CoolDad's Last List of 2013: Recorded Stuff

Presented (mostly) Without Comment

The stuff that made an impression on me this year, alphabetical by artist. I reviewed or mentioned most of these at some point in 2013. You can check out what I had to say by clicking either on the "Album Reviews" or "Speak Into My Good Eye" tabs across the top of this page.

What can I say? I listen to lots of guitars and the Crutchfield sisters. Check these all out. Tell me what you think.

I'll be staying in tonight with family and a couple of our very close friends listening to selections from all of these. Have fun. Be safe.

Happy New Year!

Peace.

LPs
The Battery Electric -- Weaving Spiders
Beach Day -- Trip Trap Attack
California X -- California X
Diarrhea Planet -- I'm Rich Beyond Your Wildest Dreams
Kenny Feinstein -- Loveless: Hurts to Love (Cover of My Bloody Valentine's Loveless)
Felled Trees -- Where We Been (Cover of Dinosaur Jr.'s Where You Been)
The Front Bottoms -- Talon of the Hawk
The Great American Novel -- :(
Great Thunder -- Groovy Kinda Love
Harper's Fellow -- Thanks for Tonight
Hilly Eye -- Reasons to Live
Lemuria -- The Distance Is So Big
The Men -- New Moon
Milk Music -- Cruise Your Illusion
Modern Hut -- Generic Treasure
My Bloody Valentine -- mbv
The National -- Trouble Will Find Me
Ovlov -- am
Purling Hiss -- Water on Mars
Radiator Hospital -- Something Wild
Savages -- Silence Yourself
Shellshag -- Shellshag Forever
Sink Tapes -- How You Mean?
The So So Glos -- Blowout
Laura Stevenson -- Wheel
Superchunk -- I Hate Music
Swearin’ -- Surfing Strange
Vampire Weekend -- Modern Vampires of the City
Waxahatchee -- Cerulean Salt
Yo La Tengo -- Fade

EPs 
Rick Barry -- This Postdiluvian World
Bog Iron Bloom -- Welcome to Bears
Crystal Shipsss -- Crystal Shipsss
The Everymen -- Hey Who Wrote These Songs? (A Very Short Tribute to Jonathan Richman)
Farewell Ember -- Poet Season
Great Thunder -- Strange Kicks
Lost Romance -- The Light and the Dark
The Men -- Campfire Songs
Paper Streets -- A Reoccurring Dream
Radiator Hospital -- Mall of America
Screaming Females -- Chalk Tape
Sink Tapes -- Mattress Cowboys
Sleepies -- More Humans
Sunday Guts -- Leave It Go...
Thanks -- The Age of Missing Information
Underwater Country Club -- ep
Various Artists -- Guided By Voices Tribute 7" (Swearin' / Waxahatchee / Screaming Females / Upset)

Guest List: MomVee's Top 15 Musical Experiences of 2013

Final Year-End Guest List (Probably)

Have I mentioned that I've known MomVee since kindergarten? Honestly, outside of my immediate family, she's probably the person I've known the longest with whom I actually keep in touch. Whenever I stop to think about that, I just find it so cool.

Anyway, I had to ask her for a list, and -- lucky for us -- she agreed to give us one. A lover of tradition and holidays, MomVee made a seasonally appropriate list that I saved for today. Her tastes are very different from mine in a lot of ways, which is why these guest lists have been so great.

That brings me to one final point about the lists here at CoolDad Music. These aren't awards. I've tried to use "Favorite" or "My Top" every time -- if I ever used "Best," then it was a slip -- to convey the idea that these are the things that moved me or a particular person this year. Don't worry too much about what doesn't make one list or another. Nobody can or wants to see or hear every possible thing. Instead, go investigate some of the things you've never heard or that fall outside of your comfort zone. You may find something you love.

And in 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6...

My Top 15 Musical Experiences of 2013, in the style of "The Twelve Days of Christmas"

by MomVee

Five Gold Rings: (Albums Of Note): 

I Will Never Be Alone in This Land -- Alex McMurray

I know Alex McMurray personally, but even if I didn't this would be one of my favorite albums of the year, arguably the favorite. Alex has lyrical genius; he can write a hummable tune; and his music is fun. In this album he really came into his own, and you'll hear word and music magic akin to that of Tom Waits, Randy Newman, and John Hiatt, often with a nice funky NOLA flavor á la Dr. John. Standouts: the title track, "Diamonds In Your Hand," "As Long as You Let Me."

The Stand-In -- Caitlin Rose

Caitlin Rose's second LP doesn't have a single-song-repeat ballad as seductive as "Own Side," from her debut; but it does boast 12 solid cuts, some of which rock quite a bit and all of which twang. It's full of pedal steel sound, which regular readers know is the way to my heart. My favorite is "Golden Boy," which boasts the lovely lyric "I'm reaching up if you're still reaching down."

The Lion's Roar -- First Aid Kit

Just in case you think my selections lack diversity, here's an album by Swedish folk duo First Aid Kit...oh, oops. Here's the chorus of my favorite song, "Emmylou" -- "I'll be your Emmylou and I'll be your June / If you'll be my Gram and my Johnny too..." Guess my mother really imprinted me when we listened to WHN on the way to the beach. Not every song on the album has that much country flavor, but they are all good, especially the title cut.

Sing Me The Songs -- Various Artists

The older I get, the more I realize how much influence my parents had on my musical taste. In addition to that early influx of pedal steel via my mother, I heard a lot of Linda Ronstadt and Maria Muldaur spun by my dad. Not only is Caitlin Rose their direct musical descendant, but Ronstadt's version of "Heart Like A Wheel" led my father to the McGarrigle sisters. Sing Me The Songs is a double album recording of the concert tribute to Kate McGarrigle, who died in January 2010. I saw the documentary at Film Forum in August, and I highly recommend it. Standout numbers are "Saratoga Summer Song" by Teddy Thompson (only ever demo'd by Kate and gorgeous), "I Cried For Us" by Rufus Wainwright and Antony, "I Don't Know" by Krystle Warren, and "Proserpina," which starts with a rough recording found on Kate's laptop and ends up with the whole familiy singing. I could easily pick a dozen more.

Out Of The Game -- Rufus Wainwright

Related, Rufus Wainwright is the princely offspring of Kate McGarrigle and fellow folk royal Loudon Wainwright III. Sadly, I fear Rufus can never again approach the greatness of his 2003 album Want One, but this one comes pretty close. The title track is a lot of fun, and the closer, "Candles," is a beautiful tribute to his mother.

