Best Music of 2013: The Local Spins Lists

Michigan writers, musicians and readers offer their picks for the best albums and best songs of the past year — from Bipolar Sunshine to Beyonce and Charles Bradley to My Bloody Valentine.

 

For those who listen closely enough, scour the Internet and browse indie record store bins, musical gems abound in every calendar year – some of them overlooked by the mainstream media, some deservedly spotlighted.

But the more ears to survey the landscape the better, so Local Spins this year asked West Michigan musicians, music pundits and readers to submit their lists of 2013’s best music.

They ranged from Top 10 or Top 20 lists of favorite songs to their lists of the three, five or 10 best albums of the year — and as you’ll see, the picks spanned all genres: rock, pop, soul, country, jazz, rap and folk, from Beyonce and Timberlake to My Bloody Valentine and Okkervil. It also sparked some “awards” of my own:

Best and most surprising under-the-radar find based on submissions: Seattle indie-rock/garage rock band Pickwick’s phenomenal “Can’t Talk Medicine” album. The love of my life describes them as the “brother of The Black Keys.” Reader Scott J. Steiner, who thankfully alerted me to these guys, agrees they’re sort of like The Black Keys, but more soulful. Either way, a gem of an album.

Least surprising (and most deserving) pick: Speaking of vintage soul, our pundits and musicians agree: Charley’s Bradley’s “Victim of Love” really lives up to his “screaming eagle of soul” billing. The singer — who played The Pyramid Scheme early this month — showed up on several best-of lists at Local Spins.

Most surprising omissions: I’ll just list a few, including The Head & The Heart’s “Let’s Be Still,” Patty Griffin’s “American Kid” and “Silver Bell,” Paul McCartney’s “New,” Phoenix’s “Bankrupt!,” David Bowie’s “The Next Day,” Cage the Elephant’s “Melophobia” and The Lone Bellow’s “The Lone Bellow” (a band which wowed Meijer Gardens concertgoers as an opener last summer and plays as a headliner at Calvin College in January).

And while on the subject of awards, come back to Local Spins on Friday when we’ll announce the Local Spin of the Year, along with our picks for the Top 10 regional albums of 2013.

Now, onto the lists. Starting with writers and WYCE-FM “New Standards” show co-hosts Troy Reimink and Tricia Woolfenden, and former CREEM Magazine online editor Brian J. Bowe, we present the Local Spins roundup of 2013’s best music to enhance your New Year’s Eve – with nary a Miley Cyrus mention to be found.

I’m betting you’ll find plenty of compelling tunes and compilations here that you’d never discover otherwise. I certainly did. (By the way, reader Kim Masters was selected at random from submissions to win a $20 gift card from Rockford Brewing.) Enjoy, and Happy New Year!

THE PUNDITS

TROY REIMINK (writer, guitarist for Ghost Heart/Futurebabes, “New Standards” co-host, 6 p.m. Sunday on WYCE-FM 88.1)

This site’s proprietor invited me to contribute a list of my favorite songs released in 2013, which he may end up regretting. The following selections do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Local Spins’ management, as the presence of Beyonce will demonstrate conclusively.

1. Bipolar Sunshine, “Love More, Worry Less” – Wastes zero of its beautiful seconds, starts one way then builds unexpectedly to something else that’s completely euphoric, gets in your head without repeating itself and is joyous without being smarmy. That’s exactly what I needed from music in 2013, and I got it aplenty here. Love more, worry less, you guys.

2. Jamaican Queens, “Caitlin” – I want to crawl inside the last two-plus minutes of this song — which closed the Detroit trio’s debut album “Wormfood” — and never leave.
3. Caveman, “In the City” – My favorite lyric of the year was the evocative first line from the centerpiece on the Brooklyn dream-rock outfit’s self-titled album: “In the city, she came around at the right time.” There’s so much life inside that one sentence.
4. Radiator Hospital, “Our Song” – I’ve said for years that those of us who know Sam Cook-Parrott would be bragging about it eventually. I did a lot of that in 2013.

