Best/Worst Music of 2013

Mosh

Mosh

PM me your Opeth album rankings!
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With 2013 coming to a close, it's probably time for one of these threads. Lots of music has been released and I'm very interested in reading about this forum's favorites/least favorites! I'll kick things off with some albums that have gotten regular play from me lately, and one that I didn't particularly care for.

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Haken - The Mountain

Easily my favorite album this year. Finally this band is starting to make a dent in the prog rock scene after recently being signed by InsideOut. They've been recognized by many well known proggers, such as Mike Portnoy and Jordan Rudess. The hype is well deserved, this album easily beats anything Dream Theater has done (including the new album) since Six Degrees. Filled with great melodies, stunning instrumental passages, and epic moments, The Mountain is right up there with the best that prog has to offer. The songs are very adventurous and are never pointlessly extended by technical wanking that is often a point of criticism for their contemporaries.

Recommended songs: Falling Back to Earth, Somebody, Atlas Stone


Moon Safari - Himlabacken Vol. 1

Another great prog release, but easily accessible with more pop qualities. A must for fans of great vocalists/vocal melodies as the vocals are the album's strong point. Lots of harmonies, call and response, and even the lyrics are strong. Some parts even have a Broadway quality to them. A very unique sounding band, definitely another favorite of mine. The entire thing can be streamed for free here.

Recommended songs: Too Young to Say Goodbye, Mega Moon, Sugar Band

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Black Sabbath - 13

There was definitely a lot of buzz around this album, being the first in 18 years and the first with Ozzy since since 1978's Never Say Die. Unfortunately, I was underwhelmed. The band definitely managed to capture the classic Sabbath sound, and it does get better toward the end, though the entire thing didn't really stick with me. Even after giving it a few more tries, I had a hard time getting into it. There are some strong moments however, and it isn't a complete disappointment. My favorite song on 13 would probably be Methademic.
 
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Queens of the Stone Age, ... Like Clockwork

Hands down my favorite album of the year. The first half/side is stronger than the second, with better hooks and rhythms. But the whole album is a welcome addition to the hard rock catalog, and I listen to it at least once every couple of weeks. I have never been a big fan of this group, but this release is really strong.
 
I keep forgetting to check this out, even though I like their stuff. I'll have to make a case to listen to it this week.
 
First 3 albums that come to my mind:

1. Alice In Chains - The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here
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2. Dark Tranquillity - Construct
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3. Ashes Of Ares - Ashes Of Ares
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4. Witherscape - The Inheritance
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5. Amorphis - Circle
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Worst:
Amon Amarth - Deceiver Of The Gods
Dream Theater - Dream Theater
Helloween - Straight Out Of Hell

I'll have to edit this post as I remember more stuff.
 
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This year's best: Alter Bridge - Fortress

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Varied, fresh, solid. Extremely well-crafted from a musical point of view. There is more guitar work on this album than on all previous three taken together. The album includes old school heavy metal sound, with trading solos and exciting instrumental passages, with a more alternative Tool-esque sound and eerie Radiohead-like moments. Brilliant solos from start to finish.

Must-hear tracks: Fortress, Cry of Achilles, Calm the Fire
 
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Ariana said:
with a more alternative Tool-esque sound and eerie Radiohead-like moments. Brilliant solos from start to finish.
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This sounds like a cool combo. I'll have to check it out sometime.
 
Ariana said:
This year's best: Alter Bridge - Fortress

alterbridgefortresscd.jpg


Varied, fresh, solid. Extremely well-crafted from a musical point of view. There is more guitar work on this album than on all previous three taken together. The album includes old school heavy metal sound, with trading solos and exciting instrumental passages, with a more alternative Tool-esque sound and eerie Radiohead-like moments. Brilliant solos from start to finish.

Must-hear tracks: Fortress, Cry of Achilles, Calm the Fire
Click to expand...
You've been talking these guys up for a while. I don't know really know the band, but that description convinced me.
I will definitely be checking this one out.
 
Re Alter Bridge -- I read that those are the guys from Creed?! :puke:
Myles Kennedy is solid, though. I'll give a listen, and try not to hold Scott Stapp against them.
 
Luckily, the music they play now has nothing to do with Creed. Scott Stapp is a douche and it's quite unfair to the rest of the guys to be constantly linked to a person who tried to fuck up their careers. Give them a chance.
And Cornfed, that wasn't directed at you at all. It was just a general rant. :D
 
This year, I have no idea. I don't even know for sure if I have listened to anything (complete album) from 2013.

edit:
O wait, I did. I heard the Sabbath album. Contains re-used elements, but also a few fresh, powerful songs. All in all not bad, but I am not thrilled.
 
Will do that, Night Prowler.

Just checked some Haken, but I think I prefer the singer of British Lion. Also not really my kind of music. Don't have the patience to check the whole album, but if someone would point me out one nice melody in their opinion, I am happy to check that particular part out.

British Lion was from 2012.

edit: that Himlabacken intro made my stomach turn.
 
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Fair point. Sabbath's 13 is the only new album I've listened to this year that I can think of. I haven't heard all of Fortress yet.
 
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