Top 10 Bands That Should Have Made The Top 50 But Didn't

This is without a doubt my favorite section of this blog that I do. Mostly, because these are the albums I need to be listening to right now before 2014 begins in full swing. Fifty albums is a lot to evaluate and I listen to a lot more. These albums below made an impact on me this year, but, for whatever reason, didn't make it into the top 50. They are in no particular order and I hope you find something you like.

1. Joy Kills Sorrow - Wide Awake

This Boston based Bluegrass band actually just put out an EP this year, but it's seven songs long, so I'm throwing it in here. They are a delightful band and if you haven't heard them before, you should check out their other offerings. I've played them on the show a few times this year. The fact that they do a bluegrass cover of a Postal Service song is just a bonus.





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2. Chvrches - The Bones Of What You Believe

These guys are out of Glasgow, Scotland and produce electronic pop. The band consists of Lauren Mayberry, Iain Cook, and Martin Doherty. This has probably been my favorite electronic band of the year and falls into the, "why wasn't I listening to this earlier this year?" category.





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3. Hanni El Khatib - Head In The Dirt

Hanni is a skateboarder by trade, but his music, obviously drew me to him. Sort of a blues, garage rock sound with punk and psychedelia thrown in. I just love this album. He grew up in San Francisco, but now resides in LA. Dan Auerbach produced this album and you can hear the influence.





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4. The Paper Kites - States

This is this Melbourne, Australia band's first full length and if this is any indication of what is to come from them, I am excited. An indie folk band, they formed in 2009 and have released two EP's prior to this year. I look forward to seeing them live.





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5. Guards - In Guards We Trust

Guards is a New York based three piece that make catchy rock and roll. The band consists of Richie Follin, Loren Humphrey and Kaylie Church and this is their debut album.





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6. Ex Cops - True Hallucinations

Brian Harding and Amalie Bruun comprise this Brooklyn based outfit. This is their debut as well and I would classify them as dream pop, but there is a lot more going on in this record. It's a great debut and shows that the band has a lot of promise in the future.





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7. Unknown Mortal Orchestra - II

This band has reached worldwide acclaim in a very short time. Part of them reside in Portland, Oregon and the other part in Auckland, New Zealand. The lineup is singer, guitarist and songwriter Ruban Nielson, bassist Jake Portrait and drummer Riley Geare. Uniquely haunting and utterly just brilliant, these guys produce music that borrows from 60's psychedelia.





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8. Gold Fields - Black Sun

Australia is putting out some great electronic pop bands and this one is no exception. This is the third attempt at producing a full length album for this quintet and I'm glad it was a charm as opposed to a strike. Lots of new wave influence on this album, just try to sit still. These guys are like The Naked and Famous, Fiery Furnaces and Empire of the Sun.





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9. The White Buffalo - Shadows, Greys, and Evil Ways

The White Buffalo is Jake Smith. Oregon born and southern California raised, his influences are punk,(seriously, why is this a thing?), Tom Waits and Waylon Jennings. His lyrics hit home just like Frank Turner and the string instruments with his smoky voice are just heaven. And he has an animated video, so it's all win.





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10. Rose Windows - The Sun Dogs

Part psych, part folk, part pop, these Seattle rockers have quite an extensive lineup. The band consists of: Chris Cheveyo – lead guitar/composer, Rabia Shaheen Qazi – lead vocalist, Richie Rekow – bass/ 1st male vocalist, Nils Petersen – rhythm guitar/2nd male vocalist, Pat Schowe – drums, David Davila – piano/organ, Veronica Dye – flute. They were in Norman this year and did a Vdub session.





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2013 Top 50 Recap

Here is a summary of the Top 50 of 2013, click on any link below to go to that specific blog post. Enjoy.

