Tyler's Top Albums of 2013

10)      Lorde – Pure Heroine

I’m going to be honest, the only reason I gave this album a shot is because of “Royals”. Getting that off my

chest, I’m VERY glad I did. This album is incredible. I don’t give much pop music a chance because it’s

typically not my thing. But that’s the point of me doing this blog, right? So I can expand my musical horizons.

After giving this album a shot, I was impressed beyond belief. I love that this album isn’t another dubstep

pop album that talks about partying and drugs. This album actually speaks on the opposite. It speaks from

her being sick of these stereotypes and this notion that all people need to behave this way in order to enjoy

their life. I love the music and I especially love the harmonies. Like I’ve said before, I’m a sucker for vocal

harmonies and this album contains quite a few of them. Overall, this album is fresh and it’s definitely

something I needed to hear for the future of pop music’s credibility in my opinion. Favorite Tracks: “Royals”,

“Team”, and “Glory and Gore”

9)      The Dillinger Escape Plan – One Of Us Is The Killer

The Dillinger Escape Plan is definitely not a band for everyone. As a matter of fact, the average listener would consider their music as just “noise”. The beautiful thing about this band, is that they’re able to create album after album of this “noise” and they’re all so diverse. The Dillinger Escape Plan is a progressive metal/mathcore band from New Jersey. Most of you are probably thinking “What is mathcore!?!? Math and music? Wahhhh!?” Yes. It is a thing. The genre consists of constantly changing odd time signatures throughout their songs. The Dillinger Escape Plan do an incredible job of blending their heavy mathcore elements with hard rock with clean vocals. Greg Puciato has a very ear piercing scream and a very soothing rock voice. He truly has the best of both worlds. It’s incredible that a band like this has created such a name for themselves in the metal community because of their very unique sound. Their amazing musicianship and incredible stage presence make them one of the biggest bands in the progressive metal scene. Favorite Tracks: “When I Lost My Bet”, “Prancer”, and “Paranoia Shields” 

8)    Arctic Monkeys – AM

The Arctic Monkeys are an English indie rock/punk rock band that has been one of the more prominent bands in the “post-punk revival” scene. While I never really explored this band until recently, I found that AM was an album that I just couldn’t take out of my CD player. Taking a break from their more punk rock sound, they were able to create a more mature, well rounded album. The album still contained some of their faster punk rock songs like “R U Mine?”, but they were able to throw slower songs into the mix like “Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?” and “No. 1 Party Anthem”. This album was definitely a step forward for the band with more maturely composed music and tasteful song writing. Plus it has a cameo from my boy Josh Homme. Always a plus. Favorite Tracks: “Do I Wanna Know?”, “R U Mine?” and “Knee Socks” 

7)    The Dear Hunter – Migrant

The Dear Hunter is a progressive indie rock band from Rhode Island. Casey Crescenzo, the lead songwriter, vocalist and guitarist of The Dear Hunter, is always pushing himself musically. After releasing The Color Spectrum in 2011, a 36 song, 9 EP compilation, everyone was wondering what Casey would do next. It’s hard to live up to something as epic as The Color Spectrum, but in my opinion, he was able to in a very different way. Migrant was quite a bit different than their previous efforts. This album was more of a compilation of songs instead of an album with one large concept, like the Acts have been. With songs like, “An Escape”, “Let Go”, and my personal favorite, “Shame”, they were really able to create an incredible album with very well written songs that are different from their former concept albums. I’m not sure if I would like every album to be like this, but it was a great and fresh change for the band.

