Farce the Music

Jan 3, 2014

Kelcy's Top 10 Albums of 2013 (and Then Some...)

2013 was a year packed FULL of great independent music, and even a good deal of what was released on mainstream labels had large glimmers of creativity and soul. Unfortunately for me, real life intruded in a big way, as the picture shows, so there are a solid 3 dozen albums I really want to hear & still haven't got to. So without further ado, here is a list of albums I came across this year (some of which were released in other years) that I feel like everyone should take a listen to, followed by a list of my top ten (of what I heard) that were released in 2013. I did exclude Jason Isbell's incredible release "Southeastern," not because it's unworthy, I think every adult in the country should buy a copy, but because its been covered so many times by better writers than I, that it felt redundant.

Older albums that became new to me again this year:

Billy Joe Shaver: Tramp On Your Street. I've said it before, but this album, with its blistering guitar work by Eddy Shaver, is my all time favorite of the legendary songwriter's work.

Guy Clark: Boats to Build. The master of his craft at the height of his powers.

Micky & The Motorcars: Raise My Glass. To me this was the album that boosted the younger Braun brothers past Reckless Kelly on my personal hierarchy of independent country/rock bands.

Pantera: Cowboys From Hell. THE seminal metal album of my late teens, I burnt out on it in 2000 or so but this year it felt right again.

Childish Gambino: Camp. It's a fairly recent album but one I didn't listen to until Brad Rice suggested it. There isn't a lot going on in hip hop that interests me within the mainstream. I find mainstream hip hop & country to be remarkably similar in their marketing & content. Childish Gambino is a breath of fresh air.

Struggle: I Am Struggle. I'm not generally a fan of country/rap mixtures but this album makes it work. Check out "Give Me My Flowers" & "Water Into Wine."

Waylon & Willie: Clean Shirt. Possibly the finest of their collaboration albums songs like the title cut & "Rocks From Rolling Stones" make this one a must have.

Jarrod Birmingham: No Apologies. I've been a fan for years. This is an early album but cuts like "Like My Daddy Did" & "Walk Away" make it well worth owning.

Jarrod Birmingham: Waitin & a Wishin. Straight ahead honky tonk from a man who's been consistently making it for a decade plus. Jarrod appears to have been listening to Chris LeDoux records on repeat while writing this album, and that's not a bad thing at all. After listening to Copenhagen Circle I want to see him swap songs with Corb Lund. He sounds like he's enjoying himself fully.

Top Albums for this year:

The list of albums I did not get to this year is far too long to get into so honorable mentions go to Charlie Robison, Cody Canada, Lucero (EP but still great), Lindi Ortega, JB Beverly & John Moreland. I wanted to give all these albums consideration but it was a tough & busy year. Also Tantric dropped my favorite "guilty pleasure" album of the year with 37 Channels.

10) Shooter Jennings: The Other Life.

Shooter finally fuses his psychedelic tendencies with traditional country and it...works. Standout tracks are Gunslinger (insert obligatory lyric warning), Wild & Lonesome, & 15 Million Light Years Away.

9) Sevendust: Black Out The Sun.

Veteran hard rock band road warriors return with a disc that, while not a total departure from prior offerings, features a fuller & more orchestral sound. Something that some of their previous one off projects hinted at. Don't miss Cold As War & Dead Roses. Plus, they remain a fun, high energy live band.

8) Lincoln Durham: Exodus Of The Deemed Unrighteous

Lincoln follows last years too album with another dark, bluesy album chock full of gospel type vocals & unique arrangements. It's odd that this album creates considerably less buzz than The Shovel vs The Howling Bones did. Don't miss The Ballad Of A Prodigal Son, Beautifully Sewn, Violently Torn & Sinner.

7) Sturgill Simpson: High Top Mountain

This album probably deserves to be higher on the list but I didn't get to it until late in the year. Every song is a standout. Buy it.

6) Ashley Monroe: Like A Rose

The title cut alone is well worth the purchase price. Ashley is exhibit A for the strength of female songwriting in country musics future.

5) Kacey Musgraves: Same Trailer Different Park

Exhibit B would be this incredible effort by Ms Musgraves. Enough has been said about her music already, and most folks reading this list are familiar with it. The clever songwriting, solid musicianship & Kacey's great voice make it an album that may eventually be hailed as a major breakthrough for female artists in Nashville & traditional country in general.

