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? 

Paul McCartney Implores Russia to Free ‘Pussy Riot’

People all over the world have been captivated by the public trials and subsequent prison sentencing of Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alekhina. Tolokonnikova and Alekhina are band mates—members of the Russian punk rock group, Pussy Riot. It’s been over a year since their infamous guerrilla-style performance on the steps of a Russian Orthodox Church in Moscow, but their sentencing of two years of imprisonment continues to gain attention on a global scale as an issue that violates the women’s human rights.

The band, which has had a changeable membership of as many as eleven women since its formation in 2011, is made up of musicians who are equally passionate about activism. The content of their music is controversial; it often makes commentary on feminism, LGBT rights, politics, and social justice issues, as well as their opposition to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Since their initial arrests in March 2012, there have been thousands of people and organizations that have protested the treatment of Tolokonnikova and Alekhina; since their sentencing, the amount of people invested in achieving justice for the women has grown immensely. Other musicians such as Sting, Patti Smith, and Madonna have made public statements in defense of the artist-activists, and the newest celebrity joining the cause is none other than Sir Paul McCartney of the Beatles.

Following the hospitalization of Alekhina, who was being treated as a result of her hunger strike, McCartney reportedly wrote multiple letters to Russian Authorities regarding the women and their incarceration. McCartney wrote, "My personal belief is that further incarceration for Maria will be harmful for her and the situation as a whole, which, of course, is being watched by people all over the world...”

McCartney’s polite reminder that the global scrutiny surrounding Russian policy and politics is immense, suggesting that it would be in the country’s best interest to reevaluate the sentencing of Pussy Riot band members. Indeed, justice for these women is a common goal that people all over the world are fighting for. With more endorsement from influential people like McCartney, the band might expect to reclaim their freedom soon.

For more information on Pussy Riot’s sentencing and how it impacts a greater fight for human rights, check out Amnesty International's efforts.  

Lineup for Bonnaroo 2013 Rocks

For those planning to attend Bonnaroo 2013, the announced lineup is good news. Included in the Tennessee music & arts festival’s headlining bands are acts like Paul McCartney, Mumford & Sons, and Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers. The four-day festival will also feature some of today’s best indie and emerging bands, like Björk, Pretty Lights, The Lumineers, The xx, Of Monsters and Men, Glen Hansard and many more.

Daniel Tosh, who is also scheduled to appear at the festival, announced the lineup on Tuesday. And it rocks—so we suggest if you’re anywhere near Tennessee, you try to get ahold of a ticket.

“If it weren’t for Bonnaroo, Tennessee would have been voted out of America years ago,” the comedian jokes. “I’ll be there, but in a climate-controlled, misting tent that none of you will have access to.”

“I know hanging out with 80,000 dirty hippies sounds awful, but what makes it worth the trip are the amazing artists on this year’s lineup. Here’s 2013’s long list of performers that I pray does not include The Postal Service.”

Tickets will go on sale beginning February 23^rd at noon EST. Four price levels are available, beginning at $224.50 and capping at $269.50; however, price level 1 tickets (the cheapest) were already up for sale and sold out. The other three levels will be available beginning on the 23^rd. Each ticket is an admission for one to the 4-day festival and will include a ticket fee of $26.30 each.

This year’s Bonnaroo runs from June 13-16 in Manchester, TN. Those attending will camp out for four days on over 700 acres of land. There will be a total of 150 performances, including music, art, comedy, and more. Campers are encouraged to come prepared to be self-sufficient, bringing enough water and food to survive four days of intense Tennessee heat.