Bill Strathearn
2,424 followers -
Father, Engineer, Cyclist, Runner
Father, Engineer, Cyclist, Runner
2,424 followers
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Badminton, CrossFit or Zumba? Whatever gets you moving, #GoogleFit has you covered. #FitFriday
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Transformation complete. From mild-mannered commuter to fully-loaded touring rig. 25lbs of bike and 45lbs of gear. Packed and ready for this 6 day tour from SF to SLO: https://medium.com/sf-to-slo-via-bicycle
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25 Hours of Camaraderie: Introduction
Full post: http://blog.doppler-photo.net/2013/12/25-hours-of-camaraderie-introduction.html
Earlier this month, I traveled north to shoot the 25 Hours of Thunderhill, an endurance car race that welcomes both pro and amateur teams to run through day, night, and day again before they see the checker. I shot the race last year, and wrote it up in two parts: a more visceral reaction in "A Night of Rolling Thunder," followed by a more analytical piece, in "How to Survive an Endurance Race."
This year will be an experiment. At every event I shoot, there are a hundred different stories transpiring all at once. They're all interesting, but I generally pick one and run with it. But for this race, I'm in the unique position of having witnessed a couple of them from beginning to end, and also in having the time to write about a number of them. So why not?
I'm planning to publish a post every day for the next couple days. The theme is camaraderie. This post will be an introduction of sorts, and then each of the next posts will focus on a different team, and a different story which somehow illustrates that theme. Here we go!
As always, you can get the best experience by reading the post on the blog:
http://blog.doppler-photo.net/2013/12/25-hours-of-camaraderie-introduction.html
Otherwise, each image should have the matching caption, so you can read through that way as well.
A Night of Rolling Thunder: http://www.doppler-photo.net/p467501561/e226d1066
How to Survive an Endurance Race: https://plus.google.com/115810135122019140617/posts/WmKfHNR71q9
#25hoursofthunderhill +Thunderhill Raceway Park
Full post: http://blog.doppler-photo.net/2013/12/25-hours-of-camaraderie-introduction.html
Earlier this month, I traveled north to shoot the 25 Hours of Thunderhill, an endurance car race that welcomes both pro and amateur teams to run through day, night, and day again before they see the checker. I shot the race last year, and wrote it up in two parts: a more visceral reaction in "A Night of Rolling Thunder," followed by a more analytical piece, in "How to Survive an Endurance Race."
This year will be an experiment. At every event I shoot, there are a hundred different stories transpiring all at once. They're all interesting, but I generally pick one and run with it. But for this race, I'm in the unique position of having witnessed a couple of them from beginning to end, and also in having the time to write about a number of them. So why not?
I'm planning to publish a post every day for the next couple days. The theme is camaraderie. This post will be an introduction of sorts, and then each of the next posts will focus on a different team, and a different story which somehow illustrates that theme. Here we go!
As always, you can get the best experience by reading the post on the blog:
http://blog.doppler-photo.net/2013/12/25-hours-of-camaraderie-introduction.html
Otherwise, each image should have the matching caption, so you can read through that way as well.
A Night of Rolling Thunder: http://www.doppler-photo.net/p467501561/e226d1066
How to Survive an Endurance Race: https://plus.google.com/115810135122019140617/posts/WmKfHNR71q9
#25hoursofthunderhill +Thunderhill Raceway Park
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25 Hours of Camaraderie: Introduction
12 Photos - View album
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Just finished reading this book and found it to be a very accessible modern interpretation of ancient Tibetan proverbs. It underscores the importance of compassion in everyday life. Training in compassion guides the reader through the practice of Lojong and compassionate living with very little presumed knowledge of meditation required. The ancient proverbs can be confusing and contradictory when read without explanation, but Norman's many years of practice as a Zen priest helps us understand the deep importance of these proverbs and the impact they have on a joyous life.
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While waiting for +Daniel Sandler 's next #markersdaily prompt, I present past work by my 3yo daughter titled: Purple Princess.
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I finally got around to writing up a trip report for my multi-day bikepacking excursion. It was quite an adventure and I'm looking forward to making this an annual occurrence.
Pleasantly surprised with how good the writing experience at medium.com is. If the tooling didn't make formatting good looking content so easy, I would have given up on this publication long ago. Thanks +Dan Pupius!
Pleasantly surprised with how good the writing experience at medium.com is. If the tooling didn't make formatting good looking content so easy, I would have given up on this publication long ago. Thanks +Dan Pupius!
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Realtime indoor cycling competitions. Sounds like good winter fun!
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Epic collection is epic.
Here's the long version of my Top 50 (+10) Albums of 2013 list with descriptions, genres, and best songs from each. The raw list is below that. All Access playlist here: http://goo.gl/BAj735
60. A$AP Rocky - LongLiveA$AP
Genre: Hip-Hop
To be honest after Rocky’s debut, this album comes across as a bit of a disappointment. The production isn’t as fresh and Rocky sounds a bit lazy. However, it snuck on the list on the addictiveness of my two favorite tracks and for housing a couple of great Kendrick verses.
Best songs: Fucking Problems, 1 Train
59. Of Montreal - Lousy with Sylvianbriar
Genre: Psych-rock
Of Montreal are pretty polarizing, but they’ll always have a special place in my heart for Hissing Fauna, one of my favorite albums of the 2000s. This new direction of fuzzed out 70s psych-rock is an interesting one.
Best songs: Obsidian Currents, Belle Glade Missionaries
58. Migos - YRN
Genre: Trap Hip-Hop
This would have been my favorite album of the year when I was in 8th grade. It’s young kids having fun and making really catchy tracks. I’d be shocked if you don’t have Hannah Montana or Versace stuck in your head after a listen.
Best songs: Versace, Hannah Montana
57. Toro Y Moi - Anything in Return
Genre: Chillwave
Even though chillwave is no where near its peak from a couple of years ago, Chaz is still making smooth beats that blur the line between smooth R&B and modern chillwave.