4) Jackson Taylor & The Sinners: Crazy Again

Another year another album for the most prolifically (allegedly) dysfunctional act in the "scene" (I hate that phrase.) this one is different though. Jackson is more at peace with who he is, the band has found the ideal mixture for their Buck Owens meets The Ramones meets Billy Joe Shaver meets Social Distortion sound & it all works. Highlights include Crazy Again, Makeup & Faded Blue Jeans, and Rain.

3) Jason Boland & The Stragglers: Dark & Dirty Mile

I would venture to state that very few, if any, artist 15 years into their career (let alone with very nearly the same lineup) has released a consecutive trilogy of studio albums as consistently great as Comal County Blue, Rancho Alto & now this one, not to mention the outstanding live offering High In The Rockies. In any other year this would likely be the too album of the year & it is the best true "country" album of the year. The title cut is a masterwork, Lucky I Guess is the future staple love song of weddings in OK for years to come, They Took It Away is the perfect Bob Childers tune to cover & Spend All Your Time finds Jason's songwriting in the increasingly reflective mode it has taken on with maturity & peace. Roger Ray's guitar work is genius as per normal, Nick Worley has proven a worthy peer on fiddle, Grant Tracy holds down the bass line as he has for 15 years now & Brad Rice continues to be criminally underrated for his drum work. Once again the Stragglers have produced an under appreciated masterpiece that is perfect for our times.

1) Javi Garcia: The Great Controversy (tie)

There's not much to be said about this album I didn't say in my earlier review but it has grabbed me even stronger since. It's a strung out, twisted, dark, pulsing, living organism of an album and you need to listen to it.

1A) Quaker City Night Hawks: Honcho (tie)

I couldn't pick between this one & Javi's album, so I've got a tie at the top. If you like your music with a heaping helping of soul, dark brooding drum & bass lines that call to mind old Black Sabbath albums & outstanding harmonies this is the album for you. I'd be hard pressed to find 3 better songs in a row than Stable Hand, Yellow Rose & Train Rolled Home. These are essential, but the whole album is great & I look forward to hearing what new sounds this band makes in the future.

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-Kelcy Salisbury

Billboard Album Chart: Jan. 2, 2014 (Colorado)

Hmmm...

Jan 2, 2014

Worst Country Songs of 2013

I've already talked enough trash about most of the following songs in 2013, so here are the worst country songs of 2013, presented without comment.

Jeremy's Top Albums and Top Song of 2013

16. Kacey Musgraves "Same Trailer Different Park"

Wonderful writing with a beautiful voice and a great mix of traditional soul along with some modern sound. Hopefully this album serves as a template for female country singers for years to come. Hell, most the guys could learn something from this as well.

15. The Wild Feathers "The Wild Feathers"

This songs are so catchy you'll find yourself humming them so much you'll drive yourself nuts. Not quite rock and well beyond pop in my opinion, but I could care less. I listen to good music and don't pay attention to genres and this is definitely good music.

14. John Moreland "In The Throes"

Probably higher on every other list you'll read (unless they never got to listen to it) but this is my opinion only, so this is where it is. Very few albums this year will be able to top the songwriting you'll find on these ten tracks and John's voice is one that can't be forgotten.

13. Alan Jackson "The Bluegrass Album"

The same process that went into naming the album seems to have made its way into the musical content as well. Keep it simple and honest, and that's what you'll find here for sure. I'm just glad Alan was able to finally do this the way he wanted.

12. Eastbound Jesus "Northern Rock"

I can't believe I have to rank this album this low. I guess that's just the ultimate proof of what a year for music it has been. It's very easy to get lost in the great story contained within every song and the wonderful music that accompanies them.

11. Holly Williams "The Highway"

Some of the strongest and most emotion filled songs I've heard are on this album, unfortunately it also contains a few average songs and a couple that are rather weak. "Drinkin'" and "Waiting On June" are enough to stop anyone with a heart dead in their tracks and show how great of a songwriter Holly is.

10. Clutch "Earth Rocker"

Rock isn't dead, you're just looking in the wrong place. From the in your face rhythm of "Cyborg Bette" to the slow bluesy ballad "Gone Cold" there is something for everyone on this one. Certainly shows that Clutch has not lost it over the years.

9. Dallas Moore Band "Blessed Be The Bad Ones"

100% honky-tonk goodness that takes you for a ride of both the good and the bad times and everywhere in between. I was lucky enough to review this album earlier in the year and still listen to it often and may even enjoy it more now than then.

8. Sturgill Simpson "High Top Mountain"

This could be the album that many country traditionalist have been waiting for over the past few years and anything you've heard about it is true. (unless it was bad, then that person is an idiot) Not a weak song to be heard on this one.

