Top 50 Albums of 2013 (according to Liquid Courage Media)

Our lovely Assistant Editor-in-Chief, Shannen Gaffney, also writes for Liquid Courage Media. This is their list of the top albums of 2013, co-written with Isabel Imperatore (in alphabetical order).

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Allison Weiss – Say What You Mean
Allison Weiss’ No Sleep Records release, Say What You Mean, was an uplifting take on the more depressing moments of being a teenager-to-twenty-something. The first track, “Making It Up,” outlined the uncertainties of defining a relationship. Our favorite is the breakup pop tune “How to Be Alone”.

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Beyoncé – BEYONCÉ
BEYONCE released a self-titled “exclusive visual album” on iTunes in the middle of the night without any previous announcement or promotion. Do I need to say anything else? Videos/tracks to check out: ”XO” and “Blue” (and the entire album).

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Blood Orange – Cupid Deluxe
If we can use the word ‘groovy,’ Blood Orange released one of the grooviest records this year. “You’re Not Good Enough” encompasses everything you’ve ever wanted to say to your ex, and has been stuck in our heads ever since its recent release.

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Brick + Mortar – Bangs
It’s hard to categorize and describe Brick + Mortar, which is a duo comprised of Brandon Asraf and John Tacon. They combine elements of alternative, electronic, indie, drum and bass, noise-pop, hip-hop, and punk. It’s aggressive, anthemic and catchy. The intense drum and bass parts are overlapped with Brandon’s distinct vocals and instrumentation like synths and guitar.  Listen to “Bangs” and “Locked In A Cage” and you’ll understand.

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Charli XCX – True Romance
Charli XCX was definitely a breakout artist of 2013, and True Romance was one of the best dance pop albums of the year. Her obvious best track was “You – Ha Ha Ha,” but “Take My Hand” and “What I Like” were also equally addictive pop gems.

Continue reading “Top 50 Albums of 2013 (according to Liquid Courage Media)”

Top Played Artists 8/20/2013 – 8/27/2013

1    SUPERCHUNK    I Hate Music    (Merge)
2    NO AGE    An Object    (Sub Pop)
3    DIARRHEA PLANET    I’m Rich Beyond Your Wildest Dreams    (Infinity Cat)
4    RED DONS    Notes On The Underground [7-Inch]
5    SHANNON AND THE CLAMS    Dreams In The Rat House    (Hardly Art)
6    ISLANDS    Ski Mask    (Manque)
7    COKE WEED    Back To Soft    (Self-Released)
8    HUNX AND HIS PUNX    Street Punk    (Hardly Art)
9    WEEKEND    Jinx    (Slumberland)
10    WASHED OUT    Paracosm    (Sub Pop)
11    FOOTBALL, ETC.    Audible    (Count Your Lucky Stars)
12    PSYCHIC TEENS    Come    
13    OCTOPUS PROJECT    Fever Forms    (Peek-A-Boo)
14    NIGHT BIRDS    Born To Die In Suburbia
15    FRONT BOTTOMS    Talon Of The Hawk    (Bar/None)
16    KING TUFF    Was Dead    (Burger)
17    SIGUR ROS    Kveikur    (XL)
18    KID CONGO AND THE PINK MONKEY BIRDS    Haunted Head    (In The Red)
19    CAMERA OBSCURA    Desire Lines    (4AD)
20    OWEN    L’Ami Du Peuple    (Polyvinyl)
21    PITY SEX    Feast Of Love    (Run For Cover)
22    LEMURIA    The Distance Is So Big    (Bridge Nine)
23    SERENGETI    Kenny Dennis    (Anticon)
24    GAUNTLET HAIR    Stills    (Dead Oceans)
25    POND    Hobo Rocket    (Modular)
26    GRANDCHILDREN     Golden Age    (Earnest Jenning)
27    HEBRONIX    Unreal    (ATP)
28    MINKS    Tides End    (Captured Tracks)
29    GOGOL BORDELLO    Pura Vida Conspiracy    (ATO)
30    BASS DRUM OF DEATH    Bass Drum Of Death    (Innovative Leisure)

