Albums

At this moment, my favorite 10 Albums of 2013 ...list might be much different tomorrow.

Phosphorescent - Muchacho
Pokey LaFarge - Pokey LaFarge
Jake Bugg - Jake Bugg
Elvis Costello & the Roots - Wise Up Ghost
Various Artists - Songs For Slim
Daft Punk - Random Access Memories
Dr. Dog - B-Room
Amos Lee - Mountains of Sorrow, Rivers of Song
Jason Isbell - Southeastern
Sturgill Simpson - High Top Mountain

Honorable mentions...

Daniel Romano - Come Cry With Me
Savages - Silence Yourself
Laura Marling - Once I Was An Eagle
John Grant - Pale Green Ghosts
The Suburbs - Si Sauvage
The Devil Makes 3 - I'm A Stranger Here
Alela Diane - About Farewell
Mavis Staples - One True Vine
The Avett Brothers - Magpie and the Dandelion
Atoms For Peace - AMOK
Arcade Fire - Reflektor
J. Roddy Walston and the Business - HeavyTremors

10 of my favorite songs...

"Right Action" - Franz Ferdinand
"Country" - Frankie Lee
"Open-Ended Life" - The Avett Brothers
"You Can't Be Told" - Valerie June
"Ya Hey" - Vampire Weekend
"Clouds" - Zach Sobiech
"Hacienda Motel" - Pickwick
"The Dreams In the Ditch" - Deer Tick
"Where Do You Dwell" - The Ericksons
"Wilderness" - Mason Jennings

It seems like 2013 was dominated by music you can dance to. Nothing wrong with that! Arcade Fire, Vampire Weekend & Daft Punk's music packed the dance floors. There was some great songwriting going on. Jason Isbell, John Grant, Deer Tick and Phosphorescent chronicled parts of their lives into powerful albums. Americana is also alive and well Strong releases were made by emerging artists like Pokey LaFarge, The Devil Makes 3, Sturgill Simpson & local artist Frankie Lee!

Also, a few young English artists like Jake Bugg & Savages made a big splash in the states. Some powerful moments of the year happened locally. Zack Sobiech's touching goodbye "Clouds," and the Songs For Slim tribute album. These Slim Dunlap songs have always been near & dear to me. Steve Earle, Lucinda Williams, Craig Finn and others, donated their time to sing his songs on this wonderful album, which benefits Slim's ongoing healthcare.