5. Kanye West, “Blood on the Leaves” – It’d be great to listen to West the recording artist without having to think about West the irritating public personality, but his refusal to offer that option is probably part of why he continues to be so…fascinating might be the wrong word. Anyway, I spent more time thinking about “Blood on the Leaves” than I did any other song in 2013, for better or worse, because it presents both of those extremes. For one thing, it sounds incredible: Why would it occur to any producer to mix such a gentle piano melody with that freakish, driving horn sample and sparse 808 beat? No idea. Repeat. Is the juxtaposition of the Nina Simone “Strange Fruit” sample — certainly one of 20th-century America’s most horrifying recordings — with a boilerplate rant about an ex-girlfriend meant to be as outrageous at it seems, or did I miss part of the discussion? Again, no idea. Repeat.
6. Neko Case, “Night Still Comes” – Neko Case has been so good for so long that it’s just ridiculous. “Night Still Comes,” the standout track from her nearly flawless “The Harder I Fight…” album is as free of BS as rock music got this year.
7. Charles Bradley, “Crying in the Chapel” – Is there a better music story in recent years than the emergence of Charles Bradley, the 65-year-old James Brown impersonator-turned Screaming Eagle of Soul? Is there a more electrifying live performer anywhere on the planet? The songs on “Victim of Love” sound so timeless and lived-in it’s hard to believe they’ve been in the world less than a year.
8. The 1975, “The City” – The production here is so over-the-top it borders on cartoonish, but I think the sheer hugeness of everything in the mix is what transforms an otherwise standard-issue cool-sounding rock song into three-and-a-half of the year’s stickiest minutes.
9. Majical Cloudz, “Childhood’s End” – Stark, terrifying, merciless. You don’t want to make eye contact with this song, but you can’t look away.
10. Son Lux, “Lost It To Trying” – I don’t dislike the new Arcade Fire record as much as a lot of people seemed to, but as far as providing earnest, big-canvas indie rock went, Son Lux ate their lunch in 2013.
11. HAIM, “The Wire” – Again, not remotely sick of this. You can dump me anytime you want, HAIM.
12-20: Chvrches, “The Mother We Share”; Vampire Weekend, “Step”; Drake, “Hold On, We’re Going Home”; Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, “Jubilee Street”; Luke Temple, “Katie”; Beyonce, “XO”; Kacey Musgraves, “Follow Your Arrow”; My Bloody Valentine, “New You”; Lorde, “No Better.”

TRICIA WOOLFENDEN (writer, “New Standards” co-host, 6 p.m. Sunday on WYCE-FM 88.1)

These are my favorite songs of the year — songs that have stuck with me through repeated iTunes, Spotify and YouTube plays. Some were well recognized throughout the industry, others may be considered overlooked gems. All will remind me of the best that music had to offer in 2013.

John Legend, “Made to Love” (from “Love in the Future”) – This track shines in its sultry simplicity. Also, Legend is like catnip for the ladies and I am no exception to this rule.
Janelle Monae feat. Miguel, “PrimeTime” (from “The Electric Lady”) – Ms. Monae can virtually do no wrong. In a year filled with powerful female pop moments, this gorgeous track stood out and should stand the test of time.

James Blake, “Retrograde” (from “Overgrown”) – Equal parts sexy and sad, this song easily could’ve gone another three-plus minutes with nary a complaint from this Blake fan.
Okkervil River, “It Was My Season” (from “The Silver Gymnasium”) – Uplifting melodies paired with morose lyrics = musical win.
Phosphorescent, “A Charm / A Blade” (from “Muchacho”) – While “Song for Zula” gets the popular vote, this triumphant tune is pure musical joy — the audio equivalent of running and twirling through a field of daisies with the people you love.
Daft Punk, “Get Lucky” (from “Random Access Memories”) – Heard it about a bajillion times this year and yup — still good.
Blood Orange, “Chamakay” (from “Cupid Deluxe”) – There were plenty of great tracks found on this solo project from Dev Hynes. This in particular was my favorite jam.

Arcade Fire, “Afterlife” (from “Reflektor”) – I’ve yet to slog through the bulk of Arcade Fire’s divisive fourth album, but this track was pretty awesome. So…go team?
The Soil and The Sun, “Are You?” – West Michigan’s own crafted the perfect, meandering tune for contemplative walks on the beach or wistfully staring out the window. The video is simple and lovely and worth the watch.
Sky Ferreira, “24 Hours” (from “Night Time, My Time”) – American Apparel-esque cover art aside, this is an edgy and much more angry version of the female pop music on which I was weaned as an adolescent.
Radical Face, “The Gilded Hand” (from “The Family Tree: The Branches”) – Ben Cooper has a solid product in this entire album, but what can I say — I’m a sucker for a slow build and dramatic release, as you will find with this lengthy track.
Charles Bradley, “Victim of Love” (from “Victim of Love”) – Bradley closed with this mournful plea during his sold-out Dec. 8 performance at the Pyramid Scheme, which also happened to be one of my favorite shows of the year (tied only with Grizzly Bear who performed in August at Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park).
Washed Out “All I Know” (from “Paracosm”) – Washed Out pushes right up against the edge of cheesy but then relents in this uncharacteristically chipper track.
(Bonus Track: “A New Life” as performed by Jim James on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.” The album version of this song is just fine, but it pales in comparison to the exuberant live performance James gave on the late night show. I watched this every morning for weeks as a daily reminder of why it doesn’t totally suck to be alive.)

