Albums of the year 2013, part II

Let's move on to the second and final part of this list.

#10 AM
Arctic Monkeys

Long gone are the southern-ish experiments of Humbug, Arctic Monkeys are now striving to become everyone's favourite rock'n'roll band. While Suck It And See saw the band stranded somewhere in between, AM seems to be the album to get them all the way there. I have to admit this is the most enjoyable Monkeys' record in a while, and Knee Socks is one of the most fun tracks of the year.

#9 Trouble Will Find Me
The National

You should already know what to expect from The National come their sixth studio album, and you should also know they will take your breath away regardless of what you expect. Trouble Will Find Me is deeply atmospheric, painfully beautiful and seductive, expanding upon their past efforts in every way.

#8 Waking On a Pretty Daze
Kurt Ville

The feel-good album of the year. The semi-title track almost hits the ten minute mark, but don't let it discourage you, it's an absolute joy all the way through. Luckily enough, the rest of the record doesn't fall behind, and the word "mellow" gets a whole new meaning in its context.

#7 Damage
Jimmy Eat World

Constantly releasing good albums is a nice habit. And no one does it better than Jim Adkins & Co., bringing joy to all the emo souls out there for a good two decades. Saying that this was the most anticipated release of 2013 for me would be an understatement, but Jimmy Eat World proved times and times again they have little difficulty living up to the challenge. Damage is sort of a return to roots for the band, who tossed away the glitz of modern day studio production and took a surprisingly raw approach. The result is an album that could go down in history as one of their career highlights. Just wait till you see those songs played live.

#6 Opposites
Biffy Clyro

If Biffy wanted to step up from their previous effort, Only Revolution, releasing a double album was the only logical way. It was a bold move, but it proved to be the right one. Bigger in every sense, Opposites keeps rushing forward, never losing itself in meaningless self-indulgence, making up for those four years without any new material. Oh, and the songs make for a killer live show, too. Overall, Biffy Clyro are easily one of the best rock bands in the world today. (My review)

#5  Reflektor
Arcade Fire

Released to huge expectations by the end of October, Reflektor still leaves me puzzled two months later. It is perhaps due to the dancier nature that I haven't been able to connect with it on the same level as with the more guitar-driven Suburbs three years ago. However, it's definitely a grower, and it has its stellar moments, especially in the second half, that can compare with the band's most glorious achievements (Hey Orpheus, Afterlife).

#4 Rewind the Film
Manic Street Preachers

They may get older, but their music doesn't, and it certainly doesn't lose its punch, even in its mellow and quiet form. Or is it just a calm before the storm? (My review)

#3  Heartthrob
Tegan and Sara

In January, Tegan and Sara released their first full-on pop record, but to this day, many people still haven't come to terms with the change of style. Personally, I couldn't get enough of it. I was saying it then and I'm still saying it, this is the best album the twins have ever made.

#2 Bloodsports
Suede

Suede, one of those bands I always knew I should check out but never really got to it, until their first album in eleven years offered an opportunity I couldn't pass. I'm always eager for some good britpop, and, well, it doesn't get much better than this. It's the first three tracks that really shine, but fortunately, the rest of the album doesn't lag far behind. Suede manage to sell it with confidence, elagance and energy that bands half their age could envy.

#1 Random Access Memories
Daft Punk

Ever since RAM was released, I kinda knew it would end up seizing the top spot. For me, this album will probably symbolize "the perfect record" in the years to come. Perfected to the point of near absurdity, encompassing four decades of popular music while also looking forward, overflowing with ideas and compelling details, this is the closest albums come to being timeless. Get Lucky might be one of the biggest singles of the year, but the greatest accomplishment of RAM lies in utilizing the album format to its full potential, in a contrast to the single-oriented music world. It may seem cold on surface, but there's a warm, beating heart underneath. (My review)

Honorary mention: Conventional Weapons
My Chemical Romance

Though not a proper album, it's a rewarding parting gift and the last goodbye from a band that used to mean a great deal to me. (My lament)

Biffy Clyro Got Lucky

I'm going to see this bunch in a couple of days and my excitement is slowly escalating. Nevertheless, I was just made aware of their recent cover of Daft Punk's Get Lucky and I think it's pretty interesting.

