My year in music: 2013 (part 1) THE EXCITING LIST PORTION OF THE RECAP!!!

Usually I do a top 50 list every year. I generally go into detail on all 50 but frankly I don't have the time and I didn't obsess over music like I have in the past. Must be growing up I guess. Anyway here's a bunch of albums I heard once or twice on Spotify that seemed good but I didn't give much time to.

Snuff: 5-4-3-2-1... Perhaps?
Jim James: Regions of Light and Sound
The Bronx: The Bronx (IV)
Eric Clapton: Old Sock
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club: Specter at the Feast
Mudhoney: Vanishing Point
The National: Trouble Will Find Me
Mavis Staples: One True Vine
Nine Inch Nails: Hesitation Marks
Okkerville River: The Silver Gymnasium
King Khan & the Shrines: Idle No More
Two Car Garage: The Death of the Self-Preservation Society
Paul McCartney: New
Mark Lanegan: Imitations
Nobunny: Secret Songs: Reflections From the Ear Mirror
Deltron 3030: Event II
Get Dead: Bad News
Polar Bear Club: Death Chorus
Reggie and the Full Effect: No Country for Old Musicians
My Bloody Valentine: MBV


If I was gonna make a detailed top 50 these would be albums 26-50. I present them in arbitrary list form.

50. Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds: Push the Sky Away
49. Iggy and the Stooges: Ready to Die
48. Arcade Fire: Reflektor
47. Robert Randolph & the Family Band: Lickety Split
46. Deer Tick: Negativity
45. Blitzen Trapper: VII
44. Son Volt: Honky Tonk
43. Dawes: Stories Don't End
42. Old Man Markley: Down Side Up
41. Mike Cooley: The Fool on Every Corner
40. Frank Turner: Tape Deck Heart
39. Billy Bragg: Tooth and Nail
38. Dr. Dog: B-Room
37. Tedeschi Trucks Band: Made Up Mind
36. Streetlight Manifesto: The Hands That Thieve
35. Swingin' Utters: Poorly Formed
34. Motorhead: Aftershock
33. Elvis Costelo & the Roots: Wise Up Ghost
32. Camper Van Beethoven: La Costa Perdida
31. The So So Glos: Blowout
30. Night Marchers: Allez Allez
29. Joan Jett & the Blackhearts: Unvarnished
28. The Shouting Matches: Grownass Man
27. Black Joe Lewis: Electric Slave
26. Meat Puppets: Rat Farm

Just so I don't do an entire post without pictures here are three great compilations and my top 5 E.P.'s of the year.

Compilations

Bob Dylan: Another Self Portrait (1969-1971) The Bootleg Series Vol. 10

The 10th volume in Dylan's long running bootleg series is a great look at the creative process Bob was going through when making such oddball choices as his first self-titled album and the underrated New Morning. Like all Bootleg albums, this is for the hardcore and converted fan but it's a very rewarding listen for those of us that qualify.

Songs For Slim: Rockin' Here Tonight: A Benefit Compilation For Slim Dunlap

When Twin Cities rock and roll mainstay and former Replacement Slim Dunlap suffered a massive brain stroke it was only natural that the TC music community would step up to help with the costs of long term medical care. What was surprising was the level of national recording artists that stepped up and contributed to the cause. Not to mention it being the impetus for the long awaited Replacements reunion. The songs included here all consist of Dunlap covers and are all of a very high quality. This is one of the biggest must own albums of the year due to the music and where the profits are going.

Fat Wreck Chords: The Songs of Tony Sly - A Tribute 

Another example of a great cause and some great music going hand in hand. When Tony Sly died last year he left behind a wife and daughter. Tony wrote great songs and this tribute collects a lot of amazing artists to cover them with the proceeds going to help support the family Tony left behind. Any fan of punk rock should have already picked this up.

E.P.'s

3. Motel Mirrors: Motel Mirrors

John Paul Keith is a personal favorite under the radar musician of mine and his side project team up with Amy LaVere is a great little collection of country based duets.

2. Lucero: Texas & Tennessee

 The continued evolution of Lucero from rock band to soul outfit may have reached it's peak on these 4 tracks. Ben Nichols' voice is well suited for these stripped down songs of lost and breathless love. I'm very excited to see what direction the band goes in next.

1. The Replacements: Songs For Slim

The Replacements releasing new music and reuniting for live shows was easily the most exciting musical news I heard all year. While I was unable to attend any of their Riot Fest appearances and anxiously await a full tour, this 5 track E.P. is a great addition to their catalog. It's mostly just sloppy covers but the spirit of the Replacements has been as important as the actual music (if not more so) and in that regard, it's a smashing success.