6)      Protest the Hero – Volition

Protest the Hero has always been one of my favorite progressive metal bands. Not conforming to the Meshuggah influenced “djent” style of progressive metal that most bands seem to do nowadays, they have really stuck out with their fast riffing and Rody’s hair metal influenced vocals. The band really pushed themselves with Volition, their 2013 release. I was nervous when it came to the release of this album because they made the mistake of releasing Fortress early on in their career. Releasing a perfect album so early in a bands career can make every album after seem underwhelming and disappointing. I also wasn’t too fond of their 2011 album Scurrilous. The change in their guitar tone and lyrical content disappointed me greatly. Another factor that contributed to my nervousness of this album release was the departure of their long time drummer, Moe Carlson, a very talented individual. However, they were able to recruit Lamb of God drummer Chris Adler. Being in a groove metal band, I was curious as to how his drumming style would fit in PtH, but it did! He’s a very diverse and talented drummer; with insanely fast double bass, awesome fills and killer beats, he really nailed the drum parts on this album. However, Volition really surprised me. Going back to their old guitar tones, and old lyrical style, this album is one of my favorites of 2013. Fast lead guitars, crushing riffs and epic choruses are what make this band incredible, and they really brought a lot to the table with this album. Favorite Tracks: “Clarity”, “Drumhead Trial”, “Animal Bones”

5)      Iron & Wine – Ghost On Ghost

Sam Beam started Iron & Wine in his home, releasing acoustic albums of just him and his acoustic guitar. Since, he has grown incredibly much as a musician and an artist. My first experience with Iron & Wine was when I was looking to expand my musical horizons; I went to Best Buy and bought Kiss Each Other Clean. This album is beyond incredible. Using characteristics of big band style including instruments such as saxophones, trumpets and the catchy female backing vocals, this album caught me by surprise. I was listening to this album obsessively for months. Ghost On Ghost is Iron & Wine’s 2013 release, continuing with this newer big band, blues, and jazz style, I found myself listening to this album over and over again. Starting the album with “Caught in the Briars”, it starts with this sort of jazz style intro that transitions right into the catchy, acoustic guitar, main riff of the song. The horns and backing vocals really drive this album musically. The trumpets, saxophones and other horns are key elements in adding depth to all of the songs musically. Another aspect of Iron & Wine that I love so much is that Sam Beam really has a way with words. He is my favorite lyricist of all time, because he is really able to paint a picture in the listener’s mind of what he’s trying to express. I’ve never had such a clear image in my mind when listening to music and that’s what really got me into his music. This is an album that’s hard to just listen to 1 song without listening to the whole album all the way though. It flows magnificently from one track to the next, and that, in my opinion, is what makes an album truly great.  Favorite Tracks: “Caught in the Briars”, “Low Light Buddy of Mine”, “Grace for the Saints and Rablers”

4)      Nine Inch Nails – Hesitation Marks

Trent Reznor, the heart and soul of Nine Inch Nails, is a very busy man. Since the release of their 2008 album, The Slip, Trent has been very busy with other projects such as How to Destroy Angels, and his work with movies such as The Social Network, and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Showing how talented and diverse he is the last few years, he has CHANGE IT TO ‘HAD’ taken a break from Nine Inch Nails. Until recently, most people thought the project was done, especially after its farewell tour in 2009. In May of 2013, Trent came out and stated that he had been working for a while on a new Nine Inch Nails record without telling the public. This created much hype and excitement for a new full length Nails record. Upon its release in late August of 2013, it’s another record that I’ve had a hard time putting down. I find myself listening to it for weeks at a time on repeat in my car, singing along to every song. This was a huge step for Trent, because it really showed him going back to his roots in a new way. Going with a more electronic approach to this album, which has been very different than his more previous efforts. It seems as though he’s tapping into his early music, but in a new way. He didn’t just release another Pretty Hate Machine or The Downward Spiral. He really took the best of both worlds and used his evolution over the past years and his roots to his advantage. This is definitely my second favorite release from him after With Teeth in 2005. It still has his quintessential dark and ominous vibes, but he is still expanding and experimenting with the upbeat track “Everything”. My favorite track on this album, by far, is “All Time Low” for one reason. Funk. This track is beyond funky and it’s really a catchy and fun song. This album flows from one track to the next and is truly not only a great comeback record, but a great standalone record.  Favorite Tracks: “All Time Low”, “While I’m Still Here”, and “Various Methods of Escape”

