Nine Items Once Again!
As I noted last year I’m not a big fan of annual “best of” lists, but there seem to be more every year (note to self: maybe I should compile a best of list of best of lists?). And I caution you that these lists almost always seem to be released before the actual end of the year, usually leaving out a full month of time when potential list candidates could emerge. What is a trapezoid to do, I ask you?
My answer once again is somewhat go along with the crowd and to make a list of stuff. So here in no particular order, is my “Son Of A List Of Random Music Things Related To Most Of 2013!” Not a “best of,” but simply a selection of music related items for 2013 that I happen to like. Just like last year, but purely by coincidence, I have nine items.
And I must note again that I really hope nothing good happens the rest of December.
BEST 30TH ALBUM: Re-Mit by The Fall
As John Peel once noted about The Fall: “Always different, always the same.” Oh sure, for this category some would take the safe way out and pick “The Next Day” by David Bowie (his 30th studio album) or “The Diving Board” by Elton John (his 30th solo studio album), but c’mon – The Fall! Who heard “Rebellious Jukebox” when it came out and predicted Mark E. Smith would still be going after all these years? There is always something good on a Fall album. I’m sure I’ll be looking forward to their 50th in a couple decades.
TWO RECORDS I LIKED THAT YOU PROBABLY WON’T FIND ON ANY ‘BEST OF’ LISTS: Eels and Karl Bartos
Karl Bartos was part of Kraftwerk during the time they created and cemented their legend. Not a bad resume item. For his album “Off The Record” he used old tapes he had from those days as the basis for creating new songs. So you get electronic music from a master which sounds both new and, at times, familiar.
Eels (soon coming up on two decades into their/his career) continue to consistently put out quality music. 2013 saw the release of “Wonderful, Glorious” and it is just that. It’s a familiar Eels sound with occasional twists to keep it fresh.
BEST EP: “This Face” by Kinetic Ideals
I wrote about this one earlier this year, but I’m still digging it a lot. Kinetic Ideals last record released was in 1983, but they found this music in the vaults and surprised us with e new record. It was worth the 30 year wait, for sure.
BEST WALKING MUSIC: The Cramps
I’ve found myself taking more long walks lately. When you are going along for miles it’s nice to have the old ipod with many of my musical friends along for company. I have noticed that a lot of the Cramps songs seem to have a really good walking rhythm , and they occasionally offer helpful reminders like “Don’t Eat Stuff Off The Sidewalk.”
BEST KICKSTARTER REWARD I RECEIVED: Lady Blue
This a cappella group from Duke University sang a great rendition of Happy Birthday for Mama Trapezoid. Sweet. Oh, and they have a new CD out too. Double sweet!
BEST BAND I RECONNECTED WITH THIS YEAR: Killing Joke
We were close for a couple years in the early 80’s but just slowly drifted apart. It was nobody’s fault; it just happened. Oh sure, I kept their first two albums in rotation, but I had largely moved on. Well, earlier this year I bought a digital version of “Ha” (a live album that I had on 10” vinyl at one point). The digital version is expanded from the original and, you know, it really sounded great. And then I picked up a couple other albums I had discarded earlier, and then their 2010 album “Absolute Dissent,” and now we are close once again after all these years.
BEST FREE (AND LEGAL!) DOWNLOAD: “0181” by Four Tet
Early this year Four Tet made this available for free download at Soundcloud. It’s a 38 minute compilation of earlier work presented as one long track; it plays like a nice mix tape made by a friend. I just checked and you can get it right now at Amazon for less than a dollar (unless you’re saving to buy a soda or something).
BEST RECORD STORE I VISITED THIS YEAR: Chaz’s Bull City Records
From the first time you walk in this Durham, NC store you are made to feel welcome. And Chaz didn’t even get mad the day I accidentally knocked the Celluloid Records collection behind one of the racks. There is always a great selection of new and used CD’s and vinyl in the bins. Even if you are not near The Bull City, he’s got an online store too. So now you have no excuses not to visit.
BEST RADIO STATION: 97.7 WEXT
People who live in beautiful Troy, NY, Albany, and surrounding areas are lucky to have WEXT on their radio dial. The station focuses on emerging artists, the sometimes overlooked, as well as local music. There should be a lot more radio like this but, well, you know how it is these days. Their love of what they do comes through your speakers. I listen to the great Chris Wienk often on weekdays. Even if you are nowhere near New York State, the wonder that is the internet brings WEXT right to you.
And here’s a preview of something to look forward to in 2014…I may make another list of stuff.