Best songs: Harm in Charge, Say That
56. A$AP Ferg - Trap Lord
Genre: Hip-Hop
When I first heard a track featuring Ferg, I thought he was terrible. It was kind of clear that the A$AP mob relied mostly on Rocky for anything interesting. Someone suggested this album to me, and I was stunned that not only was it good but now Ferg was bringing it harder than Rocky. Go figure.
Best songs: Shabba, Lord
55. Dillinger Escape Plan - One of Us is the Killer
Genre: Mathcore/Metal
DEP has had quite a solid run over the years. I saw them back in 2002 and it’s amazing that they are still churning out good record after good record. Loud and technical as ever.
Best Songs: Prancer, One of Us is the Killer
54. Daft Punk - Random Access Memories
Genre: French House
At first I was really disappointed by this record, and then I realized that I’ve never really loved a Daft Punk record. Alive 2007 was the only album I really liked of theirs most of the way through and that’s because it’s a greatest hits essentially. There are a few stand out tracks that put it higher on my list, but there were also a good bit of clunkers.
Best Songs: Get Lucky, Doin’ It Right
53. Young Dreams - Between Places
Genre: Indie Pop/Rock
These guys sound like a mix between the Beach Boys and the Ruby Suns (a lot like the Ruby Suns). Great music to chill to poolside.
Best Songs: Wounded Hearts Forever, Fog of War
52. Russian Circles - Memorial
Genre: Post-metal/Instrumental
These guys sure know how to get a lot of soundscape from their guitars. I’m nowhere near as into post-rock as I used to be, but this album was downright catchy. Really fun to read sci-fi or play sci-fi board games and listen to simultaneously.
Best Songs: Deficit, 1777
51. Jagwar Ma - Howlin
Genre: Dancey Alt/Indie
Really groovy bass lines drive some catchy indie rock tracks. They kinda remind me of a dancier Alt-J or a less synthy Cut Copy.
Best Songs: Uncertainty, The Throw
50. Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr - The Speed of Things
Genre: Alt/Indie
I never really got into these guys before, but for some reason the new album did it for me. It’s like a mix of Vampire Weekend, Geographer and a little bit of Reptar.
Best Songs: A Haunting, War Zone
49. !!! - Thri!!!er
Genre: Dance-Rock
The sassy Sacramento band is back with another album of funky dance-rock. Not quite up to par with previous efforts, but still funky as hell.
Best Songs: One Boy/One Girl
48. The Weeknd - Kiss Land
Genre: Spacey R&B
The Weeknd rekindled my love of R&B with House of Balloons in 2011. His two follow-up mixtapes were also solidly moody and atmospheric R&B records. His first major release post-trilogy is a drop in quality, but has enough good production and MJ-esque vocal flourishes to please R&B fans.
Best Songs: The Town, Professional
47. Pusha T - My Name is My Name
Genre: Hip-Hop
It’s not Hell Hath No Fury, but Pusha did a pretty nice job bringing it and there’s some outstanding production to be had as well.
Best Songs: Numbers on the Board, King Push
46. Savages - Silence Yourself
Genre: Punchy rock with female vocals
Pretty good Sleater-Kinney replacement album. A little darker in sound, but still with the same punchiness.
Best Songs: Shut Up, Husbands
45. Kavinsky - Outrun
Genre: Electronic, Soundtracks
Yes this entire album sounds like the beginning of the Drive soundtrack. Put it on, grab your blue-bockers and your Member’s Only jacket, and head out for a drive in your Delorean.
Best Songs: Nightcall, Rampage
44. The National - Trouble Will Find Me
Genre: Adult Indie Rock
This wasn’t as immediate as Alligator or Boxer, but there are still a lot of good tracks. If you know or like The National, this won’t surprise or disappoint.
Best Songs: Don’t Swallow the Cap, Pink Rabbits
43. Death Grips - Government Plates
Genre: Experimental Hip-Hop
Death Grips probably have more in common with punk than hip-hop. This album is aggresssssssive as hell and sometimes you feel like the drumming and vocals are punching you in the gut in a good way.
Best Songs: This is Violence Now, Government Plates
42. Juicy J - Stay Trippy
Genre: Hip-Hop
You know what you are getting into when it comes to Juicy J: lots of songs about drinking purple and watching strippers. While the album gets a little repetitive in spots, when the bangers hit, they hit hard.
Best Songs: Bandz a Make Her Dance, Scholarship
41. Rhye - Woman
Genre: R&B/Soul
This dude sounds a lot like Sade, and I promise that’s not a bad thing.
Best Songs: The Fall, Open
40. Grouplove - Spreading Rumours
Genre: Poppy Indie Rock
The album starts off with such promise, but Grouplove has a tendency to get a little too cutesy and annoying later on. Still, a good bit of fun catchiness for folks who like the club bands (Bombay Bicycle or Two Door Cinema).
Best Songs: I’m With You, Ways To Go
39. TWIABPAIANLATD - Whenever, If Ever
Genre: Emo
This album really brings me back to high school. It reminds me a ton of the big sounds of Thursday’s Full Collapse and will appeal to anyone who ever liked that big American Emo sound.
Best Songs: Blank #9, You Will Never Go To Space
38. Sam Amidon - Bright Sunny South
Genre: Indie Folk
In the vein of Tallest Man on Earth and other such Dylan descendants, Bright Sunny South is my favorite thing Sam Amidon has done. Makes for a really nice fall/winter listen.
Best Songs: Bright Sunny South, My Old Friend
37. 2Chainz - BOATS II
Genre: Hip-hop
Waaaaaaay better than it has any right being. I wrote off 2Chainz as a funny guest star who would be good for a few memorable lines, but the production value on this album is really high and 2Chainz brings it.
Best Songs: Feds Watching, Mainstream Ratchet
36. The Field - Cupid’s Head
Genre: Ambient Electronic
Repetitive and mellow, The Field makes tunes for studying or taking naps.
Best Songs: Black Sea, A Guided Tour
35. Forest Swords - Engravings
Genre: Drone Rock
This album sounds like a samurai ghost traveling through the woods. Take that any way you’d like.
