I’ve never subscribed to that common think-piece notion that culture is dead. Film is dead. Rock is dead. Pop is dead. Theater is dead. Whatever. It all means nothing. It’s an uninspired, narrow way to view culture. Just because Miley Cyrus does something stupid on stage in front of millions of people means nobody makes good art anymore? There is tons of great stuff every year! As a writer who earns a living paying attention to these things, it’s often overwhelming. When I was tasked with coming up with a list of my favorite music of the year, I thought I was going to have a panic attack. There is so much that I want to include, but only so much space. I expanded to 20 picks, and it took great restraint to keep it that low. The list here includes albums, singles, record labels, and even a concert, and is not ranked. It’s a round-up of 20 musical things I liked this year, some of the best music had to offer in 2013.
Each choice here is accompanied by a sample track via Spotify. Please listen to them all.
1. Todd Terje - “Strandbar” 12” & “Spiral/Q” 12” (Olsen)
2. Death Waltz Records
3. Thee Oh Sees - Floating Coffin (Castle Face)
4. Kanye West - Yeezus (Def Jam)
5. Wooden Shjips - Back to Land (Thrill Jockey)
6. Superchunk - I Hate Music (Merge)
7. Joe McPhee - Nation Time: The Complete Recordings (Corbett vs. Dempsey)
8. Pusha T - “Numbers on the Boards”
9. Quasimoto - “Yessir Whatever” (Stones Throw)
10. Hookworms - Pearl Mystic (Gringo Records)
11. M.I.A - Matangi (Universal)
12. Sky Ferreira - Night Time My Time
13. Fuzz - “Live in San Francisco” (Castle Face)
14. Roky Erickson - Reissues (Light in the Attic)
16. Ghost Box - Study Series 9
17. Eduard Artemiev - Solaris Soundtrack (Superior Viaduct)
18. John Cale at Brooklyn Academy of Music
19. Various Artists - “Kill Yourself Dancing: The Story of Sunset Records Inc.-Chicago 1985-89” (Still Music)
20. There's A Dream I've Been Saving: Lee Hazlewood Industries 1966 - 1971 (Light in the Attic)
