19. Beach Fossils

19. Beach Fossils - Clash the Truth

Beach Fossils was initially the solo project of Dustin Payseur, but over the last several years, they are now a band, including members; Tommy Gardner, Jack Doyle Smith and Tommy Davidson. Based out of Brooklyn, they produce a lo-fi, new wave sound with some punk and surf rock thrown in. I loved their last album a lot as well, because I generally love this sound. Apparently putting 'beach' in the name of your band is the new thing, like 'bear' was a few years ago (and still is).





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20. Indians

20. Indians - Somewhere Else

Indians is the nomme de plume of Søren Løkke Juul from Denmark. He is called Denmark's Bon Iver. Indians has already toured this year with several bands that are in the top 50 this year, Phosphorescent and Daughter, to name a couple. When he tours, he has a backing band. I find the music to be quasi psychedelic, but also soft and beautiful as well.





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21. Ra Ra Riot

21. Ra Ra Riot - Beta Love

I fell in love with this band the first time I saw them play live at The Conservatory a number of years ago. Since then, I have tried to see them live every chance I get. The addition of the strings, even though they recently lost their cellist, lends to the band a unique, timeless experience. I feel as they've progressed, they have become more....what do I say...poppy, maybe. Either way, I like what they put out, a lot. Their last album made my top 50 back in 2010 in roughly the same place, here.





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22. Houndmouth

22. Houndmouth - From the Hills Below the City

Very new to the folk scene, these guys reside in southern Indiana. The band consists of Katie Toupin, Matt Myers, Zak Appleby, and Shane Cody. While they were recording in Shane's home, they were filtering out all the background sounds like police cars and such and Shane said the track still had too much hound mouth in it (dogs barking in the background). The name and the band was born. They will be at Opolis on February 18th, I strongly recommend attending.





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23. Atoms For Peace

23. Atoms For Peace - Amok

Atoms for Peace, if you don't know by now, is a super group consisting of Thom Yorke of Radiohead, Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nigel Godrich (Radiohead's producer) and Joey Waronker on drums from Beck and REM. The band formed as a result of being the back-up band for Thom Yorke's solo album Eraser, at which time they started working on songs collaboratively. Hence, Atoms for Peace. This has Thom Yorke all over it, but it is really, really well done and some serious ear candy. The website is wonderfully interactive.





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24. The Boxer Rebellion

24. The Boxer Rebellion - Promises

The Boxer Rebellion almost made the top 50 a couple years ago. Based out of London, the band consists of Tennessee-native Nathan Nicholson (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Australian Todd Howe (lead guitar), and Englishmen Adam Harrison (bass guitar) and Piers Hewitt (drums). Their evolution as a band has been astonishing to watch. I can barely listen to their first album. This one, I couldn't take out of rotation almost all year. I still return to it now over and over. They are just so awesome, I hope I get to see them on tour.

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25. Bare Mutants

25. Bare Mutants - The Affliction

These guys are out of Chicago. Headed by frontman, Jered Gummere, formerly of The Ponys, it is a sonic progression into Velvet Underground territory. Other members of the band include, Seth Bohn on bass, Jeanine O’Toole on backups and tambourine, Matt Holland on drums and Leslie Deckard on organ. My girlfriend turned me onto this band and they have been a regular in my shuffle for awhile now.






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26. Frank Turner

26. Frank Turner - Tape Deck Heart

I have to admit, this album is my discovery of this amazing singer/songwriter. I feel embarrassed, I really don't know where I've been. However, I'm glad I've been found, because this album is genius. He is an English singer/songwriter and plays both punk and folk (why is that always a thing?). The band that backs him up is called The Sleeping Souls. His songs are about love and loss and the poetry and frankness of the lyrics is not to be trifled with. He was recently in the news because he is going to answer questions about Iron Maiden on the BBC celebrity quiz show, Celebrity Mastermind.

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27. Eels

27. Eels - Wonderful, Glorious

Typically bands I see live during the year make this list because, well, I listen to their new stuff quite a bit before the show. This is no exception. It's hard to believe that E (Mark Oliver Everett) has been putting out music prolifically for almost 20 years. In 2009/10 he put out three albums as part of a trilogy. This is a double album and was fun to watch the band play live in their track suits. The members of the band are as such: E, The Chet, Knuckles (Derek Brown), Honest Al, and P-Boo (Mike Sawitzke).