Four Calling Birds (Pop Hits Worth Commenting On):

"Cups" -- Anna Kendrick

So, as an a cappella veteran I loved Pitch Perfect but I was a little puzzled at the appearance of "Cups" as a hit single so long after the movie came out. And I'm not the only one. I heard a radio interview with Anna Kendrick in which she expressed surprise -- and a little guilt, I think unfeigned -- at the success of this one-off recorded by a singing actress, not a dues-paying pop star. I have a theory, though. I think the popularity of "Cups" expresses the country's yearning for roots music -- it's a very singable melody and lyric with an obvious mountain music origin, and I think it stands out from the overproduced robot music that crowds the airways. Either that, or it's the cup routine. Little girls love stuff like that.

"True Love" -- Pink

I should probably check out a couple of Pink albums, because I really like a lot of her singles. In the world of Christina Perri (who makes even happiness sound sad), Sara Bareilles (who makes anger sound happy, which is better but still a little off), and Katy Perry (whose persona I think Rob Delaney best encapsulated as "goofy slut") Pink is strikingly honest and oddly wholesome while still being very entertaining and transgressive. She had me at "At the same time, I wanna hug you / I wanna wrap my hands around your neck."

"Mirrors" -- Justin Timberlake

It's the kind of song that makes you wish you could dance, and wish you knew the lyrics so you could sing it better (at least the second part can be remedied). The video is outstanding, in the old tradition of videos encompassing both story and performance. Justin can dance, yo. News to no one but me.

 

"I Love It" -- Icona Pop

I guess this was the year of the Swedish female duo? The first time this came on my car radio I was convinced the Waitresses had a song I had never heard before. Sounded like the 80s to me. But it's new, and tailor-made for tween girls to sing in the back seat.

Three French Hens  (Live Music Events):

Shock Mommies Reunion at the Brighton Bar, West End

Originally scheduled for April, this long-awaited event finally took place in July. I had a complicated relationship with punk music and the New Jersey Hardcore scene in the 80s. That is to say, I enjoyed wearing all black and hanging out in Marine Park in Red Bank, and I had some close friends who brought me fewer than six degrees separate from the legendary greats. I even spent considerable time in a basement in Rumson listening to the rehearsals of a band variously called The Underachievers and Pigs In Space (PIS, get it?). In the end, though, I was an honors student and a drama geek who didn't get out much. So while I was familiar with the Shock Mommies -- their lineup, their shtick, their oeuvre -- and band member Gentleman Jim Norton is a friend to this day, I had *clears throat* never seen them perform before. I'd never been to the Brighton, in fact.

It was awesome. CoolDad's coverage here.

Glenn Tillbrook at The Wonder Bar

I know every word of every song on Squeeze: Singles 45's and Under, and Glenn Tillbrook very kindly sang nearly all of those songs in his gig in October. I had been warned that he didn't do very much Squeeze stuff, and I was fine with that, because I own and love his solo efforts The Incomparable Glenn Tillbrook and Pandemonium Ensues. He did not do my favorite cut from the latter, "Black Sheep," but did write an apology of sorts for that on my autographed CD of the evening's performance.

And CoolDad was there.

Wesley Stace at The Saint

My husband and I love Wesley Stace, but we kind of hate him, too. We want to be Cambridge-educated folk-rock singer/songwriters who are also novelists and variety show hosts. Until we manage that, though, we enjoy living vicariously through him and being entertained by him. We got the chance to chat him up afterwards, and he also turns out to be "supremely intelligent and utterly charming," as the New Yorker observed late in October (link no longer available). Of course.

You may be surprised to learn that CoolDad was present.

Two Turtle Doves (Musicals):

Frozen

Run, don't walk to the multiplex to see Disney's latest. The score isn't the strongest part -- that would be the story, which does for feminist princesses what Brave thought it was doing and totally wasn't. It does, though, feature several strong voices -- including the standout Idina Menzel on the intended-for-the-pop-charts showstopper "Let It Go" -- and a couple of other good tunes. I wasn't humming them as I walked out of the theater, but now my daughters and I can often be found singing "Do You Want to Build a Snowman?" and "Love Is An Open Door." My son is partial to the tribal-sounding choral number "Vuelie," which plays during the opening credits.

Big Fish

I picked this musical almost at random for a family trip to the city in November. My family was profoundly skeptical about every aspect of the weekend I had planned, and while NYC Marathon cheering probably wins as "most surprisingly enjoyable," I think they were all pleasantly surprised by Big Fish, too. Which is why I was surprised to learn that it will close at the end of this month. It's not the best musical I've ever seen, but it's head and shoulders above the Radio City Christmas Spectacular that I suffered through last year; and it's a family-appropriate stagecraft showcase that makes Mommy cry. Isn't that what Broadway is for?

A Partridge in a Pear Tree (One New-to-Me Artist):

Iris DeMent

New York Magazine published a list of 60 Great Albums You Probably Haven't Heard. I owned two of them (well, I did own one on cassette--grrr, cassettes) which seemed respectable. When I posted the link on Facebook more than one person mentioned Iris Dement as an obvious standout, so I checked her out on Spotify. I had definitely heard her version of "Our Town," and "Let The Mystery Be" rang a faint bell as well, but what I really fell in love with was her 2012 album Sing The Delta. "Go On Ahead and Go Home" is one of the most moving songs about death I've ever heard -- certainly the most moving song about death with a Fats-Waller style rolling bass -- and I played it a LOT for a few days. "The Night I Learned How Not To Pray" is also especially good. I look forward to diving deeper into her catalog.

Guest List: Alex Rosen's (The Battery Electric / Hot Blood) Top 10 Local Singles of 2013

Rock Local

Alex Rosen plays bass in The Battery Electric, the band that recently took home 5 Asbury Music Awards, including Top Rock Band and Top Bassist for Mr. Rosen. He also plays guitar in hardcore punk band, Hot Blood. Both acts are on Asbury Park's Little Dickman Records and play relentlessly around the area.

I often see Alex at shows. He's a great guy to talk to over a couple of beverages, and he's not shy about sharing his opinions. That made him a great candidate for a year-end guest list here at CoolDad Music. He came through and provided two things that have been lacking in the lists here so far: a list of favorite local releases and illustrations!

Check out both below, and be sure to check out both of Alex's bands.

Top Local Singles of 2013
by Alex Rosen

"A Less Dense Dimension" -- Trans Charger Metropolis 

I used to see their album free for the taking everywhere I went. Saw it on the bar at the Wonder Bar. Saw it at Jack's Music Shoppe. But I didn't get to hear them until I saw them live at Happy Mondays. Grab a free copy of their album online or in a random location and check out the opening track! It rules!

"Never Scared" -- Modern Chemistry

I met these guys probably like 3 times wasted before meeting them sober. Rad dudes, and I heard this song over at Speak Into My Good Eye.  I am not sure what kind of genre you would put these guys into, but this song rocks. Check it out.

"In the Shadows" -- Plato Zorba

Plato Zorba. Fucking rules. Robbie, their guitar player, has to be one of the best in the area. Actually, their band has to be some of the most talented guys in the area, and they are great live. Classic surf sound, but it's still fucking fresh!