Best Songs: Thor’s Stone, The Weight of Gold
34. La Vida Boheme - Sera
Genre: LatAm Indie Rock
Venezuelan indie rockers make a great album but can’t really figure out what exactly their sound is. On some tracks they channel At The Drive-in, but other tracks are all over the map. Still a fun and upbeat listen.
Best Songs: Hornos Del Cal, La Vida Mejor
33. Man Man - On Oni Pond
Genre: Funky Indie Rock
My favorite live band brings back some of the oddness of their early works but makes it way more accessible.
Best Songs: Pyramids, Pink Wonton
32. Tim Hecker - Virgins
Genre: Ambient, Experimental
Tim Hecker makes weird music. This album is like the creepy brother of the new Oneohtrix Point Never album.
Best Songs: Virginal I, Stab Variations
31. Jason Isbell - Southeastern
Genre: Southern Rock, Country
Isbell is the lead singer of the Drive-By-Truckers, and this is his post-alcoholism solo album. This is country music for people who think they hate country (aka pop-country). Raw emotion and beautiful lyrics abound.
Best Songs: Elephant, Cover Me Up, Live Oak
30. Marnie Stern - Chronicles of Marnia
Genre: Female Shredding Math rock
Marnie shreds. Marnie yelps. Marnie goes balls to the wall. She’s always been awesome at technicality and speed, but this album brings a new catchiness to her sound.
Best Songs: Chronicles of Marnia, You Don’t Turn Down
29. Baths - Obsidian
Genre: Electronic, Experimental
One guy, one synth setup, lots of unique sounds. Really emotional album.
Best Songs: Miasma Sky, Phaedra
28. Classixx - Hanging Gardens
Genre: Dance/Electro
This is the electronic album for people who want that “One More Time” sound missing from the current Daft Punk release.
Best Songs: Hanging Gardens, I’ll Get You
27. James Blake - Overgrown
Genre: Soulful Electronic
James Blake’s voice is super soulful and sounds a little bit weird over his UK dubstep beats. Half the tracks are a bit too slow for me, but when James Blake is on, his songs are incredible and sound like no one else.
Best Songs: Life Round Here, Retrograde
26. bEEdEEgEE - SUM/ONE
Genre: Spacey Indie Electro
Brian DeGraw is in Gang Gang Dance, and when listening to his side project, you can tell which sounds from GGD come from him. Lots of spacey keyboards and catchy beats. Great guest appearance from the lead singer of Hot Chip on FUTD.
Best Songs: FUTD Waste of Time, Empty Vases
25. Gris - A L'Âme Enflammée, L'Âme Constellée
Genre: Epic Black Metal
While Deafheaven had a better release, this album struck me instantly. It’s a massive 80-minute black metal extravaganza that fills in a nice void while I wait for a new Agalloch release.
Best Songs: Les Forge, Igneus
24. Chance the Rapper - Acid Rap
Genre: Hip-Hop
Since this is not on subscription services but is a free mixtape, do yourself a favor and pick this up. Chance is a great rapper with a unique voice who may or may not say “Na na na na na” a few too many times.
Best Songs: Cocoa Butter Kisses, Favorite Song
23. Oneohtrix Point Never - R Plus 7
Genre: Weird Electronic
Grab the best pair of headphones you have and give this album a listen. The wild soundscapes and interesting electronic elements OPN layers here are quite an auditory treat.
Best Songs: Boring Angel, Americans
22. Local Natives - Hummingbird
Genre: Indie Rock
While Hummingbird is a good deal mellower than Local Native’s debut album, the whole thing is consistent and still brings some memorable ,catchy tracks.
Best Songs: Columbia, Bowery
21. Frightened Rabbit - Pedestrian Verse
Genre: Scottish Indie Rock
Better than Winter of Mixed Drinks but not as good as Midnight Organ Fight (though as one of my top 5 albums of the 2000s, that’s a tough feat). Some real winners here though doesn’t feel as thematically consistent as prior efforts. I’m shocked “Woodpile” didn’t launch these guys into popular rock radio this year.
Best Songs: Woodpile, State Hospital
20. Olafur Arnalds - For Now I am Winter
Genre: Icelandic Ambient Electronica
If Sigur Ros make soundtracks to the Aurora Borealis in Iceland, Olafur makes the soundtrack to lone floating icebergs. Lots of sparse and beautiful electronic compositions here.
Best Songs: Old Skin, For Now I Am Winter
19. San Fermin - San Fermin
Genre: Indie Rock
The lead singer sounds exactly like the guy from The National. Luckily they aim to be more than a National rip-off and do a lot with their horns and female vocalist.
Best Songs: The Count, Casanova
18. Justin Timberlake - 20/20 Experience Part 1
Genre: Pop
Just pretend Part 2 didn’t come out in 2013 and enjoy the comeback album of the year. Lots of signature Timbaland beats and Timberlake bleats make for a real pleasant surprise.
Best Songs: Don’t Hold the Wall, Tunnel Vision
17. Typhoon - White Lighter
Genre: Indie Rock
It’s apropos that these guys follow Arcade Fire in my list. 11 band members, huge indie rock sound, horns and violins make this a great sounding release.
Best Songs: The Lake, Dreams of Cannibalism
16. Arcade Fire - Reflektor
Genre: Indie Rock
My current Arcade Fire album ranking is Funeral > Reflektor > Neon Bible > Suburbs. Reflektor didn’t start there, but after 5 listens it really stuck. Great album for their canon.
Best Songs: Afterlife, Reflektor
15. Moonface - Julia With Blue Jeans On
Genre: Piano, Indie
Spencer Krug from Wolf Parade uses the Moonface moniker to do more experimental solo stuff. This album is just Spencer playing piano and singing, but it works because he’s a musical genius.
Best Songs: Everyone is Noah, Love the House You’re In
14. Fuck Buttons - Slow Focus
Genre: Drone-rock, Instrumental
Another year, another Fuck Buttons album in my top 20. These two guys really can do no wrong in my eye. While it doesn’t flow quite as well as Tarot Sport, Slow Focus still brings the unique drone sounds that you expect.
