The Other Five: 2013's Remarkable Albums
Three debut records make the cut in a great year for music.
The Lone Bellow, The Lone Bellow
Brooklyn-based The Lone Bellow may not sound like Brooklyn-based at all. But that’s not important; this debut record hinges on the combination swelling harmonies and heart-on-sleeves songwriting. Look no further than “You Can Be All Kinds Of Emotional”: “Take my ink and take my blood, take the time to wish me luck, wish I was gone, wish I was dust.”
Vampire Weekend, Modern Vampires of the City
Vampire Weekend’s third record might not sound all that instrumentally different from its previous efforts, but Modern Vampires of the City is Ezra Koenig’s most ambitious lyrically. With contemplations on religion, death, relationships, and, oh why not, more religion, the album is rich with substance. If Vampire Weekend was for some reason contemptable or avoidable on Contra and its self-titled debut, the band is worth another consideration.
San Fermin, San Fermin
The work of 24-year-old composer Ellis Ludwig-Leone finds a number of spiritual ancestors. It’s easy to spot the influence of bands like The National, but San Fermin carves out its own space in the orchestral-pop world by being so diverse over the course of its debut. There are moments of effusive, bubbly joy in Holly Laessig’s and Jess Wolfe’s voices, mixed with somber lyricism in the chorus of “Sonsick,” the lead single. Across 17 tracks, and many interludes, it may seem inaccessible, but after a few listens, the listener may follow a directive from “Sonsick”: “I resolve to love.”
The National, Trouble Will Find Me
The National’s sixth studio album may not be considered among its ardent fans as the best (they would likely fight over Alligator and Boxer, with small subset arguing over High Violet), but Trouble Will Find Me won’t lose them regardless. Matt Berninger still has deadpan lyrics, still has that baritone delivery and, most important of all, the band still works. It’s evident when, soon after the album’s May release, there were already classic National tracks: “Demons,” “Don’t Swallow the Cap,” “Slipped” and “Graceless” can go toe-to-toe with “About Today” and “Secret Meeting.”
Chvrches, The Bones of What You Believe
The electropop trio based out of Glasgow, Scotland, built on a solid year’s worth of hype heading into its debut release. The Bones of What You Believe represents a triumph: it’s just as good, if not better, than the hype claimed. Ignoring the myriad singles released ahead of the album’s September release, there are countless hits to be found. There’s “Lungs,” when singer Lauren Mayberry declares: “I will tell you that everything’s moving too slowly / Just another lie, one more untruth / You won’t ever see through me.”
There were a lot of great records released this year to great acclaim. These six, including my best of 2013 pick of Jason Isbell’s Southeatern, stood out among a crowded year of albums. Let me know what you think of this list, tweet me @JeremyDStanley.
Honorable Mentions
Volcano Choir, Repave
Dawes, Stories Don’t End
Kanye West, Yeezus
Hey Marseilles, Lines We Trace
Lorde, Pure Heroine
Phosphorescent, Muchacho
Frightened Rabbit, Pedestrian Verse
Josh Ritter, The Beast in Its Tracks
Ivan & Alyosha, All The Times We Had
