Fusion’s Favorite Albums of 2013
It is impossible to truly call something “the best of” because, what makes an album superior to another? This is not the best of, or the top, or claiming to be the greatest albums of the year, just simply some of the best, in no particular order. Step aside Kanye and Gaga. Step aside.
Jacco Gardner – Cabinet of Curiosities (Trouble in Mind) – Netherlands born Jacco Gardner does the impossible task of reinterpreting 60 pop-psych with a vast array of the proper instruments (harpsichords, bells, flutes) layered in vocal harmonies reminiscent of The Turtles, and with the strong songwriting of Syd Barrett. His debut album is a free acid trip of soothing psychedelia and proper 60’s pop arrangements.
Part Time – PDA (Mexican Summer) – San Francisco’s via El Paso (3/4 dudes are from EP!) Part Time’s sophomore album PDA has that unmistakable 80’s feel with the jingle jangle of the guitars, smooth bass lines, space-y synthesizers and drum machines along with the beautiful melancholy vocals of lead singer David Speck. If Johnny Marr and Morrissey had joined Flock of Seagulls, they might have sounded like Part Time.
My Bloody Valentine – MBV (MBV) – Almost 22 years after their last album Loveless, My Bloody Valentine finally returned this year, out of nowhere, with new music. Oh yes, and they are back in full force with their signature shoegazing sound they helped birth in the 80’s: epic dreamy ballads and exploding jams with fuzzed out distortion, plus the gentle whispery vocals of Shields and Butcher.
Shannon and the Clams – Dreams in the Rat House (Hardly Art) – These Oakland punks deliver and album blending mellow doo-wop reverb friendly ballads with gritty rockabilly garage-punk rave ups. With echoes of the Shangri Las, the Back from the Grave compilation series and AM radio rarities, the Clams sound like a band who don’t waste time listening to shitty records.
Omar Souleyman – Wenu Wenu (Ribbon Music) – Straight out of Syria! On Wenu Wenu Omar Souleyman mashes the old traditional sounds of the Middle East with bleep-y synths and drum machines creating an electronic world of hypnotic beats. Though he’s been in the game over 20 years in his homeland, and has previously only seen live releases, Souleyman on his first proper release transgresses infectious energy.
Black Sabbath -13 (Vertigo/Repubilc) – The masters of doom and gloom returned this year with a surprisingly good album filled with all the darkness and evil Ozzy and the boys were known for from day one: heavy drone guitars set at a morbid sludge pace. Don’t expect that KLAQ Ozzy sound to emerge, there’s no room for any pop on this album produced by Rick Rubin. Just like the good ol’ days!
Cate Le Bon – Mug Museum (Wichita/Turnstile) – The mellow indie pop-rock sounds of Mug Museum swoon beautifully accentuated by the modest vocals of Cate Le Bon, the centerpiece of the album. The albums gentle rock feel sounds of early Talking Heads and Velvets semi-weirdness, sees a bare bones band free of too much technology dabbling in mild psychedelia, focusing more on songwriting and melodies.
King Khan and the Shrines – Idle No More (Merge) – The underground finally goes overboard for King Khan and the Shrines polishing up on production, but still keeping it feeling sleazy. The rock n’ roll party that is Idle No More sees the band continuing to groove in their garage roots with Stooges riffing and the Sky Saxon-esque vocals of Arish Khan. Did you see them hanging at Monarch after the El Paso show?
Deltron 3030 – Event II (Bulk) – Del Tha Funky Homosapien, Kid Koala and Dan the Automator are back collaborating once again as Deltron 3030 with a futuristic concept hip-hop album. Del’s delivery and on point lyricism along with the weird intros and crazy out-of-space beats, is a listening experience that is truly out of this world, creating moody vibes and head-y beats— perfect for cruising the streets smoking a fat blunt.
Weekend -Jinx (Slumberland) – Post-punkers Weekend keeps it mosty cloudy and gloomy on their sophomore album Jinx, bearing similarities to their forefathers the Cure or the Comsat Angels. The intensity on Jinx is propelled by the drum pounds and heavy bass lines that carry through under the shoegazing peaks of the guitars. Weekend manages to deliver a great album, and shine through all the darkness.
TEXT: DANIEL SALAS