"Indian Giver" -- The Mischief Kids

I recently found a video of these guys playing this song live in a back yard, and they got the kids to do a wall of death. Pretty nuts. Can't think of the last time I saw a local band pull that off. Killer tune. They just put out their first album.

"Mutiny" -- Bible Fiction

I wasn't sure if "Mutiny" or "Disinfect" was the better tune. I went with "Mutiny." You like Nirvana?  You will dig these guys. Also they cover Bikini Kill, and it rules. Check their video for "Mutiny" on YouTube.

"Grin" -- Shady Street Show Band

The opening riff reminds me of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. But the rest of the tune is just feel good Americana / rock / blues /funk etc. Great live show and a talented bunch. You can get sloppy and see this band. Or you can bring a date with you to see the band and not have to worry about moshing or walls of death. I like partying with these dudes.

"Sleepwalking" -- Dan Waszay

New track from this dude. You wanna talk about cool? Check out the video and song "The Dark Unknown." Dan Waszay is kind of a mystery man to me, but I think that's what adds a cool feel to his music. Your next login to Facebook may see you finding a new, cool track he posted. Great tune!

"I Didn't Feel Like Drinking (Until I Started Drinking)" -- Hammer Fight

The best metal band in New Jersey. The bass and guitar work rules in this song. Very Motörhead!!!  And a killer song.  Pretty much sums up my weekday nights. Saw these guys open for D.R.I., and they were fucking awesome.

"End of the Line" -- The Vansaders

First time I played with these guys I had never really heard of them aside from the singer Doug being friends with Ron Santee (lead singer for The Battery Electric). They blew the whole crowd at The Saint away. Then I realized I have seen their singer Doug before but solo / acoustic. The songs were catchy, but they also had that tinge of punk and country you want. The whole album is good, but this track is probably my favorite.

"Ayo, River!" -- Corrina, Corrina

I saw these guys play in a VFW and they were jumping and rocking all over the place. Lotta energy. They also covered Hot Water Music. This track is from their EP. Yeah, they are better at guitar than I am and about 6 years younger. Great tune!

CoolDad's Top 5 Favorite Cover Songs of 2013

I Love Covers

When I first started consuming music digitally, my car still only had the ability to play regular, old, non-mp3 CDs. I made one mix CD that was just a bunch of covers I'd loved over the years: John Wesley Harding's versions of "Like a Prayer" and "I Try," Fountains of Wayne's "Hit Me Baby One More Time," and, of course, Dinosaur Jr.'s "Just Like Heaven."

Today, I still maintain a playlist on Spotify where, when I remember to do it, I log the great cover songs I encounter... ...that are available on Spotify.

I thought it would be fun, then, to put up my list of favorite cover songs of 2013. Two of the songs on here come from albums which, themselves, are full covers of other records. Two of the songs were written by Bruce Springsteen. And one song comes from a band that everyone should go listen to right now.

5. "When You Sleep" (My Bloody Valentine) -- Kenny Feinstein

We got not one, but two great My Bloody Valentine records in 2013. My Bloody Valentine surprised everyone by releasing mbv, the long-awaited follow-up to Loveless, all of a sudden on a Saturday night. Portland, Oregon's Kenny Feinstein released an all-acoustic, full-album cover of Loveless with his Loveless: Hurts to Love.

Really, I could have chosen any one of the songs from Feinstein's record. My Bloody Valentine's "When You Sleep" has always been a favorite of mine, though. Feinstein's version strips away the beautiful noise of the original and makes something that's beautiful in a totally different way.



4. "Annalisa" (Public Image Ltd) -- Sleepies

Brooklyn's Sleepies could be my favorite punk band of the moment. They're ferocious, funny, and smart all at the same time -- not unlike one of their obvious influences, Public Image Ltd.

The band pay homage to their predecessor with this fantastic cover of 1978's "Annalisa" off of their recent More Humans EP. The throbbing bass and jagged guitars combine to make this one of my favorite (post) punk songs of 2013.



3. "Because the Night" (Patti Smith / Bruce Springsteen) -- Garbage / Screaming Females

This version of the Bruce Springsteen song made famous by the Godmother of Punk, Patti Smith, allows us, I think, to call Scottland's Shirley Manson an honorary Jersey Girl. Garbage and Screaming Females, hot on the heels of their fall tour together, recorded this cover as a Record Store Day exclusive.

It's complete with plenty of Marissa Paternoster shredding, and the vocals of both Paternoster and Manson show them to be two of the most distinctive singers in all of rock music.



2. "Get Me" (Dinosaur Jr.) -- Felled Trees ft. Garrett Klahn

This is my favorite song from one of my favorite albums of all time, Where You Been. The song contains at least two of my favorite guitar solos. Sure, it's not really a Dinosaur Jr. record -- Lou and Murph were both gone by this point -- and it's a major-label, radio friendly album. But it contains some great songs.

The fact that Where We Been is a full-album cover of the original done by members of emo bands like Knapsack and Samiam just underscores the emo-ness of lots of J Mascis's songwriting, especially here.



1. "Born to Run" (Bruce Springsteen) -- Diarrhea Planet w/ Patrick Stickles

Diarrhea Planet? Patrick Stickles of Titus Andronicus? Covering Springsteen at a punk rock venue in Brooklyn? How could this not be my number 1?

Stickles packs his songs with references, both musical and lyrical, to Springsteen and invoked the man's name during the first few seconds of his band's appearance at The Stone Pony back in 2012 (I won't be surprised if he does it again during the band's upcoming Stone Pony appearance on 12/28 as part of The Bouncing Souls' Home for the Holidays residency.). Diarrhea Planet bring a level of exuberance and joy that's missing from a lot of hard rock with their four-guitar assault. This is an almost perfect match.

I remember the day this hit the Internet. That was a good day.

CoolDad's Top 5 Favorite Choruses of 2013

All For "One"

The chorus is the most important part of any pop song. If it's a good one, then you remember the song and turn up the radio every time the song comes on, waiting for your chance to sing along when the chorus comes around. I'm not talking about silly earworm type things like, "I live for the applause, applause, applause. / I live for the applause -plause. / Live for the applause -plause." For me, a great chorus comes from either setting some clever wordplay to a memorable melody or from getting a big idea into, maybe, just a few words that stay with you.

I'm gonna come right out and confess something: This list is really just a vehicle designed to let me tell you how much I love my number 1 chorus of 2013. I think, though, that building a list just so that you can have something sit at number 1 is a useful exercise. It made me think about all of the other great choruses from this year and why number 1 stood out from the crowd.

Oh, and there won't be any Katy Perry or Maroon 5 on here. Nothing against them, but I really only hear those things in the minivan. I'm gonna stick to the stuff I really loved.

5. "Life" -- Modern Hut

"I'm not proud of the things that I've done in this life. / But that's alright / 'Cause I will die."

