Rolling Stone’s Picks for the Best Albums of 2013

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As the calendar year nears its end, it’s enjoyable to reflect back on the last twelve months of music. 2013 was a wild year for the music industry; new stars rose, old acts revitalized themselves, and well, Miley did her thing. Rolling Stone Magazine recently released its picks for the “50 Best Albums of 2013,” a diverse list of talent that spans many genres. Here are some of the highlights from the list:

#50: Beck’s Song Reader. Beck was at it again in 2013, this time releasing a decidedly “old school” album of sheet music. Song Reader showcased a collection of folky songs, with quirky twist that only Beck could inject. This album was unexpected, enjoyable, and something we haven’t heard yet from the artist.

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#47: M.I.A.’s Matangi. Radical, dance-beat heavy and powerfully melodic M.I.A. was constantly on the radar in 2013; if not for record label drama, for her outstanding live performances and leaked documentary. Matangi is just what you’d expect from this rebellious musician, and that’s a good thing.

#44: Valerie June’s Pushin’ Against a Stone. This record was definitely deserving of “Best-Of” praise. Rolling Stone describes June as having “mixed blues, soul, country, string-band folk and gospel while the Black Keys’ Dan Auerback added old-school ambience. It’s the sound of a rookie doing her own thing like no retro-soul singer since Amy Winehouse.”

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#35: Best Coast’s Fade Away (EP). It’s pretty remarkable that a seven song EP made the list, but after listening to Fade Away, you’ll understand why. Bethany Cosentino has graduated from surf pop stoner rocker to bona fide songwriter, and this EP is her most mature work yet.

#19: Nine Inch Nails’ Hesitation Marks. The first album from Nine Inch Nails in five years, the magazine calls Hesitation Marks “a dance party at the edge of oblivion.” Trent Reznor combined the band’s iconic sound with newer techniques that elevated the impact of the record while still paying homage to the band’s legacy.

#1: Vampire Weekend’s Modern Vampires of the City. Vampire Weekend snags the number one spot with their 2013 studio effort. It’s catchy, elevated, carries musical depth, and also shows the evolution of a band that garnered early fame for their indie pop sound. Right behind them were Kanye West, Daft Punk, Paul McCartney, and Arcade Fire.

What do you think of these honorees? What surprises do you think 2014 holds for the world of music? 

Are These Musicians Really the “New Immortals?”

Rolling Stone Magazine recently published its picks for “The New Music Immortals.” Basically, these musicians are the ones who have most impacted the music industry in recent years, deeming them “immortal,” according to Rolling Stone. The magazine has published similar lists in the past, highlighting the greatest artists of the last 50-100 years, but as music trends continue to change, newer faces are becoming more recognized.

“When we look around us today we see a whole galaxy of other stars who belong in the Immortals conversation,” explains Rolling Stone. To folks who favor the technical music talent and sound of legends past, this list of the new music immortals might be a point of great contention. Here are some highlights:

“If Taylor Swift stopped producing hits right now, at 23, she could tour a killer oldies show for the rest of her life,” says the magazine of the young star. Other pop stars that made the cut include Beyonce, Rhianna, and Lady Gaga, all who are known for their foray into multiple music genres and elaborate live performances. 

Kanye West, LCD Soundsystem, and the Roots all made the list or new music immortals. These three acts make up a diverse amount of indisputable talent, but some wonder if West’s music will withstand the test of time. Similarly, LCD Soundsystem accomplished a lot during their heyday, but has already disbanded, making them an unusual choice.

Rounding out the list with a little bit of rock and roll, punk, and grunge is Jack White, Pearl Jam, The Strokes, Arcade Fire, Wilco, and Green day. Jam band Phish also made the list, which comes as no surprise, what with the enduring music festival culture.

