Top 250 Singles of 2013

Since we're in the Cloud Age, where things are headed more and more towards streaming seemingly everyday, I have to expand the definition of what exactly qualifies as a single. For the purpose of this list, any song that was uploaded to Soundcloud by the artist or their record label automatically qualified, even if it wasn't for sale or didn't have a video. By far this was the most most intimidating year to put together a singles list because there always felt like there was something new right around the corner that I might have missed, which is thrilling for a music fan. I've included a Spotify playlist of the songs and for those that weren't on there, I've included an asterisk (*) to help you out. If it's not on there, it's likely on Soundcloud and if it's in the top 100, I'd especially recommend putting forth the effort to search for it. Make sure to check out my albums list as well.

1. Pharrell Williams - Happy

"It might seem crazy what I'm about to say." Hard to believe that we're at the point where we have to almost apologize for being in a good mood. Often times, I find songs dedicated to joy to be the most fearless in today's cynical world and there are fewer that blare the horn of happiness louder than this one. For the purpose of full disclosure, The Neptunes are among some of my favorite artists of all-time, so there's always something welcoming for me when one of them hits their stride. Regardless, I think anyone would have won me over with such a jubilant gospel shuffle. It's a solid foundation to start with, but then there's that chorus. That sunny, carefree, defiant, Nobel Peace Prize-worthy chorus. So pure in its mission to save the world and help you leave negativity behind that it even brought along hand claps to ease the transition. It's true power isn't revealed until towards the end of the song where its repetition is so forceful that it won't be satisfied until vessels burst in your cheeks from smiling too hard. Music is at its best when the artist can project their feelings onto you and you're able to empathize. "Happy" was the best such example this year for me.

Best 50 Albums of 2013

Once again, here are my top 50 albums of the year. I've also included a Spotify playlist with selected tracks from as many as albums that were available on there. The amount of good music out there is so overwhelming that there are probably another 50 albums that had a shot at cracking the list that I didn't have time for. My head will likely explode one year when doing this post. Until then, enjoy!

My top 250 singles of 2013 list should be up within a few days.

1. My Bloody Valentine - m b v

Who isn't a fan of Loveless? To this day, it stands as one of rock's seminal albums and no matter what the moment, it's usually in my top 5 of all time. It was with that excitement, shared along with so many other music fans around the world, that I was looking forward to My Bloody Valentine's follow-up to that album, which was 22 years in the making. So yes, this is coming from the perspective of someone who was destined to enjoy m b v in one fashion or another, but the record is its own kind of monster. No matter if you've never heard one strain of their blurred melodies or the jagged crunch of their feedback, nothing can be taken away from moments as gorgeous as "Who Sees You" and "Only Tomorrow," which are indeed awash in a familiar sea of haze, beauty and chaos, but no less effective in the 2010s than it was in the '90s. Beauty is actually the one word that keeps popping up in my head whenever I revisit this album and it's the most fitting. My Bloody Valentine has never been about "beauty" in the traditional sense where we perceive it to be something that's symmetrical and pleasant, but by using elements that are more fitting for a mosh pit or a surrealist painting, our senses are challenged for the better. We're left with a piece of work that alters the colors we see, that soothes amidst the dissonance and ultimately gives us new respect for waiting patiently.

2014 Grammy Nomination Predictions: Album of the Year & Song of the Year

The nominations for the 56th Annual Grammy Awards will be announced this Friday, Dec. 6, on a live concert special airing on CBS. The award ceremony itself will take place on Jan. 26, 2014. As usual, I will try my hand at predicting who will get nominated in the four general field categories: Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Record of the Year and Best New Artist. Today, I'll take a look at Album and Song of the Year. I already made predictions for ROTY and Best New Artist yesterday.


Album of the Year

The conversation for the 2014 Grammys ends and begins with Justin Timberlake. Not only has he been nominated in this category twice before, but he also brings that magical combination that the NARAS (National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences) loves to acknowledge: popularity and respect (i.e., Adele, Alicia Keys, Lauryn Hill). Submitting both of his albums as one shouldn't hurt his chances, even if Part 2 was seen as a creative disappointment. As of right now, The 20/20 Experience is in the lead to win this whole thing.

By that same logic, I also like the chances for Bruno Mars' Unorthodox Jukebox. I think he's one of the few current pop superstars where the music is strictly the main attraction concerning them. Image and headlines have played such a small role in his success, which is something the Grammys will likely take notice of. Having him here won't tarnish the respectability of the category.

In that same vein, Taylor Swift's Red, with the best first week sales in a decade, also seems likely to get a nomination. The difference between her latest one and Speak Now—which did not get an Album of the Year nod despite gaudy first week numbers as well—is that there are more songs that the general public can identify with.

