The BEST of 2013. #8-5

The Top Records of 2013: #8-5
Welcome back to the countdown. If you missed #12-9, scroll down to the previous post before (or after) reading this.
And now, let’s get to it. My favorite albums of the year, continuing with #8-5. Remember the simple rules:
No Best Of
No Live
No Comps

Number 8
Minor Alps – Get There

There have been a few nice male/female vocal collaborations this year, including Mathew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs offering their third edition of Under the Covers and Billie Joe and Norah Jones covering the Everly Brothers. While those were both very good in their own right, they were pale in comparison to this stunning debut from Mathew Caws (of Nada Surf fame) and Juliana Hatfield. Both have put out great albums apart from each other in the past, however, at the risk of hyperbole, it’s as if those paths were leading to this. Their voices separate are wonderful….together it is sublime. There is nothing too complicated with the music on the album, it is the soaring harmonies that take the songs to a tremendous level. The first single, “I Don’t Know What To Do With My Hands”, is a bit of a misnomer for the breath of the record. While both can “rock out” with the best of them, the quieter moments of this album are what make it what it is. Tracks like “If I Wanted Trouble” and “Waiting For You” showcase the duo’s pop sensibilities without raising the distortion level to 11. A fantastic debut from two veteran rockers.
Key Tracks – If I Wanted Trouble, Wish You Were Upstairs, Buried Plans



Number 7
Koji – Crooked In My Mind

More than anything, this album represents a wonderful throwback in time. Back where having a relationship with a record store, led to you getting suggestions on music you may not have heard if not for that. Because of the relationship I have with the people at my favorite shop, this incredible debut record fell into my hands. Based on my purchase history, tastes, and conversations we had, “my guy” recommended this record, and I am incredibly happy he did. Backed by a tight rhythm section, singer/songwriter Andrew Koji Shiraki delivers not only stark vocals, but some really great chord progressions throughout the entire record. It starts right off the bat with “Chasing A Ghost”, a wonderfully constructed three and a half minutes of longing and angst. And as you progress through the record, you quickly find out, this is a guy with something to say. His voice has the perfect blend of smooth and growl, which pushes the songs to new heights. This is one guy to keep an eye on for the future.
Key Tracks – Chasing A Ghost, Distance/Divide, What You Leave Behind



Number 6
Gary Numan – Splinter

Yes, the guy that did this…….


There is a reason I use the NIN/Numan clip to remind you of who he is. Trent Reznor has been on record saying that Numan was an influence on Nine Inch Nails….and it seems with this record, Numan has returned the reverential favor. I was struggling with this capsule, as I was having a hard time articulating “why” this record rates so high. When I brought that up to a very good friend, we both thought at the same time “it’s haunting”. (and she has never heard it….she just knew) This is a record of introspection, pain and suffering. A record that is needed to be heard as a whole to understand the true beauty of it. A record that gets better with every listen. It’s dark, it is broken….and it gets the listener BEGGING for a happy ending. It’s not there to be had, and that may be, in part, the genius of it. Numan, in the space of 12 aching tracks, takes the listener on a journey into his world and more importantly, into his psyche and soul. While he has continued to release music over the past years, this was the first record since “Cars” that has really moved the needle in the US. Truly, long overdue.
Key Tracks – (going to defer to the review and say that taking individual tracks out does not do this record justice)



Number 5
Cumulus – I Never Meant It To Be Like This

How to start a capsule on the best debut record of 2013? How’s this for polished: When talking about the record on the FABULOUS Air-Raid podcast, (seriously, go subscribe to it now, it’s fantastic) Chris Walla, head of Trans-Records said, when referring to the day he signed Cumulus to the label (and I’m paraphrasing) “It was the only record I can remember being brought to us that we didn’t touch before releasing, it was perfect as it was”. THAT is pretty high praise. Cumulus, prior to becoming a true band, was the work of Alexandra Niedzialkowski, a wonderful singer from outside of Seattle. Influenced by strong women from her youth listening to music, Alex started to put together a catalogue of original songs that grew in stature with every time she played out. Enter her childhood friend Lance Umble and bassist Leah Julius. Cumulus went from confessions of one woman, to a band with a plan. The sound and feel of the band brings me back to early 90’s women-led alt-rock acts, especially the Sundays. In fact, I sent an email to Alex to tell her how much I loved the record, and how much she reminded me of Harriet Wheeler, she indicated she had never really listened to them. (which, to me, was just great, as it took away the aspect of “copying a sound”) All of those comparisons aside, this is just a fantastic piece of art. From the opener, the flirty, popped-up “Do You Remember”, all the way to the end and “Night Swimming” (NOT a cover of the R.E.M. classic….but pretty damn near as good), the record takes the listener on a sonic voyage. Alex’s voice, filled with strength AND lilt, is as good as it gets. She hit’s every note, every word, every phrase with meaning and purpose. This was absolutely one of the biggest surprises of the year for me, and a record I can’t stop putting back onto the turntable.
Key Tracks – Do You Remember, Ocean Song, Morning Coffee, Night Swimming