Best Songs: Sentients, Brainfreeze
13. Deafheaven - Sunbather
Genre: Metal, Post-metal
So happy that these dudes are from SF. This is one of the best metal releases in the past few years. It’s a combination of noisy shoegaze and metal and is incredible.
Best Songs: Dream House, The Pecan Tree
12. Darkside - Psychic
Genre: Downtempo electronic
A beautiful album that’s a real grower. Jaar knows how to make some beautiful sounds, and he puts all his talent to good work here.
Best Songs: Heart, The Only Shrine I’ve Seen
11. Volcano Choir - Repave
Genre: Bon Iver
I’m a huge Justin Vernon fanboy. Bon Iver was my record of the year two years ago and I love everything he does with Kanye. Volcano Choir is his side-project, and it certainly fits in nicely with the Bon Iver canon.
Best Songs: Byegone, Tidewaves
10. Phosphorescent - Muchacho
Genre: Indie Folk
Phosphorescent manages to be at once a more stripped down version of today’s bajo-heavy neo-folk, while simultaneously getting some pretty big sounds out of his band.
Best Songs: Song for Zula, Quotidian Beasts
9. Run The Jewels - Run The Jewels
Genre: Hip-Hop
Killer Mike owns. El-P owns. Run the Jewels is their super group and guess what: it owns too. Killer Mike is perfectly at home over El-P’s production and the guys have really complimentary flows.
Best Songs: Run The Jewels, Banana Clipper
8. CHVRCHES - The Bones of what you Believe
Genre: Pop/Electronic
I didn’t like their EP at all, but the album really did it for me. It’s like a less meandering M83 with a Scottish girl for a lead singer. Their sound is huge and sugary and while I have no clue what a lot of their lyrics mean, they certainly stick with you.
Best Songs: Mother We Share, Night Sky, Tether
(Get it free for a limited time here: http://goo.gl/UpulIS)
7. Vampire Weekend - Modern Vampires of the City
Genre: Indie Pop/Rock
Vampire Weekend is growing up with me. I loved their debut because it was light and catchy and a little cheesy and fun. This album seems similar but the VW guys are really starting to experiment with sounds and what constitutes pop music.
Best Songs: Step, Hannah Hunt
6. Haim - Days Are Gone
Genre: Female Pop/Rock
Goddamn this record is an earworm. Yeah at times it ventures a little too close to Wilson-Phillips territory, but I don’t care. It’s fun and the band is three sisters (like Hanson) and they make you want to dance around in your pajamas.
Best Songs: Falling, If I Could Change Your Mind, Forever
5. The Knife - Shaking the Habitual
Genre: Electronic
Hey guys, The Knife here. Yeah it’s been like 6 years since our last album but don’t worry, our newest album is like 100 minutes long and has some of the catchiest and least catchy songs we’ve ever done. Fans of ours will love it, and frankly we don’t give a shit about anyone else. Enjoy the 17-minute long drone track in the middle of the record jerks!
Best Songs: A Tooth for an Eye, Full of Fire, Raging Lung
4. Kanye West - Yeezus
Genre: Kanye
Do I need to talk about this Kanye or this album? No artist is talked about or scrutinized anywhere near what Kanye is. Love or hate him, the guy is a production genius. The first time I listened to Yeezus I was stunned. The albums bounces between catchy and cacophonous, yet Kanye is making rap that no one else is close to touching in terms of sounds and production. For god’s sake my favorite song uses a Nina Simone sample about black men being hung and combines it with an incredible horn sample from the electronic group TNGHT and lyrics about overly-attached women. It’s appalling and amazing.
Best Songs: Blood on the Leaves, New Slaves, I’m In It
(Get it for free for a limited time here: http://goo.gl/muwc4)
3. Autre Ne Veut - Anxiety
Genre: Weird R&B?
Definitely my favorite album of the first half of 2013. I’m a big fan of Rhye, How To Dress Well and Inc who are all putting their own unique spin on R&B. Autre Ne Veut is doing some wild things as well. His sound is a little bit 80s (like Twin Shadow) and a little bit R&B crooning. Hard to describe but really catchy.
Best Songs: Play By Play, Ego Free Sex Free, Warning
2. Disclosure - Settle
Genre: Electronic
Holy shit what a debut album. These British brothers can really get some great sounds out of their setup. They took a sample of a hip-hop preacher from YouTube and turned it into pure gold in the form of “When a Fire Starts to Burn”. The whole album is fantastic and is my favorite electronic album since SBTRKT. Further proof that you don’t need predictable drops to make some real bangers.
Best Songs: When a Fire Starts to Burn, White Noise, You & Me
1. Danny Brown - Old
Genre: Hip-Hop
Fitting that in a year where I fell in love with hip-hop again (and subsequently listened to a TON of it), a hip-hop record would be my favorite. I’ve always liked Danny Brown as a crazy, drug-fueled rapper with a weird voice, and felt he filled my ODB void but didn’t elevate himself to anything more. Old absolutely changed that opinion. It’s a two-sided concept album with Side A being more traditional hip-hop telling the story of a rough upbringing in Detroit. Side B starts with a Final Fantasy inspired Rustie beat and then goes into 100% over-the-top party/drug rap.
On first listen, I thought Side B was insane fun and Side A was a tad boring. Then Side A grew on me, and soon enough I favored the first half for its story and production. The concept as a whole is perfect and actually works wonders for a full start to finish listen. Even though the record came out in the fall, it has more plays than any other album this year for me.