While some of these bands have long been regarded by fans as immortal, other newer acts might raise an eyebrow. Are people still going to be listening to pop songs from Taylor Swift or Rhianna in five, ten, or even fifty years? As music continues to change, we’ll have to decide which bands really will stand the test of time. What do you think of Rolling Stone’s picks for the “new music immortals?” 

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“Yeezus” Might Just Be Kanye West’s Most Dynamic, Genius, and Offensive Album Yet

Kanye West is no stranger to creating controversy and being the focal point of intense public scrutiny. In fact, many would say he relishes it. After months of guerrilla advertising, Internet track leaks, and much anticipation, Yeezus, West’s sixth solo album has arrived, and once again, he’s got the music industry buzzing.

Some critics and fans have been quick to say that this is clearly West’s darkest, most dynamic album yet, while others are suggesting that Yeezus is only the next chapter in the ongoing saga of Kanye West, that it’s more shock value than musical masterpiece. Whatever his intent, West is one of the few contemporary entertainers who has the ability to truly raise a public ruckus. The public is obsessed with Kanye West, waiting with baited breath for the next highly opinionated, controversial thing he’ll say or do next.

According to Ryan Dombal, in a review for Pitchfork, “For Kanye, there's purpose in repulsion. And on Yeezus, he trades out smooth soul and anthemic choruses for jarring electro, acid house, and industrial grind while delivering some of his most lewd and heart-crushing tales yet.” Other critics agree that the trim, 40-minute album is heavy on the electro-industrial sound, with a mash up of jagged layers of sound and warped vocals that tint the record in a demonic hue. It’s content is very much in the style of Mr. West, in that it is provocative, misogynistic, race-centric, and bold.

According to Jody Rosen for Vulture, “Shock, surely, is the point. Kanye wants to get under our skin, to rile and appall,” which he certainly succeeds in with Yeezus. Rosen abhors the album’s sexist, degrading lyrics, but admits, “The knucklehead and the genius go hand-in-hand. For every provocation that falls flat on Yeezus, there are five moments that startle and make you think.” This is something that not many artists today can do. The album is full of shock value, but with Kanye West, there is always something deeper at play.

For an informative, in-depth review of Yeezus, read Ryan Dombal's Official Pitchfork Review, and be sure to listen to tracks from the album to weigh in! 

5 Fashion & Music Power Couples

The world of fashion is fierce, powerful, and not for the faint of heart. It seems the business is more suited to some than others, and few make it to the top. Some do so in pairs, rising to become fashion power couples with authority in the industry. These couples are oh-so-stylish all the time—not just on the runway—and know what they’re talking about when it comes to fashion.

1.    Kim Kardashian & Kanye West—Though not everyone is a fan of the duo, there’s no denying that they’ve got the power. With Kim’s status as a reality star and Kanye’s success as a musician, they’ve hit the fashion world like a tidal wave—and they don’t show any signs of stopping anytime soon.

2.    Victoria Beckham & David Beckham—David may not be technically a star in either music or fashion on his own, but his wife’s status of Spice-Girl-turned-designer has certainly benefitted his image. Victoria’s turned out to be quite a talented designer, and though she’s had her fashion ups and downs, who hasn’t?

3.    Lauren Santo Domingo & Andres Santo Domingo—Lauren may be the fashion expert in the marriage, but her husband Andres Santo Domingo has some serious style, too. Lauren works as a contributing editor to Vogue and is close with the legendary Anna Wintour. Andres co-owns his own music record label, Kemado Records.

4.    Keith Abrahamsson & Kate Young—Speaking of Kemado Records, director Keith Abrahamsson also found love in the fashion world with stylist Kate Young. Kate is the stylist for Natalie Portman and recently got her own capsule collection at Target.

5.    Gwen Stefani & Gavin Rossdale—Like many celebrity couples, Gwen and Gavin came to fame individually before finding each other. Both successful musicians, they dated for several years before tying the knot. Stefani launched her first line, L.A.M.B. in 2003, though she had been making her own stage clothing for years by then.