BRIAN J. BOWE (co-editor of “CREEM: America’s Only Rock ’n’ Roll Magazine,” Harper/Collins)

1. My Bloody Valentine, “m b v” – This first My Bloody Valentine release since 1991’s “Loveless” is a somnambulant masterpiece — beauty packaged in cacophony and smothered beneath a blanket of fascinating sonic texture. It’s not an album that reveals itself all at once but rather unfolds over time.

2. La Femme, “Psycho Tropical Berlin” – This French octet layers cold wave synths, surf guitars and dystopian lyrics to create a fascinating hypnotic world that draws from the well-tread tropes of several genres, mutating them into something fresh.
3. Jagwar Ma, “Howlin’ ” — Australians Jagwar Ma play psychedelic dance rock that hearkens back to those ecstatic days of early 1990s Madchester, and this album features one of the catchiest singles of the year, the Beach Boys-esque “Come Save Me.”
4. The Toxic Avenger, “Romance and Cigarettes” – The Toxic Avenger is the pseudonym of French DJ and producer Simon Delacroix. His Romance and Cigarettes marries a noir pop sheen with a extreme danceability that sounds like the avant garde of a time gone by — a sort of futuristic nostalgia. Adult ear candy worthy of repeated listenings, preferably in a limo after midnight.
5. The Dirtbombs, “Ooey Gooey Chewy Ka-Blooey” – The lone American group in my Top 5 of this year is Detroit’s own Dirtbombs, who created a thrilling slab of catchy bubblegum songs rendered in the group’s signature fuzz-heavy, big-beat style. The result is innocent, fun, and the perfect musical approximation of the dizzy and dirty abandon of childhood.

THE MUSICIANS

LUCAS WILSON (singer-songwriter)

1. Charles Bradley, “Victim of Love” – This guy embodies everything I dream to be, pure soul to the bone.
2. Daft Punk, “Random Access Memories” – These guys are pure genius. Now shut up and dance.
3. Chance the Rapper, “Acid Rap” – I hope Kanye goes away and Chance stays for awhile.
4. Justin Timberlake, “The 20/20 Experience” – JT’s still got it. Pop music at its best.
5. The National, “Trouble Will Find Me” – Hauntingly beautiful.

KARI LYNCH (country singer, Kari Lynch Band)

1. Holly Williams, “The Highway” – Absolutely stellar songwriting and musicianship. Nashville-folk infused, beautifully written, story-telling songs. This is easily my favorite “country” album of 2013.
2. Tristan Prettyman, “Cedar & Gold” – Tristan Prettyman is not afraid to tell it like it is. This album is genuine, and I think some of her most brave and honest work yet.
3. The Civil Wars, “The Civil Wars” – This album is incredible. You feel the passion poured into these songs in every part of you when you listen.
4. Justin Timberlake, “The 20/20 Experience” – “The 20/20 Experience” really is an “experience” as a whole and I always appreciate ambitious and well-executed production, songwriting and risk-taking on an album.
5. John Mayer, “Paradise Valley” – John Mayer is an amazing musician and songwriter with an ability to relate to and take his listeners on an autobiographical journey throughout his albums with wonderfully crafted music and lyrics. This album does just that.

BRAD FRITCHER (jazz musician, Brad Fritcher + trois)

1. Thundercat, “Apocalypse” – This album can be place front to back, back to front and never gets old. Just listen to Thundercat’s bass playing and you should be hooked.
2. Dayna Stephens, “That Nepenthetic Place” – Dayna is a very dedicated musician, using an all-star cast and places a product full of imagination before us.
3. Derrick Hodge, “Live Today” – Besides this album coming out on my birthday, it is one of the most uplifting, positive and honest albums of 2013.
4. Tyler, The Creator, “Wolf” – “Wolf” blends a bunch of different styles outside of the typical. Plus, Tyler has no fear to just say whatever he feels, which is hard-pressed these days.
5. Leron Thomas, “Whatever” – Leron has worked with everyone in the music industry, does his own thing and provides a “jazz” perspective from someone who grew up in the hip-hop generation.

MOLLY BOUWSMA SCHULTZ (lead singer, Blue Molly)

1. Vampire Weekend, “Modern Vampires of the City” – I really enjoyed this because a lot of the lyrics start a dialogue about our concept of time: how much we have, what we should do with it, where we’re all going when we die. I appreciate a band that can discuss those ideas while also making intelligent, poppy music.
2. Beyonce, “Beyonce” – From Destiny’s Child to her self-titled 2013 album, I have been inspired and surprised. This latest album captures not only Yonce’s vocal agility, adaptability to a song’s style but also her commitment to sexy classic visual aesthetics that portray all women of many nationalities as powerful, brave and strong leaders.
3. Charles Bradley, “Victim Of Love” – This takes us all back to a place we’ve been before; a place in our hearts that is desperate, fiery and passionately in love with a special someone or those we share the earth with. Charles Bradley is a man of and for the people.

