Marshall Mathers LP 2

Jason Isbell- Southeastern was a great album, and the best I heard this year.

I would tear up my subscription to Rolling Stone (if I had one) over leaving "Southeastern" off their list.

 

Weird thing about it is some of the reviews I read on it were less than favorable, at least in comparison to his prior albums. I thought it was great.

A few I haven't seen mentioned yet:

 

I’d been waiting on Janelle Monae’s “The Electric Lady” for a long time. It was worth the wait.

Daft Punk's "Random Access Memories" was awesome.

Bombino’s “Nomad” was a cool record.

“Wildewoman” by Luscious.

"New" by McCartney.

Queens of the Stone Age put out their best record in a long time.

I haven’t listened to Arcade Fire’s or the National’s newests yet, but I plan to soon.

Weird thing about it is some of the reviews I read on it were less than favorable' date=' at least in comparison to his prior albums. I thought it was great.[/quote']Easily my favorite album of his and 2013.

A few I haven't seen mentioned yet: I’d been waiting on Janelle Monae’s “The Electric Lady” for a long time. It was worth the wait. Daft Punk's "Random Access Memories" was awesome. Bombino’s “Nomad” was a cool record. “Wildewoman” by Luscious. "New" by McCartney. Queens of the Stone Age put out their best record in a long time. I haven’t listened to Arcade Fire’s or the National’s newests yet' date=' but I plan to soon.[/quote']I really liked Monae's first album. I need to give it a spin.

Outlaw Gentleman&Shady Ladies: Volbeat

Hail To The King: Avenged Sevenfold

Two of my favorites for this year..

I admittedly don't jam out for hours on end like I once did. Sadly I'm not on top of the music scene as I once lived it like my life depended on it. I miss the days that I gave releases so many multiple spins that the tunes became part of my blood stream. I used to have so much musical trivia packed in my brain that if there was a contest related to it I'd be in the running for the grand prize. Hopefully this is not a sign that I'm getting old and boring, but I fear that it just might be. The internet offers me an endless wealth of resources giving me more music access than ever before, and it would take a million lifetimes to digest it all, but as a downside it's helped to ruin my attention span.

 

Thankfully, the cool music junkies here on BGP help to keep me in tune with their fine suggestions giving me a break from doing all of the homework.

 

With all that said, I can't provide a list of my favs from 2013 because I didn't sit still long enough to develop one.

 

Still I did manage to get out of the house and attend a few shows here and there, and the most memorable without a doubt this year that has firmly made it's way into my Top 5 shows of all time is:

 

Edward Sharpe And The Magnetic Zeros

 

Just when I had thought that I had seen every show ever worth seeing, and was starting to get into a "Been There Done That" state of mind, along came this remarkable show of pure genius that rocked my world beyond my wildest dreams. I was locked mesmerized in its entirety, and was so completely impressed by the production that I can't imagine a show that could ever top it, but in its spirit of music it rejuvenated in me the understanding of the power of live music, and kick started in me the desire to keep seeking out the thrill.

 

I've never been able to locate a video of this band that can come near recreating the feeling of seeing them live. Hopefully during their current tour they film enough of their magic, and find some way to capture it and bring it to video.

 

If given the chance, I highly recommend seeing their show. Whereas most bands can only appeal to a select type of fans depending on genre, I couldn't help but think while I was at their show that they could appeal to everyone from birth to the grave. They didn't play to a select bunch of groupies, they played to the entire world. They didn't have a pretentious sheen or coolness about them that would only attract a certain "In The Know" bunch. They've created a sound and a show where everyone is welcome.

 

My rant about them may appear to be overly dramatic, but I'm dead serious. This band's live show is the deal. I usually don't feel this strongly after going to a show, but as I was walking hypnotically out of the theater that night I was thinking to myself if this band had started a religion I wanted to join. Where do I sign up?

I really enjoyed The Lone Bellow's debute album that came out this year. I saw them at the 20th Century Theater in Cincinnati last month and they put on a great show.

 

The Lone Bellow - Self-Titled Debut Now Available

Magna Carta: Holy Grail - Jay Z

 

The 20/20 Album - Justin Timberlake

 

Yeezus - Kanye West

 

Nothing Was the Same - Drake

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just kidding about Yeezus. Haven't heard it yet.

I really liked Monae's first album. I need to give it a spin.

 

Me too. I've only heard the singles at this point but I've liked what I've heard, especially "Dance Apocalyptic".

Just listened to the debut record from Haim, "Days Are Gone." Very catchy and good. It earns a mention.

I do plan getting around to listening to "Yeezus" too. Guy makes it all but impossible to like him, but he makes good records.

Just listened to the debut record from Haim, "Days Are Gone." Very catchy and good. It earns a mention.

 

I really liked that single "The Wire" from that record first time I heard it. Very catchy, poppy stuff that's totally listenable.

I've heard a handful of Haim songs, but none of them really did anything for me. Kind of late 80's pop redux, as far as what I heard went. Am I missing something?