1. Night Beds - Country Sleep

2. Foals - Holy Fire

3. Laura Marling - Once I Was An Eagle

4. The National - Trouble Will Find Me

5. Little Green Cars - Absolute Zero

6. Arcade Fire - Reflektor

7. Yo La Tengo - Fade

8. Daft Punk - Random Access Memories

9. Shout Out Louds - Optica

10. Lucius - Wildewoman

11. The Lone Bellow - The Lone Bellow

12. Telekinesis - Dormarion

13. Samantha Crain - Kid Face

14. The Octopus Project - Fever Forms

15. Valerie June - Pushin' Against A Stone

16. The Head And The Heart - Let's Be Still

17. Gregory Alan Isakov - The Weatherman

18. Thao And The Get Down Stay Down - We The Common

19. Beach Fossils - Clash The Truth

20. Indians - Somewhere Else

21. Ra Ra Riot - Beta Love

22. Houndmouth - From The Hills Below The City

23. Atoms For Peace - Amok

24. The Boxer Rebellion - Promises

25. Bare Mutants - The Affliction

26. Frank Turner - Tape Deck Heart

27. Eels - Wonderful, Glorious

28. Phosphorescent - Muchaco

29. ON AN ON - Give In

30. Classixx - Hanging Gardens

31. Young Galaxy - Ultramarine

32. The Horse's Ha - Waterdrawn

33. Majikal Cloudz - Impersonator

34. Okkervil River - The Silver Gymnasium

35. Villagers - (Awayland)

36. Golden Suits - Golden Suits

37. Wild Belle - Isles

38. Ivan & Alyosha - All The Times We Had

39. Jim James - Regions Of Light And Sound Of God

40. Palma Violets - 180

41. Brown Bird - Fits Of Reason

42. Daughter - If You Leave

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

44. Vampire Weekend - Modern Vampires Of The City

45. High Highs - Open Season

46. Camera Obscura - Desire Lines

47. Foxygen - We Are The 21st Century Ambassadors Of Peace And Magic

48. Fossil Collective - Tell Where I Lie

49. Caveman - Caveman

50. Washed Out - Paracosm

1. Night Beds

1. Night Beds - Country Sleep

I have been raving about this album all year long. The brain child of Winston Yellen, originally from Colorado Springs. He wrote this album predominately in bed late at night while renting out Johnny & June Cash's former home in Nashville (hence the name of the album and band). This album is gut-wrenching in its beauty. He performed this live with his band at Opolis earlier this year and it was just as incredible as I imagined. He started the show the same way the album starts out and it just got better from there. I haven't had an album move me this way in a long time. I cannot even begin to tell you how many times I have listened to this album. Please buy this album, you will not be disappointed and I want this young man to continue writing music.







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2. Foals

2. Foals - Holy Fire

I remember when this band started about 7 years ago, and then I put them on a shelf and never got them down. This album came out earlier this year and what an album. It made me sad I had missed everything before, for what reason, I do not know. I think this is the best album they've done, by far, but really listened to this album and #1 an obscene amount of times. This is just good rock and roll. These guys totally have the talent and sound for some arena rock, I believe. They were at Cain's Ballroom earlier this year and put on an amazing show. Andrew Mears was the founder of the band, but quit to work on another band before they even released an album, and boy is he kicking himself. The band have achieved quite a bit of commercial success in the UK, where they are from. The lineup now consists of: Yannis Philippakis (lead vocalist), Jack Bevan, Jimmy Smith, Walter Gervers, and Edwin Congreave.









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3. Laura Marling

3. Laura Marling - Once I Was An Eagle

I'm a sucker for a concept album. They remind me of symphonies (which is the point) and return to the same theme, whether lyrically or musically or both. Laura Marling is the only, or should I say, the first artist to have multiple appearances in the top 50 to date, both here and here. She is one of the most amazing singers I have ever witnessed. Getting to see her live in a tiny venue this year was more than I could ever hope. I'm sure I've said it before, but her lyrics for her age are insane. She reminds me of Joni Mitchell and has a depth that few others possess. I recommend listening to this album all the way through multiple times, especially driving around the Wichita Mountains, just sayin'. Check out the short film below, titled "When Brave Bird Saved", which has her suite uninterrupted, it's beautiful.









