Headline, International music, Top lists

Top 25 Albums of the Year 2013 (International Edition) Part 1: 25-13

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This is always the toughest list to make. It could easily be twice as long.. or even longer, but I suppose the point of these isn’t to list all good albums you’ve listened to during the year. Therefore I forced myself to cut it down to 25 albums. Top 10 probably would make more sense, but this was already difficult enough. This is the first part. The missing top 12 will be on another blog entry within a day or two.

thardy

25. T.Hardy Morris – Audition Tapes (Dangerbird Records, 2013)

I don’t think I had even heard the name T.Hardy Morris before I was listening to American Songwriter (magazine) sampler earlier this year. His song on that sampler was the title track of his album Audition Tapes and it instantly grabbed my attention and I bought the album a while later. There are 4-5 damn great songs here and the rest of them aren’t bad either.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27FPjf5cSZo]

robbiefulks

24. Robbie Fulks – Gone Away Backward (Bloodshot Records, 2013)

I hadn’t really been listening to Robbie Fulks since 2005 and Georgia Hard album. Then this marvellous thing came along and reminded me that Robbie Fulks is one great country singer-songwriter. Gone Away Backward is a very impressive traditional country record.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/99839668″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=true” width=”100%” height=”100″ iframe=”true” /]
 
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23. Michael Feuerstack – Tambourine Death Bed (Forward Music Group, 2013)

The real last minute entry to this list. Sure I had listened to Michael Feuerstack’s new album on Spotify and even shortly featured it at onechord.net months back, but I didn’t bought it until Zunior’s boxing day sale. Therefore it might be slightly questionable to include it on a year end list, but it’s just so good that I don’t have the heart to leave it out. A very strong (and fragile too) album from this fine Canadian singer-songwriter.

docfeldman

22. Doc Feldman & the LD50 – Sundowning at the Station (This Is American Music, 2013)

It feels like Sundowning at the Station has been on pretty much every year-end list I’ve red and onechord.net is not going to be an exception. Doc Feldman & the LD50 fully deserves all this recognition from the folk and americana communities. Convincing stuff.

dragthe

21. Drag The River – Drag The River (Xtra Mile Recordings, 2013)

This is a very singer-songwriter heavy list and seriously needs some alt country or countrified rock music. I’m a long time fan of Drag The River and own most of their back catalogue. This new self-titled album is not the very best thing they have ever done, but a wonderful record nevertheless.

pickeringtropic

20. Pickering Pick – (Tropic) (Yer Bird, 2013)

Pickering Pick is one of my favourite singer-songwriter and seem to release an excellent folk album pretty much every year these days. (Tropic) wasn’t as brilliant as his previous album Prayer Flag, but it’s another beauty for sure. Even when the words seem to be more likely to hurt you than heal you, the songs always sound so warm and kind. And I love that.

huck notari

19. Huck Notari and The River – Huck Notari and The River

This was the first Kickstarter project I took part in. I’ve been so addicted to the beauty of Huck Notari’s earlier work that it was really easy decision to set up that account and pledge some money. At first I was mildly disappointed (meaning that I really liked it, but not as much as the earlier albums), but during the last few months I’ve really learned to love the easy-flowing beauty of this album. In The Candlelight is such a sweet song. First it kind of feels like there’s nothing happening, but in the end I felt like the song was everything.

samanthacrain

18. Samantha Crain – Kid Face

I’ve liked Samantha Crain’s music since her debut full-length, but her songwriting rose to another level on her 2013 album Kid Face. There’s so many magnificent songs here that I’ve lost count. This is one of them called For The Miner.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/108494468″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=true” width=”100%” height=”100″ iframe=”true” /]
 

poky

17. Pokey LaFarge – Pokey LaFarge (Third Man Records, 2013)

The local record shop owner tricked me into buying this by putting this on while I was in the shop. Probably knew I was going to a) like it, b) ask what it was and c) leave the record shop with that record in the bag. I haven’t regretted my instant decision to buy it one bit. I’ve spent a large part of the year listening to vintage music and therefore these old-fashioned songs by Pokey LaFarge were a perfect fit. This album always make me feel good. Therefore I probably should listen to it even more than I have.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/94655817″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=true” width=”100%” height=”100″ iframe=”true” /]
 
jaccog

16. Jacco Gardner – Cabinet Of Curiosities (Trouble In Mind, 2013)

Jacco Gardner is a dutch pop wizard and created a stunning baroque pop / psychedelic pop album Cabinet Of Curiosities. I’m a big fan, but our cat wasn’t entirely convinced when I put this on. She immediately started complaining. Either she isn’t really used to hearing any other instruments than an acoustic guitar and a soft male voice (which is quite understandable if you look at this list) or she just thought the arrangements lacked the feline touch and some meow harmonies will lift it to another level.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/100615725″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=true” width=”100%” height=”100″ iframe=”true” /]
 
vikesh

15. Vikesh Kapoor – The Ballad Of Willy Robbins (Mama Bird Recording Company, 2013)

Vikesh Kapoor was one of the big new finds to me. I probably wouldn’t recommend starting a recording career by making a concept album loosely based on a newspaper article, but thankfully Vikesh Kapoor never consulted me. The Ballad Of Willy Robbins is a remarkable effort that was a constant companion during last fall.