Biffy Clyro: Opposites

Biffy Clyro first came into my attention with their fourth studio album, Puzzle, which turned out to be a huge critical and commercial success and deprived the band of its indie status. At that time, though, it was no more than a random okay rock record for me. I didn't really got into Biffy until I listened to their subsequent effort, even more successfull, Mercury Prize nominated, Only Revolutions. That was the moment when they finally won me over. I spinned Revolutions to death and it eventually came in second in my AOTY list of 2009 and also made me appreciate their back catalague, especially Puzzle.

However, things were never that simple for the Scottish trio. Step by step, over the course of the past three albums, Biffy Clyro were slowly turning into a more and more mainstream act. Whether this was a natural growth in musical terms or they were in it just for the money, only they know. I'm inclined to believe the first, since the same thing has been happening to almost every other band, ever. Nevertheless, it didn't stop their former diehard fans from uncompromisingly branding the band sell-outs and triggerring a major shitstorm all over the interwebs in such a way, that was unparalleled to any other artist. It's a shame, really, because their albums aren't nowhere near as bad by any measures.

Fortunately though, the general public doesn't seem to care, and the critics are generally much more welcoming too. With the release of Opposites, we finally saw the Biff topping the UK albums chart and the continuous rise of popularity will culminate later this year when the band will be headlining Reading and Leeds festivals. But despite being huge on their native ground, Biffy have yet to reach a similar level of stardom outside the UK borders. And that's something the new album should do. So far, it seems like all odds are in its favour.

First off, Opposites is, of course, a double album. But it's shorter than most of its kind. With only twenty songs (twenty two, if you count the instrumental bonus tracks) and running time just under 80 minutes, it could actually fit onto one CD. It also isn't a concept record per se, as the early reports made it look like, although each disc is loosely thematic.

"One's about putting things in the worst possible way and thinking you're getting yourself into a hole. The other looks at things more positively" (Simon Neil)

Experimentation was another important topic during interviews prior to the release; and both the band and the double album format promised no small things. While the first disc, titled The Land at the End of Our Toes, takes a rather traditional approach to songwriting, the second one, The Sand at the Core of Our Bones, is where most of the fresh and invigorating stuff takes place. Still, it wouldn't be accurate to label Opposites as an experimental record, rather, it is something of a missed opportunity. Despite introducing many unusual elements, bagpipes, organ, or even a mariachi band, the band never really strays away from its comfort zone, which is, frankly, one of the biggest drawbacks of the new album. Considering this fact, I can see why some people might find it a bit disappointing. Nevertheless, it deserves your attention.

Opposites is the sort of an album that is best fit for big stadiums and major festivals. The songs are built around huge choruses that are meant to be played in front of as many people as possible and that no small club could contain. Never before have Biffy Clyro sounded so big. The ballads, which the band always does so well, play a minor role this time around, although songs such as The Fog or The Thaw definitely count among the highlights of the album.

My personal favourites, though, come at the end of the second disc. Accident Without Emergency, Woo Woo and Picture a Knife Fight form the monumental and satisfying pinnacle of the album, ending the whole of Opposites on a definite high note.

It takes big cojones to make a double album, "the dreaded D", two discs of worthy material, and few bands did ever really pull it off. In all honesty, I think Biffy Clyro are now among them. They are fearlessly going down the road paved by the likes of Muse and Foo Fighters to become one of the biggest live bands in the world. It's yet unclear whether they'll ever succeed, but Opposites has the potential to get them at least much closer to their destination.

Best tracks, disc 1: The Joke's On Us, Biblical, The Fog

Best tracks, disc 2: Spanish Radio, Modern Magic Formula, Accident Without Emergency

Black Chandelier

In 2009, Only Revolutions not only catapulted Biffy Clyro even higher on the charts than their previous breakthrough album, Puzzle, but it also started my obsession with the band. Their next output, the double album Opposites, comes out on 28 January and my expectation are pretty high at this point. There's a brand new song...



Thoughts? I have no doubt Opposites will be a serious AOTY contender next year.