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28. Phosphorescent

28. Phosphorescent - Muchaco

Phosphorescent is essentially the moniker of Matthew Houck. Originally from Alabama, he started playing in Athens, Georgia and now resides in Brooklyn. Muchaco is a thing of beauty. I happened to catch him with full band at SXSW and Gentlemen of the Road this year. The live performance of him backed by a band is something to not be missed. This has been one of my favorite Sunday morning albums of the year. It's definitely a concept album, so I recommend listening to it in its entirety.





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29. ON AN ON

29. ON AN ON - Give In

From the ashes of the breakup of Scattered Trees, only three members remained to produce something new. Lead, Nate Eiesland, decided to take the band in a new direction with the two remaining members, Alissa Ricci and Ryne Estwing. There is so much good in this album, I really don't know where to begin. I'm absolutely in love with the music, the lyrics, the male/female harmonies, all of it. It's just beautiful.









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30. Classixx

30. Classixx - Hanging Gardens

I received this CD from the label at the Spy and immediately put it in the player. What resulted was hours of listening. I didn't take it out of the player for days. Classixx is a Los Angeles based DJ duo. Michael Blake and Tyler Blake put these grooves together, you may remember them as Young Americans. I, personally, love the new sound from these two, as it pulls in from a lot of different genres. It has the exact kind of club/late night vibe that I love.





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31. Young Galaxy

31. Young Galaxy - Ultramarine

These guys reside in Vancouver, British Columbia. The band consists of Stephen Ramsay (vocals/guitar), Catherine McCandless (vocals/keyboards), Stephen Kamp (bass/vocals), Matthew Shapiro (keys/guitar), and Andrea Silver (drums). They have quickly over the last couple years become one of my favorite bands. They were #4 in 2011 here, which is pretty high for a band to get on my charts. I love Chatherine's voice, I love the dream pop/psych/electro sensibility of the music. I still haven't got to see this band live and I wish they would come play close to here. Even a little close. They always have the best videos.







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32. The Horse's Ha

32. The Horse's Ha - Waterdrawn

Somehow I discovered this band on Spotify...love that service sometimes. This band is Janet Bean and journeyman singer/guitarist James Elkington out of Chicago. This is folk, but not just any folk. Their voices serve as perfect counterpoint to each other. The contrast reminds me of Mark Lanegan and Isobell Campbell. The strings in the background push this album to depths that other albums fear to tread. Below is the best quality video I could find of them. It took them ten years to make this sophomore album. I hope I don't have to wait that long to see more from these minstrels.








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33. Majikal Cloudz

33. Majikal Cloudz - Impersonator

Devon Welsh is the son of Canadian/American actor, Kenneth Welsh. He started this project in 2010 and this is his second album. Collaborator and producer, Matthew Otto, signed on last year. The style is electronica but such a stripped down version with soul piercing lyrics and a clarity and focus normally not experienced. Expect this album to be included in your favorites.





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34. Okkervil River

34. Okkervil River - The Silver Gymnasium

Oh Will Sheff and the boys. Based out of Austin, Texas, this is one of my favorite bands to see live. They recently finished up a tour in OKC. The band is named after a short story by Russian author Tatyana Tolstaya. Some of their album covers tell a story and this album has an 8-bit video game made after it, which you can play here. It's all pretty much awesome all day long.





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35. Villagers

35. Villagers - (Awayland)

Villagers are a band out of Dublin, Ireland. Its members consist of Conor O'Brien, Tommy McLaughlin, Danny Snow, James Byrne and Cormac Curran. Conor is the primary songwriter and wrote the album entirely from the perspective of a newborn child trying to learn how to speak. It's dark and quiet with daunting rhythms that lure you into their sway.





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36. Golden Suits

36. Golden Suits - Golden Suits

Oh my goodness I love this album. And why shouldn't I, it is made by Fred Nicolaus of Department of Eagles. It's classified as folk pop, but I have a hard time putting it in this category. Regardless, this album is another of my unsung heroes. He got the name from the last line in John Cheever's book "The Country Husband". Nicolaus is a huge fan of Cheever and used the video for my favorite song on the album (below) to document his trying to buy every copy of "The Stories of John Cheever".





