FDV's Top 50 Albums of the Year

My name is Felipe Diaz Vera. Podcast host, staff member for FanOff.com, and someone who enjoys many things. One of those things is music. I've spent all year working on this list. Here are my top 50 albums of 2012 & 2013.

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1

"Overgrown" by James Blake

Released April 5th, 2013

James Blake made a huge splash two years ago with his self-titled debut LP. He took the idea of post-dubstep and emphasized it with emotional singing, and swelling beats that suck you in. However, the big knock against it was in the actual lyrics. Most of Blake's songs had very few lyrics repeated over and over with the changing beat. And while it was done to emphasize those few lyrics and the emotion of his voice, it is understandable why this became a wall for those wanting to enjoy his music. Enter "Overgrown", his 2013 album that takes everything enjoyable about his last LP, and turns Blake from an electronic musician, to a true singer-songwriter. Blake in this album acts almost like a preacher in the soul he has. But this doesn't mean he has abandoned his limited approach to songs when it is needed, such as in the funky "Voyeur" or as the backbeat to The RZA in the amazing standout track "Take A Fall For Me". In the sea of electronic music that was 2013, James Blake used the music not as the main focus, but as a tool to tell stories and get emotional responses from his audience.

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4

"Random Access Memories" by Daft Punk

Released May 17th, 2013

Daft Punk on "R.A.M." do a lot of things different from normal. A lot more focus on traditional instrumentation and funk being the most noticable. But what makes this album great is that I feel it takes the style of various artists, improves it, and perfects it. "Get Lucky" is the best Pharell song out there and a perfect modern disco track. "Instant Crush" takes the recent stylings of Julian Casablancas & The Strokes and makes it sound better than their last album as a whole. "Doin' It Right" is a simple and groovy song perfectly put for Panda Bear. "Giorgio by Moroder" tells the life's story (literally) or Giorgio Moroder, and blows your mind as the song builds and builds, all behind the same idea that Giorgio establishes in his spoken biography. All leading to the closing track "Contact" where Daft Punk give their take on the work of Daft Punk. It is a masterpiece of Dance music.

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5

"The Blackest Beautiful" by letlive.

Released July 9th, 2013

In speaking bluntly, 2013 was actually a pretty bad year for music in the grand scheme of things. Yes, all the previous 45 albums I enjoyed and all have their redeeming qualities, but compared to the top 20-30 that came out in 2012 or 2011, they are simply not as good as albums for the simple reason that they take the things that either that artist does or that genre does and makes it better. letlive's "The Blackest Beautiful actually blew me away because it is pushing the boundaries of Hardcore music. From the funky bass lines and feel behind the hard rock of "Banshee" & "The Dope Beat" to the confrontational and deep meaning behind "Virgin Dirt" and "Younger" to even combining the two in "White America's Beautiful Black Market", this album takes genre defining risks. There is a lot to break down in the drumming, bass lines, lyrics & various vocal stylings of singer Jason Butler, but the bottom line is "The Blackest Beautiful" is trying to change the sound of hard rock, and for the love of god, I hope they do.

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2

"Acceptance Speech" by Dance Gavin Dance

Released October 8th, 2013

This may be where I am left on an island completely when it comes to my opinion of an album, but I stand firm by it. Even if most album reviewers, Post-Hardcore music fans, and even fans of Dance Gavin Dance don't seem to think highly of the groups latest "Acceptance Speech", this is the only rock album that made me stop and say "Whoa" in 2013. I get it. DGD just integrated their 3rd studio clean vocalists after another messy breakup with Jonny Craig, and this album is produced differently from the rest of their entire discography. But from the piercing vocals of Tilian Pearson in "Doom & Gloom" to the outstanding guitar technique of Will Swan throughout, to Matthew Mingus absolutely stunning background drum work in the title track no punches get pulled. To those who complain about the production didn't get shocked at the end of "The Death of the Robot With Human Hair" and had the hair on their neck tingle at an autotuned Tilian on the track "Demo Team". Dance Gavin Dance has perfected the sing-scream dynamic with Tilian and Jon Mess working like an amazing unit. I listened to this album more than any other this year.

