Year-End Critics' Polls 2013

Tom Keifer from Cinderella just posted this on facebook. So maybe something from his solo album (which I like) is on here somewhere. (I quit looking after the first few songs.)

http://hardrockdaddy.wordpress.com/2013/12/23/top-52-hard-rock-songs-of-2013/

Well, that had songs I liked by Black Veil Brides and Within Temptation, at least.

http://www.mtviggy.com/lists/tina-2013-10-burners-from-new-afropops-magic-year/

"Pata Pata," "Khona" and more African dance pop

my lists: http://alexmacpherson.tumblr.com/post/70898726825/end-of-year-lists-2013

― lex pretend, Monday, December 23, 2013 6:09 PM (Yesterday) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

Thanks for this. Benn listening to your YouTube playlist for the last 2 hours :)

*Been*

http://zakhor-online.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Gottfried-Benn3.gif

was it's only (DJ koze remix) on a mix this year? really familiar w/it but doesn't seem to be on spotify, which is where I do all my listening

it's on spotify - http://open.spotify.com/track/0X4zAiCYr2TaiGg8htsqf5

http://www.afropop.org/wp/16106/banning-eyres-top-ten-for-2013/

Lala Njava, Malagasy Blues Song (Riverboad Records): Mesmerizing songs from a deep-voiced siren of Madagascar. It’s a spectacular voice—craggy, earthy and real—mostly backed by acoustic guitar and light percussion. Despite the overworked “blues” reference in the title, this is a great album.

The Creole Choir of Cuba, Santiman (RealWorld): Christian vocal music, Haitian folk songs, and deep voudou ceremony come together in this gorgeous choral set, much advanced since the group’s 2010 debut. Tasteful instrumental backing lifts these tracks, but fabulous, passionate voices are the show.

Houria Aicha, Renyate (Accords Croises): This grand dame of Algerian song makes a “journey into heritage” here, interpreting the work of 10 female singers of Algeria’s past. Her sources are not well known, but her refined, soulful renditions of women’s popular song and folklore dignifies their memory, and makes for one of the most satisfying discs I’ve heard out of North Africa this year.

The Pedrito Martinez Group, The Pedrito Martinez Group (Motema): Cuban music doesn’t get any hotter than this. The group is small—just four—but the sound is enormous! Singer and percussion genius Pedrito has been a beloved secret for New Yorker music mavens for yearss. Now, the world can share in this expansive set of songs ranging from Santeria roots to a Robert Johnson cover.

Mamadou Kelly, Adibar (Clermont Music): Of all this year’s great releases from the north of Mali and neighboring Niger, this is my favorite. Song after song, singer/guitarist Kelly’s group seduces with crisp grooves, brilliant playing and arranging, and a vibe that just won’t let go.

Bombino, Nomad (Nonesuch): The Tuareg singer/guitarist from Agadez, Niger, gets a stylish, but restrained, makeover from Grammy-winning guitarist/producer of the Black Keys, Dan Aurbach. Robust guitar sounds and tasteful additions, like pedal steel guitar, enhance rather than compromise Bombino’s rootsy folk-rock appeal.

Tal National, Kaani (FatCat Records): Not a new band, but a discovery for many of us this year, Tal National are a multi-ethnic electric guitar boogie band from Niamey, Niger, led by a local judge! What animates these tracks is the polish and drive that comes only from playing long gigs before adoring dance audiences five nights a week. Too rare these days!

Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba, Jama Ko (out here records): Ngoni pioneer Basssekou Kouyate’s third album was recorded amid the troubles in Mali in 2012, and the musicians’ love and hope for their nation comes through on every track. Not a lot of new ground here, but powerhouse acoustic grooves, joyous riffing by a team of ngoni aces, some choice guest spots, and the sublime voice of Ami Sacko are quite enough.

Rokia Traore, Beautiful Africa (Nonesuch): Too much Mali, I know. But there’s no way to ignore new work by one of this hyper-musical nation’s most innovative singer/songwriters. Finding new colors in her voice, new themes, even humor, in her songs, and continuing her fascination with classic guitar sounds, Rokia has taken 5 years to make this album, and the care and attention to detail show. Like Bombino, she is working with a rock producer (John Parish), and like Bassekou, she made this record amid the 2012 crisis in Mali. For all that, it’s 100% Rokia, and brilliant.

Kobo Town, Jumbie in the Box (Stonetree Records/Cumbancha): This disc is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Though based in Toronto and multi-national, this group delivers the classic sound of Trinidadian calypso. Smart, witty lyrics delivered with a wink and a nod; strong, spare grooves that will make you want to dance like it’s 1966; understated passion in every track—what’s not to love?

I was just thinking about Houria Aicha this week, wondering if she was still active. I saw her once in an intimate setting (The Painted Bride, in Philadelphia). I wonder how much she tours. I haven't noticed her name in a while, but I also don't read the world music press much these days.

She's an incredible singer, or was when I saw her, accompanied by someone playing wood flutes he had made himself, as well as frame drums.