BRENT SHIREY (guitarist/lead singer, Valentiger)

1. Parquet Courts, “Light Up Gold” – It’s not The Fall, it’s not Pavement, but it’s been missing. Tim Hodgin nailed it, “It’s the color of something you were looking for.”
2. Waxahatchee, “Cerulean Salt” – There’s an overwhelming amount of great songs out there, but most of the time it comes down to production and authenticity; raw and simple.
3. Pixies, “EP 1” – In the absence of Kim Deal, Black Francis still holds ground amongst the newbies. There’s an updated, grown-up sound, yet still a complex mix of restrained, brash, cutting and slightly humorous, i.e. “burgermeister of purgatory.”

THE READERS

SCOTT J. STEINER
1. The National, “Trouble will Find Me” – The most plays of all (vinyl, in the car, anywhere, any media). It took a little longer than their earlier albums to really enjoy this one but it is certainly up there with my favorites now.

2. Savages, “Silence Yourself” — Intense,stunning and powerful. Great live presence also.
3. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, “Push the Sky Away” – The first Seeds album without Mick Harvey. Didn’t matter a lot other than a little sparer sounding. Cave’s songwriting remains consistently strong over the years.
4. Phosphorescent, “Muchacho” – This one really grew on me. Seemed a little over-produced at first, but the strength is in the songwriting and ambience created.
5. Oblivians, “Desperation” – Garage rock taken to the next level.
6. Pickwick, “Can’t Talk Medicine” – I don’t know why this band did not get more notice. These are great songs with nice hooks. Like Black Keys with more of a soul feel.
7. Okkervil River, “The Silver Gymnasium” – A concept album about Scheff’s hometown growing up. I had doubts because it was different from everything they have done before. He put his heart and soul into this album, even recreating the often-maligned ’80s sound to the tee.
8. Parquet Courts, “Light up Gold” – Post-punk with twang.
9. Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson, “Wreck and Ruin” – Follow-up to the equally strong “Rattlin’ Bones.”
10. Dr. Dog, “B-Room” – All songs that will stay in your head for a long time.

KIM MASTERS
1. Frank Turner, “Tape Deck Heart” – Brit punker has gone acoustic, but hasn’t lost the attitude. Great storyteller, intelligent lyrics.
2. Jason Isbell, “Southeastern” – Emerging from dark days after Drive-by Truckers. Very personal album that gets better with multiple listens. (I was fortunate to see these two with their great bands, especially FT and The Restless Souls, in July at Newport Folk Fest.)
Other good releases this year: Bryan Ferry Orchestra, “Jazz Age,” Laura Mvula, “Sing to the Moon.”

LANCE HENDRICKSON
1. Willamena, “Lost in the Shadows” — Spins on 135-plus outlets plus over 150 of their syndicated affiliates in five or six countries (depending on how Guam counts), 180-plus college/non-commercial station adds, national charts in five formats (AAA, Active Rock, College, Top 40, and Americana), as a genuine indie? Yeah. It’s gotta be on my list.

2. AFI, “Burials” – It’s a guilty pleasure, albeit a weird one. Nobody fires the synapses quite the same way as AFI does.
3. Queens of the Stone Age, “Like Clockwork” – For the same reasons everybody else is listing it.
4. Queensryche, “Queensryche” – I didn’t think they could replace Geoff Tate and pull it off. They could, and did. This album should ride with on every road trip anybody ever takes.
5. Motorhead, “Aftershock” – Because it delivers exactly what the brand promises. Damn straight, and right now.
6. Pop Evil, “Onyx” – It’s a long, long road from the WO-Stock benefit they played with Willamena at West Ottawa High to No. 1 in the U.S. Hell, yes, they get a nod from me.
7. Bon Jovi, “What About Now” – Because the blogs will sniff and sneer their sinuses purple at it. Meanwhile, this band can still fill any arena built, any night of the week. Stick it, Pitchfork!
8. Eric Clapton, “Old Sock” – An interesting collection of material, all presented with Clapton’s class and style.
9. A Day to Remember, “Common Courtesy” – These guys hit Victory Records right in the mouth, legally speaking, then went out and charted this one on their own. Love it.
10. Sammy Hagar, “Sammy Hagar and Friends” – I’m from West Michigan, and he covers Seger on this one. It’s genetic. There’s nothing I can do. Get off me, already…

Email John Sinkevics at jsinkevics@gmail.com.
Copyright 2013, Spins on Music