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3

Beyonce (Self Titled)

Released December 17th, 2013

When Beyonce shocked the world at the end of the year with the release of her brand new self-titled album, I took a few days before biting and buying the album. I've never enjoyed Beyonce as a whole, as while some songs are enjoyable, they are all generic songs about either wanting love or man-hating "Girls Rule Boys Drool" anthems. So imagine my shock when ths album isn't only the best pop album of the year, but perfectly encapsulates everything music trend wise of the last 2 years. From the creepy R&B stylings of songs like "Haunted" to the trap rap inspired "Flawless" to the modern disco funk sounds of "Blow" to the best use of hashtag-able lyrics (#Surfboard #IWokeUpLikeThis), this album seems ot have it all. With great songwriting, production, and guest appearances from Frank Ocean, Drake, Justin Timberlake, Pharell, and many others, Beyonce also bares her soul more than in any other album. Talking about relationship issues, how she has changed since giving birth, personal outlook issues, and lots of kinky sex (not a bad thing). It being a visual album, part of the appeal is the matching visuals, so do yourself a favor and check out all 17 videos.

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6

"Ceremonies" by Anna Von Hausswolff

Released July 9th, 2013

When using such a multi-hyphenated genre to describe your music such as "Operatic Goth Pop", it tends to turn a few heads before even listening to a song. "Ceremony" is full of pipe-organ pieces, multi-layered instrumentals, and haunting vocals. But despite what the initial feel of the songs might lead you to believe, Anna Von Hausswolff isn't here to scare you, but rather set moods. The song "Deathbed" sets an increasingly creepy backdrop for almost five minutes before Anna finally sings a few lines and changes the mood of the song. Not to mention the downright amazing pipe-organ work in "The Epitath of Theodor" and the outstandingly serene feel of "The Ocean", Anna doesn't sing too often on the LP, but when she does, it is glorious. Heck, "Mountains Crave" is a pop song, no heads or tails about it. "Ceremonies" is playing into all aspects of that "Operatic Goth Pop" thing. And does it remarkably.

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7

"Born Sinner" by J-Cole

Released September 6th, 2013

The highest ranking rap album on this list belongs to J-Cole. Because while there were better produced rap albums and better rap flows in the scene, no other album has a better combination of the two than in "Born Sinner". From the storytelling alongside the worrying chior behind the song "Trouble" to the wonderful story wrapped in metaphors set to a siple but well put together backdrop on "Land of Snakes", this album is full of pleasant surprises and clever moments. J-Cole on the opening track talks about going darker on "Villuminati" (the album is called "Born Sinner" after all) and yet doesn't forget to put out good messages for the people in songs like "Crooked Smile". Born Sinner is the best rap album put out this year. Period.

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8

"Tales of Us" by Goldfrapp

Released September 6th, 2013

Goldfrapp's latest LP, entitled "Tales of Us", does not fool around with it's title. Every song is named after a person, and tells of the mindset and emotions of these people. It is simple Enlgish Folk songwriting turned epic with it's production and instrmentation. Starting with simple instruments before slowly growing into something bigger in most tracks. Every song, from the aspirations of Annabel to the cold day-by-day living of Drew, to the connection one can have with a total stranger, is like a peak into a diary of someone who cares for their writing.

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9

"The 20/20 Experience" by Justin Timberlake

Released March 15th, 2013

Justin Timberlake did not have to return to pop music. Being Justin Timberlake, with his movie roles, SNL connections, and overall media presence could have ridden off his past success for the next 5 years. And then we got "The 20/20 Experience", which in the same manner of his last LP "FutureSex/LoveSounds", if full of long and surprisingly complex ideas while all the same retaining that smooth demeanor that JT has been riding since his N'Sync days. "Tunnel Vision" and "Don't Hold the Wall" continue Timberlake's & Timbaland's shared picture of long danceable and shifting songs. While "Blue Ocean Floor" is an incredible work of imagery that paints a somber yet vivid picture comparing a (potentially failed or failing) relationship to drowning. JT didn't have to come back. But the music & pop world is better for it.

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10

"The Weight of Your Love" by Editors

Released June 28th, 2013

In a landscape full of samey indie-rock, all you can say is who is good and who is not. "The Weight Of Your Love" has an added benefit above the rest, in that it is incredibly passionate without seeming totally pitiful. They take that somber and dark tones of others, but combine it with a pop twist that works surprisingly well with the heavy bass the songs have. Notions of death and broken hearts are set alongside beautiful strings and wonderous guitar lines. "Two Headed Spider" is the standout track on here with it's tortured chorus that doesn't cut any corners. "Every move you make breaks me. Breaks me." Combine the songwriting with the wonderfully haunting voice of Tom Smith, and you have an outstanding album.

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11

"The Tipping Point" by Authority Zero

Released April 2nd, 2013

There are not a lot of pure punk albums that really stood out this year in a good way. Bad Religion put out the alright "True North" and who knows what the hell happened with that new Black Flag LP. Luckily Authority Zero's latest, "The Tipping Point", mixes in the ideas of classic pure Punk music with the more modern take popular with the likes of Anti-Flag or Rise Against. Right out the gate with "No Other Place" this album kicks you in the rear and gets you listening. And with a lot of positive and uplifting choruses in songs like "For The Kids" & "Life One Up" alongside with great pulse pounding songs like "Endless Roads" & "Undivided", we get a great overall performance from the group. "The Tipping Point" is what all modern punk bands should aspire to sound like.