It's on Spotify and sounds good 35 seconds in.

The Kobo Town album is very good.

was it's only (DJ koze remix) on a mix this year? really familiar w/it but doesn't seem to be on spotify, which is where I do all my listening

― =(3 Ɛ)= (cozen), Tuesday, December 24, 2013 7:09 PM (Yesterday) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

it was on michael mayers RA mix last year, thats where i heard it

http://youtu.be/Qh9wC72TMAI

prefer this one myself

The Volna / Afisha top 30. It's the closest thing Russia has to P4k.

30. RP Boo - Legacy
29. Matana Roberts - Mississippi Moonchile
28. DJ Koze - Amygdala
27. Huerco S - Colonial Patterns
26. Fire! Orchestra - Exit
25. Danny Brown - Old
24. Holden - The Inheritors
23. DJ Rashad - Double Cup
22. Jessy Lanza - Pull My Hair Back
21. Kozalek / LaValle - Perils From The Sea
20. Machinedrum - Vapor City
19. James Ferraro - NYC Hell 3:00 am
18. After Dark 2
17. Bill Callahan - Dream River
16. Fedorov I Kruzenshtern - Bit' Vezde
15. Ducktails - The Flower Lane
14. Oneohtrix Point Never - R Plus 7
13. Sonic Death - Home Punk
12. Rhye - Woman
11. Jon Hopkins - Immunity
10. Darkside - Psychic
9. Death Grips - Government Plates
8. Nick Cave - Push The Sky Away
7. Dean Blunt - The Redeemer
6. Lemondey - Favorit
5. Omar Souleyman - Wenu Wenu
4. King Krule - 6ft Beneath The Moon
3. Justin Timberlake - 20/20 Experience
2. James Blake - Overgrown
1. Kanye West - Yeezus

And of course the first two user comments are:

'a как же The National?'

and

'a как же Arcade Fire?

haha!

lmaoo

http://www.hipstersdontdance.com/2013/12/hdds-top-20-tunes-of-2013/

HDD trax of the year

Rizzla & Blk Adonis Batty Jack
O Money Pull Up
Bunji Garlin Differentology
Burna Boy Yawa Dey
Mavado March Out
Red Fox Hot Like Fiyah
Tarrus Riley To The Limit
Ice Prince feat Burna Boy, Yung L & Olamide Gimme Dat
Wiz Kid Jaiye Jaiye
French Montana feat Nicki Minaj Freaks
Mafikizolo feat Uhuru Khona
Specialist & Ishawna Do For Love
Charly Black & J Capri Whine & Kotch
Macka Diamond Dye Dye
Vybz Kartel School
Dubbel Dutch Dip So
Drake feat Majid Jordan Hold On We’re Going Home
Beyonce Partition
Aidonia Tip Pon Yuh Toe

SDC feat Poe & Boj Feel Alright
Popcaan Everything Nice
Popcaan Whine & Stop
Lady Saw Heels On
Gappy Ranks & K Dot Salute

Fuse ODG Antenna
DeeWunn & Marcy Chin Bunx Up
Farmer Nappy Stranger
Kari Jess Like A Genie
Tifa Tiki Tiki

awesome list, but then I probably heard a third of those through HDD and that looks a lot like what my tracks ballot will look like. The Large's "Gas Pedal Mix" is fantastic and has a bunch of those tracks on it: http://soundcloud.com/the_large/gas-pedal-mix

http://latinmusic.about.com/od/playlists/tp/Best-Latin-Songs-of-2013.htm?nl=1

Marc Anthony , La Santa Cecilia, and more

http://thefieldreporter.wordpress.com/2014/01/01/2013-in-retrospective-the-lists-347/

in case you need more than one recording of white noise / ambient environmental sounds / hushed electroacoustic whatever etc. this year

I do!

http://www.freejazzblog.org/2014/01/happy-new-ears.html

stef et al's readers' votes for most innovative listening experience of 2013

Barry Guy - Mad Dogs 20%
Fire Orchestra - Exit! 17%
Matana Roberts - Coin Coin Chapter Two: Mississippi Moonchile 11%
Mikołaj Trzaska - Gra Różę 10%
Keefe Jackson's Likely So - A Round Goal 8%
Mary Halvorson Septet - Illusionary Sea 8%
Black Host - Life in the Sugar Candle Mines 5%
Ellery Eskelin/Susan Alcorn/Michael Formanek - Mirage 3%
John Butcher, Thomas Lehn & John Tilbury - Exta 3%
SPUNK - Das Wohltemperierte SPUNK 2%
Okkyung Lee - Ghil 2%
Tomas Challenger & Kit Downes - Wedding Music 2%
Axel Dörner & Mark Sanders - Stonecipher 1%
John Edwards & Okkyung Lee - White Cable, Black Wires 1%
Looper - Matter 1%

the winner sounds bonkers

http://www.freejazzblog.org/2013/05/barry-guy-new-orchestra-small.html

good f--g bye, 2013.