Suggestions

Anberlin
We Owe This to Ourselves

Biffy Clyro
God & Satan


Kids in Glass Houses
Artbreaker


The Drums
Forever & Ever Amen


We Are Scientists
Rules Don't Stop Me


The Automatic
Interstate


Young Guns
Sons of Apathy

The Best Albums of 2009

Trying to keep up the pace one post at a day, I decided to reveal my AOTY list of the last year which, in my humble opinion, was really great for music. This post comes a little bit late, please, forgive me... :-P Neverthless, my top albums are pretty much in this order.

#12 Saosin - In Search of Solid Ground


I'm tired of all the people bitching about how awful this album was. While it surely isn't as good compared to its predecessor, it still contains some great tunes and sounds typically Saosin.
Best tracks: From track #1 to #5, This Is Real, You Never Noticed Me (Bonus track)

#11 Placebo - Battle for the Sun


what can I say? it's Placebo...
Best tracks: Battle for the Sun, For What It's Worth, The Never-ending Why, Kings of Medicine

#10 The Audition - Self-Titled Album


Every other song on this album is a gem, while the others are "just" very good. The Audition seems to never fail to deliver genuine powerpop anthems.
Best tracks: My Temperature's Rising, Everybody's Someone Else's Secret, Steal.Sign.Deliver

#9 All Time Low - Nothing Personal


I had never expected to enjoy such an album so much, but since this record came out I started listening to pop punk immensely, an obsession that's been lasting until today.
Best tracks: Weightless, Break Your Little Heart, Sick Little Games, Hello Brooklyn

#8 AFI - Crash Love


The only thing I'm missing on the newest AFI's record is another weird opening track. Driving guitars, Davey Havok's typical vocals, what alse do you need?
Best tracks: Beautiful Thieves, End Transmission, Medicate, Sacriledge

#7 Green Day - 21st Century Breakdown


I enjoyed it. A lot. I'm not ashamed of it. Green Day was practically the band that once brought me into the punk genre. This album made me start listening to them once again.
Best tracks: Know Your Enemy, !Viva la Gloria!, The Static Age, 21 Guns

#6 Fightstar - Be Human


Perhaps my most anticipated release of the spring hasn't let me down one bit. It may take some time getting into their music because of their unique sound, but it's definitely worth it. Charlie Simpson, formerly from Busted, is the man.
Best tracks: Calling on All Stations, The English Way, Colours Bleed to Red, Mercury Summer

#5 White Lies - To Lose My Life...


In my opinion, this year's best debut album belongs to this post-punk revival band from London. Every song on this this record is a potential single. If you like Interpol, Editors or Joy Division, be sure to check these guys out.
Best tracks: To Lose My Life, Unfinished Business, Farewell to the Fairground

#4 Muse - The Resistance


More epic, more ambitious and weirder than ever. It's hard to dislike this album.
Best tracks: Uprising, Resistance, Undisclosed Desires, MK Ultra and the twelve-minutes-long closing track

#3 Emery - ... In Shallow Seas We Sail


Easily the very best post-hardcore album of the year and one of the best I've heard, like ever... Amazing screaming, evenly great clean vocals, powerful melodies... I could go on for hours. I won't though.
Best tracks: Inside Our Skin; The Smile, The Face; A Sin to Hold On to, Piggy Bank Lies

#2 Biffy Clyro - Only Revolutions


I wasn't much into "Puzzle," I wasn't expecting much from this either. But after a few spins I could easily say that this album is nothing short of brilliant.
Best tracks: The Captain, That Golden Rule, Bubbles, God & Satan, Mountains

#1 Silversun Pickups - Swoon


I didn't know about this band until the album appeared on another blog and I decided to give it a shot. I instantly fell in love with the sound of the distorted guitars and Brian Aubert's vocals and kept spinning the record over and over again.
Best tracks: The Royal We, It's Nice to Know You Work Alone, Panic Switch and pretty much the whole album...

Honorable mentions: Cartel - Cycles, Tegan & Sara - Sainthood, Dashboard Confessional - Alter the Ending, Taking Back Sunday - New Again, Silverstein - A Shipwreck in the Sand, Paramore - Brand New Eyes, Relient K - Forget & Not Slow Down, Paper Route - Absence