Well, it’s a week late, but I am going to blame Salesforce starting their 2014 conference season early with the Salesforce1 Tour in January this year! 😉 2013 is behind us, and it was a great year for many, but for my blog, as I said in my Christmas note, it was not a good year. I plan on making this a regular stop for myself this year, and hopefully can pass along some information that you readers can find helpful, humourous or just a great filler of time. But…as I do every year, I have my picks for the Top 10 songs of 2013. So, without further ado….
11. Pheonix – Trying To Be Cool: Yes, I have 11 songs in my top 10. Get over it. I couldn’t drop one of these songs, and this song was a great song from an album that did not sell nearly as many albums as it should have.
10. Mindless Self Indulgence – Witness: This New York band I must admit I know more for their guitarist working with My Chemical Romance on their last album (as Dr. Death Defying). However I kept hearing this song, and I just fell in love with it. It also is very NSFW…so please, put your headphones on!
9. Kanye West – Black Skinhead: OK, so some of you may be going WHAAAA???? as I’m not in any way that big of a fan. In fact, I enjoyed the James Franco and Seth Rogan remake, as well as his ‘appearance’ on South Park’s finale this year. But this song is just awesome. You like a beat? This song is a beat, both with the drums, and with his hammering rap style. So minimal and yet so epic.
8. New Politics – Harlem: So the trio from Copenhagen that moved to New York City and put out their first full length album this year. While I found it a little too polished (one thing I liked about their sound on the EP was the raw nature of the power pop rock). But their first single Harlem had all the elements I liked about the band. Definitely want to see them live this year!
7. Franz Ferdinand – Right Action: These guys are just awesome. Period. I remember seeing them and Death Cab for Cutie in Montreal…I could have died that night, and died a happy man. Their new album shows they just put out the songs and sounds they want. Right Action, a throw back to their first album, and completely out of whack with everything else on the airwaves these days was just damn fun. Try not to dance along to the video with this one.
6. Vampire Weekend – Diane Young: OK, moving on with this choice, I tried not to put this song in here, just because it is so hipster it’s ridiculous. But you know what, I am starting to be ok in being a hipster band fan (especially seeing that most hipsters likely say they hate this song and secretly listen to it on their iPhone while saying it’s something else…once again, just a song you can’t stop singing along to.
5. Nine Inch Nails – Copy of A: So Trent Reznor surprised us all with a new Nine Inch Nails song, and I really really like it. The whole album a feel of growth, while still being a great NIN album. Is he ready to kill himself like 20 years ago? No – but as this song shows, he certainly still has angst that he’s attempting to deal with. Also, one of the best shows from 2013!
4. Muse: 2nd Law (Unsustainable): Yes, this album was released in 2012, but to be honest I had such a hard time letting myself listen to the album after being so jaded after hearing Madness that it took until 2013 for me to really listen to it. And this song shows Muse in all their excess…an orchestra, choir, and BBC anchor is the backdrop to an EDM infused guitar solo. Yes, that is Muse…and once I let myself listen, I remember why I love them so (even if I do skip over Madness…).
3. Fatboy Slim – Eat Sleep Rave Repeat: What is their to say…just sheer fun to listen to. And who doesn’t remember a night (or being told about a night) like the lad is chatting about. Once again, NSFW…
2. Queens of the Stone Age – Smooth Sailing: This song stands out from the album just because it seems to be the one that caught everyone’s eye when it first came out, including my friend Scott, and my son. Just an awesome and surprising rock song that kicks ass. And who doesn’t like a song with the lyric “Got my own theme music…plays wherever I are.”.
1. Alice in Chains – Stone: Oh my oh my oh my how this song makes me happy that Jerry Cantrell reformed AiC and continues to make music. This is one of the best songs of the decade so far. If you haven’t purchased The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here and you like rock, you may want to pick it up. I find it funny that Jerry Cantrell cutting his hair off caused more concern for people then the awesomeness of the album!