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37. Wild Belle

37. Wild Belle - Isles

Siblings, Elliot and Natalie Bergman, comprise the band, Wild Belle. They come out of Chicago. Elliot used to be in the band, Nomo. Natalie came along later singing backup vocals and tambourine and such. They decided to do their own thing. Afro-beat, reggae, soul, blues, jazz and many other genres round out the sound of this incredibly unique band. It is certainly one of my go to albums of the year to put me in a good mood.





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38. Ivan & Alyosha

38. Ivan & Alyosha - All the Times We Had

Ivan & Alyosha are a band out of Seattle, Washington. Named after the Brothers Karamazov in Fyodor Dostoevsky, founding members, Tim Wilson and Ryan Carbary, form finely crafted Indie folk. From love lost to love found, this album covers all the bases. They have recently added two members to their band. Check out their Tiny Desk below.

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39. Jim James

39. Jim James - Regions of Light and Sound of God

Jim James, formally known as James Edward Olliges, Jr. and colloquially as Yim Yames is the lead singer of My Morning Jacket. This solo album put out by him earlier this year is nothing short of glorious and if you're a MMJ & Jim James fan like me, you did not stop listening to it. While his MMJ albums have gone in several different directions stylistically, Regions finds James in his home studio in Louisville, Kentucky exploring depths and production he previously had been unable to obtain.

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40. Palma Violets

40. Palma Violets - 180

Palma Violets was birthed out of Lambeth, London in Studio 180 by bassist/vocalist Alexander "Chilli" Jesson, guitarist/vocalist Samuel Thomas Fryer, keyboardist Jeffrey Peter Mayhew and drummer William Martin Doyle. Before they even had anything recorded they had developed quite a following simply by playing show after show after show. With this, their debut, this band shows a lot of energy and promise. Truly a pleasure to listen to and their DIY ethic only makes me want to listen to this album more.





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41. Brown Bird

41. Brown Bird - Fits of Reason

This is the uncompromising duo out of Providence, Rhode Island, David Lamb and MorganEve Swain. Second album in two years and sadly will be the last one for awhile, as David has recently discovered he has leukemia. Best characterized as Eastern European folk, the thing to remember is that it is just these two producing the music. This album proves to be a much denser, heavier album than the ones in the past and incorporates some 60's psychedelia influence as well as blues and jazz. Should they ever tour again, make it a point to see them live, they put on an amazing show. You can donate to his bone marrow transplant here.





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42. Daughter

42. Daughter - If You Leave

Based out of London, Daughter is Elena Tonra - vocals, guitar; Igor Haefeli - guitar and Remi Aguilella - drums. This is their first full length, even though they've been a thing since 2010. Haunting vocals and melodies. I'd classify it as folk, but it is so much more than that. The lyrics are profound and moving. It's a sound that will swallow you up and spit you out. Definitely a headphones on kind of band. Excuse me while I go pick up my heart off the floor. I have given you a wide berth of songs from this artist to explore below.









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43. Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds

43. Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds - Push the Sky Away

Wow, just wow. I think this is the best album Nick Cave has put out so far. And that's saying a lot, since this is their 15th studio album. From the opening track, strangely titled, 'We No Who U R', with it's haunting melody and vocals to the title track, this album is a sonic treasure. Out of Australia, here is the current line-up, Nick Cave – vocals, piano, organ, harmonica, percussion, electric guitar, string arrangements; Thomas Wydler – drums, percussion, vocals; Martyn P. Casey – bass, vocals; Conway Savage – piano, organ, vocals; Jim Sclavunos – percussion, drums, organ, melodica, vocals; Warren Ellis – violin, fender mandocaster, loops, mandolin, tenor guitar, viola, bouzouki, accordion, flute, lute, piano, programming, percussion, string arrangements, vocals.