3)      Kanye West – Yeezus

I’ve never really been too big into rap or hip hop music. I listened to Eminem when I was younger, and I’ve dabbled in some artists like Childish Gambino within the past few years, but Yeezus is an incredible album. There is a very negative connotation when it comes to the name Kanye West. Whether it’s his narcissistic attitude, his “I don’t give a shit” attitude, or what he did to Taylor Swift during the VMA’s a few years back, most people don’t like Kanye as a person. But regardless of what kind of person he is, or what kind of person you see him as, he’s a very talented artist. He has a way of releasing hits and great albums. Yeezus, his 2013 release really pushed the envelope for Kanye, changing the rap scene forever. Starting off with “On Sight,” it’s definitely one of the darker rap songs that I’ve heard. To me, it sounds like he’s really taken influence from artists such as Tyler the Creator and all of OFWGKTA. To me, however, he has taken influence from more than that. I hear quite a bit of Nine Inch Nails influence. Whether it’s the darkness of these tracks, or the more industrial approach to the beats on this album, I’m not exactly sure what screams Nine Inch Nails, but I absolutely love it. This album definitely changed the rap scene forever. There were many people I talked to that didn’t love this album, most of these people were radio only listeners, but this album was a game changer for sure. With tons of critical acclaim, this was one of the biggest albums of 2013. Whether it was celebrities, critics, other musicians, everyone in music seemed to love this album. The flow on this album is another thing to mention. The album starts off so heavy and dark, but it really transitions to a upbeat and happy closer, “Bound 2.” Favorite Tracks: “On Sight”, “Black Skinhead”, and “New Slaves” 

2)      Daft Punk – Random Access Memories

Holy crap! This album is amazing! I did not expect it from Daft Punk. I’ve heard their radio singles in the past and I’ve liked them, especially “Stronger” by Kanye West, but I’ve never been a diehard fan. So, on that note, this album definitely took me by surprise. This album was recommended to me by quite a few people, and even if it’s not in my parameters of music, I’ll give it a listen. I’m so glad that I did on this one. It’s so funky! And I’m all about funk! They really went back to their roots and influences on the whole disco and funk sound. “Give Life Back To Music” is an amazing intro.  Even after hearing “Get Lucky” a million times on the CD, and on the radio, I still love that song. Start to finish, this album flows incredibly, the music is incredibly catchy, fun and interesting, and it’s not just another electronic album like all music seems to be nowadays. I still put this CD in about once a week and give it a full listen on my way to work. If you haven’t listened yet, you need to. Favorite Tracks: “Get Lucky”, “Instant Crush”, and “Fragments of Time”

1)      Queens of the Stone Age - …Like Clockwork

Alternative rock has always been my thing, and Queens of the Stone Age have recently become one of my

favorite acts in the alternative rock scene. …Like Clockwork is my favorite album of the year for many

reasons. The first reason is that it’s a very different album for the band. Their previous efforts are more

musically driven and had a harder rock sound. Not that this album is slow, but it definitely has slower

elements in comparison to its predecessors. The album opens with a very dreary “Keep Your Eyes Pealed”,

which was a great album opener, in my opinion. It’s not a hard hitting fast intro like they’re used to, but this 

dark song creates a sort of atmospheric tone for the rest of the album. However, right after this song, they go

right into “I Sat By The Ocean”, a more bright and upbeat rock song. It’s these song transitions and the wide

variety of song choices that really tie this album together. Every song sounds so different, keeping it from

being boring in any way. This album is very vocally driven, which is a different path than the band has taken

previously. With impressive harmonies in every song, some even sung by Sir Elton John, they really kicked it

up a notch. This album has everything from slower ballads, like, “The Vampyre of Time And Memory” to

fast hard rock songs like, “My God Is the Sun.” This is by far the most mature record for the band and in my

opinion, the best written and organized. It’s this sort of musicianship that I look for when deciding my

favorite album of the year. With dark songs, odd time signatures, vocal harmonies, guitar solos, catchy riffs,

harmonized guitars, and random ass guest vocals, this album is a huge step forward for the band and gets me

very excited for what they have to offer in the future. Favorite Tracks: “I Sat By The Ocean”, “The Vampyre

of Time And Memory” and “Smooth Sailing”