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The Best Music of 2013

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Here's a video playlist of segments listing out my favorite albums, singles, eps, and music videos of 2013! You can watch beyond my 2013 and check out what my favorites were from the past several years as well! Happy viewing, and here's to hoping 2014 is just as awesome.

Favorite Music Videos of 2011

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The Vaccines- What Did You Expect From the Vaccines?

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The Vaccines don't have the most original of styles or tunes, but they know a catchy hook when they hear one. What Did You Expect From the Vaccines? is a record that functions on those basic principles of a catchy rock album: energy, straightforwardness, volume. With influences ranging from the Ramones to the Jesus & Mary Chain, there's definitely some ear-shattering guitar reverb on a few of these tracks, but the Vaccines rely on simplicity more than they do guts. A few tracks do stand out a being exceptionally rowdy, but there are plenty of moments where this album lowers the heat to a simmer. To me, the slower moments aren't as captivating as the fast, but it's nice the band added more than one dimension to the songs here.

While I don't think originality is the most important of things--especially since everything is influenced by something--I find it difficult finding something to take away from this album. There a handful of fun tracks; and while the others aren't bad at all, they're nothing to flip out over, for me.

I enjoyed it, but I'm in no rush to come back, that's all. Just my opinion.

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Bibio- Mind Bokeh

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Though it is fun to see Bibio cover so much ground on this album--jumping from cowbell rock ballads to odd electronics without batting an eye--the songs behind the sounds aren't doing all that much for me. Not that this album isn't tuneful. In many respects it is. "Light Sleep" and "Take Off Your Shirt" are two examples. My issue is that the songs don't stand out that much to me. Bibio's abilities as a sonic chameleon are really what steal the show. But will only keep me entertained for so many listens.

It was a thrill at first, but this thing turned kinda gray kinda fast for me, sadly. Still, a track like "Excuses" is proof this guy can thrill me under the proper conditions.

I don't hate the album. I'm just kind of on the fence with it, sadly. Maybe Bibio's future output will do more for me.

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Colin Stetson- New History Warfare Vol. 2: Judges

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Colin Stetson's latest album redefines the saxophone in an avant-garde context. His drones, motifs, and highly technical sax runs are undeniably gripping and beautiful. Not every piece here may sound completely fleshed out, but the technical ability shown throughout the album is more than enough to distract from that extremely minor problem. My Brightest Diamond and Laurie Anderson even show up for vocal duty on a good chunk of this album, too; bringing a new depth to the experimental nature of this album.

I guess I have to warn y'all, though. This album is music that's meant to be observed. It's nothing to party to, that's for sure. But while it may not be upbeat or "catchy," it's still a really unique experience--even in light of jazz titans like Roland Kirk and Ornette Coleman.

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Top-15 Music Vids of 2010

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Honorable Mentions: Die Antwoord (Most next-level shit) Insane Clown Posse (Most miracles) Holy Fuck (Most cats) Ratatat (Most bird) Duck Sauce (Most Barbra Streisand mentions) iamamiwhoami (Most confusing)

Favorite music videos of 2010: 15. The Books- I Didn't Know That

14. Vampire Weekend- Giving Up the Gun

13. LCD Soundsystem- Drunk Girls

12. Mark Ronson & The Business Intl - Bang Bang Bang

11. Gorillaz- Stylo

10. of Montreal- Coquet Coquette

9. Surfer Blood- Swim

8. M.I.A.- Born Free

7. Janelle Monáe- Tightrope ft. Big Boi

6. Caribou- Sun

5. Liars- Scissor

4. Flying Lotus- Kill Your Co-Workers

3. MGMT- Flash Delirium

2. Big Boi- Shutterbugg ft. Cutty

1. Health- We Are Water

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