So with the new year passing by and re-solutions starting to falter in the minds of, well everyone, I felt in only fitting to now assemble my top 5 list of albums from 2013. Now I know you be thinking, "But Decoder, you already did a top 5 last month! Were you lying to us? Why play with our emotions?" To that I say, hold on. My last top 5 was to congratulate albums that were lesser known or that I personally "missed" in my year of listening. This list is in fact my opinion of those albums that went above and beyond the normalcy we saw this year, crafting songs that were not only awe-inspiring, but also non-traditional in their execution. Now, before we get started there are a few ground rules we should cover
1. Albums must have been released between January '13 to December '13
Sadly, this means that we will not be seeing any nominations for bands like Fun or The Killers as their albums were released the year before the time frame.
2. I shall only be choosing from albums I have listened to completely.
This means that albums such as Common Courtesy by A Day To Remember, Yeezus by Kanye West, and Random Access Memories by Daft Punk will not be appearing as I have not listen to them in their entirety.
3. This is MY PERSONAL OPINION
If you disagree (which I'm sure a few of you may), please leave a comment stating what ones I may have list since this is a top 5 list of my own personal selection the amount of "axing off" albums has been tremendous.
With all of those out of the way let's begin with....
NUMBER 5: THE AFTERMAN: ASCENSION/DESCENSION by COHEED AND CAMBRIA
Now, I may be cheating just a little on this first entry as yes, Ascension was released in September of 2012 but, the main reason for it appearing is purely semantics. The first half of this two-part album is a necessary listen to fully grasp the amazing pay off in the second. I would have put this higher on the list had this not been the case as the tale of Sirius Amory is as tragic as it is mesmerizing, showing Coheed and Cam
bria show no signs of slowing down after "finishing" their long-running storyline between albums. For the curious, you can find the full in-depth review available here:
Ascension
Descension
Notable Songs Include: Key Entity Extraction V: Sentry the Defiant, The Hard Sell, Away We Go, Iron Fist, and Dark Side of Me
NUMBER 4: SWAY by BLUE OCTOBER
My 1st pick for the top albums missed only ranks 4th on the list sadly, which should tell you how wondrous the rest of the albums on this list are. It's always great to hear from Blue October, it's like that friend you never really noticed you missed until they walk back in the door and start telling stories of their amazing adventures. That is if these amazing adventures took you an emotional roller coaster take you from solemnly calm, to sad, then happy, and everything in between. When Blue October takes the time to write an album they nearly every time release something of wonder and this album is no exception.
Notable Song Include: Sway, Bleed Out, Fear, Hard Candy, Things We Do At night, and Not Broken Anymore.
NUMBER 3: NOTES FROM THE UNDERGROUND by HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD
This band and I have a rocky history. To be honest I was incredibly hesitant to listen to their work in the first place as Swan Songs did not resonant with me in the slightest and while I found American Tragedy to be a step in the right direction, it did not convince me they were worth a round three. But, do to some pestering from a friend I gave the album a listen, and then another, and another, and... Dear god have I not been album to set this album down. While I did not cover this album on the website I do feel it is worth mentioning that the direction taken in the album is miles better that what I had come to expect from these guys. Yes, they still have their silly songs where they talk about "getting fucked up, put on your helmet and knee pads" but after listening to the heart-wrenching slower songs, it just blows my mind it took me this long to listen to it. I humbly apologize to Hollywood Undead for doubting their ability to craft well written songs and writing them off as immature wannabe-gangsters as the maturity in the lyrics of this album know no bounds.
Notable Songs Include: From The Ground, Lion, Rain, Believe, Up In Smoke, Outside, Medicine
NUMBER 2: BECAUSE THE INTERNET by CHILDISH GAMBINO
Ah yes, this was the album we just covered a week ago by the "rich kid asshole" we should all "paint as a villian." Donald Glover (aka Childish Gambino) had a lot to prove after his first major release Camp back in 2011. Now for those fans that thoroughly enjoyed the sound of Camp I can sympathize that Because The Internet took you through a jumbled mess of emotions as it is not what a lot of people were expecting from full-time comedian Donald Glover. This though is what works in its favor as the album itself starts out quite arrogant in its sound, painting the picture of a person who would be cool to hang out with but really not too deep of a human being. That is until the midway point when Gambino spins not only the album, but his whole style on its head, delivering an album that is both deeply philosophical and experimental in its story telling. You can check out the full review here
Because The Internet
Notable Songs Include: The
Worst Guys, Telegraph ave, 3005, No Exit, Flight of the Navigator,
Zealots of Stockholm, Pink Toes, Earth: the Oldest Computer, and Life:
The Biggest Troll
NUMBER 1: VESSEL by TWENTY ONE PILOTS
Now the list is coming to an end (hoo-ooo-ooo-oo oh oh ooo). In all seriousness though, this album blew my mind upon first listen. From the dark atmospheric tones, to the real-world storytelling lyrics Tyler Joseph paints across every song he rights, this album is a masterpiece upon masterpieces. If you have not had the great pleasure of listening to this album in its entirety I urge you take a good long car ride and just listen to how every song builds off of another, never truly repeating itself in what it is offering to the listener. I knew this would be my number 1 album of the year off the of the first listen and I'm glad to say that was the truth as nothing has been on the same scale this year. This album has something for everyone from the pop music listeners all the way to the EDM scensters, there is not a single bad song on this whole album running time. Pick it up in stores or load it up on Spotify yourself to experience the wonder that has become Twenty One Pilots.