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44. Vampire Weekend

44. Vampire Weekend - Modern Vampires of the City

When I first heard this album, I, like the critics, thought that Vampire Weekend had lost their fire. I really expected this to go in the only listen to once pile. It did not have the immediate catchiness that the other albums had. And yet, here it is. Much more subtly infectious than their previous efforts. Now, I think I like this album far better than the first two. This shows a much more mature side to their sound and a darker vein as well. The Paul Simon-esque style is still there, they've just slowed everything way down. I really like it. It's funny that I've seen this on every top 50 list I've looked at so far. So, I think most of the critics probably had a similar experience. Never trust a critic. ;)





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45. High Highs

45. High Highs - Open Season

High Highs are Jack Milas and Oli Chang out of Sydney, Australia. They have toured with Sky Ferreria, Empire of the Sun and Vampire Weekend. They are signed to Sony, which means you will probably be hearing more out of these guys. Their sound is intimate and expansive all at the same time. They remind me of Band of Horses in their early days, only with a lot less members. The fact that only two guys produce this sound is stunning. I look forward to hearing where these guys go. This album is nothing short of incredible.





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46. Camera Obscura

46. Camera Obscura - Desire Lines

It is no secret that I absolutely love Camera Obscura, so it is no surprise to me that their new album made the list. What did surprise me is that it is so far down on the list. Out of Scotland, with close ties to Stuart Murdoch of Belle and Sebastian, this band has been cranking out the tunes since 1996. Their current line-up is Tracyanne Campbell – guitar, vocals; Carey Lander – piano, organ, vocals; Kenny McKeeve – guitar, mandolin, harmonica, vocals; Gavin Dunbar – bass; Lee Thomson – drums. They came in #35 in 2009's best of list here. It would seem that Camera Obscura have a baby now.





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47. Foxygen

47. Foxygen - We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace and Magic

What a fun album. I love what these guys are doing. They are only 22. Sam France and Jonathon Rado are the brains behind this outfit. They are out of California. Apparently their live shows are insane and I'm sad I missed them play at Opolis. Their sound seems to be 60's psychedelia blended with who knows. I'm not sure how to characterize them, I just know I enjoy listening to them. Such a fun album to listen to, check it out below.





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48. Fossil Collective

48. Fossil Collective - Tell Where I Lie

Fossil Collective rise out of the ashes of Vib Gyor. Jonny Hooker and Dave Fendick are the founders of this new project after their band disbanded in 2010. They reside in the United Kingdom. This album is just beautiful. Layered, folksy pop with lots of depth and complexity.

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49. Caveman

49. Caveman - Caveman

This is the sophomore effort of New York five piece, Caveman. Haunting vocals, big sound...think about a foggy fall evening. I haven't listened to their first album, but I love this one. A lot. It shows a lot of promise. Lots of prog rock sounds behind the folk and the harmonies between the band members are fantastic. I am really looking forward to seeing these guys live and to hear where their next album takes them. I see these guys blowing up in a couple years. Keep your eyes on them. Caveman is Jeff Berrall - bass, backing vocals, James Carbonetti - guitar, Sam Hopkins - keys, backing vocals, Matthew Iwanusa - vocals, guitar, percussion, Stefan Marolachakis - drums, backing vocals.

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50. Washed Out

50. Washed Out - Paracosm

Washed Out is Ernest Greene out of Perry, Georgia and his new album is spectacular. If you remember, way back in 2011, this was listed in the group of albums I should have been listening to, here. This one barely made the cut, but only because I started listening to it too late in the year. I love this guy's story. Went to school to become a librarian. Couldn't find a job. Moved in with his parents. Puts out amazing music in his bedroom. He got picked up by Sub Pop and this is such a great night/stay at home and cook dinner album. Or, drive around in the summer with the windows down. You pick. Hell of a great way to kick off this list, I say. Oh, and by the way, he also wrote the opening to Portlandia.





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Top 50 of 2013

I cannot believe it has been a year already. I had contemplated earlier doing a top 75, but after compiling all of the data and realizing the very real constraints on my time, I am going to stick with a top 50. Sorry if I got your hopes up, there were a lot of magnificent albums that came out this year, but I think my current format, top 50 followed by a top 10, more than covers what I have listened to. This has been a difficult year for several reasons. You can research my previous posts for one of those reasons, the other being, I lost a year's worth of music on my hard drive (because it crashed, big time). It has taken quite a bit of time recovering the data lost and lessened the amount of music I listened to dramatically. In addition, I got a new car, which has a CD player, so I tried to reflect that in the numbers. This list, again, is a list of what I've listened to the most. As with my radio show, I think I prefer to let my ears define what is best rather than my brain. I hope you enjoy this year's list even a fraction as much as I've enjoyed listening. The Top 50 begins now....