Records That Licked My Face in 2013

Charli XCX- True Romance

 Great pop record from up and coming Brit hitmaker

Disclosure- Settle

Most enjoyable dance record from barely out of their teens English brothers

Montage- Phases

This exceptionally gifted Montreal native, Antoine Bedard, wrote a composition every month for a year, the result being Phases, a pastiche of psychedelia, krautrock, dance music, and muted electronic ruminations. It's simply a really thoughtful collection of superb songwriting.

  Kurt Vile- Wakin’ On A Pretty Daze

Philly's favorite slacker delivers another satisfying slab of Neil Young inspired jams

Ketamines- You Can’t Serve Two Masters

Infectious punk pop record displays this Calgary quintet's burgeoning songwriting chops.

Hooded Fang- Gravez

 Another North of the Border band delivering frosty surf psychedelia.

Glenn Jones- My Garden State

Beautiful acoustic finger-picking, a la John Fahey.

Parquet Courts- Light Up Gold

 "I was walking through Ridgewood Queens/ I was flipping through magazines/ I was so, so stoned and starving"

Purling Hiss- Water On Mars

Some blistering guitar work from Philly native Mike Polizze, harkening the heyday of Blue Cheer

Obits- Bed & Bugs

 Preeminent garage rockers explore some different sonic structures, an evolving sound.

Speedy Ortiz- Major Arcana

Interesting chord progressions, very reminiscent of great late 80’s indie rock, with vocals that harken Liz Phair.

Foxygen- We Are the 21^st Century Ambassadors of Peace and Magic

-Dylan, The Stones, & The Kinks all wrapped up in a silly Mexican blanket on a Santa Monica beach.

Rhye- Woman

Official reissue of 2012 release from sultry, understated lounge burning LA duo

Queens of the Stone Age- Like Clockwork

 America's favorite stoner rock band is back with a mature, but no less satisfying, effort.

Bill Callahan- Dream River

The most distinctive voice in American music dives into his version of acid folk with flute, bongos, and some distorted slow jams.

 

Blood Orange- Cupid Deluxe

My favorite album cover of the year and best stone-cold grooves from in-demand producer Dev Hynes.