Best Songs: (Side A) 25 Bucks, Lonely; (Side B) Dip, Smokin and Drinkin
Short list:
60. A$AP Rocky - LongLiveA$AP
59. Of Montreal - Lousy with Sylvianbriar
58. Migos - YRN
57. Toro Y Moi - Anything in Return
56. A$AP Ferg - Trap Lord
55. Dillinger Escape Plan - One of Us is the Killer
54. Daft Punk - Random Access Memories
53. Young Dreams - Between Places
52. Russian Circles - Memorial
51. Jagwar Ma - Howlin
50. Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr - The Speed of Things
49. !!! - Thri!!!er
48. The Weeknd - Kiss Land
47. Pusha T - My Name is My Name
46. Savages - Silence Yourself
45. Kavinsky - Outrun
44. The National - Trouble Will Find Me
43. Death Grips - Government Plates
42. Juicy J - Stay Trippy
41. Rhye - Woman
40. Grouplove - Spreading Rumours
39. TWIABPAIANLATD - Whenever, If Ever
38. Sam Amidon - Bright Sunny South
37. 2Chainz - BOATS II
36. The Field - Cupid’s Head
35. Forest Swords - Engravings
34. La Vida Boheme - Sera
33. Man Man - On Oni Pond
32. Tim Hecker - Virgins
31. Jason Isbell - Southeastern
30. Marnie Stern - Chronicles of Marnia
29. Baths - Obsidian
28. Classixx - Hanging Gardens
27. James Blake - Overgrown
26. bEEdEEgEE - SUM/ONE
25. Gris - A L'Âme Enflammée, L'Âme Constellée
24. Chance the Rapper - Acid Rap
23. Oneohtrix Point Never - R Plus 7
22. Local Natives - Hummingbird
21. Frightened Rabbit - Pedestrian Verse
20. Olafur Arnalds - For Now I am Winter
19. San Fermin - San Fermin
18. Justin Timberlake - 20/20 Experience Part 1
17. Typhoon - White Lighter
16. Arcade Fire - Reflektor
15. Moonface - Julia With Blue Jeans On
14. Fuck Buttons - Slow Focus
13. Deafheaven - Sunbather
12. Darkside - Psychic
11. Volcano Choir - Repave
10. Phosphorescent - Muchacho
9. Run The Jewels - Run The Jewels
8. CHVRCHES - The Bones of what you Believe
7. Vampire Weekend - Modern Vampires of the City
6. Haim - Days Are Gone
5. The Knife - Shaking the Habitual
4. Kanye West - Yeezus
3. Autre Ne Veut - Anxiety
2. Disclosure - Settle
1. Danny Brown - Old
60. A$AP Rocky - LongLiveA$AP
Genre: Hip-Hop
To be honest after Rocky’s debut, this album comes across as a bit of a disappointment. The production isn’t as fresh and Rocky sounds a bit lazy. However, it snuck on the list on the addictiveness of my two favorite tracks and for housing a couple of great Kendrick verses.
Best songs: Fucking Problems, 1 Train
59. Of Montreal - Lousy with Sylvianbriar
Genre: Psych-rock
Of Montreal are pretty polarizing, but they’ll always have a special place in my heart for Hissing Fauna, one of my favorite albums of the 2000s. This new direction of fuzzed out 70s psych-rock is an interesting one.
Best songs: Obsidian Currents, Belle Glade Missionaries
58. Migos - YRN
Genre: Trap Hip-Hop
This would have been my favorite album of the year when I was in 8th grade. It’s young kids having fun and making really catchy tracks. I’d be shocked if you don’t have Hannah Montana or Versace stuck in your head after a listen.
Best songs: Versace, Hannah Montana
57. Toro Y Moi - Anything in Return
Genre: Chillwave
Even though chillwave is no where near its peak from a couple of years ago, Chaz is still making smooth beats that blur the line between smooth R&B and modern chillwave.
Best songs: Harm in Charge, Say That
56. A$AP Ferg - Trap Lord
Genre: Hip-Hop
When I first heard a track featuring Ferg, I thought he was terrible. It was kind of clear that the A$AP mob relied mostly on Rocky for anything interesting. Someone suggested this album to me, and I was stunned that not only was it good but now Ferg was bringing it harder than Rocky. Go figure.
Best songs: Shabba, Lord
55. Dillinger Escape Plan - One of Us is the Killer
Genre: Mathcore/Metal
DEP has had quite a solid run over the years. I saw them back in 2002 and it’s amazing that they are still churning out good record after good record. Loud and technical as ever.
Best Songs: Prancer, One of Us is the Killer
54. Daft Punk - Random Access Memories
Genre: French House
At first I was really disappointed by this record, and then I realized that I’ve never really loved a Daft Punk record. Alive 2007 was the only album I really liked of theirs most of the way through and that’s because it’s a greatest hits essentially. There are a few stand out tracks that put it higher on my list, but there were also a good bit of clunkers.
Best Songs: Get Lucky, Doin’ It Right
53. Young Dreams - Between Places
Genre: Indie Pop/Rock
These guys sound like a mix between the Beach Boys and the Ruby Suns (a lot like the Ruby Suns). Great music to chill to poolside.
Best Songs: Wounded Hearts Forever, Fog of War
52. Russian Circles - Memorial
Genre: Post-metal/Instrumental
These guys sure know how to get a lot of soundscape from their guitars. I’m nowhere near as into post-rock as I used to be, but this album was downright catchy. Really fun to read sci-fi or play sci-fi board games and listen to simultaneously.
Best Songs: Deficit, 1777
51. Jagwar Ma - Howlin
Genre: Dancey Alt/Indie
Really groovy bass lines drive some catchy indie rock tracks. They kinda remind me of a dancier Alt-J or a less synthy Cut Copy.
Best Songs: Uncertainty, The Throw
50. Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr - The Speed of Things
Genre: Alt/Indie
I never really got into these guys before, but for some reason the new album did it for me. It’s like a mix of Vampire Weekend, Geographer and a little bit of Reptar.
Best Songs: A Haunting, War Zone
49. !!! - Thri!!!er
Genre: Dance-Rock
The sassy Sacramento band is back with another album of funky dance-rock. Not quite up to par with previous efforts, but still funky as hell.
