Let’s be honest, last year was a truly awful year for music albums. Sure, there were a lot of great songs; some of them are quite memorable. But albums were lacking. I only remember two albums that I liked, which were Frank Ocean’s Channel Orange and Kendrick Lamar’s Good Kid, m.a.a.d. city. They were great. The rest were pretty dumb.
This year in 2013 has been a wonderful year for albums. I didn’t give ANY albums a perfect ten. The last time that happened was in 2011 with Bon Iver, Bon Iver. That album was freaking, oh my gosh, it ripped me apart emotionally. Whenever I hear “Beth/Rest” I start to cry. It’s so freaking beautiful. Anyways, the year is almost at a close. It’s Christmastime. So, here you all go.
25. Ariana Grande: Yours Truly- 6.8/10
A great first album. Wow, I thought I was going to hate it. I listened to it, and it wasn’t wildly original, but her voice is so sexy and beautiful and she sounds so pleasant it more than makes up for the rather dumb songwriting. I think it was great though.
24. Haim: Days Are Gone- 7.4/10
It was alright. It had some catchy tunes and it sounded great. I wish that had been a bit more risky, but it was a lot better than other albums.
23. Queen of the Stone Ages: …Like Clockwork- 7.7/10
I was impressed. It wasn’t too hard rocking. Sounded pretty good, but again if you’re near the bottom of the list, it
22. Drake: Nothing Was the Same- 6.5/10
It was an okay album. I list it only because it sold a bunch. Lots of critics liked it. I wouldn’t say it’s in my top 20 for Rap/Hip-Hop albums, but in the top 40 probably.
21. Charli XCX: True Romance- 7.9/10
It wasn’t very memorable, but she uses the computer well. I love “What I like”.
20. Foxygen: We are 21st…..-7.9/10
The return of psychedelic and religious imagery. Fascinating.
19. Tegan and Sara: Heartthrobs- 8/10
I liked Closer a lot. The album didn’t seem to have any filler, and I really appreciated that. It flowed well, and the vocals were amazing.
18.Deerhunter: Monomia- 8.6/10
A raw album. So good. It rocks through my ears all the time. It was such a great rock album. Rawness is king.
17. CHVRCHES: The Bones of What You Believe- 8.1/10
It was really original. The production was sweet. Not the best by any means, but pretty good when it comparison to the other albums that came out in 2013.
16. James Blake: Overgrown- 8.3/10
A great sound. So strange and eerie. The production was smooth and laid back. The track featuring the RZA was dope as hell.
15. Kacey Musgraves: Same Trailer, Different Park- 8.2/10
A wonderful country album that takes risks. She has the best vocals I’ve heard in country in such a long time, and her sound isn’t processed or overpower. Take a listen, and just sick back and listen to her silky vocals.
14. Volcano Choir: Repave- 8.5/10
Bon Iver without the falsetto. What’s better than that?
13. Julia Houlter: Loud City Song- 8.6/10
Imaginative and original to the extreme. Such a unique sound.
12. Mikal Cronin:MCII- 9/10
A great punk album that lyrically is so deep it gave me second thought about how much I hate punk music.
(TIE)
12. Tyler, the Creator: Wolf- 7.9/10
A less dark and disturbing album that was much more listenable than Goblin. Its r&b style makes it flow a lot better, and it has better editing.
11. Savages: Silence Yourself- 8.5/10
A good Brit-Rock album. Brings it back to the old post-punk revival kind of sound as well.
11. Disclosure: Settle- 9/10
A strange album that has some strange quirks. I applaud the artists.
10. Lorde: Pure Heroine- 9.2/10
A pretty amazing pop album which brings the dark to the pop. She’s beautiful by the way.
9. Deafheaven: Sunbather- 9.3/10
An amazing album that has beautiful melodies hidden under the darkness of the songs. Listen to it. NOW.
(TIE)
9. Phoenix: Entertainment- 8.2/10
A good album that works out from a triumphant start. Pretty good.
8. Justin Timberlake: The 20/20 Experience- 8.5/10
Didn’t listen to the whole album. It works out great though. Songs could be shorter.
7. Laura Marling: Once I Was An Eagle- 9.5/10
A beautiful album that seems like one never ending song that falls apart so many times it seems so pure.
6. Kanye West: Yeezus- 9.5/10
A strange iconic rap album that feels so raw and pure that it just scares the crap out of you. Repeat listens are recommended.
5. Phosphorescent: Muchacho- 9.6/10
A beautiful album that excels into greatness.
4. The National: Trouble Will Find Me- 9.4/10
My favorite band made a great record.
3. Earl Sweatshirt: Doris- 9.1/10
An experimental rap album that is a great debut. He’s a talented rapper, and has a lot of skill. One of my heroes.
2. Daft Punk: Random Access Memories- 9.6/10
It sounds great. I fell in love with how beautiful and original it sounds. I can’t ever escape its scope and it’s not repetitive. I’d listen to it all day and not get bored.
1. Arcade Fire: Reflektor- 9.7/10
A double album that sounds so odd and dark that it gives some of the greatest reflection of technology and the internet. I fell in so much love when I listened to it, and it gets better with each listen. I’d listen to it all day along with Daft Punk.
1. Vampire Weekend: Modern Vampires of the City- 9.7/10
It sounds perfect. It looks perfect. It feels perfect. The first song is the only reason why it isn’t perfect. Great song, just not perfect. The rest of the album is perfect. I love it. Perfection is here!