7. Last False Hope "Dig Nails Deep"

One of the most original and unique albums you'll ever hear. So unique, it's actually hard to put into words a description that does any justice to what you'll find on the debut, full-length album by Last False Hope, or to say anything I didn't already cover before.

6. Shooter Jennings "The Other Life"

Talk about a guy with a full schedule, on top of coming up with a fine album himself, Shooter also produced two other albums on this list, went on a nationwide tour and made a short film with Judd Films featuring songs from this very album. One of the strongest albums Shooter has ever released and featuring a sound and attitude that many fans have been asking for.

5. Band of Heathens "Sunday Morning Records"

I'm still amazed by the amount of people that haven't listened to anything by this group. This album is spot on with beautiful harmonies and wonderful instrumentation that just makes you feel good and holds you until the end while featuring some of the most original arrangements to come out this year.

4. Statesboro Review "Ramble on Privilege Creek"

One word to describe this album: pleasant. Yeah, that'll work because that's exactly what it is. So easy to just listen to you won't even notice how long you've been just laying there in a trance. Hell, it took me three days to type that line while listening on my computer.

3. Fifth On The Floor "Ashes & Angels"

While Fifth On The Floor has never put out a bad album, this is a large step forward as a whole in both writing and subject matter. This one has a bit of everything, southern rock, straight up rock and roll and some classic country to keep everyone happy.

2. Jason Isbell "Southeastern"

Are you tired of everyone kissing this guy's butt and calling him the greatest thing going? Me neither, especially since it's all true. A masterful songwriter is an understatement as Jason continues to grow and travel to new heights with every release. "Southeastern" is no different and continues this upward trend and give hope that a clear-headed Jason Isbell may be the one to knock down the barriers that are keeping so many quality artist hidden from the mainstream.

1. Buffalo Gospel "We Can Be Horses"

Who? Don't feel bad, that's exactly what I said before I had my first listen to this album. Just a few songs in I knew I had come across something special and after a full listen I had a feeling early on that this masterpiece of oddly named tracks would not head south and would be able to be claim this top spot by the end of the year. The only hard thing about this collection of high quality tunes is picking a favorite song as all are at a high level and deserve multiple listens.

Song of the year

Holly Williams (feat. Gwyneth Paltrow) "Waiting On June"

I'm not sure what's gonna kill the slight bit of credibility I have more, picking a song of the year that features Gwyneth Paltrow or explaining why I did. Every time I hear this song I start thinking about my own life and my beautiful wife Amy. As I listen I usually start associating our lives with the characters in the song and by the time I've reached the final moments, I'm crying like a twelve year old girl in the front row of a Justin Bieber show. Mainly, this connection along with superb songwriting is why I feel this song is my top pick this year even though Pepper Potts is tagging along. Justin Bieber still is a thing isn't he?

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-Jeremy Harris

Dec 31, 2013

Best Albums of 2013: Matthew's Picks

10. Black Joe Lewis - Electric Slave

This album continued to grow on me throughout the year. It's such a strong album full of driving guitar, funky, dirty rhythms, and Lewis's penchant for telling stories of partying as well as more serious themes. This is Black Joe Lewis all grown up and pissed off. This is Black Joe Lewis's best album.

9. Jonny Fritz - Dad Country

Speaking of growing up, 2013 saw Jonny Fritz change his name from Jonny Corndawg in an effort to not get pegged as a joke affair. I think Dad Country is the epitome of that change. There are serious-as-hell songs on here masked in seemingly funny material. It's not terribly funny though when you think about the narrator of "Ain't It Your Birthday" showing up sometime later at his ex's house to wish her happy birthday. Character studies are Fritz's forte, and on Dad Country, those lovable losers/weirdos are everywhere.

8. Deer Tick - Negativity

Deer Tick really did a 180 on this album. From Divine Providence to Negativity, there is such a deep contrast, but the essence of what makes Deer Tick a great band serves as the glue; the songwriting. McCauley and crew wrote some of Deer Tick's best songs for this album, an album darker and more somber than any of their previous. When you listen from front-to-back, this album hits every note on the melancholy spectrum. But, it doesn't necessarily make this album a downer. It makes it an album perfect for reflection- whatever that reflection may be on.

7. Sturgill Simpson - High Top Mountain

From the first note of this album, I was blown away. His voice, his honky tonk band, and his stunning lyricism all seemed out of place for an album being released in the year 2013. But, that's what makes Simpson's album so damn enjoyable. It's a breath of fresh air to be able to find country music such as this still being made. With a voice similar to Waylon, I think we'll see much more from Simpson. Country music needs many more Sturgill Simpsons. Maybe 2014 will bring more along.

