[dropcap]S[/dropcap]eeds Entertainment staff members shares what album they consider to be the best of 2013, explain why, and also list their second and third choices. (Arctic Monkeys’ AM was chosen as the cover photo above for Best Albums of 2013 because it was the only album named the ‘best’ by more than one staff member.)
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[title size=”3″ style=”options: default, sidebar”]Claire Wiebe[/title]
1: Wolf, Tyler the Creator
Tyler the Creator’s third album Wolf shows a person struggling with newfound maturity while coping with his father’s absence, women, and newfound fame. Tyler is known for creating vivid images through his lyrics, and Wolf is not an exception.The energy and grittiness of this album make it my favorite of 2013.
2: Yeezus, Kanye West
3: Acid Rap, Chance the Rapper
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[title size=”3″ style=”options: default, sidebar”]Colin Loberg[/title]
1: Yeezus-Kanye West
How does one follow up an album already considered a modern classic? For Kanye, its by starting over. Sped up soul samples are replaced with industrial screeches and any vestiges of the old Kanye are gone by the time he declares himself a God.
2: Random Access Memories, Daft Punk
3: Run the Jewels, Run the Jewels
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[title size=”3″ style=”options: default, sidebar”]Matt Knapp[/title]
1: The 20/20 Experience – Part 1, Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake’s return to music with The 20/20 Experience is an album that delivers exactly what was expected of him: Greatness. Timberlake’s album, full of string and brass ensembles, irresistible hooks that thrive on his falsetto, and tracks that average 7 minutes, comes a long way from FutureSex/LoveSounds.
2: Paradise Valley, John Mayer
3: Prism, Katy Perry
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[title size=”3″ style=”options: default, sidebar”]Corey Oldenhuis[/title]
1. AM, Arctic Monkeys
This fifth album for the garage punk indie rockers is a huge rebound from their slightly subpar fourth, and the undeniable catchiness of AM’s tracks are bringing the band unprecedented commercial success.
2. Doris, Earl Sweatshirt
3. Access All Arenas, Justice
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[title size=”3″ style=”options: default, sidebar”]Annie Bohling[/title]
1. AM, Arctic Monkeys
AM is polished from start to finish. It succeeds in being accessible but not poppy as well as sounding upbeat and edgy but not too happy-go-lucky nor dark or depressing. Every single track is distinguished, sound and listenable–something that can rarely be said for many albums of 2013.
2. Like Clockwork, Queens of the Stone Age
3. Reflektor, Arcade Fire
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[title size=”3″ style=”options: default, sidebar”]Patrick Wright[/title]
1. Spreading Rumors, Grouplove
A lot of albums this year have had some standout tracks, but none have been quite as solid throughout as Grouplove’s Spreading Rumors. The band turned hippie, acid-trip rock into something worth listening to, and months later I still can’t put it down. If there’s one album you listen to this year, make it this one.
2. The Electric Lady, Janelle Monae
3. Random Access Memories, Daft Punk
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[title size=”3″ style=”options: default, sidebar”]Matt Sueper[/title]
1. Doris, Earl Sweatshirt
Earl Sweatshirt’s Doris came after his three-year hiatus that included his mom sending him to boarding school in Samoa. It obviously affected him–the tracks on Doris are some of the most emotional and introspective yet from the emotional, introspective artist. The lyrics combined with his characteristic hypnotic flow made this album a complicated and beautiful piece of art.
2. Trouble Will Find Me, The National
3. ESGN, Freddie Gibbs
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[title size=”3″ style=”options: default, sidebar”]Jacob Fricke[/title]
1. One of Us is the Killer, The Dillinger Escape Plan
If, like me, you find yourself confused by hip hop and bored by indie, Dillinger’s chaotic embrace is the best album of the year. Killer continues a fine tradition of eerie lyrics, lawless jazz/metal hybrids, and (perhaps most importantly) a well-refined sense of self awareness. You may call it challenging, and call me a contrarian, but Dillinger sits atop 2013 with their best release yet.
2. Memorial, Russian Circles
3. Reach Beyond the Sun, Shai Hulud
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[title size=”3″ style=”options: default, sidebar”]Phillip Malzer[/title]
1. Modern Vampires of the City, Vampire Weekend
After two successful albums cementing their legacy as first ballot ivy-league Afro-pop, Hall of Famers, many Vampire Weekend fans would have been fine with more of the same. Instead, they created their most mature and interesting album to date. Modern Vampires of the City captures the creative spark between music and wordplay of VP, while keeping a controlled, narrative balance that lacked in their previous albums.
2. Yeezus, Kanye West
3. Days are Gone, Haim
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[title size=”3″ style=”options: default, sidebar”]Seeds Staff Writer[/title]
1. Earth Rocker, Clutch
An easier listening Clutch album that remains true to Clutch’s bluesy hard rock core, the album is a flashback to their fast pace sound mixed with new techniques. Lyrically singer Neil Fallon calls his words a “license to lie” and hasn’t yet determined the meanings of many of the songs himself.
2. Like Clockwork, Queens of the Stone Age
3. Volition, Protest the Hero
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