Best Songs: One Boy/One Girl
48. The Weeknd - Kiss Land
Genre: Spacey R&B
The Weeknd rekindled my love of R&B with House of Balloons in 2011. His two follow-up mixtapes were also solidly moody and atmospheric R&B records. His first major release post-trilogy is a drop in quality, but has enough good production and MJ-esque vocal flourishes to please R&B fans.
Best Songs: The Town, Professional
47. Pusha T - My Name is My Name
Genre: Hip-Hop
It’s not Hell Hath No Fury, but Pusha did a pretty nice job bringing it and there’s some outstanding production to be had as well.
Best Songs: Numbers on the Board, King Push
46. Savages - Silence Yourself
Genre: Punchy rock with female vocals
Pretty good Sleater-Kinney replacement album. A little darker in sound, but still with the same punchiness.
Best Songs: Shut Up, Husbands
45. Kavinsky - Outrun
Genre: Electronic, Soundtracks
Yes this entire album sounds like the beginning of the Drive soundtrack. Put it on, grab your blue-bockers and your Member’s Only jacket, and head out for a drive in your Delorean.
Best Songs: Nightcall, Rampage
44. The National - Trouble Will Find Me
Genre: Adult Indie Rock
This wasn’t as immediate as Alligator or Boxer, but there are still a lot of good tracks. If you know or like The National, this won’t surprise or disappoint.
Best Songs: Don’t Swallow the Cap, Pink Rabbits
43. Death Grips - Government Plates
Genre: Experimental Hip-Hop
Death Grips probably have more in common with punk than hip-hop. This album is aggresssssssive as hell and sometimes you feel like the drumming and vocals are punching you in the gut in a good way.
Best Songs: This is Violence Now, Government Plates
42. Juicy J - Stay Trippy
Genre: Hip-Hop
You know what you are getting into when it comes to Juicy J: lots of songs about drinking purple and watching strippers. While the album gets a little repetitive in spots, when the bangers hit, they hit hard.
Best Songs: Bandz a Make Her Dance, Scholarship
41. Rhye - Woman
Genre: R&B/Soul
This dude sounds a lot like Sade, and I promise that’s not a bad thing.
Best Songs: The Fall, Open
40. Grouplove - Spreading Rumours
Genre: Poppy Indie Rock
The album starts off with such promise, but Grouplove has a tendency to get a little too cutesy and annoying later on. Still, a good bit of fun catchiness for folks who like the club bands (Bombay Bicycle or Two Door Cinema).
Best Songs: I’m With You, Ways To Go
39. TWIABPAIANLATD - Whenever, If Ever
Genre: Emo
This album really brings me back to high school. It reminds me a ton of the big sounds of Thursday’s Full Collapse and will appeal to anyone who ever liked that big American Emo sound.
Best Songs: Blank #9, You Will Never Go To Space
38. Sam Amidon - Bright Sunny South
Genre: Indie Folk
In the vein of Tallest Man on Earth and other such Dylan descendants, Bright Sunny South is my favorite thing Sam Amidon has done. Makes for a really nice fall/winter listen.
Best Songs: Bright Sunny South, My Old Friend
37. 2Chainz - BOATS II
Genre: Hip-hop
Waaaaaaay better than it has any right being. I wrote off 2Chainz as a funny guest star who would be good for a few memorable lines, but the production value on this album is really high and 2Chainz brings it.
Best Songs: Feds Watching, Mainstream Ratchet
36. The Field - Cupid’s Head
Genre: Ambient Electronic
Repetitive and mellow, The Field makes tunes for studying or taking naps.
Best Songs: Black Sea, A Guided Tour
35. Forest Swords - Engravings
Genre: Drone Rock
This album sounds like a samurai ghost traveling through the woods. Take that any way you’d like.
Best Songs: Thor’s Stone, The Weight of Gold
34. La Vida Boheme - Sera
Genre: LatAm Indie Rock
Venezuelan indie rockers make a great album but can’t really figure out what exactly their sound is. On some tracks they channel At The Drive-in, but other tracks are all over the map. Still a fun and upbeat listen.
Best Songs: Hornos Del Cal, La Vida Mejor
33. Man Man - On Oni Pond
Genre: Funky Indie Rock
My favorite live band brings back some of the oddness of their early works but makes it way more accessible.
Best Songs: Pyramids, Pink Wonton
32. Tim Hecker - Virgins
Genre: Ambient, Experimental
Tim Hecker makes weird music. This album is like the creepy brother of the new Oneohtrix Point Never album.
Best Songs: Virginal I, Stab Variations
31. Jason Isbell - Southeastern
Genre: Southern Rock, Country
Isbell is the lead singer of the Drive-By-Truckers, and this is his post-alcoholism solo album. This is country music for people who think they hate country (aka pop-country). Raw emotion and beautiful lyrics abound.
Best Songs: Elephant, Cover Me Up, Live Oak
30. Marnie Stern - Chronicles of Marnia
Genre: Female Shredding Math rock
Marnie shreds. Marnie yelps. Marnie goes balls to the wall. She’s always been awesome at technicality and speed, but this album brings a new catchiness to her sound.
Best Songs: Chronicles of Marnia, You Don’t Turn Down
29. Baths - Obsidian
Genre: Electronic, Experimental
One guy, one synth setup, lots of unique sounds. Really emotional album.
Best Songs: Miasma Sky, Phaedra
28. Classixx - Hanging Gardens
Genre: Dance/Electro
This is the electronic album for people who want that “One More Time” sound missing from the current Daft Punk release.
Best Songs: Hanging Gardens, I’ll Get You
27. James Blake - Overgrown
Genre: Soulful Electronic
James Blake’s voice is super soulful and sounds a little bit weird over his UK dubstep beats. Half the tracks are a bit too slow for me, but when James Blake is on, his songs are incredible and sound like no one else.
Best Songs: Life Round Here, Retrograde
26. bEEdEEgEE - SUM/ONE
Genre: Spacey Indie Electro
Brian DeGraw is in Gang Gang Dance, and when listening to his side project, you can tell which sounds from GGD come from him. Lots of spacey keyboards and catchy beats. Great guest appearance from the lead singer of Hot Chip on FUTD.