http://thefieldreporter.wordpress.com/2014/01/01/2013-in-retrospective-the-lists-347/

in case you need more than one recording of white noise / ambient environmental sounds / hushed electroacoustic whatever etc. this year

― j., Wednesday, January 1, 2014 2:56 PM (5 hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

YES PLZ

Uk's bestselling singles
http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-official-top-40-biggest-singles-of-2013-2709/

And albums
http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-official-top-40-biggest-artist-albums-of-2013-2708/

posted my top 100:

http://1000timesyes.tumblr.com/post/71988429324/cleaning-out-my-closet-the-top-100-records-of-2013

great list bro

thank u

nice to see the Blaak Heat Shuja and Dillinger Escape Plan on your list. reminds me i still need to hear that Whores record.

eminem in top 10 whiney u so crazy

No sightings, Whiney?

Really enjoyed this EOY writeup; seems ILXish and links to Brad's excellent 1975/Haim piece:
http://cancatervation.tumblr.com/post/72156453997/playing-high-fidelity-2013-edition

omg that IS very ilm

Lol, that's me

nice, I like your take on Laura Marling. I'm surprised her record hasn't gotten more mileage on ILM. Probably my AOTY.

this is the albums list i ended up with:
http://narrowcast.blogspot.com/2013/12/my-top-50-albums-of-2013.html

Excellent work Monotony!

thumbs up to monotony and shipz

loving the k michelle love, i think that album has crept up my list even more now

also lmao @ "BEST INDIE R&B FOR PEOPLE THAT DON’T LIKE R&B THAT I KNOW I SHOULDN’T LIKE BUT DO, REGARDLESS"

(unsurprisingly i hate all those songs BUT i love everything in the actual, larger r&b section so it's ok)

monotony and I shared 3 albums in our top 10s, including an identical #1.

http://enduser2013.tumblr.com/ (there's some writing there, but it's not any good.)

thanks so much guys! definitely wouldn't have heard of a whole bunch of stuff on that list if it weren't for posters here, so cheers to y'all as well.

Nice list Johnny Fever - i remember seeing Alpine at a festival once, the two girls were drunk and they kind of sucked so I never heard the record, but maybe I oughtta give it a shot.

Some dude's looks great, can't wait to trawl through all that writing.

The past few years, the Metal Poll has been my favorite thing about ILM, along with the ambitious jazz, 80s and 70s rock polls. Looks like it's in trouble though, as it's dropping from 80 ballots in 2010 to 74 to 51 last year, and only 11 so far this year, closing Friday. I've always felt it was the most interesting, well-rounded of all metal polls. Please help us keep it that way!

~~~ ILM METAL POLL 2013 - ALBUMS & TRACKS VOTING & CAMPAIGN THREAD~~~ (VOTING ENDS FRIDAY JANUARY 10th 11.59pm UK time/6.59pm EST) )

Maximum of 50 album votes/Minimum of 5.
Maximum of 20 tracks votes/Minimum of 5

Please vote by filling in the
Voting Form, copying your selections directly from the nominations spreadsheets:

Album Nominations Spreadsheet
Tracks Nominations Spreadsheet

These aren't critcs' polls, but at work I generated two more data-driven 2013 retrospectives, one for raw popularity and one for emerging discoveries.

article about them: http://blog.echonest.com/post/72464366661/hottest-songs-biggest-music-discoveries-of-2013

popularity map: http://everynoise.com/engenremap-2013.html
popularity playlist: http://rd.io/x/QUPlBzMtemQ/

discovery map: http://everynoise.com/engenremap-2013END.html
discovery playlist: http://rd.io/x/QUPlBzMtfyc/

I'm not going to paste the complete lists here. They're long.

xpost to fnb

a number of factors for the decline in metal poll inc hate of polls but one is perhaps metal thread regulars got old and listened to mostly old albums last year. Not just reissues but old faves and new but old discoveries.
Poll fatigue doesnt hurt the big ilm poll which got 120+ last year iirc.

a lot of metal today is also extreme death metal with extreme grunting thats highly unoriginal and ilxors dont care for it but thats what the metal kids in the real world like and the kids shun "clean singing bands" like ghost, uncle acid, in solitude, cauldron etc which ILXors tend to like. (also theyre seen as old fashioned retro by kids)
extreme black metal suffers the same as the DM. Atmospheric/Shoegazy BM has been around a while and ppl are fed up with it.
Same with post-metal.

Plus crossover stuff like alcest,deafheaven et al have annoyed metallers for not being metal and for being "hipster metal" and those metallers wont vote if they think the list will be dominated by it and perhaps of course fans of those bands have been put off voting. Who knows.

Either way I think ILM metal poll may have had its day unless 20 or 30 more people vote by friday to get it up to last years level (which in itself was a fall from 74 votes)

http://i.imgur.com/7WOj5.gif

Pourin' one out for my Cookie Monster vocals.

dying that Dillinger Escape Plan isn't on the ballot