For those interested the full review is located in the link below
Vessel
Notable Songs Include: Ode To Sleep, Migraine, House Of Gold, Car Radio, Screen, Fake You Out, Guns for Hands, Trees, and Truce
Alright for now that will be the end of the 2013 talk as a new year is upon us and is promising quite the eclectic taste of amazing music. I hope you enjoyed the list and as stated if I missed any please inform me in the comments section below. Next time we'll be back-to-basics with a ROCK D3C0D3D review. Till next time, stay beautiful and have a wonderful time!
As always please like, share, and comment below!
All the music covered above is available on iTunes, Amazon, and Spotify for your listening pleasure.
*As with all things, the opinions expressed our purely that of the author and should be taken as such.
** All images, music, and information used are for entertainment/review purposes. No copyright infringement intended.
Greetings everyone and welcome back to ROCK D3C0D3D! With the year coming to an end in the coming weeks it seemed only fitting to take a look back at everything 2013 has given us and give honorable mentions to some of the years best works. 2013 was a year full of big names making big moves such as Eminem's return to form with the Marshall Mathers EP 2, Macklemore dominating the charts, and Fueled By Ramen flooding the market with its unique brand of rock music. So you can see how hard it is to pick out just a handful of albums that truly stood above the rest. Thankfully, this list will be focusing on the albums that may have missed or overlooked in the flood of rock, pop, rap, and indie-fusion-techno-babylon. So with that let us start the list.
NUMBER 5: ZERO by HAWTHORNE HEIGHTS
Starting off our list is the incredible follow-up to the 2010 album Skeletons which saw a return to form for a band that has seen a great deal of change since its inception. While Zero is not the same type of screamo-pop/punk sound that made the band famous in The Silence in Black and White, it is an amazing concept album. The concept is a dystopian future (as always) where a collective known as the CALM (Coalition for Alternate Living Methods) reigns over the human population and a resistance faction known as ZERO must fight to overthrow them. Without giving away too much of the story, it is a nice encasement on the album's more punk-pop sound which shows a great evolution in songwriting within the band. Notable songs include: Darkside, Spark, Zero, Hollow Hearts Unite, and Golden Parachutes.
NUMBER 4: LITTLE MIND ALIKE by TWICEYOUNG
Now, I have already covered the album in full on my "Independent Closet" review located here, so feel free to check that out for the full rundown of the tracks. But, in short the album is quite the juxtaposition to what is currently offered within the realm of pop music. I myself am a sucker for any Keane-esque music that allows me to relax while offering something new to pick out with every listen. From its ambient musical score to lead singer Tyler Laspopoulos' great imaginative lyrics it is an album that I highly recommend giving a listen to. Notable tracks include: Oceans, Acacia, We Knew Her at Once, and Way Down.
NUMBER 3: SUCH HOT BLOOD by THE AIRBORNE TOXIC EVENT
So I was not a huge fan of The Airborne Toxic Event until this year when a friend convinced me to give them a fair shot and am I glad I did. The follow-up album to the utterly amazing All At Once, Such Hot Blood does not fully live up to the addicting level of intensity of the prior but still offers a great sounding album with much to take away from. The only single to chart "Timeless" has a great chorus and leading verses but is by no means the greatest song on the album and I highly recommend taking a listen to this more refined, slower tempo sound from the band. Notable tracks include: The Secret, Timeless, Safe, This Is London, and Elizabeth.
NUMBER 2: BATTLE SCARS by PARADISE FEARS
Another album that was covered here
on "Independent Closet" so I'll be quick on my examination of this
album. The album itself is essentially 8 songs of pure pop music
awesomeness. It is the album to listen to if you want to be pumped up
even doing the most mundane tasks in human existence. From the opening
poem this album launches in full force taking no prisoners but allowing
breathing room that the slower songs do not feel out of place. Notable
tracks include: Battle Scars, What Are You Waiting For, Fought For Me, and Used.