Joe Steinhardt and Screaming Females' Marissa Paternoster take turns on this line both to open the song and after each of the verses. I guess -- like most of the record -- it's kind of a downer.

This can be read as, "I'm worthless, but that's ok. Eventually the world will be rid of me." I prefer to take the slightly more upbeat angle of, "Life is short, so I'm gonna keep plugging away, doing the best I can, even though I kinda suck at it."



4. "I Need My Girl" -- The National

"I need my girl. / I need my girl."

It makes sense that one of Matt Berninger's simplest, most easily understood songs would contain this very simple statement about missing his wife. I know that when I'm separated from CoolMom for any length of time -- even though I keep myself busy with the kids and other things -- I find myself saying the same thing to myself in the quiet moments.



3. "Runner" -- Laura Stevenson

"The summer hurts! / The summer hurts! / The summer hurts! / The summer hurts! / The summer hurts! / The summer hurts!"

Stevenson's Wheel isn't about the cycle of life or the changing of seasons. Instead, it's often about futility, plodding, and dealing with life's relentless beat downs. When it first comes around, this chorus is preceded by the phrase, "Like a steady beating."

I think we can all remember periods characterized by personal lows from which we thought we'd never dig ourselves out, and this chorus captures that for me.



2. "Ohm" -- Yo La Tengo

"'Cause this is it for all we know / So say goodnight to me / And lose no more time / No time. / Resisting the flow."

This chorus is, basically, the mission statement for Fade. Indie rock veterans, Yo La Tengo, made an album about aging and the passage of time. To me, anyway, Fade tells us that life is really just a collection of moments. Some of the smallest can be the most special, and it's important to recognize and remember them.



1. "Step" -- Vampire Weekend

"The gloves are off. / The wisdom teeth are out. / What you on about? / I feel it in my bones. / I feel it in my bones. / I'm stronger now. / I'm ready for the house. / Such a modest mouse. / I can't do it alone. / I can't do it alone."

Maybe, for my money, the best song in the Vampire Weekend catalog. There's a lot going on here, but I love this chorus. When Ezra Koenig says that "What you on about?" I smirk every time. I'm not even sure why -- just the way he says it, maybe.

"Step" and its chorus contain all that people love and hate about Vampire Weekend: The precious chamber pop, the overly literate lyrics, and a density of references. I tend to like all those things.

Ezra and the band are older now. They're not kids anymore, and Modern Vampires of the City really has them exploring some of life's bigger issues. "Step" harkens back to some of the stuff on their first record, like "M79," and almost makes fun of that product of the younger Vampire Weekend while improving upon it by leaps and bounds.

Guest List: Little Silver's Top 10 of What We Liked, Loved, Listened To, and Watched in 2013

To Old Friends and New...

I've gone on -- perhaps a little boringly -- about the many cool things that have happened as a result of my running this blog: meeting new people, making new friends, taking lots of pictures. Well we need to add to that list "reconnecting with old friends."

The first interview I've ever done outside of a school project came earlier this year with one of my dear friends, Little Silver's (the town AND the band) Erika Simonian. It's up over at Speak Into My Good Eye, and it's called "Less Than 10 Questions with Erika Simonian of Little Silver." Funny thing is, it's actually exactly 10 questions; but I think I wrote down the number 7 next to two of them in my draft, so... my bad.

Anyway, for a variety of reasons -- many of which, I hope, will become apparent below -- I asked Erika and her partner both in life and in music, Steve Curtis, if they wouldn't mind putting together a Best of 2013 list for us here. The rules for these things are very loose at CoolDad Music; and I'm happy to report that Erika and Steve took advantage of that fact to share with us not only those "New in 2013" things they shared with each other this year, but also some of the things that they discovered and re-discovered together in 2013.

Little Silver’s Top 10 Of What We Liked, Loved, Listened To and Watched in 2013!
by Erika Simonian with Steve Curtis

If you were a member of our family, you could say 2013 flew by to the soundtrack of "The Wheels on the Bus," which, if you have any experience here, you might have noticed delivers more immediate gratification than “Old McDonald." (You get to the animal sounds a little faster.) Anyway, you’ll be relieved to know neither made our "Best Of" list.

This list will include the "Best Of, According to Steve," "Best Of, According to Erika," and then the rarest category of all: "Best Of, Agreed upon and According to Both of Us." And then come the sub-groups: "Best Of That Actually Came out in 2013" and "Best Of What We Listened to / Watched / Experienced / Re-discovered in 2013." Try to keep up.

Thanks so much, CoolDad. When you ask, we (try our best to) deliver.

10. Film: Honeysuckle Rose

This gem came out in 1980, but Steve and I have re-discovered its entertaining goodness. It stars Willie Nelson and Dyan Cannon, and you can’t not love the music (all Willie’s), the band (Willie’s band), the outlaw fights in the desert, and the overall messin-up in life. Willie plays Buck Bonham, who is, let’s face it, Willie Nelson and acting out Willie Nelson's life story.

9. Music: Repave -- Volcano Choir

This is just a beautiful album.  Justin Vernon and friends: members of All Tiny Creatures and Collections of Colonies of Bees. Anyway, I fell face-first into this one and its been a definite favorite of mine from this past year.

8. Video: “Bad Dancer” -- Yoko Ono Plastic Ono Band

This particular video could win "Best or Worst" video, whatever you prefer. The fact is, the video is really fun, actually, and the song was mixed by Mike D and Ad-Rock. They appear in it (as dancers) as well. It’s a gimmick of a song, but a fun video. To get the experience, you can watch it exactly once -- maybe even just half of it -- and never revisit it.

7. Band: Schwerveon!

Anything this band does is awesome. It is one thing to listen to their recordings, which I do think are great; but if you ever have a chance to see them live, they are dynamic to the nth degree and will light you up inside. Matt and Nan are a couple, he plays guitar and sings, she plays drums and sings. And sometimes there’s even some awkward couple-banter in there, which is interesting in this case because they are both entertaining people without even trying.

6. Theater: Fun Home  -- The Public Theater, NYC

2013! If you've read Alison Bechdel’s disturbing and brilliantly written graphic novel, you know the story. The brilliance of the book came in her storytelling. She told it through all the crazy, corner-of-the-mind detail that little kids notice and remember. It’s a tale of her father’s not-really-repressed homosexuality and her own coming-out story. Michael Cerveris plays her father in this musical production and the piece, overall, was really arresting. The young, 8 year old version of Alison delivers an amazing performance; it’s almost freaky to see a child actor in that much command of her body, facial expressions and voice. It's still running so I recommend seeing it before it goes to Broadway.

5. Music: Departure and Farewell -- Hem

So, obviously, this comes from me, Erika, as Steve would sooner stick needles in his eyeballs than tout his own music; but Hazel and I played it on repeat while Steve toured most of this summer and fall in support of this long-awaited album. My love affairs here are with two tracks in particular: "The Jack Pine" -- which we in Little Silver cover from time to time -- and then the final song on the album, “Last Call,"  incredibly beautiful music; plus I’m a sucker for good drinking songs.