Top Played Artists 8/6/2013 – 8/13/2013

1 WASHED OUT Paracosm   (Sub Pop)
2 COKE WEED Back To Soft (Self-Released)
3 SHANNON AND THE CLAMS Dreams In The Rat House (Hardly Art)
4 KID CONGO AND THE PINK MONKEY BIRDS Haunted Head (In The Red)
5 KING TUFF Was Dead (Burger)
6 OWEN L’Ami Du Peuple (Polyvinyl)
7 SMITH WESTERNS Soft Will (Mom And Pop)
8 BEAR MOUNTAIN XO (Last Gang)
9 LEMURIA The Distance Is So Big (Bridge Nine)
10 KOPECKY FAMILY BAND Kids Raising Kids (ATO)
11 HOT CHIP Dark And Stormy [EP] (Domino)
12 SALVIA PLATH The Bardo Story (Weird World)
13 HUNX AND HIS PUNX Street Punk (Hardly Art)
14 GRANDCHILDREN  Golden Age (Earnest Jenning)
15 PSYCHIC TEENS Come (SRA Records)
16 WEEKEND Jinx (Slumberland)
17 FUCK BUTTONS Slow Focus (ATP)
18 NIGHT BIRDS Born To Die (In Suburbia)
19 CAMERA OBSCURA Desire Lines (4AD)
20 NATIONAL Trouble Will Find Me (4AD)
21 LOVE LANGUAGE Ruby Red (Merge)
22 ELEANOR FRIEDBERGER Personal Record (Merge)
23 HEBRONIX Unreal (ATP)
24 BASS DRUM OF DEATH Bass Drum Of Death (Innovative Leisure)
25 DAUGHN GIBSON Me Moan (Sub Pop)
26 PITY SEX Feast Of Love (Run For Cover)
27 SERENGETI Kenny Dennis (Anticon)
28 A GREAT BIG PILE OF LEAVES You’re Always On My Mind (Topshelf)
29 SURF CITY We Knew It Was Not Going To Be Like This (Fire)
30 POND Hobo Rocket (Modular)

Top Played Artists 7/16/2013 – 7/23/2013

1 KING TUFF Was Dead (Burger)
2 OWEN L’Ami Du Peuple (Polyvinyl)
3 SHANNON AND THE CLAMS Dreams In The Rat House (Hardly Art)
4 SMITH WESTERNS Soft Will (Mom And Pop)
5 LEMURIA The Distance Is So Big (Bridge Nine)
6 HUNX AND HIS PUNX Street Punk (Hardly Art)
7 SPEEDY ORTIZ Major Arcana (Carpark)
8 SURFER BLOOD Pythons (Warner Brothers)
9 SALVIA PLATH The Bardo Story (Weird World)
10 CAMERA OBSCURA Desire Lines (4AD)
11 PITY SEX Feast Of Love (Run For Cover)
12 BASS DRUM OF DEATH Bass Drum Of Death (Innovative Leisure)
13 SERENGETI Kenny Dennis (Anticon)
14 PRIMAL SCREAM More Light (Ignition)
15 GAUNTLET HAIR Stills (Dead Oceans)
16 ROBERT POLLARD Honey Locust Honky Tonk (GBV Inc.)
17 WILD NOTHING Empty Estate (Captured Tracks)
18 IRON AND WINE Ghost On Ghost (Nonesuch)
19 HALF MOON RUN Dark Eyes (Glassnote)
20 PORTUGAL. THE MAN Evil Friends (Atlantic)
21 BIBIO Silver Wilkinson (Warp)
22 MIKAL CRONIN MCII (Merge)
23 SIGUR ROS Kveikur (XL)
24 GOLD AND YOUTH Beyond Wilderness (Arts And Crafts)
25 HOT CHIP Dark And Stormy [EP] (Domino)
26 DAVID LYNCH  Big Dream (Sacred Bones)
27 PSYCHIC TEENS Come (SRA Records)
28 DEAFHEAVEN Sunbather (Deathwish)
29 LIGHTNING DUST Fantasy (Jagjaguwar)
30 OBLIVIANS Desperation (In The Red)

