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 6/18/2013 – 6/25/2013

1   OBLIVIANS   Desperation   (In The Red)
2   MIKAL CRONIN  MCII   (Merge)
3   DEERHUNTER   Monomania  (4AD)
4   CAMERA OBSCURA   Desire Lines  (4AD)
5   WILD NOTHING   Empty Estate  (Captured Tracks)
6   FITZ AND THE TANTRUMS   More Than Just a Dream   (Elektra)
7   KING TUFF   Was Dead   (Burger)
8   THEE OH SEES   Floating Coffin   (Castle Face)
9   FRONT BOTTOMS   Talon of the Hawk   (Bar/None)
10  LAURA STEVENSON   Wheel   (Don Giovanni)
11  CAPITAL CITIES   In a Tidal Wave of Mystery   (Lazy Hooks)
12  GRANDCHILDREN   Golden Age  (Earnest Jenning)
13  ROGUE WAVE   Nightingale Floors   (Vagrant)
14  PORTUGAL. THE MAN   Evil Friends  (Atlantic)
15  MOUNT KIMBIE   Cold Spring Fault Less Youth   (Warp)
16  SAVAGES   Silence Yourself   (Matador)
17  MAL BLUM  Tempest in A Teacup  (Betterweather)
18  THERMALS  Desperate Ground  (Saddle Creek)
19  MELORMAN  Waves   (Sun Sea Sky)
20  PRIMAL SCREAM  More Light   (Ignition)
21  MINDLESS ATTACK  S/T  (Cephia’s Treat)
22  FLAMING LIPS  The Terror  (Warner Brothers)
23  ALPINE  A is For Alpine  (Votive)
24  SIGUR ROS   Kveikur   (XL)
25  SHMNS  Somewhere Between Here and There   (Self-Released)
26  ELEANOR FRIEDBERGER  Personal Record   (Merge)
27  BOMBINO   Nomad  (Nonesuch)
28  SCOUT NIBLETT   It’s Up To Emma   (Drag City)
29  SONNY AND THE SUNSETS   Antenna To The Afterworld   (Polyvinyl)
30  BROTHERS IN LAW   Hard Time For Dreamers   (WWNBB)

Top Played Artists 6/4/2013 – 6/11/2013

1 WILD NOTHING Empty Estate (Captured Tracks)
2 DEERHUNTER Monomania (4AD)
3 RESTORATIONS LP2 (SideOneDummy)
4 MIKAL CRONIN MCII (Merge)
5 LAURA STEVENSON Wheel (Don Giovanni)
6 THEE OH SEES Floating Coffin (Castle Face)
7 BORN RUFFIANS Birthmarks (Yep Roc)
8 GRANDCHILDREN Golden Age (Earnest Jenning)
9 SAVAGES Silence Yourself (Matador)
10 TERA MELOS X’ed Out (Sargent House)
11 MOUNT KIMBIE Cold Spring Fault Less Youth (Warp)
12 FRONT BOTTOMS Talon Of The Hawk (Bar/None)
13 ALPINE A Is For Alpine (Votive)
14 WAVVES Afraid Of Heights (Warner Brothers)
15 MAL BLUM Tempest In A Teacup (Betterweather)
16 KURT VILE Wakin On A Pretty Daze (Matador)
17 FLAMING LIPS The Terror (Warner Brothers)
18 IO ECHO Ministry Of Love (Iamsound)
19 BROTHERS IN LAW Hard Time For Dreamers (WWNBB)
20 IRON AND WINE Ghost On Ghost (Nonesuch)
21 TELEKINESIS Dormarion (Merge)
22 SHE AND HIM Volume 3 (Merge)
23 JAMES BLAKE Overgrown (Republic)
24 THERMALS Desperate Ground (Saddle Creek)
25 AKRON/FAMILY Sub Verses (Dead Oceans)
26 STILL CORNERS Strange Pleasures (Sub Pop)
27 GENERATIONALS Heza (Polyvinyl)
28 ELEANOR FRIEDBERGER Personal Record (Merge)
29 SHANNON AND THE CLAMS Dreams In The Rat House (Hardly Art)
30 BOMBINO Nomad (Nonesuch)

Top Played Artists 5/21/13 – 5/28/13

1    DEERHUNTER    Monomania  (4AD)
2    RESTORATIONS    LP2  (SideOneDummy)
3    THEE OH SEES    Floating Coffin  (Castle Face)
4    LAURA STEVENSON    Wheel  (Don Giovanni)
5    TERA MELOS    X’ed Out  (Sargent House)
6    MIKAL CRONIN    MCII  (Merge)
7    TELEKINESIS     Dormarion  (Merge)
8    WILD NOTHING    Empty Estate  (Captured Tracks)
9    WAVVES    Afraid Of Heights  (Warner Brothers)
10    BORN RUFFIANS    Birthmarks  (Yep Roc)
11    SAVAGES    Silence Yourself  (Matador)
12    IRON AND WINE    Ghost On Ghost  (Nonesuch)
13    ALPINE    A Is For Alpine  (Votive)
14    KURT VILE    Wakin On A Pretty Daze  (Matador)
15    FLAMING LIPS    The Terror  (Warner Brothers)
16    SHE AND HIM    Volume 3  (Merge)
17    BLEACHED    Ride Your Heart  (Dead Oceans)
18    GRANDCHILDREN     Golden Age  (Earnest Jenning)
19    JAMES BLAKE    Overgrown  (Republic)
20    BROTHERS IN LAW    Hard Time For Dreamers  (WWNBB)
21    MAL BLUM    Tempest In A Teacup  (Betterweather)
22    GENERATIONALS    Heza  (Polyvinyl)
23    KATE NASH    Girl Talk  (Have 10p)
24    NO JOY    Wait To Pleasure  (Mexican Summer)
25    BLACK ANGELS    Indigo Meadow  (Blue Horizon)
26    PISSED JEANS    Honeys  (Sub Pop)
27    YOUTH LAGOON    Wondrous Bughouse  (Fat Possum)
28    FRONT BOTTOMS    Talon Of The Hawk  (Bar/None)
29    THE KNIFE    Shaking The Habitual  (Mute)
30    STILL CORNERS    Strange Pleasures  (Sub Pop)