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)

Rewind the Film

Come their eleventh album, most bands would have already started to fade away, went through countless line-up changes or dissoluted altogether. When a band has been together for this long, it usually struggles to come up with something fresh, game-changing, or otherwise significant. More often than not, it sticks to repeating the same old formulas that paid off in the past. Not the Manics, though. Having been together since 1986, they've become quite good at reinventing their sound, and it doesn't seem they're gonna stop anytime soon.

To anyone, who followed this Welsh trio at least vaguely in the last few years, it may come as a surprise that Rewind the Film consists mostly of slower, mellow ballads, and that it even features very little of Nicky Wire's typical electric guitar. Send Away the Tigers and Postcards From a Young Man were both big, stadium rock records, while Journal for Plague Lovers, which was composed entirely of lyrics left behind by the presumably deceased guitarist and lyricist Richey Edwards, saw the band return to its raw, punk rock roots. On the contrary, Rewind the Film reminds mostly of This Is My Truth, Tell Me Yours, an 1998 album which included their most popular single to date If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next. It's an acoustic based and melancholic album, full of gentle melodies and featuring some powerful guest vocals. But don't let this fool you, the Manics are as angry and biting as they've ever been.

This is the sound of a band clearly in its prime. The fact is all the more fascinating considering they've released an album like this almost thirty years into their career. Manic Street Preachers are an interesting phenomenon indeed and still a force to be reckoned with.

Rewind the Film's follow up, Futurology, is due out early next year. And it's gonna be a lot more spiky, heavy and guitar driven. Both albums were recorded simultaneously.

Best tracks: This Sullen Welsh Heart, Show Me the Wonder, Rewind the Film

Rewind the Film

Manic Street Preachers will be back this fall with Rewind The Film, their eleventh studio album, and the first since 2010′s Postcards From A Young Man. About a week ago, they’ve unveiled a video for the title track. I must say, the song itself is nothing short of brilliant. This is the sound of a band, that's been together since 1986. Unbelievable.

Well, the Manics actually recorded two albums simultaneously. The first one to come out will be more acoustic and gentle, while the other one will be way heavier with lots of electric guitars on it. I can't wait. Rewind the Film comes out September 16th.

Manics' Army Surgical Hospital

Listen to the Manic's take on the famous MASH theme, I love it. It's also featured on their singles compilation released few days ago. I love the band and the album as well. Your thoughts?

Albums of the Year, part II

To see the first part, click here.

#8 Postcards from a Young Man

Manic Street Preachers

The last year saw the Manics dealing with past on an album that also may be considered a comeback. Behind Postcards is a completely different story. Prior to the release, the band had announced this would be their last shot at mass communication, which is why it's a pop album to the core, aimed at the widest audience. But that doesn't matter since it's nothing short of powerful rock anthems and guitar solos. I didn't use to be a huge Manics' fan but Postcards changed that in an instant.

Best tracks: (It's Not War) Just The End Of Love, A Billion Balconies Facing the Sun, Don't Be Evil

#7 Interpol

Interpol

Another album I had been impatiently waiting for and still, I was surprised after I gave it the very first spin. It wouldn't be hard to doom Interpol's latest effort. The songs are seemingly heading nowhere as if the band were lost in their own world. Paul Banks' voice may sound distant and bored. But things are not so simple this time around. The album is a grower. All the band's trademarks are still present here and it's their most consistent work to date. It certainly stands as an important milestone in their career, and not just because the bassist Carlos D left after completion.

Best tracks: Success, Barricade, Always Malaise (The Man I Am)

#6 Congratulations

MGMT

Oracular Spectacular had some great singles. On the contrary, MGMT's sophomore album lacks them altogether. But that doesn't necessarily mean it's worse. In this case, it means the exact opposite. I'm an album listener, I like to play them from beginning to the end and hardly ever skip any tracks. Congratulations is just the sort of record, that aims at listeners like myself. It's forty-four minutes long, coherent body of work that flows smoothly towards the end, which comes just when you realise you want to hear more.

Best tracks: Flash Delirium, Siberian Breaks, Congratulations

#5 The Betrayed

Lostprophets

My first highly anticipated album of the year. A long story, spanning over three years, preceded the release, which was delayed numerous times due to problems with labels and producers. That being said, Lostprophets without wavering lived up to my expectations. The Betrayed is a rare case of a record, where a band succeeds at combining elements of all its previous efforts while accomplishing to sound renewed and different. This time, it's angrier, heavier, darker and with their best song since Last Train Home (Where We Belong).

Best tracks: Where We Belong, For He's a Jolly Good Felon, Sunshine

#4 American Slang

The Gaslight Anthem

It certainly wasn't easy living up to everyone's expectations after The '59 Sound. Fortunately, The Gaslight Anthem proved their previous effort didn't happen by chance and were able to create arguably even a better album. Every time I listen to American Slang, I have to admire the flawless production and Brian Fallon's heartfelt lyrics and singing. When it comes to incorporating past influences and inspiration and blending punk with 1960's rock n' roll while sounding utterly present and relevant, The Gaslight Anthem have no equals.

Best tracks: Stay Lucky, Boxer, The Spirit of Jazz

#3 High Violet

The National

There really isn't much to say about High Violet, except that it's damn good. In the competition for the best indie album of the year, it came close second. It's a typical grower. Initially, the songs hardly ever caught my attention as they're rather slow and seem to never take off. But once I gradually began to immerse into the captivating tunes and Matt Berninger's voice, I realised there's a lot going on underneath. High Violet is a very personal record, as well as it's mature. Plus, it features my favourite cover art of the year.

Best tracks: Anyone's Ghost, Bloodbuzz Ohio, Conversation 16

#2 Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys

My Chemical Romance

It had been four long years of waiting for the band to release a follow-up to the highly ambitious Black Parade. After a long touring, contribution to the Watchmen soundtrack, scrapping of a completed album and yet another radical change of image (and haircuts), Danger Days finally arrived.

Because of the long wait, I wasn't sure if I cared about the band anymore. But then the trailer campaign struck and My Chem released the first single, Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na), and I was again on board with them. Danger Days sounds like a band having more fun than ever. From the tight production to Gerard Way's affective singing, the album sounds both typical MCR and completely different from what we used to hear from these guys. It's one hell of a ride and easily the best rock n' roll album of the year.

Best tracks: Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na), Bulletproof Heart, Summertime

#1 The Suburbs

Arcade Fire

To be honest, I was mildly disappointed when I first heard The Suburbs back in the summer. At that time, it didn't seem to be a worthy follow-up to Funeral or Neon Bible. Fortunately, it grew on me like any other album, surpassing everything that's been released this year. Although, it's a concept album, where everything is heading towards the monumental peak on the closing track Sprawl II, each song works just as good on its own, mixing musical ambition with mainstream accessibility. The Suburbs may be the most epic effort of Arcade Fire's career, compelling, enthralling and gripping.

Best tracks: City With No Children, We Used to Wait, Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)