4. Music: Muchacho -- Phosphorescent

If you can’t tell by now, I am most drawn to fuzzy, dreamy, (some may say depressing) music. I feel like this album is the same speed as my blood flow, which would mean I am the somatic equivalent of a mid-tempo rock and roll song; but there is a sort of heart-swelling quality to this album that I really love.

3. Music: “Knuckleball Catcher” -- Gillian Welch and David Rawlings

Steve and I heard them perform this song a few years ago and have been searching for  a recording of it ever since. The closest we’ve come is a live video of a performance at the 2008 Newport Folk Festival. Well, I can say that this song brought both of us to our knees. Living in Boston, Gillian got really into baseball and used to watch Fenway games from her roof-top. The song depicts the intrinsic let-down of being invested in, let’s face it, a game. Here’s the brilliant, punch-you-in-the-gut line: “That’s the last time I let a stranger / Break my heart this way”.

2. Music: Aheym -- Bryce Dessner, performed by Kronos Quartet

These four pieces by Bryce Dessner  (The National) are incredibly captivating. AND... this particular selection happens to fall into two overlapping categories: "Actually Released in 2013" and "DING DING DING DING DIIIIINNNNGGGG! Steve and I agree!” These pieces are an odyssey for both of us, and we just get lost. We even stop talking when we listen to it, which is very, very rare. I should’ve added that as a category above: “Released in 2013 and Makes Steve and Erika Stop Prattling on about Household Logistics.”

1. Music: Dream River -- Bill Callahan

A bit of a moody dreamscape, Dream River, and hence true to its name.  Though I happen to really like Bill Callahan, I find men LOVE HIM. So I think it can only be one of two things here: He’s either saying something that men particularly relate to, or his voice is so low that they are unconsciously recalling hearing their father’s voices in utero. What this second choice means is that Bill Callahan is EVERY MAN’S FATHER -- no small thing -- and so his album deserves the #1 spot on this list.

Extra Thing That Everybody Loves:

Comedy, and truth: Louis CK

Just love this guy. He says everything I’m thinking but don’t even realize I’m thinking it. Until he says it, of course.

Guest List: Dentist Guitarist Justin Bornemann's Top 5 Songs of 2013

Getting Nominated for Awards, Releasing Songs, Releasing Albums, Making Lists

Justin Bornemann is lead guitarist and co-songwriter for Asbury Park-based surf rockers Dentist. He and his band have been quite busy lately. Just the other day, Dentist premiered single "No Matter" over at Speak Into My Good Eye. At the same time, the band announced that their debut LP would be the inaugural release for SIMGE's newly-founded GoodEye Records. The record is due this spring.

And tonight, Dentist are up for Top Indie Rock Band at the 21st Annual Asbury Music Awards.

Given all of that, I'm extremely grateful that Justin took some time to prepare a list of his Top 5 Songs of 2013 for us. Turns out -- unsurprisingly, since I love Justin's band -- that we like lots of the same sounds.

So thanks for the list, Justin, and good luck to Dentist at the awards tonight.

Top 5 Songs (not in order)
by Justin Bornemann of Dentist

“Don’t Swallow the Cap” -- The National
Trouble Will Find Me

I’m not sure what the single is off of Trouble Will Fine Me, but I’d be surprised if it wasn’t this song. Most folks seem to think that The National perfected their formula with the release of High Violet and have continued along the same line with Trouble Will Find Me.  While I prefer their earlier stuff, this song would be a highlight on any of their records.  The production on “Don’t Swallow the Cap” is beautiful, but the song also has a real sense of urgency that I love.  At this point The National is a no brainer and it’s no surprise they made a great record, so I’d be surprised if this wasn’t one of your favorite songs of the year, too.  

“Sharpshooters” -- Boat
Pretend to Be Brave

Boat is totally obsessed with 90’s indie rock bands like Pavement and Built to Spill.  A lot of people aren’t into the whole rehashing the past thing, but I’m certainly a sucker for all this revivalist stuff, especially if the songs are good.  This song is filled with fuzzy guitars, clever lyrics, and will instantly take you back.  The singer even fits in the line, “on the day that I turn 33 I’ll be eating nachos, but it won’t be with my mom, it will be with you.”  Very romantic.  

“Dust in the Gold Sack” -- Swearin'
Surfing Strange

There is something about really fuzzy guitars and girls with sweet voices.  The juxtaposition of the two do it for me every time.  This song takes its cues from The Breeders and other 90’s alternative type bands.  If you’re into that type of thing, I’d be surprised if you didn’t like this song.

“Step” -- Vampire Weekend
Modern Vampires of the City

I thought that my relationship with Vampire Weekend was over.  I really enjoyed their first album, but I never got into their sophomore release.  If you don’t get into a band’s second release, for me anyway, it’s unlikely that you'll follow them into their third.  When I heard this song, however, I was pretty blown away.  Lyrically, this song is a notch above anything I’ve heard from them so far, and must be listened to while watching the accompanying lyrics video.  The lyrics are mainly optimistic, but the music gives the song a sense of melancholy to accompany the coming of age theme.  The record overall is pretty good too, so bravo Vampire Weekend.  You really surprised me.  I may give their second record another chance now.

“Demon To Lean On” -- Wavves
Afraid Of Heights

This was probably the release I was looking forward to most this year.  Wavves prior record, King Of The Beach, is one of my favorite records to come out in the past five years or so.  While not as good, Afraid Of Heights didn’t disappoint.  “Demon To Lean On” shows Wavves channeling early Weezer with huge guitars and a catchy melody.  Lyrically this song is a total downer, but it all seems slightly in jest, so it’s hard to not be happy when listening to it, especially with how catchy it is.

Top 10 Minivan Songs of 2013

Something for the Kids

I drive the cooldaughters. A lot. School, swim practice, dance lessons, swim lessons, music lessons, friends' houses. When we're together in the van, the radio is usually on either Sirius XM Hits 1 or Radio Disney. CoolMom can only ever put up with this for about one song, but I try to keep an open mind. Pop music has its place.

In that spirit, I've compiled a list based on a quick survey of the family and on my own perception of what makes the girls say, "Don't turn the car off!!" as we pull into the driveway. So here they are, CoolDad Music's top 10 Minivan Songs of 2013.

10. "The Way" -- Ariana Grande ft. Mac Miller

CoolMom and CoolDaughter #1 saw Ariana Grande when she came through Red Bank over the summer. I catch glimpses of Grande almost every day as the kids always seem to be watching one or another of her Nickelodeon shows -- Victorious or its spinoff, Sam and Cat.

Turns out Grande can really sing. Of course her songs are run through the robot voice machine like all pop songs nowadays; but, in her case, I think she's conforming to the aesthetic rather than using it as a crutch. The song has kind of a 1990s R&B, Mariah Carey thing going on, and damned if she doesn't pull it off. The Mac Miller rap is nicely rolled right in and works better than the typical rap break.