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12

"Reflektor" by Arcade Fire

Released October 28th, 2013

To attempt to describe Arcade Fire's "Reflektor" in a paragraph is very difficult. I could say generic things about how it is another well done album from the group. I could tell you to check out songs like "Here Comes The Night Time" with it's shocking tempo change and fun beat, or the electro-pop sound of "Afterlife" are great standouts. But the problem is, this is the most varied album in the career of the group. And not in the "they take influence in this and that" style like The Cat Empire. All that can be said is listen to the album as a whole. It is (for better or worse) everything modern indie rock and alternative rock has been for the past few years wrapped into one package.

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13

"Artpop" by Lady Gaga

Released November 6th, 2013

How much one would enjoy "Artpop" depends on many things, but probably the biggest is how seriously you take the title of the album. If you take the album for what it is, the latest pop LP from Lady Gaga, then you are in for a treat. "Born This Way", her last LP. felt very over-produced and hollow. Luckily, "Artpop" has a more straightforward production mixed with wonderfully written hooks ("Sexxx Dreams" in particular is so damn catchy) and Gaga's best vocal performance to date throughout the album, From the new wave sound of "Do What u Want" to the Middle Eastern Electronic sound of "Aura", to "Gypsy" which is just a well done pop song, Gaga holds nothing back on this album. Is it Art? Maybe. Maybe not. But it is her best album to date, and that should be good enough for everybody.

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14

"Acid Rap" by Chance The Rapper

Released April 30th, 2013

"Acid Rap" may sound exactly what you think it would, or not in the slightest. The rap style of Chance The Rapper is high pitched, intense, but has an overall sense of joy. The overall positivity in songs like "So Good" or "Everybody's Something" may not be the traditional motivation one would expect ("I'm on this mic like a dick!") but that is what makes it all the more authentic. There is a heavy influence lyrically and musically to Chicago, which is nice to see, even with the odd turns this album can take. Chance isn't without his personal flaws, talking of women and drugs (the album is called Acid Rap for goodness sake), but again, all is forgiven because of how authentic Chance is with these stories. It's well put together and, for lack of a better term, blunt. And that is the best part of this album. "Acid Rap" gets straight to the point and lets you know what it is all about. Even if it isn't what you might think.

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15

"Mosquito" by Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Released April 12th, 2013

People into the Rock scene of the past 10 years should know what to expect from a Yeah Yeah Yeahs album. However, that is not a bad thing. "Mosquito" features great guitar and basslines throughout mixed witht he passionate vocals of Karen O. But with added emphasis on it's themes of the individual songs, "Mosquito" stands out among the other works of the group. Having the sound of train tracks constantly in the background of "Subway" or a choir at the end of "Sacrilege" gives the extra emphasis of what the song has to offer. Mixed with the atmospheric "Always" or the downright insane and awesome "Area 52" (who doesn't love hard rock songs about space) and the LP has a lot to offer fans of the group.

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16

"Like Clockwork" by Queens of the Stone Age

Released September 6th, 2013

I've always enjoyed Queens of the Stone Age, but not as much as some of my friends and acquaintances. So when I heard such high praise for "Like Clockwork", I expected a good album, but not one I would personally get into. Boy, was I wrong. "Like Clockwork" is full of surprisingly groovy moments, intimate vocals,  and an overall sound that has this underground feel to it that is very enjoyable. Songs like "Kalopsia", & especially the title track itself bear a surprising amount of soul that remind me of later Gorillaz albums. While songs like "My God Is The Sun" & "I Sat By The Ocean" stay with where you want a QOTSA album to be. An absolutely great rock album.

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17

"Burials" by AFI

Released October 22nd, 2013

AFI seem to have perfected the idea of constantly changing the way one sounds, while still keeping what makes the group unique. In the case of "Burials", AFI seem to have gone back to their sound from "Sing The Sorrow", but with a much heavier and melodically darker tone. "I Hope You Suffer" sounds more like a Nine Inch Nails B-Side than form the group that sang "Miss Murder". But we get traditional AFI songs like "17 Crimes" & "Greater Than 84". Davey Havok's vocals have a sort of maturity they didn't have in previous albums, and despite the darker tone, still have the great guitar lines and underlying bass lines we know and love. Even if it is more sinister than we would expect from modern AFI.