favorite songs and albums of the year gone by. The ex-DJ in me won't entirely go away,
as I still love discussing music and sharing musical discoveries. This helps me
do both, and hopefully will get some of you to share what you liked as well last year.
We start with my Top 10 albums for 2013:
10) New Lion Terraces-Corin Ashley
One of the tracks is called "Badfinger Bridge". That should provide a clue as to what this guy
sounds like. And since Badfinger was heavily Beatle-ish, this record is also drenched in Fab
Four color. Really nice pop tunes throughout.
http://www.amazon.com/New-Lion-Terraces ... rin+ashley
9) Amelita-Court Yard Hounds
Sisters Emily Robison and Martie Maguire, formerly of the Dixie Chicks, come into their own on
their second album. This is mostly pop, flavored with country to be sure, but it's a lot more
than just yee-haw material. Natalie Maines, to be honest, is not missed.
http://www.amazon.com/Amelita-Court-Yar ... ard+hounds
In A Tidal Wave of Mystery-Capital Cities"Safe and Sound" is, of course, the standout track here, but there are other delights
to be found here, such as the happy-go-lucky "Love Away" and the melodic "Chasing You"..and
what music fanatic couldn't relate to "I Sold My Bed But Not My Stereo". This is good
synth pop here...
http://www.amazon.com/Tidal-Wave-Myster ... tal+cities
7) Mountains Of Sorrow, Rivers Of Song-Amos Lee
Mr. Lee is no stranger to the Boneys, and here he once again mixes up folk, R & B, Americana
and pop-rock into a winning stew of accesible songs. He'll deliver an introspective, quiet ballad
one minute, then get all funky on the next tune. More people should know him.
http://www.amazon.com/Mountains-Sorrow- ... s=amos+lee
6) The Blessed Unrest-Sara Bareilles
She doesn't reinvent the wheel, but she does put together some well-written songs that
go down like a good warm mug of hot chocolate. She may not be Carole King, but she may
very well become the closest this generation is gonna get.
http://www.amazon.com/Blessed-Unrest-Sa ... sed+unrest
5) Grinning Streak-Barenaked Ladies
25 years in, with this being the 2nd disc without Steven Page, BNL is still coming up
with a nice batch of fun, snappy melodies. I guess a lot of their longtime fans are still
mourning the loss of Page, but this less fervent admirer isn't so picky. I'm liking a lot
of this...there are 3 numbers nailing down spots on the individual Boneys list, and there
COULD'VE been a couple more...
http://www.amazon.com/Grinning-Streak-B ... ked+ladies
4) Bookmarks-Five For Fighting
Another Boneys perennial. I know many folks hear the voice of John Ondrasik (who essentially IS
Five For Fighting) in the same category as fingernails on a chalkboard, and don't hear much variety
in his compositions, but I have yet to be disappointed with any new record he has put out. I
continue to look forward to each release. I find his melodies and the arrangements behind them
extremely pleasing to my ears.
http://www.amazon.com/Bookmarks-Five-Fi ... +bookmarks
3) Drink A Toast To Innocence: A Tribute To Lite Rock-Various Artists
Covers of big radio hits from the 70's and early 80's by power pop artists. As with most
compilations of this sort, it is a hit or miss affair. But with 27 tracks, there are quite
a few hits. The most successful, to my ears, are the ones that add something to the original
without completely changing the song (an exception to that would be Lisa Mychols' spiced-up
"Don't Give Up On Us", which is a hoot). You'll get to know my favorites when we get to the Top 80
songs list, but others worthy of checking out are Mike Viola's "Steal Away", Linus of Hollywood's
"More Than I Can Say", Greg Pope's "Crazy Love"...oh, hell, I could list at least 10 more..try
to check 'em all out...
http://monstersofliterock.bandcamp.com/ ... -lite-rock
2) Where Does This Door Go?-Mayer Hawthorne
Lots of influences at play here...Stevie Wonder, Steely Dan, 70's smooth R & B acts like Earth,
Wind & Fire or Curtis Mayfield, etc...bottom line is, this dude has put together some damn good songs. Yeah, there are
a couple that bring in some modern elements of hip-hop and such that I don't care for, but
that's why God invented the skip button.
http://www.amazon.com/Where-Does-This-D ... is+door+go
1) THE DIVING BOARD-ELTON JOHN
It's not "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road", but it is the culmination of the trend of his last few
records showing evidence that Sir Elton actually gives a crap about what he's putting out
there. Yes, he's actually making an effort to put out good music, and he's succeeding.
The winners outweigh the clunkers here, and it makes me so happy to hear Elton creating
something of value that I just had to give it my top honor, even though Hawthorne's record
is probably a better one overall. Elton returns to a more basic format, not unlike his first few
albums, focusing on his piano and his SONGS. Attaboy, EJ!!!!!
http://www.amazon.com/Diving-Board-Elto ... ving+board
STAY TUNED, LADIES AND GENTS, COMING UP, THE BONEYS CONTINUE WITH MY 80 FAVORITE SONGS OF THE YEAR...
