The somewhat belated first instalment of two (probably), listing my favourite releases of 2013, with links for your listening pleasure.
Country/Folk
Seasons of Your Day by Mazzy Star
More like a Hope Sandoval solo release, this doesn't really capitalise on the presence of David Roback or Bert Jansch (no, really...) for that matter.
The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight… by Neko Case
Another instalment of Neko Case’s development away from country into a country/pop/rock hybrid of her own making, with a distinct lyrical vision and plenty of catchy tunes along the way. Not sure about the title though.
Electronic
Exai by Autechre
A double CD set from the rejuvenated duo, with – as the cover sticker proclaims – over two hours of music. The only downside is that I still haven't managed to get my head round disk 2 yet.
Tomorrow’s Harvest by Boards of Canada
Boards of Canada have a formidable reputation in the electronic music community, backed up with some seminal releases in their back-catalogue so it’s a shame that this release is so dull. The post-apocalyptic concept is hackneyed, with some woolly environmentalism apparently at the heart of it all. Yawn.
Beautiful Rewind by Four Tet
Kieran Hebden generally has a way with a vocal sample, so it’s a pity that he over-utilises them on this release, to the point where they become annoying. The sonic backdrops are less inventive than on previous outings, with a general feeling of someone running out of ideas. Overall, a bit of a disappointment.
English Electric by OMD
Much, much better than The History of Modern, this album sees a return to the classic electro pop song writing of old. A couple of cuts - Night Café, Helen of Troy for example - are up there with their best, Architecture & Morality era work. A couple of the other tracks are marred by the production - the kick drum on Metroland is way too intrusive, for instance. Ironically for a group of futurists, the 21st century sheen detracts from this record rather than enhancing it. Still, I'd rather have them back than not.
Jazz
Part Two by Basquiat Strings
The title says it all - this is another instalment in a similar vein to the Basquiat’s first album. Fortunately, this is no bad thing.
Everything We Hold by Kairos4Tet
This might be okay if it wasn't for the bloody awful lyrics. Best avoided.
Citadel by Plaistow
Plaistow follow up last year's freebie Lacrimosa with their first commercial release. This seems to be something of a retreat, with eight short-ish tracks that veer back towards generic piano jazz, away from the two long-form tracks of its predecessor. Fortunately, I listened on Soundcloud rather than shelling out.
Outstairs by Christian Wallumrod Ensemble
Another album of Christian Wallumrod's sparse, Morton Feldman in a junk shop shtick recorded in loving detail by Manfred Eicher. Absorbing or irritating, depending on your frame of mind.
Minimalism
In C by Adrian Utley’s Guitar Orchestra
Portishead affiliate Utley lends his name to this attempt at Terry Riley’s landmark of high minimalism. I suspect that there are many people who collect recordings of this work, as it’s impossible to produce a definitive rendition. This is my third – Bang on a Can and Ars Nova being the other two – so I sense that I'm on that slippery slope which leads to anorak-ish completism.
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