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4. The National

4. The National - Trouble Will Find Me

The National strikes a chord with me. This is evidenced by them coming in at #3 in 2010 here. Their live show is second to none. Matt Beringer typically takes to the audience for one song at the end of a show, which resulted in nearly being knocked down by him this fall. Deep, soulful lyrics of pain and awakening, their songs have a way of working themselves inside you and not coming out. This would have been higher in my charts, but I had to stop listening to its awesomeness several times due to it making me entirely too sad.







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5. Little Green Cars

5. Little Green Cars - Absolute Zero

This five piece is out of Dublin, Ireland. These guys have put out an amazing first album, obviously, if they're #5 on this list. They appeared in Opolis a few months ago to a crowd of only 20, sadly. I really wish Okies would support live music better than they do. However, I'm secretly grateful, because I know I'll never see them in that close of circumstances, ever. The band consists of: Stevie Appleby, Dylan Lynch, Donagh Seaver O'Leary, Adam O'Regan, Faye O'Rourke. Faye's voice is immaculate. I think once she gets some self confidence, you will probably see her doing some solo work. Stevie's voice is also awesome, and the harmonies the group puts out are insane. They are an extremely energetic band. Give this album a listen and see why it's in the top 5.











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6. Arcade Fire

6. Arcade Fire - Reflektor

If this album had come out earlier in the year, it would certainly have fared as well as their last album did here. Husband/wife team, Win Butler and Régine Chassagne, along with Richard Reed Parry, William Butler, Tim Kingsbury and Jeremy Gara form the band. Owen Pallett sometimes tours with them. These Canadians brought art rock to a contemporary mainstage. I'm still baffled by how they've done it. This new 14 song double album is a stunning 86 minutes long and while it drifts off in places, the core songs are brilliant. This has been a new direction for Arcade Fire, but I feel they haven't mis-stepped yet, and are still pushing the boundaries of music, while paying much credence to legends of old. Their videos are always works of art, check out the ones below and the interactive one here.





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7. Yo La Tengo

7. Yo La Tengo - Fade

Yo La Tengo is probably one of my favorite bands of all time. Their last album, waaayyyy back in 2009 got #11 and you can see it here. These guys are probably the oldest indie band still putting out spectacular music, and this album is no exception. They are husband/wife team Ira Kaplan - lead vocals, guitar, keyboard and Georgia Hubley - drums, percussion, backing vocals, guitar, keyboard, drum machine with their good friend, James McNew - bass, backing vocals, guitar. They have been crafting lo-fi/shoegaze for twenty years and have one of the best live shows I've ever seen. I saw them back in March for a two-set experience. They have some of the sweetest love songs out there. The video below is all kinds of awesome.





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8. Daft Punk

8. Daft Punk - Random Access Memories

Oh this album. This may have been the album of the summer. Infectious dance grooves, meticulous production, with a disco/funk back beat. These boys really know their music. Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter are from France and craft house music, but it has such a tremendously more melodic base, that I have a difficult time throwing it in with most house music. Maybe that's why this album reached such a level of popularity this year. Regardless, get your dancing shoes on and give this album a spin.





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9. Shout Out Louds

9. Shout Out Louds - Optica

Over the years, I have loved this band, but their albums have never been enough to grab me for that addictive listening. I think they have finally found their sound which lends itself to some new wave. This is definitely the best album they have put out to date. They are from Stockholm, Sweden and include members; Adam Olenius - vocals, guitar, Ted Malmros - bass, percussion, backing vocals, Carl von Arbin - guitar, backing vocals, Eric Edman - drums, and Bebban Stenborg - keyboards, accordion, glockenspiel, moog, backing vocals.





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10. Lucius

10. Lucius - Wildewoman

This album came out in October and quickly shot up to the number 10 spot in this list. If it had come out earlier this year, there is no doubt that it would've been in the top five. Another band out of Brooklyn, Lucius reminds me of Santogold a bit, but with a lot more melody and pizzazz. The band consists of: Jess Wolfe (voice), Holly Laessig (voice), Dan Molad (drums), Peter Lalish (guitar), Andrew Burri (guitar). I think they've made about every year end list I've seen so far this year and for very good reason.







