In a year that opened with the Harlem Shake and closed the book with twerking, people seemed keener on pop culture than actual culture when it came to music. Clearly, pop music reigned in 2013, possibly due to its insane spectacle; we saw everything from albums made of remixes of the same song to the reunion of ’90s boy bands. But despite the maelstrom of strange goings-on, plenty of bands provided a steady anchor for musical artistry, and they deserve admiration. I present my favorite 2013 albums.
• “Up, On & Over” by Bronze Radio Return – Until this album emerged from this indie-roots outfit from Hartford, Conn., I had forgotten that revival rock could be upbeat. Though the band has actually been around for some time, this album is certainly a career high. It’s sweeping and soulful throughout, like the great tunes from the band’s namesake, but it doesn’t ignore the virtue of a good time. Bronze Radio Return also manages to make use of folksy instrumentation such as harmonicas, banjos and organs without the immediate pitfall of a Mumford & Sons comparison.
• “Bad Blood” by Bastille – Strangely enough, the freshman success “Bad Blood,” one of my favorite 2013 finds, began at an f.y.e. in Mobile, Ala. I might have missed out if not for the gushing adulation of a clerk who made it his goal to sell each copy. Though Bastille started as an electronica-centered solo act, which is a fairly overstocked commodity these days, the songs on the album are classically enjoyable and dexterously arranged. Tracks such as “Icarus” and “Daniel in the Den” showcase a musical aptitude often missing from electronic music.
• “Devil” by Lydia – “Devil” is a tougher addition because it directly opposes my stance on lyrics. In spite of its tendency to needlessly re-use words and reiterate phrases, the entirety of Lydia’s “Devil” shoves its way into my head regularly. As a lyricist, I frown at those moments, but as a musician and music lover, “Devil” is everything I want from a record. The album’s innumerable devilishly clever melodies more than make up for any textual iniquity. The acoustic guitar at the base of most tracks is simple, but the dynamic layering of elements is consistently brilliant and makes the individual parts feel well-placed and satisfying. Songs such as “From a Tire Swing” and “Holidays” perfectly exhibit the unmistakable, wistful beauty that inhabits Lydia’s latest in a long stream of great releases.
• “You’re Always on My Mind” by A Great Big Pile of Leaves – Music doesn’t have to be all heartbreak and thoughtful reminiscing to be praiseworthy. A touch of humor is definitely welcome, providing the composition can stand on its own feet. “You’re Always on My Mind” by A Great Big Pile of Leaves is an example of the best of both worlds, combining high-spirited and intricate indie rock with playful wit. While many songs such as “Learning Curves,” “Pet Mouse,” and “Slumber Party” enter light-hearted territory, impressive musicianship and profound themes reinforce A Great Big Pile of Leaves as a gifted group songwriters that isn’t reliant on a gimmick.
• “Pythons” by Surfer Blood – This album has been a bit controversial amongst longtime listeners of Florida surf-rock quartet Surfer Blood. Some fans felt that “Pythons” defanged the band’s signature sound, peeling back the layers of low-fi and keeping the guitarists’ feet off the fuzz pedals. However, I say it is one of 2013’s best releases due to the tremendous leap in songwriting quality resulting from its glossier finish. “Say Yes to Me” and “Needles & Pins” dig deeper into its ’60s influences and deliver genuinely great, classic-sounding pop songs. Surfer Blood succeeds in crafting original music that would impress The Beach Boys, Dick Dale and the rest of surf-rock’s reigning champions.
Ultimately, while the bizarre may have outweighed the artistic in terms of music last year, my list scarcely scratches the surface of the many great releases that slipped under the radar in 2013. For those who genuinely tried to create to the best of their abilities—the bands that don’t vie for the world’s attention with extravagant displays of nothing special or confuse eccentricity with originality—you have my thanks. If you keep it up in 2014, you’ll also have my money.
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The Mississippi Free Press produced this story through the MFP Solutions Lab, supported by the Solutions Journalism Network. This series digs into Mississippi’s systemic issues and sheds light on responses to them in other communities. Beyond just reporting on problems, these stories interrogate their causes and inspect potential solutions.