[ As per our annual tradition around here, my friend Mike has stopped by to share some of his favorite albums of 2013 with us.  Enjoy!  -S ]
This was a bizarre year for me. I had to buy a new car and as such could not go to Lollapalooza, and as such was deprived of listening to a bunch of up and coming bands. On the flip side of that, I started listening to a lot of drumstep via Spotify Radio and as such, I’ve introduced myself to all sorts of crazy music acts that way. This year’s list has some familiar faces, the return of an old friend, but more importantly, I have seen every one of these bands live at some point. Here are the:
Seven Albums That Came Out in 2013 That Mike Listened To and Enjoyed the Most
Franz Ferdinand – Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Actions
After a too long wait, the best thing to come out of Scotland since McEwan’s released a new album. Complete with disco guitar, moving basslines and sweet hooks. The first three tracks on this album are super duper amazing, the rest, the regular type of amazing.
Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Actions was released August 27 by Domino.
Anamanaguchi – Endless Fantasy
Chip music has its time and place. Mostly in the background of NES games. But Anamanaguchi has somehow managed to pull off a really good album of upbeat poppy chiptunes. Plus, when I saw them live, they created a nerd moshpit. This album is super fun, especially Meow.
Endless Fantasy was released on May 14 by dream.hax.
Man or Astro-Man? – Defcon 5…4…3…2…1
WHAT YOU MEAN MAN OR ASTROMAN? GOT BACK TOGETHER WITH STAR CRUNCH AND WROTE A NEW ALBUM?????!!!! The masters of Surf Punk returned to the living with a rager of an album. Combining the band’s early sound with their later evolution. I could seriously listen to this all day.
Defcon 5…4…3…2…1Â was released on June 18 by Chunklet.
The Postelles – …And It Shook Me
When I first saw the Postelles way back at the first Lolla I went to, I thought they were pretty good. A little That Thing You Do-esque, but good. Then after a few years they released this album. Its great poppy rock with a throwback sound.
And It Shook Me was released on April 30 by +1.
The Bloody Beetroots – HIDE
Well, it finally happened. There is a song that Paul McCartney appears on that I like. Also, The Furious is a pretty damn good song. Super kicking myself for not going to see them when they came to Pittsburgh this year.
HIDE was released on September 17 by Ultra.
Mayer Hawthorne – Where Does This Door Go
Every once in a while you wanna slow it down with a good jam… and not like some super sleazy modern day R&B tracks… some good old Hall and Oates style white guy singing r&b jams. Mayer Hawthorne delivers, and yet Robin Thicke somehow still gets more buzz.
Where Does This Door Go was released on July 16 by Republic.
Dream Theater – Dream Theater
I’m always skeptical whenever DT puts out a new album because I typically fall for it right away, think it’s the best thing ever, and then get tired of it 3 months later. I listen to like 3 songs written after SFAM. If their last album was the first step to post-Portnoy awesomeness, this album cements it. Welcome back, Dream Theater. Welcome back.
Dream Theater was released on September 24 by Roadrunner.
Honorable Mentions-
The Bloody Seamen – Ahoy, Motherfuckers
Camo & Krooked – Zeitgeist
White Lies – BIG TV
And of course the Worst album of the year.
Millionaires – Tonight
I almsost gave this to Arcade Fire for Reflektor, as I just don’t get what all the hubub about them is about, but every so often I get the title track stuck in my head. So I’m giving this to Millionaires. Yeah, i get it that Millionaires isnt really a serious group and that they just make music that Ke$ha couldn’t sell, but c’mon. At least if you are making juvenile music, make it funny.