So we've come to that time of the year again when we present our Top 10 albums list.
2013 has been an interesting year for Music Liberation, we've somewhat slowed down a bit in terms of the frequency of reviews, but what material we do cover is always of a high standard, and as such the compiling of the top 10 albums list has been enjoyably difficult.
Hopefully you'll discover something in this list which you might not have seen covered elsewhere. I'd like to thank our team of writers, in particular Moker, Clive, and Sarah who have continued to provide their insightful and diligent reviews. I would also like to thank you, the reader, for whatever capacity you have engaged with us over the past year. The music never stops, and 2014 already looks like being another stellar year for new music, and Music Liberation is excited to once again be a part of it.
Jon Sidwell (Editor)
1. TORRES - TORRES
"Captured almost straight to tape 'Torres' is an album of often
simple and sparse arrangements, something which is incredibly brave for
someone of Scott's tender years to bare her thoughts and ideas on such
an open platform. It's quite a personal record from start to finish,
which when combined with her fairly rangy vocals and retro sounding
electric guitar (which is pretty much lush throughout), ultimately leads
to a debut album which is bold, authentic, and full of integrity -
quite frankly its utterly brilliant." Reviewed by Jon Sidwell
2. FALL CITY FALL - VICTUS
"Fall City Fall have crafted a near-perfect debut record. Brutal but
accessible, it’s crowd-pleasing in their inclusion of headbanging
breakdowns, and progressive in their use of innovative mathcore and
melody. Personally, I rank ‘Victus’ alongside the modern masterpieces by
Converge (‘All We Love We Live Behind’), Letlive. (‘Fake History’) and Vision Of Disorder
(‘The Cursed remain Cursed’) for sheer passion, but also for
successfully bridging hardcore, post hardcore and metalcore without
pretentious mutations of the subgenres’ – um – cores. Absolutely
thrilling stuff." Reviewed by Clive Rozario
3. SUNSHINE - SUNSHINE
"Drawing together all the happiest bits of melodic dream-pop, beachy chill-wave and vintage, washed out shoegaze, Trevor Risk, Gillian Damborg (vocals), Tyler James Quarles (bass), Ian Urbanski (guitar) and Sean Tyson (who also drums for Top Less Gay Love Tekno Party) are Vancouver’s sunniest 5-piece...It’s a juxtaposition of twee vocals and melodies with more alternative rock leanings that define the sound of this debut self titled record by Sunshine. They are certainly a band to watch out for, with this album being yet another eclectic, life affirming gem from Canada." Reviewed by Sarah Rayner
4. FIDLAR - FIDLAR
"Let’s get this out of the way first: Fidlar's name is an acronym for 'Fuck It Dog, Life's a Risk’. Make of that what you will, but it’s certainly a good indicator of the band’s eccentric fratboy approach to their craft...FIDLAR’s debut is a simple and surprisingly catchy record that
becomes more than the sum of its individual songs by unwittingly
representing a sense of fun that has been all but weeded out of new
guitar music today. And for that alone, this record is well worth a
listen." Reviewed by Moker
5. HANDBOOK - TITANOMACHY
"Handbook (Jake Brown), all the way from York (the old one not the New
one) messes with vintage disco, Motown, soul and hip hop hooks,
relentless stuttering cut-off and loops, and just the right beats. 'Titanomachy' is an album of danceable yet melodically appealing unadulterated remixes; Brown keeps the vintage soul of his samples alive." Reviewed by Sarah Rayner
6. MAX RAPTOR - MOTHERS RUIN - MAX RAPTOR
7. WIHT - THE HARROWING OF THE NORTH - Reviewed by Moker
8. JETPLANE LANDING - DON'T TRY - Reviewed by Jon Sidwell
9. LORE CITY - ABSENSE AND TIME - Reviewed by Moker
10. MAYORS OF MIYAZAKI - HOLY COP - Reviewed by Moker
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