9. "True Love" -- Pink ft. Lily Allen

This one is here for CoolMom. She loves Lily Allen and she really likes this song. The cooldaughters, on the other hand, are mystified. They just can't get their heads around the song's pre-chorus of "But I hate you, I really hate you, so much I think it must be..."

"That song makes absolutely no sense!"

There really isn't much to Allen's bridge / verse thing, but she sounds good.

8. "Applause" -- Lady Gaga

"One second I'm a Koons, then suddenly the Koons is me." For the longest time, I thought that koonce or koonts or whatever she was saying was some slang term that Gaga made up for the song. Then I read that Jeff Koons did the cover art for ARTPOP, and I realized she was saying something about once being the artist and now being the art.

I have not had this discussion with either of the cooldaughters.

They just laugh every time the song is on because the father of one of CoolDaughter #1's friends substitutes "Applesauce" for "Applause" in the chorus. Oh, dad humor.

7. "Get Lucky" -- Daft Punk

On the rare occasions that I can put on Sirius XMU -- "North America's Big Corporate Indie Rock Station" -- when we're in the van together, it's big crossover hits like "Get Lucky" that stop the girls as they're starting with their chorus of "Nooooo, Daddy. Turn this off..."

I like this song ok. It's an ear worm for sure. But I really don't get the Daft Punk thing.

"Daddy, what does 'get lucky' mean?"

6. "The Wire" -- HAIM

Another one that started on the indie rock station to build some street cred before implementing its master plan of total world domination. It's creeping up that Whatchuwant Countdown a little more every day.

CoolDaughter #2 loves the part that goes "I know, I know, I know that you're gonna be okay anyway" and then mysteriously disappears from rest of the song. I've got this thing where I like to imitate the vocal delivery in songs as I sing along, and this one makes me sound like I'm having a seizure or something.

5. "Still Into You" -- Paramore

My niece was once Hayley Williams for Halloween. Not sure that the cooldaughters really know that much about Paramore, but they seem to like this song. For me, it's one of those corporate rocky kind of things like Avril Lavigne that isn't particularly interesting, but isn't bad. If the station played this every time they wanted to play that weird "Hamster Dance"-sounding song by Avicii, the world would be a better place.

I find it kind of amusing that the not yet 25-year-old Williams is singing, "After all this time, I'm still into you," but it's definitely a sentiment with which I can identify.

4. "Royals" -- Lorde

"Dad, do you hear what she said there?"

"What part?"

*silently mouthing* "Stripping"

"What??"

"She says 'Stripping in the bathroom.'"

"No. It's 'tripping.'"

"Oh. That's ok then, I guess."

3. "Pass Me By" -- R5

There are certain bands that I think exist only in the Disney Universe. This is, obviously, a wonderfully lucrative universe in which to exist; but it's kind of a weird place where the lines between TV characters and real people begin to blur.

R5 are the Lynches -- Riker, Rocky, Ross, and Rydell -- and their friend Ellington.

OK. Ellington's last name is Ratliff, so I guess it kinda works.

Anyway, Ross Lynch plays Austin Moon on Disney's terrible Austin & Ally. The cooldaughters love that horrible show, and they absolutely love this song.

2. "Love Somebody" -- Maroon 5

Every time this song comes on the radio, I want to get my phone out to record CoolDaughter #2's impassioned and energetic rendition. She closes her eyes and dances in her booster seat while doing these weird vocal contortions that are difficult to explain. She just gets into it.

I'll admit, as much as I dislike Maroon 5, this song sticks with you. Even as I type this, the chorus is beginning to take hold of my brain.

"Daddy, why does he say 'I really wanna touch somebody?' It just seems weird to just touch somebody. Like, just touch 'em?"

1. "We Are Never, Ever Getting Back Together" -- Taylor Swift

Was this ever in doubt?

The girls love it. CoolMom likes it. I've even got a little cover version that I do on the guitar. Remind me never to do it for you, like ever.

In all honesty, if I had to pick a favorite from Red, I'm not sure if I'd pick this or "I Knew You Were Chubble." But this song was the clear winner with the committee.

Honorable Mentions

"Cups" -- Anna Kendrick

All my girls loved Pitch Perfect and this one is an easy singalong. Nice. Harmless.

"What Does the Fox Say?" -- Ylvis

CoolDaughter #2 was adamant that I include this one somehow. She is 6 years old.

UPDATE: I left off Katy Perry's "Roar." I'll catch major flak for that. Slot it in at 1a. Ridiculous oversight. Another one that CoolDaughter #2 performs with a great deal of gusto. Both girls love Perry's lyric video for the song, which shows her going through her day typing out the lyrics on her phone using emoji. They love the part where she's using the bathroom. Go figure.

(Most of) CoolDad's Year In Pictures

Ummm... I saw a few shows

There have been lots of side effects from running this blog and contributing over at Speak Into My Good Eye. One of the most fun -- and potentially most expensive -- for me has been a growing interest in photography. Concert photography, anyway.

I started the year with my Samsung Galaxy Nexus phone and a Panasonic Lumix ZS20. The ZS20 is a nice, little point and shoot with a 20X optical zoom and lots of manual controls; but it suffers from the same problems that plague all point and shoot cameras. Its tiny sensor (the digital film) just isn't big enough for capturing light in dark situations. I did use it to get some decent pictures at the Taylor Swift show at Prudential Center and at the David Byrne / St. Vincent show at Count Basie. It was my primary camera for the daytime sets at FYF, but it didn't cut it during dark, indoor concerts.

About halfway through the year, I got a Panasonic Lumix LX7. It's still a point and shoot, but it has a much bigger sensor and a much faster (lets more light in) lens. It works pretty well at places like Asbury Lanes, The Saint, and The Wonder Bar, where I can get up close. It also shoots in a format called RAW that bypasses the camera's built-in photo adjusting and retains much more information. I found, later in the year, that shooting RAW allowed me to recover a good deal more detail in photos that I thought were too dark to be rescued.

The next step up would be either the "Mother of all Point and Shoots," the Sony RX100 II, or some type of interchangeable lens system camera. The holidays are almost here, so who knows?

Anyway, I decided to post kind of a photo essay covering many of the shows I went to and photographed this year. I think I've moved up from "100% miss" photographer to "hit or miss, mostly miss" photographer. The pictures show that progression, I think, over the course of the year.

I took it upon myself to "cover" lots and lots of stuff in Asbury Park and beyond this year. Most of it is here under the "Show Reviews" tab. Some of it is over at Speak Into My Good Eye, which you can get to from here by clicking the tab of the same name. Going through all of the photos made me realize that going to all of those shows and editing all of the photos as a one-man operation was a lot of work -- more work than I've ever done at any actual job, probably -- but it never felt that way. That probably says something.