Top Played Artists 7/9/2013 – 7/16/2013

1 PITY SEX Feast Of Love (Run For Cover)
2 OWEN L’Ami Du Peuple (Polyvinyl)
3 SHANNON AND THE CLAMS Dreams In The Rat House (Hardly Art)
4 KING TUFF Was Dead (Burger)
5 SMITH WESTERNS Soft Will (Mom And Pop)
6 PORTUGAL. THE MAN Evil Friends (Atlantic)
7 SPEEDY ORTIZ Major Arcana (Carpark)
8 SURFER BLOOD Pythons (Warner Brothers)
9 CAMERA OBSCURA Desire Lines (4AD)
10 PRIMAL SCREAM More Light (Ignition)
11 BIBIO Silver Wilkinson (Warp)
12 IRON AND WINE Ghost On Ghost (Nonesuch)
13 SALVIA PLATH The Bardo Story (Weird World)
14 MIKAL CRONIN MCII (Merge)
15 NORTHERN LIBERTIES Collaboration (Badmaster)
16 SIGUR ROS Kveikur (XL)
17 LEMURIA The Distance Is So Big (Bridge Nine)
18 SONNY AND THE SUNSETS Antenna To The Afterworld (Polyvinyl)
19 GOLD AND YOUTH Beyond Wilderness (Arts And Crafts)
20 GRANDCHILDREN Golden Age (Earnest Jenning)
21 FRONT BOTTOMS Talon Of The Hawk (Bar/None)
22 CITY AND COLOUR The Hurry And The Harm (Dine Alone)
23 LIGHT HEAT Light Heat (Domino-Ribbon)
24 ELEANOR FRIEDBERGER Personal Record (Merge)
25 ROGUE WAVE Nightingale Nights (Vagrant)
26 BASS DRUM OF DEATH Bass Drum Of Death (Innovative Leisure)
27 OBLIVIANS Desperation (In The Red)
28 SOKO I Thought I Was An Alien (Community)
29 BOSNIAN RAINBOWS Bosnian Rainbows (Sargent House)
30 COOL GHOULS Cool Ghouls (Empty Cellar)

Top Played Artists 7/2/2013 – 7/9/2013

1 KING TUFF Was Dead (Burger)
2 PITY SEX Feast Of Love (Run For Cover)
3 SONNY AND THE SUNSETS Antenna To The Afterworld (Polyvinyl)
4 NORTHERN LIBERTIES Northern Liberties (Collaborations)
5 SHANNON AND THE CLAMS Dreams In The Rat House (Hardly Art)
6 PORTUGAL. THE MAN Evil Friends (Atlantic)
7 CAPITAL CITIES In A Tidal Wave Of Mystery (Capitol)
8 OWEN L’Ami Du Peuple (Polyvinyl)
9 IRON AND WINE Ghost On Ghost (Nonesuch)
10 GRANDCHILDREN  Golden Age (Earnest Jenning)
11 SIGUR ROS Kveikur (XL)
12 NATIONAL Trouble Will Find Me (4AD)
13 CITY AND COLOUR The Hurry And The Harm (Dine Alone)
14 WILD NOTHING Empty Estate (Captured Tracks)
15 BIBIO Silver Wilkinson (Warp)
16 OBLIVIANS Desperation (In The Red)
17 SURFER BLOOD Pythons (Warner Brothers)
18 SHMNS Between Here And There (Self-Released)
19 MIKAL CRONIN MCII (Merge)
20 LIGHT HEAT Light Heat (Domino-Ribbon)
21 SAVAGES Silence Yourself (Matador)
22 CAMERA OBSCURA Desire Lines (4AD)
23 BIG DEAL June Gloom (Mute)
24 GRMLN Empire (Carpark)
25 POKEY LAFARGE Pokey LaFarge (Third Man)
26 PASTELS Slow Summits (Domino)
27 CHEYENNE MIZE Among The Grey (Yep Roc)
28 BASS DRUM OF DEATH Bass Drum Of Death (Innovative Leisure)
29 DAUGHN GIBSON Me Moan (Sub Pop)
30 PRIMAL SCREAM More Light (Ignition)