Top 5 Albums of 2013

So we've got a few days left of 2013 and since I have no life outside being a music nerd, I figured I'd be a music nerd. I also noticed Joe already did one of these, but Joe is both short and stupid so fuck him. Now these aren't ALL albums that came out in 2013, but my favorite albums I heard this year. It took me long enough to think up 5 albums and I contemplated actually putting them in order for once, but it took up too much time that I don't (I totally do) have. 

 Ghost- Infestissumam

 This would probably take the number one slot. I feel like every single entry I start off by saying these aren't in order and within the first sentence of the first photo I explain how it's number one. I'm full of shit. Stop reading this now. I know I'm a bit of a late comer to these guys, but I really fell in love within the first track of this album. I'm not really so much of a metal guy so I wasn't too interested at first. Foolish move by me! This is the grooviest, darkest and amazing sounding record I've heard in a really long time. The entire album has a very dark and evil sound to it that not many albums can do without being as catchy as this material. Basically the first time I heard this record my dick shit out piss.

I feel like too many people get into this band for their looks and because they "hail satan." I love bands with stories, or in this case a complete lack of story I guess. There have been rumors of members in the band, but nothing has been confirmed. I like that they focus strictly on writing bad ass music and putting on amazing shows rather than getting too stuck on names or egos. Now yes, nu-metal bands have been "mysterious" years ago with face paint or masks, but they were still fucking nu-metal bands! Who gives a fuck who plays in those bands? I wish I wasn't so fucking stubborn and would've listened to these guys before they played House of Blues this year because their live shows are insane! 

Chris Bishop

Here's a local hero of mine, Chris Bishop! This was actually one of the secret projects of mine that I've been working on for a few months now, but I can't make a top 5 list of this year without mentioning how much I love this material! Without spoiling too much of the record's sound, this music is everything I love exploring about music. Simple and catchy with enough layers and characteristics to each instrument to make you want to listen to it again and again.

Chris and I both recently fell into some hard times financially, yet we both still made the drive a few times a week to write and record some awesome music at my studio, which to me couldn't define any clearer what I fucking love and respect about musicians. Chris is one of the few musicians both locally and nationally that is true bad ass, writing tasty and sexy jams. Two thumbs way up to this man!
 

Queens of the Stone Age- ...Like Clockwork

This album actually took a few listens to for me to really enjoy. I remember getting the record a month or so before it came out from a friend in the Queens family while I was visiting Los Angeles. The first track I fell in love with was "Fairweather Friends" because quite honestly I was severely depressed at the time and let down by everyone around me, excluding a very select few. The lyrics really kicked my ass in a positive way.

This album may very well be sonically my favorite Queens record. Their first record will forever be my favorite record from front to back, but this album has some serious tones to it. The bass tone in "My God is the Sun" is AMAZING! It's punch and clear, yet still a little blown out and dirty sounding. Generally speaking, a well written record with exceptionally amazing production. 

David Bowie- The Next Day

 This was an instant candidate for this list. I actually just wrote a bit about this record in my most recent post and why it was an important release. Basically I was being a pussy and this album had a few songs that I related to lyrically. This is by no means my favorite Bowie album, but definitely an important release. If you haven't heard it you should probably put a cucumber in your ass and jump into traffic. 

I found it interesting that he hasn't done one single interview since the release of this album. In fact, when it came out (on his 60th birthday) there wasn't a "single" or any indication that any new material was even being thought up let alone released! I love the surprise in big names. Working with several bands myself, it's hard to maintain a secret project or idea when those secret projects or ideas involve the same friends you're trying to be secretive to, you know? I've always admired the attitude of just fucking doing something. Don't talk in the press about how great an album you haven't even started writing is going to sound, just write it.

Dr. John- Gris Gris

This is probably the newest old records I've gotten into in a long time. Chris actually showed me this psycho during one of our late night sessions. Take a look at that cover. This isn't some Lady Gaga radio pop bullshit. This guy is the real deal. A collage of psychedelic rock n' roll and what I would call old school funk, this mother fucker does not disappoint. He's got a catalog of music thicker than bigfoots dick and sexier than.. bigfoots dick. Check him out!

-Novak

Winter Listens

This could easily turn into something lengthy and unreadable so I'll put on my Matt Woods face and get right to it. These are albums I find myself listening to on the dark, cold winter nights. These are in no order. 

 I guess if there was to be an order to this, this would make number one. I've listened to this album with headphones in my bed upwards of 100 times this winter. A new friend recommended it to me and it's great!

This album is probably the most unlike any of the others, yet I still can't seem to deviate away from synthetic, pulsating punk the colder it gets. For anyone actually reading these blog posts, I'm currently working on something secret that sounds a lot like "The Screams" (with much more drums) off this album.

 I'm still relatively new to these guys, but it was an instant love! The track "When the Sun Hits" may be one of my top 10 favorite songs ever. Maintaining the sort of sleepy winter drone to it, this one is an album everyone should listen to. 