Here are just some highlights that struck me for one reason or another. You can see the full sets from each show in the original posts. I've got lots of pics that I've never posted. If you want to see more, then just let me know. Also, there were several shows -- Joe Michelini at the Berkeley, Titus Andronicus / The Everymen at Brooklyn Bowl, Bob Mould at Bowery Ballroom, The So So Glos / The Everymen at Maxwell's, Frank Black at The Wonder Bar, Dinosaur Jr. at Irving Plaza, My Bloody Valentine at FYF and Hammerstein ballroom, and many others at Langosta, Berkeley, Happy Mondays, etc. -- for which I was armed only with my phone or the pictures were too dark to be useful. I won't subject you to those.

So, after all of that, here's (most of) my year of shows in pictures.

Guest List: Gerry Perlinski's Top 5 Band Discoveries of 2013

Our First List of December

I've asked several FoCDM (That's Friends of CoolDad Music, in case you've forgotten) to help me close out the year by providing their own reflections on 2013. So far, Mike V has given us his top albums of the year and Scotch LaRock has given us his top songs.

As I asked around for contributions, I often heard that people wanted to include some stuff that was new to them on their lists rather than being restricted to 2013 releases or break-outs. Totally cool. What's the point of listening to music or, even, checking out lists if not discovery? So I relaxed the normally (not very at all) strict editorial policy here at CoolDad Music.

Gerry Perlinski fronts New Brunswick alt-rockers Lost Romance and did an interview with me a few months back. Lost Romance released their first EP, The Light And The Dark, in 2013 and they've still got a few area dates on the docket as the year winds down.

Gerry provided us with the top 5 bands he discovered during his own, very busy, 2013.

Top 5 Best Bands I Discovered In 2013
by Gerry Perlinski, Songwriter / Guitarist for Lost Romance

1. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
As big as they've become, they were new to me in 2013. I love how diverse The Heist was musically. It wasn't straight hip/hop, R&B or dance music. Macklemore is a great lyricist and rapper, but he never makes you feel like he's only talking to the hip/hop crowd with the standard money, sex and power themes. The themes are universal, but personal enough to draw you in. I'm really looking forward to see what they do next.

2. Japandroids
These two guys pump out more energy than a band with twelve people. What I love about them is the feeling of reckless abandon contrasted with the uplifting moods of their songs. They are not over-thinking anything here. Straight up power-pop in the style of The Replacements or Husker Du without being kitschy. They are the real deal.

3. Dead Sara
This band is off-the-charts good. They sound like an 18-wheeler going through a brick wall. Heavy and melodic with an amazing singer. Really can't wait to see them live!

4. John & Brittany
Some of the best pop/rock around. Cheeky lyrics and hooks for days. Theyhave the real rock n' roll swagger that so many bands fall flat trying to emulate. We played with these guys in Philly this year and can't wait todo it again!

5. The 1975
Really smart, catchy 80's-inspired pop with an indie rock edge. They do it without sounding like a rip-off of anyone, which is very hard to do. Just super fun stuff.

Guest List: Scotch LaRock's "2013 Songs"

Another Early-ish List

One of the great things that's happened to me as a result of putting CoolDad Music out there is that I've met a whole bunch of really great people: people in bands, people I see at shows, and readers. We enjoy a beverage or two and talk about our mutual love of music, the local music scene, sometimes sports, and our favorite songs and records.

I thought it would be fun, therefore, to have some of my new (and some of my old, hopefully) friends chime in with what struck their fancy over the course of 2013. We've already heard from Mike V of The Everymen on his favorite albums. Next up is reader, show-attending buddy, and fellow cooldad, Scotch Larock, with his list of favorite songs of 2013. He, basically, liveblogs his 2013 playlist for us, which is always fun.

Take it away, Scotch...

"2013 Songs"
by Scotch LaRock

We used to do an email chain of favorite things this time of year. Slowly, over time, it faded away.

I was thinking about all of my Thanksgiving chores with an army of family set to descend on my home. This, of course, led to the realization that the year is coming to a close and will get a bow put on it pretty quickly. So I clicked on the playlist that I called "2013 Songs," because I'm really creative, and hit play.

These are the songs I slide into a playlist each year as a running diary of what I liked along the way. I roughly have the same rules as CoolDad. Right now, they're sorted alphabetically by artist, which I like because shuffle will remove the pressure of putting them in some sort of order or of trying to make them flow together. I don't need that pressure. Hey, don't put that pressure on me! I'll stick to shuffle.

My "2013 Songs" in review, on random:

Capital Cities – “Safe and Sound”
What a great, simple pop song. I think there was a two-week stretch where I could hear it playing in my head no matter what was going on. And the trumpet… Ha, that trumpet. My son heard it on the school bus. I think his driver is the guy from the Simpsons.

Dave Hause – “We Could Be Kings”
This song is so perfectly “Hausian,” that the video was shot at Asbury Lanes and features his buds. I'm in. I like all those things.

The Night Marchers – “All Hits”
Just a slab of braggadocious garage rock from John “Speedo” Reis of Rocket From the Crypt. Full disclosure, Rocket From the Crypt are the greatest band to have ever graced a stage. Give it up for the band!

Gates – “They See Only Shadows”
This is probably my favorite song of the year or, maybe, my favorite new find of the year or the thing most likely to make me feel half my age. I just really need to go see them live. If they play like their lives depend on it, then I just might start following them around like the Grateful Dead and selling grilled cheese sandwiches.

Owel – “Snowglobe” 
Wow, this is kind of fitting right after Gates 'cause we're all next wave emo. I was emo when it was Elmo or emus or Emo Phillips or Finding Emo or this is just dreamy and makes me wanna see them live. Play with Gates so I don't have to leave the house twice. That's how emo I am.

Arcade Fire – “Normal Person”
For me, this is the gateway between where they were and where they are now. Plus, you know who they are. You have your own opinions. I'm not changing your mind. I just like to turn this up loud.

Superchunk – “FOH”
I pogo around the house and dust to this. Sing into a can of Pledge. Makes me feel like a rock star.

Tegan And Sara – “Closer”
Tegan or Sara or whoever wrote this song,... it burrowed into my brain. Lyrically reminded me of “The Logical Song” by Supertramp for excellent rhyming fun. See I'm old and can enjoy synthy.

The Front Bottoms – “Twin Size Mattress”
Forget what I said earlier, this song makes me feel half my age. Please let me shake a tambourine because I can't harmonize.

Lorde – “Royals”
Just read somewhere that this song is inspired by the Kansas City Royals. Now I try and imagine George Brett running all crazy out of the dugout from the Pine Tar Game. I don't see the connection, but inspiration comes from the strangest of places, even MLB for a teenage girl from New Zealand. She scared me on Jimmy Fallon, but that didn't stop me from humming the chorus.

