***2013 Edition of Reaper's Favorite Albums of the Year***

[Reaper16]

It's time of the year again. It's everyone's favorite holiday present. Etc.

As always, this is a list of my personal favorite albums of the year. It's not meant to be an objective "best-of" list, because while I listen to hundreds of new albums each year I still fall far short of listening to enough to feel comfortable making an objective claim. My usual genre tendencies towards metal and hip-hop are as present as ever. Hopefully you'll find some albums you will come to dig through this list.

I'll be posting it out over the next day. I'm doing 30 albums this year.

30. The Knife – Shaking the Habitual
29. Rittz – The Life and Times of Jonny Valiant
28. The National – Trouble Will Find Me
27. Arcade Fire – Reflektor
26. Chvrches - The Bones of What You Believe
25. Ces Cru - Constant Energy Struggles
24. DGM – Momentum
23. Action Bronson – Blue Chips 2
22. Kvelertak – Meir
21. A$AP Rocky – Long Live A$AP
20. Brandy Clark – 12 Stories
19. Mr. Mother****in eXquire – Kismet
18. Death Grips – Government Plates
17. ST 2 Lettaz – The G…Growth & Development
16. Ayreon – The Theory of Everything
15. Kacey Musgraves – Same Trailer, Different Park
14. Magic Circle – Magic Circle
13. Gorguts – Colored Sands
12. Beyonce – Beyonce
11. Daft Punk – Random Access Memories
10. Haim – Days Are Gone
09. Pusha T – My Name Is My Name
08. Dessa – Parts of Speech
07. Danny Brown – Old
06. Deafheaven – Sunbather
05. El-P & Killer Mike – Run the Jewels
04. Jason Isbell – Southeastern
03. Rokia Traore – Beautiful Africa
02. Kanye West – Yeezus
01. Janelle Monae – The Electric Lady

[NewChief]

Originally Posted by KC native

Um, no Earl Sweatshirt?????? Doris was way better than A$AP Rocky's album.

I liked Doris, but not better than ASAP.

[Pushead2]

For me Chvrches was my favorite find of 2013 but a solid list you've comprised! Cheers

[KC native]

Originally Posted by NewChief

I liked Doris, but not better than ASAP.

To me, Earl is better in lyrics and delivery than Rocky.

[Pitt Gorilla]

Reaper,

You really should have this published (other than on CP). In terms of new music reviews with a local flavor, there really isn't any better. Get yourself a paycheck, son.

[NewChief]

Originally Posted by KC native

To me, Earl is better in lyrics and delivery than Rocky.

I tend to agree, but the production for Rocky is really good and interesting. I don't really enjoy the production from the OF crew.

[Buehler445]

Good List Reaper. This is a constant reminder of how much music I don't hear.

I was surprised to see 3 country entries in this one. I hadn't heard of Brandy Clark or Jason Isbell. Thank you, sir. Very much

I'm right there with you about country radio. I can't stand it, and it is by far the most listenable radio of any genre in my area. In fact, I hated it so much, I didn't listen to any country for several years. I got into some red dirt and more off the Nashville path bands and got back into country. If you haven't, listen to Turnpike Troubadours. They are good.

[Pablo]

Haven't even listened to ASAP Rocky's album. Might have to do that.

Doris was pretty goddamn good, though.

[Pablo]

Originally Posted by Bo's Pelini

As for Yeezus being #2 let me quote Charlemagne Tha God "yeezus was garbage".

Don't give a shit who that dude is. I personally enjoyed the hell out of Yeezus.

[Pablo]

Originally Posted by Chiefspants

(As an aside, after the release of Sunbather, I can not contain my fangirl-like excitement to see Deafhaven in Lawrence this spring.)

They're touring with BTBAM?

Huh, I should definitely catch that show.

[Chiefspants]

Originally Posted by Pablo

They're touring with BTBAM?

Huh, I should definitely catch that show.

BTBAM will be at the Grenada with Deafheaven, Intronaut, and Kindred on March 7th (a Friday). I haven't been this enthusiastic about a show since Opeth toured with Ghost and Mastodon.

[Pablo]

Originally Posted by Chiefspants

BTBAM will be at the Grenada with Deafheaven, Intronaut, and Kindred on March 7th (a Friday). I haven't been this enthusiastic about a show since Opeth toured with Ghost and Mastodon.

Understandably so.

I'm a BTBAM fan and have only listened to Deafheaven a little bit, but that's already a very, very solid ticket. I'll have to check out the other two bands.

[-King-]

Originally Posted by Bo's Pelini

That's because I sent the album to you this time last year

As for Yeezus being #2 let me quote Charlemagne Tha God "yeezus was garbage".

100% this.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Reaper16]

Yeezus doesn't feel like a hip-hop/rap album to me. If that's what you want from it, it will disappoint you. To me, its value comes from being non-generic ('generic' defined here as 'of a genre'). It's got some rapping, some bad auto-tune singing, but its mostly about the production choices. It is a bizarre electronic album held together with a surprising amount of pop sensibility. It was a grower for me, too. It went from 6/10 to 7/10 to 8/10 to 9/10 over the course of the year.

[Reaper16]

I would listen to ASAP Rocky over Earl Sweatshirt ten times out of ten. Earl does nothing for me. I don't enjoy his flow. I don't enjoy the production on Doris (or, really, on any Odd Future output).

ASAP Rocky is not a great rapper. He's got a great ear for beats, and he's just capable enough on the mic to do those beats justice.

[KC native]

Originally Posted by Reaper16

I would listen to ASAP Rocky over Earl Sweatshirt ten times out of ten. Earl does nothing for me. I don't enjoy his flow. I don't enjoy the production on Doris (or, really, on any Odd Future output).

ASAP Rocky is not a great rapper. He's got a great ear for beats, and he's just capable enough on the mic to do those beats justice.

Earl's flow is probably the best out of the "new" generation (Kendrick, Rocky, etc).

Verse 1 on whoa ****ing kills it.

Grab mittens who have to spit blizzardous
Actually flick cigarette ash at bitch ****as
Harassment, eight nickels of hash, delay quick, and then dash
To Saint Nicholas pad to taste venison
Still in the business of smacking up little rappers with
Racquets you play tennis with, hated for bank lifting and
Spraying that hotter wind in the shade of his maimed innocence
Suitcase scented with haze and fileted sentences
Advanced apathy, smashing the man cameras up
Tan khakis and antagonists Dan-dappered up
Vagabond, had it since a Padawan
Rapping hot as **** in cattle brands, wearing flannel thongs
Grab a bong, momma and some food, beer, tag along
Get a nice spanking, new Sears catalog
Send them nettled critics to the bezzle stop, dead and wrong
Get 'em higher than the pitch of metal tea kettle songs

I liked Rocky's album but it has a decidedly more pop-ish vibe. I liked Doris more for that raw throwback to 90's style hip hop where the lyrics and MC dominate the song.