Happy Thursday! Today sharing their top picks from 2013 we have Paul Pendley from Red City Radio, Dave Hause, and Mike Park of Asian Man Records. As previously mentioned, we're happy to bring these guest lists twice a week for the rest of December.
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Paul Pendley plays guitar and does vocals for Red City Radio. From Paul:
True story: I agonized over this list for hours, begged the bureaucrats at Punknews to let me do a list of 20 instead of 10 (thanks Kira!), and debated David Frenson as to whether EPâs count (Fuck you, Dave, you sack of shit, my list, my rules) as a "record" or their own category. 2013 was such an amazing year that paring down a list of releases deserving of mention was extremely difficult. That said exclusion from this list does not denote sub quality music and the opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the views or opinions of Red City Radio, its members, its dozens of friends, fans and admirers or any subsidiary entities.
20
19
18
Winger: Bullfighter
Death To False Hope
17
16
Community Records
15
14
13
Habits: Train Wrecks
Death To False Hope
12
11
World's Scariest Police Chases: NOFX And Out Come The Wolves Dookie
10
Cannot say enough about this record. This is a young band sounding long in the tooth. This is a record that begs for replays. These are songs that paint beautiful pictures. Kudos. [Choice Track] "St. Vincentâs Charity"
9
Elway is jerks. Theyâre also better at this game then most and Leavetaking proves that they will continue to grow as a band. Tim Browne has never sounded better as a singer and lyricist and if it werenât for the above mention Arliss Nancy record Leavetaking would win saddest record of the year. [Choice Track] "One Flew East"
8
Best people, better band. Another album of soulful country rock tunes with the difference this time being that Corey and GB has written one of the most heartbreaking records of the year. Sad stuff, people. [Choice Track] "Coals"
7
And We Danced: Back To The Middle
Self-released
This seven song EP is perfectly crafted, beautifully produced and flawlessly executed. Power/emo pop by ex-members of Cadillac Blindside and The Jealous Sound. I cannot wait to see what they do next. [Choice Track] "Goodnight Toronto"
6
This band gets better with every EP, single, split and full length they put. Layered guitars, tension building escalations in the soundscape, poetic lyricism and a powerful rhythm section combine into a sound that straddles showgaze, emo, post hardcore, folk and a dose Canadaâs finest export The Constantines. [Choice Track] "Letâs Blow Up The Sun"
5
The Bootheel: Goat's Lodge
Self-released
This came out in January. It still gets spins. Root rock. Bar punk. Call it what you will but this band is to be watched because one day they may be saving the rock and roll genre. Cannot recommend checking them out enough. [Choice Track] "Kickinâ Dust"
4
Broken English / Suburban Home
I actually heard this album later in the year and I am very glad I did. Itâs got a rawness to the songcraft that I appreciate while being well produced with clever lyrics and monster hooks. Great record. [Choice Track] "Letâs Talk About Healing"
3
Jersey boys make good with their second album and avoid the sophomore slump. This is a leaner and tighter version of Banquets than we are used to as the songs are slightly more angular but the punch is just as strong if not more. And it demands repeat listens. [Choice Track] "Call It A Comeback"
2
This easily could have been the record of the year. This piece was written on a Friday and if it had been Thursday who knows? Letâs call it 1A because Bill, Bob, Leo and Zach knocked it out of the park with this one. This record starts this listâs trend of depressing albums. But it is so ridiculously good it puts me in happy place even when the lyrics talk of junkies, suicide and divorce. [Choice Track] "A Bitter Divorce"
1
Save Ends: Warm Hearts, Cold Hands
Record of the year. This is what male and female dueling vocals should sound like, perfectly blended, complimentary and never overdosing on harmony. Reminiscent of early Get Up Kids without sounding like them while inserting a dose of pop punk that is neither of the new variety nor of the goofy glue sniffing variety. Every song is a winner. Every song could easily be stuck in your head for weeks. Nice people to boot. [Choice Track] "Same Old Dice"
Dave Hause performs solo and in The Loved Ones. Dave's list is in no particular order, he says:
My favorites of what I've heard, "best" is for horse and dog shows…
Atlantic Records
Black Box Recordings
Jason Isbell: Southeastern
Relativity Records + Southeastern Records
Patty Griffin: American Kid
New West Records
Neko Case: The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You
Anti-Records
Columbia Records
The White Buffalo: Shadows, Greys and Evil Ways
Unison Music Group
Def Jam
Arcade Fire: Reflektor
Mike Park performs solo and also runs Asian Man Records. His list is in no particular order.
Phat 'n' Phunky / Lauren / Texas Toast DIY
Interscope
Boboso: Grown Ass Man
Phat 'n' Phunky
Dowsing: I Don't Care Anymore
Count Your Lucky Stars
I know this is an Asian Man release, but man… it's good. If you like Jawbreaker/Lawrence Arms style punk… YOU WILL LOVE IT