bobbyemmettbrighter

14. Bobby Emmett – Brighter Days (Mono Edition)

Back in 2009, Bobby Emmett took the album of the year title with his marvellous album Learning Love. It took him a while to make that follow-up, but it finally arrived in 2013. Brighter Days doesn’t match the brilliance of Learning Love (to be frank, I’m not sure does any power pop -related release of the past five years match it), but this one is also filled with gorgeous songs.

DDW_Jubilee_Cover

13. The Deep Dark Woods – Jubilee (Six Shooter Records / Sugar Hill Records, 2013)

The previous The Deep Dark Woods album The Place I Left Behind is pretty much my favourite album of the decade so far. Jubilee doesn’t quite reach that level, but it’s still mostly brilliant. Not entirely convinced about the last couple of songs, but there’s a huge amount of gorgeous songs like Red Red Rose and Gonna Have A Jubilee.

This perfect version of Red, Red Rose is a magnificent way to end this first chapter of the Album of the year list. Top 12 to follow either tonight or tomorrow.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtaBaGaGqp4]

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Featured, Finnish music, Headline, Top lists

Top 10 Finnish Albums of the Year 2013

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The work day was easier than I expected. So let’s do one of these list things today.

TOP 10 FINNISH ALBUMS OF THE YEAR 2013

devilbox

10. Devil Box – Ceci n’est pas une guitare (Kääntö Records, 2013)

Devil Box album came out a few weeks ago, but still managed to claim a place on this list. Especially loving the song Réunion Pacific that almost sneaked into the top songs list as well. If I’m not mistaken this the first instrumental album ever to appear on any kind of year end list that I’ve created at onechord.net or elsewhere.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/121360506″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=true” width=”100%” height=”100″ iframe=”true” /]
 
antero

9. Antero Lindgren – Talking With The Dead (Eino Records, 2013)

Antero Lindgren’s second album Talking With The Dead is also another fairly new entry to the list. Of course it’s been out since may, but it was crawling under my radar until I saw the light and bought a copy earlier in December. This is like an inch away of being something out-of-this-world brilliant and the next album might well be an album of the year contender. This one already falls into the damn good category.

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8. Janne Laurila & Tuhlaajapojat – Janne Laurila ja Tuhlaajapojat (Lumpeela julkaisut, 2013)

I’ve been a fan of Janne Laurila since Office Building days and I do not expect this to change. One of those lifelong things I suppose. These days he is making music with Tuhlaajapojat and they released a self-titled album in January. I think it had a song or two that weren’t much more than ok, but I don’t hold that against them, because there’s also several magical moments on that album. Like Taika haihtuu pois and this song called Laura.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9khRPvrahw]
 
baDGER

7.The New Tigers – The Badger (Soliti, 2013)

The New Tigers are getting better all the time. I probably haven’t been praising them enough here at onechord.net, because this new album The Badger is damn good as a whole and then the song Secondary City is just magnificent and one of the songs of the year.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/123970568″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=true” width=”100%” height=”100″ iframe=”true” /]
 
mattijasupin

6. Matti Jasu & The Close Encounters – Pin On the Map

Matti Jasu has become a really prolific songwriter and release a new album every year. That’s not a bad thing as long as he can keep the quality high enough. Doesn’t seem to be a problem, because this 2013 release Pin On The Map is an excellent album that has been spinning a lot in my head.