Best Songs: FUTD Waste of Time, Empty Vases
25. Gris - A L'Âme Enflammée, L'Âme Constellée
Genre: Epic Black Metal
While Deafheaven had a better release, this album struck me instantly. It’s a massive 80-minute black metal extravaganza that fills in a nice void while I wait for a new Agalloch release.
Best Songs: Les Forge, Igneus
24. Chance the Rapper - Acid Rap
Genre: Hip-Hop
Since this is not on subscription services but is a free mixtape, do yourself a favor and pick this up. Chance is a great rapper with a unique voice who may or may not say “Na na na na na” a few too many times.
Best Songs: Cocoa Butter Kisses, Favorite Song
23. Oneohtrix Point Never - R Plus 7
Genre: Weird Electronic
Grab the best pair of headphones you have and give this album a listen. The wild soundscapes and interesting electronic elements OPN layers here are quite an auditory treat.
Best Songs: Boring Angel, Americans
22. Local Natives - Hummingbird
Genre: Indie Rock
While Hummingbird is a good deal mellower than Local Native’s debut album, the whole thing is consistent and still brings some memorable ,catchy tracks.
Best Songs: Columbia, Bowery
21. Frightened Rabbit - Pedestrian Verse
Genre: Scottish Indie Rock
Better than Winter of Mixed Drinks but not as good as Midnight Organ Fight (though as one of my top 5 albums of the 2000s, that’s a tough feat). Some real winners here though doesn’t feel as thematically consistent as prior efforts. I’m shocked “Woodpile” didn’t launch these guys into popular rock radio this year.
Best Songs: Woodpile, State Hospital
20. Olafur Arnalds - For Now I am Winter
Genre: Icelandic Ambient Electronica
If Sigur Ros make soundtracks to the Aurora Borealis in Iceland, Olafur makes the soundtrack to lone floating icebergs. Lots of sparse and beautiful electronic compositions here.
Best Songs: Old Skin, For Now I Am Winter
19. San Fermin - San Fermin
Genre: Indie Rock
The lead singer sounds exactly like the guy from The National. Luckily they aim to be more than a National rip-off and do a lot with their horns and female vocalist.
Best Songs: The Count, Casanova
18. Justin Timberlake - 20/20 Experience Part 1
Genre: Pop
Just pretend Part 2 didn’t come out in 2013 and enjoy the comeback album of the year. Lots of signature Timbaland beats and Timberlake bleats make for a real pleasant surprise.
Best Songs: Don’t Hold the Wall, Tunnel Vision
17. Typhoon - White Lighter
Genre: Indie Rock
It’s apropos that these guys follow Arcade Fire in my list. 11 band members, huge indie rock sound, horns and violins make this a great sounding release.
Best Songs: The Lake, Dreams of Cannibalism
16. Arcade Fire - Reflektor
Genre: Indie Rock
My current Arcade Fire album ranking is Funeral > Reflektor > Neon Bible > Suburbs. Reflektor didn’t start there, but after 5 listens it really stuck. Great album for their canon.
Best Songs: Afterlife, Reflektor
15. Moonface - Julia With Blue Jeans On
Genre: Piano, Indie
Spencer Krug from Wolf Parade uses the Moonface moniker to do more experimental solo stuff. This album is just Spencer playing piano and singing, but it works because he’s a musical genius.
Best Songs: Everyone is Noah, Love the House You’re In
14. Fuck Buttons - Slow Focus
Genre: Drone-rock, Instrumental
Another year, another Fuck Buttons album in my top 20. These two guys really can do no wrong in my eye. While it doesn’t flow quite as well as Tarot Sport, Slow Focus still brings the unique drone sounds that you expect.
Best Songs: Sentients, Brainfreeze
13. Deafheaven - Sunbather
Genre: Metal, Post-metal
So happy that these dudes are from SF. This is one of the best metal releases in the past few years. It’s a combination of noisy shoegaze and metal and is incredible.
Best Songs: Dream House, The Pecan Tree
12. Darkside - Psychic
Genre: Downtempo electronic
A beautiful album that’s a real grower. Jaar knows how to make some beautiful sounds, and he puts all his talent to good work here.
Best Songs: Heart, The Only Shrine I’ve Seen
11. Volcano Choir - Repave
Genre: Bon Iver
I’m a huge Justin Vernon fanboy. Bon Iver was my record of the year two years ago and I love everything he does with Kanye. Volcano Choir is his side-project, and it certainly fits in nicely with the Bon Iver canon.
Best Songs: Byegone, Tidewaves
10. Phosphorescent - Muchacho
Genre: Indie Folk
Phosphorescent manages to be at once a more stripped down version of today’s bajo-heavy neo-folk, while simultaneously getting some pretty big sounds out of his band.
Best Songs: Song for Zula, Quotidian Beasts
9. Run The Jewels - Run The Jewels
Genre: Hip-Hop
Killer Mike owns. El-P owns. Run the Jewels is their super group and guess what: it owns too. Killer Mike is perfectly at home over El-P’s production and the guys have really complimentary flows.
Best Songs: Run The Jewels, Banana Clipper
8. CHVRCHES - The Bones of what you Believe
Genre: Pop/Electronic
I didn’t like their EP at all, but the album really did it for me. It’s like a less meandering M83 with a Scottish girl for a lead singer. Their sound is huge and sugary and while I have no clue what a lot of their lyrics mean, they certainly stick with you.
Best Songs: Mother We Share, Night Sky, Tether
(Get it free for a limited time here: http://goo.gl/UpulIS)
7. Vampire Weekend - Modern Vampires of the City
Genre: Indie Pop/Rock
Vampire Weekend is growing up with me. I loved their debut because it was light and catchy and a little cheesy and fun. This album seems similar but the VW guys are really starting to experiment with sounds and what constitutes pop music.