This is the extra disc to David Bowie's latest release "The Next Day" and it's on here specifically for the track "Love is Lost- Hello Steve Reich mix" because it is fucking AMAZING. This is one I simply can't simplify my explanation on why I'm posting it. Music to me brings me back to specific places more than photos. This album came out right as a relationship of mine was ending and the original version this song (which is entirely different musically) instantly struck a vein with me. Hearing this song go from a full band to a stripped down piano and synth track gave me goosebumps. 

You HAVE to watch the video for this. His facial expressions in the video along with the lyrics honestly made me cry. The video couldn't have painted a more accurate description of where I was at when I heard this album. That hallway where he looks lost as fuck looks sad and scared of his surroundings looks identical to my studio's hallway and it gets me every time I watch this. The entire video his facial expressions look so sincerely sad and lost. I can't express enough how much this song and video does for me. (I will say though that the ending is a little cheesy when the puppet starts going along with the song...)

 

An old favorite. This cassette actually got stuck in my first car back in high school and it was all I could listen to for a few weeks straight one winter. I've always liked New Order more than Joy Division and this album is exactly why.  I don't really know what it has to do with "winter listens" really, but I've been listening to it a lot lately.

 This would probably be number two if there was an order to this. This soundtrack was actually written specifically to sound "cold" for the theme of the movie with the same title. Anyone who knows me knows that anything that Trent Reznor touches is something I've listened to and dissected over and over. In my opinion, this is the last interesting thing Trent has put out. The Social Network soundtrack was great, too. This is usually on in the background at my studio when I'm painting or reading. Something about this soundtrack makes me go instantly into workaholic mode.

 This album has made all kinds of posts on here for me. It's currently the CD in my car and has been for a few days straight now. It's also been on albums of the year, most listened to, albums of the week and so on. This doesn't really have much to do with "winter listens" but it is winter and I am listening to it.. so it's on here. Deal with it

 This was something I posted about a little over a year ago. I specifically bought this on vinyl for the cover art and the fact that the back listed every instrument used in production (which of course was all synths and drum machines) so I HAD to buy it. Jean Michel has an extensive discography that I am now quite found of and you should be, too.

Before this gets too long and weird, I'll end it here. If you've read this far, mention that you have and I will buy you a taco :) 

-Novak

Top Ten of 2013

2013 is almost over and, as all wannabee music journalists do around this time of year, I've compiled a list of my top albums of the year. If you haven't checked these records out already, do yourself a favor and start paying attention to what the fuck I say.

10.) Culo- "My Life Sucks and I Could Care Less" (Deranged Records)

Attention punks: This record needs to be in your collection immediately. No nonsense, balls to the chin snotty punk / hardcore from Chicago without any regard for your feelings or property.

9.) Cathedral- "The Last Spire" (Rise Above / Metal Blade)

Cathedral's swansong and farewell definitely lived up to expectations. A return to form and then some, Cathedral reminded everyone in 2013 why  they are one of the most influential and important bands in metal history.

8.) Full of Hell- "Rudiments of Mutilation" (A389 Records)

An eclectic melting pot of hardcore, grind, noise, and metal, Full of Hell's "Rudiments of Mutilation" is one of the harshest and ferocious records in recent memory. Step up and get your face punched in.

7.) Coffins- "The Fleshland" (Relapse)

Just when you thought it was safe to hammer the final nail in death metal's coffin (no pun intended), "The Fleshland" reminds you that there's still a place in the world for slow, sludgey, down-tuned, groove-laden sickness!

6.) The Men- "New Moon" (Sacred Bones)

Combining punk rock elements with pieces of Americana and folk, The Men's "New Moon" was a welcomed change of pace for the band and one that I'm certain will be remembered as a turning point in what is shaping to be one of the more impressive careers in indie music. Kudos gentlemen!

5.) Darkthrone- "The Underground Resistance" (Peaceville)

The best Darkthrone release in recent memory represents the band at their creative best and again sets a new standard for black metal...or whatever they're calling it these days.

4.) Carcass- "Surgical Steel" (Nuclear Blast)

This needs no introduction. If you slept on this record you should probably consider sleeping for eternity.

3.) Deafheaven- "Sunbather" (Deathwish)

Definitely one of the more impressive and imaginative records to come out in a very long time, Deafheaven has taken the underground by storm and with good reason, this is hands down a great record that everyone, regardless of genre affiliation, is enjoying regularly.

2.) Ghost B.C.- "Infestissumam" (Sonet Records)

Metal lives, and apparently it's evil again. The second full length by the already legendary Ghost B.C. has everyone, even Novak, throwing horns in the air. To his credit, Novak got me into this band, and for that I tip my dick to him.

1.) Ulver- "Messe I.X-VI.X" (Jester Records)

Always miles ahead of everyone else and continuously re-inventing themselves, Ulver's release in 2013 is a masterpiece. This shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone with functioning ears.

- Joe