SLIS’s 15 Best Albums Of 2013: 2013 proved a particularly strong year for rock albums. Here’s our list of the 15 best.
After several years of anemic rock releases, along comes 2013, which has boasted an impressive array of music. Last year I struggled to come up with a top 10, but this year it was a struggle whittling it down to just 15.
As always taste is subjective, but these are my picks for the best albums of the year, covering synth-pop, Britpop, stoner rock, alternative and more.
I’ll have iTunes links under each release if you’d like to buy any of these gems.
Let’s begin:
15. Primal Scream-More Light
After years of spotty releases, the Scottish noise-act make their best electronic/rock hodgepodge since masterpiece XTRMNR.
Click here for my full More Light review.
14. Sound City Real To Reel
The soundtrack to Dave Grohl’s excellent rock doc is just as compelling, featuring jams between him and Trent Reznor, Josh Homme, Stevie Nicks, Paul McCartney and much more.
Click here for my full Real To Reel review.
13. Black Sabbath-13
No unlucky number here; after years of discord and even amidst Ozzy’s drug troubles, Rick Rubin managed to pull off a miracle; making a bunch of rock dinosaurs sound (almost) just as ferocious as in their prime.
Click here for my full 13 review.
12. Depeche Mode-Delta Machine
Delta Machine seemed to polarize hardcore fans, but it felt on point to me. Dark and sleek, soulful and bleak, DM channels their patented goth blues while adding new experimental textures to their sonic bag of tricks.
Click here for my full Delta Machine review and click here for my Delta Machine concert review.
11. Monster Magnet-Last Patrol
The stoner rock titans make their best album since 2001’s God Says No, going back to their trippy space rock roots.
Click here for my full Last Patrol review. And click here for my Monster Magnet Austin TX concert review.
10. Gary Numan-Splinter: Songs From A Broken Mind
The synth/industrial pioneer makes his best album since seminal 1979 album The Pleasure Principal.
Click here for my full Splinter review.
9. Savages-Silence Yourself
After years of cutesy 80’s revival acts, along comes Savages who truly realize the harrowing potential of post-punk goth despair, channelling Siouxsie And The Banshees-esque wailing dread with thrilling results.
8. Queens Of The Stone Age-Like Clockwork
John Homme and co. return with their strangest, most subdued set of tunes. But don’t let the lack of rock histrionics fool you; the personal subject matter is unrelentingly heavy.
Click here for full Like Clockwork review.
7. CHVRCHES-The Bones Of What You Believe
Another 80’s throwback band, CHVRCHES have the ability to inject sprightly synth-pop with piss and vinegar lyrics, making for an oddly winning combo.
Click here for full Bones Of What You Believe review.
6. TIE: Steve Kilbey-The Idyllist/ Kilbey-Kennedy-You Are Everything
Church frontman Steve Kilbey had a prolific 2013 which paid off with two great albums; the eclectic The Idyllist, and the serene lounge/dream pop of You Are Everything, his collaboration with All India Radio’s’ Martin Kennedy.
Click here for full Idyllist review.
Click here for full You Are Everything review.
And click here for my Steve Kilbey Interview.
5. My Bloody Valentine-MBV
[amazon_image id=”B00BHUJ2XI” link=”true” target=”_blank” size=”medium” ]Mbv[/amazon_image]
Only available via Amazon import or directly through their site.
My Bloody Valentine came out of the blue with their first release since 1991’s Loveless. And while nothing could match the insane expectations given the long follow-up, MBV proved to be a solid return, even if it sounded pretty much like Loveless-part 2, thanks to the sonic perfectionism of band mastermind Kevin Shields.
Click here for my full MBV review.
4. Nine Inch Nails-Hesitation Marks
Trent Reznor returned to Nine Inch Nails with his best effort since Downward Spiral, still remaining compelling while abandoning much of his nihilistic worldview that made him appealing to mopers worldwide.
Click here for full Hesitation Marks review and click here for my NIN ACL taping review.
3. David Bowie-The Next Day
Don’t call it a comeback. Call it one of the best albums in Bowie’s storied career, drawing from all aspects of his diverse body of work.
Click here for my full Next Day review and click here for holiday gift ideas for Bowie fans (and music lovers of all genres).
2. Suede-Bloodsports
Who knew these Britpop pioneers would emerge out of semi-obscurity with one of their best albums to date? There’s not one bad tune on this irresistibly catchy collection.
Click here for full Bloodsports review.
1.Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds-Push The Sky Away
Nick Cave quiets down after his raucous Grinderman albums, and makes a serene yet unsettling collection of songs. Despair and depravity have never sounded so beautiful.
Click here for full Push The Sky Away review.
So that’s my list of the 15 best albums of 2013! I’d love to hear what albums made your best of list?
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