Best Songs: Step, Hannah Hunt
6. Haim - Days Are Gone
Genre: Female Pop/Rock
Goddamn this record is an earworm. Yeah at times it ventures a little too close to Wilson-Phillips territory, but I don’t care. It’s fun and the band is three sisters (like Hanson) and they make you want to dance around in your pajamas.
Best Songs: Falling, If I Could Change Your Mind, Forever
5. The Knife - Shaking the Habitual
Genre: Electronic
Hey guys, The Knife here. Yeah it’s been like 6 years since our last album but don’t worry, our newest album is like 100 minutes long and has some of the catchiest and least catchy songs we’ve ever done. Fans of ours will love it, and frankly we don’t give a shit about anyone else. Enjoy the 17-minute long drone track in the middle of the record jerks!
Best Songs: A Tooth for an Eye, Full of Fire, Raging Lung
4. Kanye West - Yeezus
Genre: Kanye
Do I need to talk about this Kanye or this album? No artist is talked about or scrutinized anywhere near what Kanye is. Love or hate him, the guy is a production genius. The first time I listened to Yeezus I was stunned. The albums bounces between catchy and cacophonous, yet Kanye is making rap that no one else is close to touching in terms of sounds and production. For god’s sake my favorite song uses a Nina Simone sample about black men being hung and combines it with an incredible horn sample from the electronic group TNGHT and lyrics about overly-attached women. It’s appalling and amazing.
Best Songs: Blood on the Leaves, New Slaves, I’m In It
(Get it for free for a limited time here: http://goo.gl/muwc4)
3. Autre Ne Veut - Anxiety
Genre: Weird R&B?
Definitely my favorite album of the first half of 2013. I’m a big fan of Rhye, How To Dress Well and Inc who are all putting their own unique spin on R&B. Autre Ne Veut is doing some wild things as well. His sound is a little bit 80s (like Twin Shadow) and a little bit R&B crooning. Hard to describe but really catchy.
Best Songs: Play By Play, Ego Free Sex Free, Warning
2. Disclosure - Settle
Genre: Electronic
Holy shit what a debut album. These British brothers can really get some great sounds out of their setup. They took a sample of a hip-hop preacher from YouTube and turned it into pure gold in the form of “When a Fire Starts to Burn”. The whole album is fantastic and is my favorite electronic album since SBTRKT. Further proof that you don’t need predictable drops to make some real bangers.
Best Songs: When a Fire Starts to Burn, White Noise, You & Me
1. Danny Brown - Old
Genre: Hip-Hop
Fitting that in a year where I fell in love with hip-hop again (and subsequently listened to a TON of it), a hip-hop record would be my favorite. I’ve always liked Danny Brown as a crazy, drug-fueled rapper with a weird voice, and felt he filled my ODB void but didn’t elevate himself to anything more. Old absolutely changed that opinion. It’s a two-sided concept album with Side A being more traditional hip-hop telling the story of a rough upbringing in Detroit. Side B starts with a Final Fantasy inspired Rustie beat and then goes into 100% over-the-top party/drug rap.
On first listen, I thought Side B was insane fun and Side A was a tad boring. Then Side A grew on me, and soon enough I favored the first half for its story and production. The concept as a whole is perfect and actually works wonders for a full start to finish listen. Even though the record came out in the fall, it has more plays than any other album this year for me.
Best Songs: (Side A) 25 Bucks, Lonely; (Side B) Dip, Smokin and Drinkin
Short list:
60. A$AP Rocky - LongLiveA$AP
59. Of Montreal - Lousy with Sylvianbriar
58. Migos - YRN
57. Toro Y Moi - Anything in Return
56. A$AP Ferg - Trap Lord
55. Dillinger Escape Plan - One of Us is the Killer
54. Daft Punk - Random Access Memories
53. Young Dreams - Between Places
52. Russian Circles - Memorial
51. Jagwar Ma - Howlin
50. Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr - The Speed of Things
49. !!! - Thri!!!er
48. The Weeknd - Kiss Land
47. Pusha T - My Name is My Name
46. Savages - Silence Yourself
45. Kavinsky - Outrun
44. The National - Trouble Will Find Me
43. Death Grips - Government Plates
42. Juicy J - Stay Trippy
41. Rhye - Woman
40. Grouplove - Spreading Rumours
39. TWIABPAIANLATD - Whenever, If Ever
38. Sam Amidon - Bright Sunny South
37. 2Chainz - BOATS II
36. The Field - Cupid’s Head
35. Forest Swords - Engravings
34. La Vida Boheme - Sera
33. Man Man - On Oni Pond
32. Tim Hecker - Virgins
31. Jason Isbell - Southeastern
30. Marnie Stern - Chronicles of Marnia
29. Baths - Obsidian
28. Classixx - Hanging Gardens
27. James Blake - Overgrown
26. bEEdEEgEE - SUM/ONE
25. Gris - A L'Âme Enflammée, L'Âme Constellée
24. Chance the Rapper - Acid Rap
23. Oneohtrix Point Never - R Plus 7
22. Local Natives - Hummingbird
21. Frightened Rabbit - Pedestrian Verse
20. Olafur Arnalds - For Now I am Winter
19. San Fermin - San Fermin
18. Justin Timberlake - 20/20 Experience Part 1
17. Typhoon - White Lighter
16. Arcade Fire - Reflektor
15. Moonface - Julia With Blue Jeans On
14. Fuck Buttons - Slow Focus
13. Deafheaven - Sunbather
12. Darkside - Psychic
11. Volcano Choir - Repave
10. Phosphorescent - Muchacho
9. Run The Jewels - Run The Jewels
8. CHVRCHES - The Bones of what you Believe
7. Vampire Weekend - Modern Vampires of the City
6. Haim - Days Are Gone
5. The Knife - Shaking the Habitual
4. Kanye West - Yeezus
3. Autre Ne Veut - Anxiety
2. Disclosure - Settle
1. Danny Brown - Old
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The letter: B in a setting that I am most familiar with. #markersdaily
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Such an awesome collection of questions and solid, honest answers about this year's presidential contest.
Norvig gives a lucid and date-driven approach to the political race:
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