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11. The Lone Bellow

11. The Lone Bellow - The Lone Bellow

These guys are from Brooklyn and the band was started as a result of lead singer, Zach Williams' wife suffering temporary paralysis from a horseback riding accident. These guys have played here in Oklahoma at least twice this last year and put on a stunning show. Beautiful harmonies, catchy lyrics, instant hooks comprise the bulk of this folk based outfit. The band also includes; Kanene Donehey Pipkin - mandolin, vocals and Brian Elmquist - guitar, vocals









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12. Telekinesis

12. Telekinesis - Dormarion

There was a large part of 2013 spent on listening to this album. Telekinesis is solely Michael Benjamin Lerner, who currently lives in Seattle. It's pretty incredible that one man can put out such incredible music. He used Chris Walla from Death Cab for Cutie as the producer of his last two albums, but for this one, chose Jim Eno of Spoon. I think the difference is immediately noticeable.



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13. Samantha Crain

13. Samantha Crain - Kid Face

It is a great honor to be able to list this album in the top 50, because I consider Samantha Crain a friend. This album is a stunning work of folk. I have been a fan of hers for quite sometime and her new album is probably my favorite. She is from Shawnee, Oklahoma and the album includes contributions from John Calvin Abney, Kyle Reid, Brine Webb, Daniel Foulks, Anne Lillis, and Anna Ash. She did a stint on the radio show, and I think I saw her perform these songs at least three times this year. Her voice is the stuff of angels and cuts through to your core. She is getting ready to tour Europe...pretty damn exciting. If you haven't listened to this yet, go buy it now.





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14. The Octopus Project

14. The Octopus Project - Fever Forms

I happened upon The Octopus Project in a club in Austin in 2006. I have been a rabid follower ever since. They have played Norman Music Festival at least once, I think twice. The band consists of Josh Lambert: guitar, bass, keyboards; Toto Miranda: drums, guitar, bass; Yvonne Lambert: samplers, keyboards, theremin, glockenspiel, guitar; and Ryan Figg: guitar, bass, keyboards. They are energizing, artistic and put out a rocking good show. They play in Norman at least once a year and are very much worth the effort to go see them. Yvonne is who turned me onto the theremin and she is just precious. Mostly instrumental, they have recently started adding lyrics to some of their songs. I think this is the best album they have put out in quite awhile. They live in Austin, so, it's not hard to see them on their home turf either.









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15. Valerie June

15. Valerie June - Pushin' Against A Stone

This is none other than Valerie June Hockett. She has been one of the wonderful surprises of the year. Her music is a blend of gospel, jazz, blues, gospel and Appalachian folk. She calls it "organic moonshine roots music." Born in Jackson, Tennessee, she moved to Memphis when she was 19. Recently she moved to Brooklyn and got hooked up with Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys, who co-wrote some songs on this album as well as produced it. This is a very addictive album, so be warned. She is playing the Granada in Dallas with Sharon Jones in February.





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16. The Head And The Heart

16. The Head And The Heart - Let's Be Still

This is probably one of my favorite bands of all time. After following them around the country at their inception, I have grown incredibly fond of this band. I don't what else to say about these guys I didn't already say over here, where they were my #1 album of the year. This new album doesn't necessarily break any new ground, but I think they do a little experimentation on it and allow Charity to sing more on it after the overwhelming response she got at the shows. Do yourself a favor and get into this band, if you haven't already.







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17. Gregory Alan Isakov

17. Gregory Alan Isakov - The Weatherman

I've been raving about this artist a lot this year. This was another "where in the world have I been" find this year. He was born in Johannesburg, South Africa and was raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He now resides in Colorado. A folk singer/songwriter, he is a master wordsmith and I find his music simply captivating.





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18. Thao & The Get Down Stay Down

18. Thao & The Get Down Stay Down - We The Common

I've had the good fortune to see this young lady perform both with and without said band (and will again soon) and she is an extremely energetic performer that does not disappoint. Born in Virginia, the band resides now in San Francisco. It's been a few years since she's done anything with the band. She put out a collaboration with Mirah two years ago, which made my top 50 here. Her solo works are excellent as well. In my opinion, she is one of the most creative people in the industry as evidenced by her piercing, honest lyrics and the fun shorts below.













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