I apologize for both the delay in this review and the lack of content posted on this site on my behalf in recent weeks. My computer was being repaired so I had to temporarily turn over my duties to Jared.
Unlike my counterpart, I felt that 2013 was a very rough year for the music industry. There were many surprises that ranged from a Mumford and Sons hiatus to Lincoln Parish abruptly walking out on Cage the Elephant. We saw a 16 year old in Lorde take the world by storm and make us all feel a whole lot less successful in life. And last but not least, Justin Beiber shattered the hearts of teen girls all across the nation with a sudden retirement announcement on Christmas Eve.
On the album side of things, I didn't feel as if there was a 'stand-out album' of the year. In fact, I actually felt as if many of the anticipated album releases were a disappointment. I often found myself struggling to find new music as the year went on. Regardless, there were still a few noteworthy albums and songs released throughout the year. Here is my list.
Top 5 Albums of the Year
1.) Bad Blood - Bastille
I don't know what it is about these guys. I just love their sound. Over 2 years ago, I stumbled across Flaws on YouTube. I instantly fell in love but could not find anything about the band online except for they were a small time, up and coming British rock band. I would periodically check to see if they had come out with anything and when I saw they were releasing an album this year I got so excited. I was really anxious to see what they had to offer. For a debut album, I personally think these guys killed it. They have a really fun sound that I find extremely hard to dislike. I am very excited for the future of this band.
2.) Pure Heroine - Lorde
For those familiar with my musical taste, this one probably comes as a surprise. Lorde's sound is a bit outside of my musical comfort zone and not somebody I would typically enjoy. It wasn't until I found out she was only sixteen years old did I grow a tremendous amount of respect for her. She has an incredibly mature, unique sound and seems entirely unfazed by her sudden surge in fame. Upon hearing some of her other songs aside from her most popular hit, Royals, I like what I hear. People seem to be very split on her, but I am making Heroine my darkhorse album of the year because I see an enormous amount of potential in her.
3.) AM - Arctic Monkeys
I will be the first to admit it: prior to this album, I was not a fan of the Monkeys at all. I thought they had a rough, European sound and I just could not get into them at all. I am pleased to say that this album has without a doubt converted me. I was pleasantly surprised with the overall sound and quality of this album. I really like what I see and hope it's not too late to jump on the Arctic Monkeys bandwagon.
4.) Modern Vampires of the City - Vampire Weekend
Vampire Weekend took a big step forward with this album. I really was pleased with this album and for a good chunk of the year, I had it as my #1 album. The best part about Vampire Weekend is they are still young and continuing to climb. It seems that each album they put out is an improvement from the previous.
5.) Melephobia - Cage the Elephant
Like the Arctic Monkeys, I can't really claim that I was a huge Cage the Elephant fan before this album. While I enjoyed some of their previous songs, they were never a band I followed too closely. I thought this was a very solid album from these guys, however. Hopefully they continue on the up and up.
Honorable Mention: Mechanical Bull - Kings of Leon
Top 10 Songs of the Year
1.) Pomepii - Bastille
2.) Do I Wanna Know - Arctic Monkeys
3.) Come a Little Closer - Cage The Elephant
4.) Holding On To You - Twenty One Pilots
5.) Sirens - Pearl Jam
6.) Counting Stars - OneRepublic
7.) Head On (Hold On To Your Heart)- Man Man
8.) Harper Lee - Little Green Cars
9.) Trojans - Atlas Genius
10.) Hey Brother - Avicii
Wow. That was all over the place. But what can I say, I like a wide variety of music. Anyway, I am excited for whats to come in 2014 from a musical side of things. Jared and I are talking constantly about how to improve this site. Feel free to send us any suggestions on what we can do differently or better. Thanks for reading.
Unlike my counterpart, I felt that 2013 was a very rough year for the music industry. There were many surprises that ranged from a Mumford and Sons hiatus to Lincoln Parish abruptly walking out on Cage the Elephant. We saw a 16 year old in Lorde take the world by storm and make us all feel a whole lot less successful in life. And last but not least, Justin Beiber shattered the hearts of teen girls all across the nation with a sudden retirement announcement on Christmas Eve.
On the album side of things, I didn't feel as if there was a 'stand-out album' of the year. In fact, I actually felt as if many of the anticipated album releases were a disappointment. I often found myself struggling to find new music as the year went on. Regardless, there were still a few noteworthy albums and songs released throughout the year. Here is my list.
Top 5 Albums of the Year
1.) Bad Blood - Bastille
I don't know what it is about these guys. I just love their sound. Over 2 years ago, I stumbled across Flaws on YouTube. I instantly fell in love but could not find anything about the band online except for they were a small time, up and coming British rock band. I would periodically check to see if they had come out with anything and when I saw they were releasing an album this year I got so excited. I was really anxious to see what they had to offer. For a debut album, I personally think these guys killed it. They have a really fun sound that I find extremely hard to dislike. I am very excited for the future of this band.
2.) Pure Heroine - Lorde
For those familiar with my musical taste, this one probably comes as a surprise. Lorde's sound is a bit outside of my musical comfort zone and not somebody I would typically enjoy. It wasn't until I found out she was only sixteen years old did I grow a tremendous amount of respect for her. She has an incredibly mature, unique sound and seems entirely unfazed by her sudden surge in fame. Upon hearing some of her other songs aside from her most popular hit, Royals, I like what I hear. People seem to be very split on her, but I am making Heroine my darkhorse album of the year because I see an enormous amount of potential in her.
3.) AM - Arctic Monkeys
I will be the first to admit it: prior to this album, I was not a fan of the Monkeys at all. I thought they had a rough, European sound and I just could not get into them at all. I am pleased to say that this album has without a doubt converted me. I was pleasantly surprised with the overall sound and quality of this album. I really like what I see and hope it's not too late to jump on the Arctic Monkeys bandwagon.
4.) Modern Vampires of the City - Vampire Weekend
Vampire Weekend took a big step forward with this album. I really was pleased with this album and for a good chunk of the year, I had it as my #1 album. The best part about Vampire Weekend is they are still young and continuing to climb. It seems that each album they put out is an improvement from the previous.
5.) Melephobia - Cage the Elephant
Like the Arctic Monkeys, I can't really claim that I was a huge Cage the Elephant fan before this album. While I enjoyed some of their previous songs, they were never a band I followed too closely. I thought this was a very solid album from these guys, however. Hopefully they continue on the up and up.
Honorable Mention: Mechanical Bull - Kings of Leon
Top 10 Songs of the Year
1.) Pomepii - Bastille
2.) Do I Wanna Know - Arctic Monkeys
3.) Come a Little Closer - Cage The Elephant
4.) Holding On To You - Twenty One Pilots
5.) Sirens - Pearl Jam
6.) Counting Stars - OneRepublic
7.) Head On (Hold On To Your Heart)- Man Man
8.) Harper Lee - Little Green Cars
9.) Trojans - Atlas Genius
10.) Hey Brother - Avicii
Wow. That was all over the place. But what can I say, I like a wide variety of music. Anyway, I am excited for whats to come in 2014 from a musical side of things. Jared and I are talking constantly about how to improve this site. Feel free to send us any suggestions on what we can do differently or better. Thanks for reading.