Neko Case – “I'm From Nowhere”
Late at night. Scotch. Two fingers. Me, Neko, and harmonies from Kelly Hogan.

The Bronx – “Youth Wasted”
Once saw The Bronx at the Wonder Bar. Dude prowls the stage like a panther. I think there are people that were at that show that can't listen to them anymore 'cause they are still scared. Also keep in mind they are from LA and are also a mariachi version of themselves. Loud. Just listen loud. Saw them on a boat, too. This is turning into Dr. Seuss.

The National – “Graceless”
These guys are emo. There is so much dread and frustration packed in there that it's like that moment in High Fidelity when the realization happens: Do the records make me sad or do I listen to the records because I'm sad? Also, suits.

Jimmy Eat World – “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together (Taylor Swift)”
I have a real soft spot for the Jimmies, going way back to the glory days of late nights at Coney Island High. I love this song so much I wish it were theirs. Taylor Swift!!??!?!? Somebody upset that girl, oh boy.

Shout Out Louds – “Illusions”
I feel like this band and I are in a secret society together. I once saw them at Joe's Pub, they wore tuxedos and played wildly different interpretations of their songs. Yeah musicians! Also, they like the 80s a lot.

Girls Against Boys – “It's A Diamond Life”
Double bass expansion unit.

Frightened Rabbit – “The Woodpile”
These Scottish Rabbits are a band that I feel like is one episode of Grey's Anatomy away from being Snow Patrol; and I mean that in a good way, for them. Just feel like they are a really underrated rock band that could be much bigger with a little break from whatever little stroke of luck needs to happen. Do people watch that show anymore? I'm going to write a drama and feature them and get them the break I think they deserve.

Yo La Tengo – “Ohm”
They are an institution and you are doing yourself a disservice by not knowing why.

Clutch – “DC Sound Attack”
Ha. Back to back with Yo La Tengo. I love you, Randomizer. Clutch just keep going. It's like their 10th album. They are still touring machines. This song has dueling cowbells. They are just a heavy blues band that make you wish you owned a '69 Dodge Charger and had a few hundred miles to drive.

Haim – “Falling”
I fell for the hype. Stayed for the tune. I still like pop music. Also, funny after Clutch.

Felled Trees – “Get Me (Dinosuar Jr)”
Indie / hardcore / punk / emo / klezmer supergroup does Dinosaur Jr covers. This is my favorite Dinosuar Jr song sung by Garrett from Texas is the Reason. So many reasons why I love this.

Queens of the Stone Age – “I Sat By The Ocean”
Josh Homme's band played all over the world this summer at festival after festival. I streamed the heck out of anywhere I could find them. My ears perked up for this tune over and over again. Queens have evolved so much over the years. Saw them do an interview with a couple of kids. They talked about Celine Dion. Really.

And that ties in nicely to Sound City. Watch this documentary. Watch it because you got this far reading a bunch of nonsense from a guy that had no business writing his year in review.

Also, my son, peering over my shoulder, just asked me to mention The Bouncing Souls and The Gaslight Anthem, his two favorite things this year. And Titus Andronicus, too. Math.

So there.

Best of 2013 Installment of "What Does Mike V Think Of...?"

Year-End Lists

Starting next week, we're into full holiday high gear. It's been a fun year here at CoolDad Music. I've heard some great stuff, seen some great shows, and met some really fantastic people. I'll be putting together at least one year-end post of my own, but I'm going to try and get a few more perspectives on the year up here as things wind down.

Before getting started, I decided I'd get Mike V's take on the whole concept of year-end lists. He has some opinions as you might expect, and -- Bonus! -- he even threw in his own list of top albums of 2013.

Mike and The Everymen have been great friends of the blog throughout the year and have been taking a well-deserved sort of mini break as they get ready for 2014. With their second full-length LP in the can and a newly-signed record deal, though, I'm sure they'll be coming back stronger than ever.

CDM: We're coming to the end of the year, so that means -- probably any day now -- we'll start to see everybody's year-end lists for albums, songs, whatever. NME will put out something deliberately annoying and unbelievable. Rolling Stone will include a bunch of records that nobody under the age of -- well, my age -- will have even heard of. P4K will drag their list out over the course of a week or more. What do you think of year-end lists?

MV: I think -- like with anything in today's hyper-circuit of content -- setting yourself apart and, unfortunately, getting those clicks is as just as important as the content itself. So maybe it is up to the NME to do something completely fucking stupid (such as claiming that The Strokes debut is THE FOURTH FUCKING GREATEST RECORD EVER FUCKING MADE) or Pitchfork to roll out their list over days and weeks or The Rolling Stone... well... actually The Rolling Stone list is about as relevant as T.J. Hooker.

Since most people practice in the same general circles and most common-minded outlets will generally be publishing somewhat similar lists, people have to do something to set themselves apart from one another. So what can you do, right? You can come up with some scheme to make your list stand out from the rest. In the end, it is what it is I guess.

As for the lists themselves, I've always loved year-end lists if they proved interesting, a little different and have opened my eyes to something new. But who really wants to read the same fucking year-end list over and over again (looking at you Pitchfork, Consequence Of Sound, Stereogum, et al)? When the holidays start to roll around, I tend to troll metal boards, hardcore and punk sites, and experimental destinations for year-end stuff. I could probably tell you what Pitchfork's top 25 are right now, so why not go out of my comfort zone and find that black metal record I never knew I needed, ya know? I'm not on those sites every day, so having that filter makes getting those outsider goodies that much easier. On the negative side, of course, year-end lists always give me a sense of which outlets I should probably just stop reading. Example: The Rolling Stone proving to you time and time again just how fucking out of touch they are by lauding Katy Perry, Kings Of Leon and Sting to no fucking end.

But of course there is no better year-end list than that of your music loving pals. We used to make each other mixtapes. Now we just send each other links. Might as well make each other lists. Ask a pal what his favorite records of the year are. He might just open your eyes to something even Pitchfork hasn't heard about yet.

Having said that, here is ol' Mikey's Best Of 2013 list... in no specific order.

Yo La Tengo - Fade (Matador)
Marnie Stern - The Chronicles Of Marnia (Kill Rock Stars)
Rhye - Woman (Loma Vista)
Anna Calvi - One Breath (Domino)
Charles Waters Quartet - Chroma Colossus: 13 Visions Of The City (Amish)
Washed Out - Paracosm (Sub Pop)
The Brooklyn What - Hot Wine (self-released)
Potty Mouth - Hell Bent (Old Flame)
King Khan And The Shrines - Idle No More (Merge)
Joel RL Phelps & The Downer Trio - Gala (12XU)
Queens Of The Stone Age - …Like Clockwork (Matador)
Brother JT - The Sveltness Of Boogitude (Thrill Jockey)
Stephen Malkmus And Friends - Ege Bamyasi Record Store Day Exclusive (Matador)
Ovlov - Am (self-released)