2014 Grammy Nomination Predictions: Record of the Year & Best New Artist

The nominations for the 56th Annual Grammy Awards will be announced this Friday, Dec. 6, on a live concert special airing on CBS. The award ceremony itself will take place on Jan. 26, 2014. As usual, I will try my hand at predicting who will get nominated in the four general field categories: Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Record of the Year and Best New Artist. For today's post, I'll examine the races for Record and Best New Artist while tackling Album and Song of the year tomorrow.


Record of the Year

Just to clarify for those reading tomorrow's post as well, Record of the Year goes to the artist, producers and engineers who worked on the actual recording while Song of the Year goes to the songwriters who crafted the lyrics and melodies. Since this category tends to lean towards big hits and big artists, it never hurts to look at what and who was popular this year. By far, the track that had the most weeks at #1 was Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines" with Pharrell & T.I. It defined the summer and fits in the same mold of respectable mega smashes such as Usher's "Yeah!", Adele's "Rolling In The Deep" and Gotye & Kimbra's "Somebody I Used To Know" in that ordinary consumers could perceive them as more than just soulless pre-manufactured pop hits. Despite the Marvin Gaye issues and Miley episode at the VMAs, I still like the chances of "Blurred Lines."

Justin Timberlake will likely have a lot of momentum this year for his return with The 20/20 Experience, which should carry over into ROTY with "Mirrors." He's one of the most adored pop stars we have and I think it would count as a huge shock if he didn't get in here.

Another artist who will also likely carry some goodwill for a great year is Bruno Mars. He has been a mainstay on the charts for about a year now, which helps the chances of "Locked Out Of Heaven," a song that was released closer to the beginning of this year's eligibility period than any of the other main contenders.

Lulu James - "Sweetest Thing"

British singer Lulu James has been releasing slinky, sensuous singles for about a year now, with work such as "Be Safe" and "Closer" that is as visually distinct as anyone in the pop world is doing right now. Her latest track, "Sweetest Thing," is certainly memorable on the eyes as well, with a dark backdrop and bright lights to provide contrast, but the record itself is my favorite of hers so far. There's a fluidity to James' songs that gives off a very soulful effect and that side of her is further embraced here and also happens to share a kinship with the electronically hushed atmospheres of mid-1980s R&B along the lines of The Commodores' "Nightshift" and Gregory Abbott's "Shake You Down." There are obviously more modern influences at play here, but whenever I hear James hit those "ohh ahhs" during the chorus, I'm put in the same mind frame of an old Patti LaBelle or Tina Turner ad-lib, circa 1985. By drawing on the past and current trends, "Sweetest Thing" has arrived just in time to provide the perfect soundtrack for that bit of warmth and human company we all long for during the winter months.

Recent interviews on Noteworthy: Charli XCX, Bettye LaVette and Alice Russell

If you're not already aware, I host a weekly music show called Noteworthy every Monday night from 6PM-8PM CT at http://uicradio.org. I play a lot of music on there, naturally, and I also interview artists from time to time. I've been particularly busy the past month and was able to chat with some notable folks, among them Charli XCX, Bettye LaVette and Alice Russell.



Charli XCX



Bettye LaVette



Alice Russell

Ten Years Gone: Outkast - Speakerboxxx/The Love Below

This entry is part of an ongoing series in where I take a look back at landmark films and albums released 10 years ago.

When I think about what it was like during the time Outkast's fifth album, Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, was released, I can't recall ever sharing such a huge amount of optimism and trepidation concerning a project. Coming off the smash Stankonia, which was so hugely popular that it became one of the few hip hop albums up until then to be nominated for Album of the Year at the Grammys, expectations were stratospheric. Outkast had managed to make each successive album contain fewer borders, rarely taking a step backward when it came to trying new things. By the time Speakerboxxx/The Love Below came around, the dusty, buttermilk-battered funk of their debut Southerplayalisticadillacmuzik was but a distant memory and only served as a slight reference point to the foundation of their sound. The increasing eclecticism no doubt helped to expand their audience and it was reasonable at the time to expect that their latest double album would be nothing short of mind-blowing.

Interview with Xenia Rubinos on this Monday's Noteworthy

On my radio show Noteworthy this Monday, I'll have an interview with Xenia Rubinos from 6PM-8PM at http://uicradio.org. If you recall, she had my #1 single of 2012.

Here is "Help" from her latest album Magic Trix.

An early preview of the 2014 Grammys

The 56th Grammy Awards aren't until January, but I thought I'd make some early predictions at the contenders for the general field. I've ranked who is likely to get nominated, in my opinion, for the four main categories. Check back on the blog closer to nomination time for my final guesses.

