Best Records of the Year 2013

Following the EPs list now it's time for the best records of 2013. Contrary to last year, I have increased the number of albums, but all 30 LPs are records I have listened and enjoyed fully. Meaning that records which I'm enjoying right now but have "arrived late" to my ears, or I haven't listened that much yet, didn't make the list (to name three I'm pretty sure would be among the names below with some more time ahead: Math and Physics Club's "Our Hearts Beat Out Loud", Gente Joven's "I, II, III, IV" and Doble Pletina's "De lo Concreto a lo General"). I believe they deserve to be listened properly and not be included just for the sake of mentioning more albums. Having said that, here we go, hope you like it!

30. Dress Up- The Spook School
29. Mug Museum- Cate Le Bon
28. Calendar Days- Dick Diver
27. How Many Times Have You Let Me Die- The Blanche Hudson Weekend
26. Run Fast- The Julie Ruin
25. Hummingbird- Local Natives
24. True Hallucinations- Ex Cops
23. Break It Up- Break It Up
22. Hard Times for Dreamers- Brothers in Law
21. Pick Your Century- Dub Noir
20. Girls Like Us- Pins
19. A Farewell to Youth- When Nalda Became Punk
18. Say It- Just Handshakes
17. Everything Is Going to Be OK- Big Summer
16. Waiting for Something to Happen- Veronica Falls
15. San Fermin- San Fermin
14. The Majestic 12 Years: 1994-1998- Majestic 12
13. If You Leave- Daughter
12. Everlasting Light- The Proctors
11. Lost Album- Coach Station Reunion
10. Ride Your Heart- Bleached
9. El Mundo Se Va a Acabar- Pauline en la Playa
8. Torres- Torres
7. Desire Lines- Camera Obscura
6. Choose Your Own Adventure- Arts & Leisure
5. Early Fragments- Fear of Men
4. Tall Tall Shadow- Basia Bulat
3. Personal Record- Eleanor Friedberger
2. Silence Yourself- Savages
1. Trouble Will Find Me- The National

Want to check last year's list? Then check here
And 2011's? Just click here

Discoverer 72: new indie findings

It's Sunday, so here you have more new indie proposals, enjoy !

San Fermin. Forget the terrible band name (I'm not Hemingway so I won't pretend I like bullfighting and getting drunk) and allow me to introduce you to Ellis Ludwig-Leone, a young songwriter from Rhode Island based in Brooklyn that after finishing his musical studies in 2011 became assistant of acclaimed arranger Nico Muhly (among other works) while prepared his own songs prior to collaborating and recording. The self-titled album is out since September via Downtown Records and is a surprising blend of chamber-pop and contemporary classical composition, where the ever-recurrent topics are "characterized" and sung with several vocal contributions. You'll hear The National, Tindersticks, Sufjan Stevens, The Divine Comedy and a dozen bands more at the same time, so be prepared. San Fermin, the band, is a unique experience.

Break It Up. Short drive to Philadelphia to meet drummer Casey Bell, who in 2009 found guitarist-vocalist Jen Sperling, and after several iterations of members added guitarist-vocalist Dan Morse, initially their producer, to complete the band. In 2011, they debuted with blogosphere's hit single “Excavate” and, since June, we have their ridiculously enjoyable self-titled LP available at their bandcamp. An immediate collection of hyper-vitaminated power-pop tunes, fuzzy and noisy guitars, traces of riot girrrl enthusiasm, a knack for melodies and a genuine feeling of enjoying themselves while playing together. A MUST.

The Clothes. And we end our "trip" in Macerata, Italy, to introduce you to singer and guitarist Massimo Scoposki and drummer Laura Palmiz. It seems the idea of having a band came to Massimo during his Erasmus in Nancy. Whatever the case, the White Stripes alike duo recorded their debut songs last year, and the result, “Fairy Lights Dress” EP (a mini-album of seven songs) is available since February, and for free at their bandcamp. You should be virtually running to grab the tunes now, because The Clothes are a C-86 injection straight to your spine and brain. Punk-pop, a relentless, true live spirit packed with the most "in-your-face" version of jangle melodies. Not to miss.