6. J Roddy Walston & the Business - Essential Tremors

I suppose 2013 was the year of growing up for bands, because on Walston's album, the band took a huge leap in terms of song material. From dealing with his condition that causes him to shake (thus, Essential Tremors) to the father-to-son tale Boys Can Never Tell, there are songs that are more serious, yet keep the party going with The Business's rowdy backing. My initial complaint with the album was that I hoped it would have more piano, but after multiple listens, there's not a damn thing I would add or take away from the album.

5. Futurebirds - Baba Yaga

Futurebirds continue to be one of the best bands out there with this album. Taking their reverb-laden rock to new levels in sound, Futurebirds created their masterpiece. Their numerous EPs and debut LP were great, no doubt, but this album takes that sound, adds years on the road, and finds the band at their peak. As I have said before, this album is perfect for an afternoon on the back porch/patio/balcony during the summer. It should also be stiflingly hot. This is the kind of album we will be listening to for years to come.

4. Diarrhea Planet - I'm Rich Beyond Your Wildest Dreams

Yeah yeah, the name... It's dumb. Sure. But, these boys from Nashville put out one damn fine rock and roll record. If you can explain to me anything wrong with 4 guitars, I'd love to hear it. An album rife with the perils of getting older and feeling isolated, the LP rocks harder and more accessibly than anything I can recall in the past few years. It's also just a lot of fun. It took me a while to get on board with this band, but once I got over the name, I have yet to be disappointed. Great band, even better album.

3. Ha Ha Tonka - Lessons

I thought Ha Ha Tonka would not be able to top Death of a Decade, but I clearly thought wrong. An album based on an NPR interview with Maurice Sendak sounded a bit over the top at first. But, leave it to the guys in Ha Ha Tonka to tackle the subject and do so nearly perfect. The album sifts through the taste of regret, forcing the listener to tackle regret in their own life, looking back through the days, months, or years. As with other albums dealing with the subject on this list, it doesn't burden the listener. It merely poses the question, and it's up to the listener to look back and take the past as it was, or dwell uncomfortably on those times we could have maybe done things differently.

2. Jason Isbell - Southeastern

My god. When I first heard that Jason Isbell was sober and had been hanging around Ryan Adams, I was a little worried. Not because he was sober, mind you. But, because Ryan Adams career had been somewhat frustrating to me once he reportedly got sober. I don't blame it on the sobriety, one bit. I doubt very strongly one writes better or worse on or off substance. But, I still had doubt that the new, slower Isbell album would be something I would like. I was wrong. Dear god, I was so wrong. This is the most stark and beautiful thing Jason Isbell has ever done. The songs about sobriety (or, rather, grappling with sobriety) and his new love (the wonderful Amanda Shires) made for one of the best albums of the year. I'm not sure how anyone can place this album lower than 2nd. I had the hardest time saying whether this or my number 1 album were 1 or 2. I changed the order many times. This album is gorgeous. It's intense. And it's Jason Isbell's best damn album, which is saying a lot...

1. John Moreland - In The Throes

I had never heard of John Moreland prior to this year and to be honest, I'm glad I hadn't. First hearing of this new-to-me artist and hearing his supposedly incredible album was one of the best things to have happened in 2013. The songs on this album are by and far the best songs I heard this year. They are somber songs. They are songs that are honest. Sometimes painfully honest. When you hear Moreland sing with his raspy, soothing voice, there is nothing but comfort in knowing that there is a person who knows your feeling. Listening to these songs make one feel, immediately, comforted and slightly uncomfortable. We are seeing into John Moreland's soul. The very things he's frightened of, saddened by, and/or angered by. And, we need that. We need honesty in songs. I'm glad I discovered John Moreland this year. I'm glad he made this incredible album and put it out this year. At the end of the day, this is, in my mind, the best album of the year.

Honorable Mentions:

Run The Jewels - Run The Jewels. Dawes - Stories Don't End. Earl Sweatshirt - Doris. Fifth on the Floor - Ashes & Angels. North Mississippi Allstars - World Boogie Is Coming.

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-Matthew Martin

FTM's Favorite Songs of 2013

1. Matt Woods - Deadman's Blues
From earlier review:
...almost painful to hear, in the best of ways. It's like we're the accidental witnesses to a late night confessional and I can't help feeling a little guilty finding so much beauty in such a raw disclosure. And those vocals… it's a masculine delivery with a tear deeply embedded; then he rips your heart out when he lets it all go in the final seconds.