NUMBER 1: SWAY by BLUE OCTOBER
Now before I get a plethora of e-mails stating, "But Keith, Blue October is an amazing band that has been selling millions of albums since Foiled and no one in their right mind has missed this album," I would just like to admit that I did. I know it may be a musical crime considering this band offers something for every type of listener whether you want some electronic fusion, hard rock, or slowed down somber songs Blue October offers everything. Sadly, after Any Man in America I had lost a little faith in the band and decided to shelf Sway until I knew for sure it was worth the listen and do I regret that decision. I may one day do a D3C0D3D review of this album in full but for now I will say that this album is quite amazing and a very close runner-up for my favorite album of 2013. The album itself may seem to be lacking in the edgier department but Justin Furstenfeld's lyrics/vocal work has evolved immensely since the band's inception and the lyrics "I'm not broken anymore" from the track "Not Broken Anymore" are just chilling when one considered the band's back story. There is not a bad track on this album and I feel safe reccomending this to every person I know as it will have something for everyone. My personal favorite tracks are: Sway, Bleed Out, Fear, Hard Candy, Things We Do At night, and Not Broken Anymore.
So that would seem to be it for 2013 we may do one or two more lists or a D3C0D3D review before it ends but for now it seems that 2013's chapter in music has closed. Can 2014 bring the same amount, if not more, of the quality music 2013 has offered us? Well it looks to be shaping up well with U2, Foo Fighters, and Jay-Z all expected to release new albums. Have a safe holiday season everyone and see you in 2014!
As always please like, share, and comment below!
All of the albums shown are available on iTunes and Spotify for your listening pleasure.
*As with all things, the opinions expressed our purely that of the author and should be taken as such.
** All images, music, and information used are for entertainment purposes. No copyright infringement intended.
Now, I may be cheating just a little on this first entry as yes, Ascension was released in September of 2012 but, the main reason for it appearing is purely semantics. The first half of this two-part album is a necessary listen to fully grasp the amazing pay off in the second. I would have put this higher on the list had this not been the case as the tale of Sirius Amory is as tragic as it is mesmerizing, showing Coheed and Cam
My 1st pick for the top albums missed only ranks 4th on the list sadly, which should tell you how wondrous the rest of the albums on this list are. It's always great to hear from Blue October, it's like that friend you never really noticed you missed until they walk back in the door and start telling stories of their amazing adventures. That is if these amazing adventures took you an emotional roller coaster take you from solemnly calm, to sad, then happy, and everything in between. When Blue October takes the time to write an album they nearly every time release something of wonder and this album is no exception.
This band and I have a rocky history. To be honest I was incredibly hesitant to listen to their work in the first place as Swan Songs did not resonant with me in the slightest and while I found American Tragedy to be a step in the right direction, it did not convince me they were worth a round three. But, do to some pestering from a friend I gave the album a listen, and then another, and another, and... Dear god have I not been album to set this album down. While I did not cover this album on the website I do feel it is worth mentioning that the direction taken in the album is miles better that what I had come to expect from these guys. Yes, they still have their silly songs where they talk about "getting fucked up, put on your helmet and knee pads" but after listening to the heart-wrenching slower songs, it just blows my mind it took me this long to listen to it. I humbly apologize to Hollywood Undead for doubting their ability to craft well written songs and writing them off as immature wannabe-gangsters as the maturity in the lyrics of this album know no bounds.
Ah yes, this was the album we just covered a week ago by the "rich kid asshole" we should all "paint as a villian." Donald Glover (aka Childish Gambino) had a lot to prove after his first major release Camp back in 2011. Now for those fans that thoroughly enjoyed the sound of Camp I can sympathize that Because The Internet took you through a jumbled mess of emotions as it is not what a lot of people were expecting from full-time comedian Donald Glover. This though is what works in its favor as the album itself starts out quite arrogant in its sound, painting the picture of a person who would be cool to hang out with but really not too deep of a human being. That is until the midway point when Gambino spins not only the album, but his whole style on its head, delivering an album that is both deeply philosophical and experimental in its story telling. You can check out the full review here
Now the list is coming to an end (hoo-ooo-ooo-oo oh oh ooo). In all seriousness though, this album blew my mind upon first listen. From the dark atmospheric tones, to the real-world storytelling lyrics Tyler Joseph paints across every song he rights, this album is a masterpiece upon masterpieces. If you have not had the great pleasure of listening to this album in its entirety I urge you take a good long car ride and just listen to how every song builds off of another, never truly repeating itself in what it is offering to the listener. I knew this would be my number 1 album of the year off the of the first listen and I'm glad to say that was the truth as nothing has been on the same scale this year. This album has something for everyone from the pop music listeners all the way to the EDM scensters, there is not a single bad song on this whole album running time. Pick it up in stores or load it up on Spotify yourself to experience the wonder that has become Twenty One Pilots. 
