hands on. Just in 2013 alone, Justin Vernon has released an album with The Shouting Matches, collaborated on numerous tracks off of Kanye West’s Yeezus, and even produced the latest Blind Boys of Alabama record. Aside from those projects he also released the second Volcano Choir album, Repave.  Repave is a more structured record than their first, Unmap. This album bridges the gap for Bon Iver fans, like myself, into a new part of Justin Vernon’s impeccable career. Themes of a lingering self-reflection stain this record, as well as underlying theme of having to move on (hence ‘Repave’). Taking the acoustic bits of For Emma, Forever Ago and mashing them with the intensity of Bon Iver, Bon Iver creates Repave. With just a short 8 tracks, Volcano Choir amazed me and made one of my favorite records this year.

Favorite Tracks: “Byegone”, “Dancepack”, and “Acetate”

1.) Kanye West- Yeezus

Kanye West’s Yeezus is my favorite album of 2013. I knew as soon as I heard the bass heavy synth intro of “On Sight” (courtesy of Daft Punk) that I was going to love this album. As Kanye’s career progresses he does one thing that is better than every other rapper; He changes and experiments with his sound. Yeezus sounds like a combination of house and industrial music mixed into a rap album. “On Sight” starts the album on such an intense level, and it continues onto “Black Skinhead” with tribal drums and primal screeches. This isn’t a rap album featuring basic drum tracks and snare-rolls. There is clearly the egomaniac that we know present, but that is Kanye’s thing. “As soon as they like you/make ‘em unlike you/ cause kissin’ peoples ass is so unlike you”. This line from “I Am A God” describes him perfectly. He does things that will offend people, and upset them; all while making great music.

Unlike other rap albums, including previous Kanye records, Yeezus offers so much passion, power, and intensity unlike anything I have heard in a rap album. He does something fascinating during quite a few songs, including the power driven ones like “On Sight” and “New Slaves”. During these intense tracks, there will be a breakdown where Kanye adds a sample or a slowed down auto-tuned solo. Kanye isn’t afraid to push the limits and break down the barriers that revolve around the Hip-Hop industry. This well-crafted, Rick Rubin produced record is pure genius. Even the Yeezus Tour was an entire production and not just your average concert.

I believe this record will change the way rappers start to make their albums, with so many other artists being inspired by this record. Even Bruce Springsteen and Trent Reznor approve of Yeezus, giving it such a wide range of respect throughout the music industry. Don’t let Kanye’s personal life and antics get in the way of what is most important: The Music.

Favorite Tracks: “I’m in It”, “Hold My Liquor”, and “New Slaves”