Album of the Year

1. Justin Timberlake - The 20/20 Experience
What's in its favor: Timberlake is one of the most beloved pop stars of this era and after a long break from music, he delivered an album that not only exceeded expectations, but nearly sold 1 million in its first week.
What might work against it: Not much actually. If there were any backlash against the album, it would have happened already. As of now, 20/20 is about the closest thing to a lock.

2. Bruno Mars - Unorthodox Jukebox
What's in its favor: Despite being released early in the eligibility period, having two #1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 ("Locked Out Of Heaven" and "When I Was Your Man") has helped keep up its momentum.
What might work against it: While I'm very high on Mars' chances, I won't feel completely confident until his latest single, "Treasure," cracks the top 10.

3. Taylor Swift - Red
What's in its favor: Swift has the kind of starpower that the Grammys love to have on their show. Add to that, 1.23 million sold in her first week, solid reviews and a Record of the Year nod for "We Are Never Getting Back Together," Swift is still one of the most bankable artists around.
What might work against it: Speak Now also sold a million in its first week with decent reviews, but was shut out of the general field.

Bunji Garlin feat. Nigel Rojas - "Differentology"

If there is any justice in the pop world, this song would become a summer anthem in the United States. By enlisting familiar seasonal sounds such as Chicago house, soca, Spanish guitar and a shout-along chorus, "Differentology" embodies summer with a combination of genres that were meant to unify the masses in the most festive of ways. It's fitting that the song itself is so communal in its goal of achieving a good time, which would make it ideal for an array of advertisements. Like the best backyard barbecues, "Differentology" offers a little something for everyone.

Alpine - "Gasoline" & KING - "In The Meantime"

It's only been four months into 2013, but I think I may have already found two of my favorite songs of the year.

Alpine - "Gasoline"

Since I came across this about a month ago, I haven't been able to let go of how much this song reminds me of Little Dragon. I kept picturing a world where they didn't sound as sinister and the keyboards had a bit more bounce to it. The result would likely be "Gasoline." It's deceptively chipper and doesn't sound anything like you would expect longing to, especially the way the lead singer delivers the word "night time" during the chorus, which feels naive and flirtatious at the same time.




KING - "In The Meantime"

Another song that's been in constant rotation is the latest single from KING, who I've been very high on in the past. It's a subtly potent display of quiet storm seductiveness filled with the typical warmth that these ladies bring. I'm not sure how often I've used "warm" to describe their sound, but I can't think of a better way to put it. From the vocals to the production, KING makes some of the coziest, lulling music right now, and I mean that in every positive way.

Best 50 Pop Albums from 2000-2009: #10-#1

This is the final entry in this week's countdown of the top 50 pop albums of the 2000s. The links for #50 - #11 are at the bottom of this post.

10. Yelle - Pop Up (2007)

If a 22-year old Madonna had been a hipster in the 21st century, she might have sounded something like this. The debut album from this French trio was an adventurous and sarcastic trip that was heavily influenced by house and a few strands of DNA from the early works of Cyndi Lauper and the aformentioned Madge. At its best, Pop Up yielded propulsive DJ staples such as "Je Veux Te Voir" and "A Cause Des Garçons" that had vocalist Julie Budet's sassy vocals to distinguish them along with some colorful splashes of 1980s electropop. Other rainbow-flavored cuts like "Mali Puli," "85A" and "Ce Jeu" provided the perfect excuse to bounce around with Pixy Stix as the drug of choice, while at the other end of the spectrum, the album's slower moments were equally captivating as well with the tender "Tu es beau" and the first half of "Tristesse/Joie." For an album attempting to bottle as much as sweat as Pop Up, slow songs usually produce a lull. That turned out to not be the case since there's rarely a duff moment to be found here.

Key tracks: "Je Veux Te Voir," "Tristesse/Joie," "Ce Jeu," "A Cause Des Garçons"

Best 50 Pop Albums from 2000-2009: #20-#11

I'm counting down the top 50 pop albums of the 2000s this week. This is part 4 of 5.

20. Freeform Five - Strangest Things (2004)

The only proper studio album to date from British producer/DJ Anu Pillai took the flash of his previous house and electro tracks and provided a twist of funk to the songs here, allowing the music to expand beyond the remix audience that Pillai earned his name with. The album also found time to focus on less dance-oriented material, such as "Ask Me Tomorrow" and "What Are You Waiting For" that showed Pillai's diversity as a songwriter and carried over into helping make the uptempo songs so hook-filled.

Key tracks: "Electromagnetic," "No More Conversations," "Eeeeaaooww,"  "Losing My Control" "Strangest Things"