samae

5. Samae Koskinen – Hyvä päivä (Fried Music, 2013)

I have a bit mixed feelings about the new Samae album. I’ve been struggling a lot with a couple of songs, but on the other hand it contains some of the finest music released this year. If you want examples. I don’t really like the title track Hyvä päivä that much, but I could marry the songs Hullu nainen and Olit kaikki. The good stuff is just so brilliant that this goes ahead of some albums that might be more consistent.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAHn13kcN4I]
 
astridco

4. Astrid Swan – Astrid4 (Soliti, 2013)

This stunning work of art has gotten way too little recognition on this little blog. Astrid Swan’s new album is a bit of challenge to my taste, but it is a magnificent album. If I was some real journalist trying to objectively pick the finest piece of music released in Finland this year, I might go with Astrid4. My top three picks will just be closer to my comfort zone.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/109091611″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=true” width=”100%” height=”100″ iframe=”true” /]
 
newpenniless

3. Penniless – Rows Of Houses (A West Side Fabrication, 2013)

If I had to rank all Penniless albums in order, this new one Rows Of Houses would go somewhere in the middle of the pack. However, even the average Penniless album is friggin’ amazing on everyone else’s standards. Not a masterpiece like the previous album A Cab to the City, but a great record nevertheless.

lieblingsi2

2. The Lieblings – Take Us To Your Leader (GAEA, 2013)

I had this excellent power pop creation as #1 for a long time, but there was one late riser this year. I’m still loving this The Lieblings album a lot and it probably is the Finnish album I’ve listened to the most this year. It might not be anything inventive or earthshattering, but I enjoy every second of it. Somewhere between power pop and fuzzy Creation bands.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/107988611″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=true” width=”100%” height=”100″ iframe=”true” /]
 

topi

1. Topi Saha – Kolme veljee (Warner Music Finland, 2013)

What is happening? A major label release as my #1 choice. Well credit when credit is due. As I said on the song list, at first I was mildly disappointed with this second album by Topi Saha. I’m not entirely sure what I was thinking. Some temporary bug that caused blindness to true beauty. Well I got over it, bought the album and started spending more and more time with it. During the last few months of 2013, Kolme veljee turned from pleasant acquaintance to a close warm-hearted friend. Therefore Kolme Veljee is rightfully the album of the year 2013.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqTjRfu8rLg]

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Featured, International music, Top lists

Top 10 Songs of the Year 2013 (International edition)

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This was a tough one. Maybe I should have written a top 20.. or a top 30 for that matter. I had to leave out so many important ones that it hurts. Like Vikesh Kapoor, Wes Tirey, Doc Feldman, Jim Guthrie, The Provincial Archive, Samantha Crain, Math and Physics Club, Pickering Pick, Buffalo Gospel and so many others. Anyway, this goes like this today. Album lists most likely next weekend.

10. The Heavy Blinkers – Child Of The Radio

The Health by The Heavy Blinkers is amazing piece of orchestrated harmonic pop music that works best as a whole album. But of course these individual songs are also fabulous. Like this beauty entitled Child Of The Radio.

9. Jeremy Squires – A Warm Glow

My favourite song from the best EP of the whole year. A great song and a really magnificent voice.

8. Marine Dreams – Morning

Marine Dreams aka Ian Kehoe was a huge favourite of mine during the year. I love the album Corner Of The Eye and this is my favourite moment of that beautiful album. A song called Morning.

7. Austin Lucas – Splinters

Splinters might be a bit weird choice from the magnificent new Austin Lucas album Stay Reckless, but this is the one that really strikes me the hardest.

6. The Weather Station Featuring Daniel Romano – Can You See Her In My Eyes

That latest Daniel Romano album is full of amazing songs and will feature on the upcoming albums of the year list, but I will go with this beautiful duet with The Weather Station on this songs of the year list.

5. Small Houses – The Last Night Of The Summer

The highlight of the year 2013 was Small Houses & Ochre Room Finland tour. Even though I only managed to see the concerts in Turku (shame on me), I loved every second of those two concerts. The latest Small Houses album Exactly Where You Wanted To Be is also magnificent and contains 8 great songs. I’ve changed the one on this list for a few times already while sketching this. Tonight I’m gonna go with The Last Night Of The Summer.

4. John Moreland – Blacklist

In The Throes by John Moreland is a brilliant album full of gorgeous songs. Tough choice between Gospel and Blacklist, because I have ridiculous rule to only include one song from each artist. I will go with Blacklist this time around.

3. Jason Isbell – Elephant

Jason Isbell’s Southeastern was one of the best albums of the year and I pretty much love all the songs. If I have to choose a favourite, it has to be Elephant.

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2. Frontier Ruckus – Eternity Of Dimming

I could make a pretty awesome top 20 songs of the year list just by using this double album. It might make me look like a sad case, but my favourite out of these wonderful songs has always been this amazing title track Eternity Of Dimming.

widower

1. Widower – Thoroughbred

I kept changing the order of the first two several times, but maybe this is the one that has to be song of the year (Frontier Ruckus will get their own title in that other category next weekend). Widower’s Thoroughbred is just brutal, but oh so achingly beautiful. Break-up song with the sweetest melody. I love every second of it.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGJQBs-O-Rc]

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