Albums of the year 2013

Ugh! How rubbish have I been, barely any posts this year let alone the last couple of months.

Anyway, its been that time again to provide my top albums for the urban75 top albums of the year thread, and in the past I've written my selections up.... This year will be no different.

1. By The Rivers - By The Rivers
Been hearing a lot on David Rodigans sunday reggae show on BBC 1xtra. So I decided to take a punt on itunes, and its undoubtedly been my favourite album this year. Nice and summery, reggae vibes, and I've got to admit, I love singing along to it in the car.

2. Death Grips - Government Plates
Death Grips have been at the top of my list before, amazing life, fantastic on album. Back again with a free album, this avant garde rap outfit from Sacramento make some of the filthiest background tracks ever, complete with lyricist and mental drummer for live shows (last seen playing handcuffed).
Well worth checking out, especially when its free. (or just listen to the album mixtape in the youtube video)

P.S. It'll be explicit

 

 

3. Queens of the stone age - Like Clockwork.....

One of thos bands thats grown on me a lot as I've got older. A great stoner rock album with distinctive lyrics and a really nice flow to the album throughout.

 

 

4. Ruby My Dear - Form

With out doubt, one of my favourite breakcore artists of the last few year, this latest album remains on form, but with some crunchier slower tracks. Haven't given it as many plays as I'd like as my iPhone was playing up, but each time I listen I am thoroughly stoked.

 





 

 

5.The Flatliners - Dead Language



One of my freinds went on about this band so much on facebook I had to look them up. On listening to the first tune I found on youtube, it was basically a "YES!". Great punk band.

6. Om Unit - Threads
As far as DJ tunes for me this year, its all be about Juke influences, and none better than Om Unit. One half of Dream Continuum who I think I've written about her before, lots of Jungle influence juke about 160 BPM.

7. Shaggy and others - Out of many, one music
This probably seems like an odd choice for me, but shaggy has always made waves in the reggae scene, really bringing the music to masses worldwide. Again I first heard this on David Rodigans Reggae show on 1xtra, there's some great songs on the album.

8. Gentlemen's Dub Club - FOURtyFOUR
Their first full album, I've been big on these chaps since I first heard them, and I'm glad to see them through to a first album. There's a lot of influences in there, reggae, dubstep and at one point even a trap beat at one point. Well worth a look up.

9. Machinedrum - Vapor City
The other half of Dream Continuum as mentioned in the Om Unit bit above, again more deep jungle juke sound, another one of my DJ faves this year.

10. Daft Punk - Random Access Memories
Highly anticipated album this year by many people, I was dissappointed when I first heard it. The more I listened, the more I liked though. Its only really just making it into my top ten, and its got some nice guest appearences, but I certainly wouldn't be forcing my way to the stereo at a party, shouting "listen to this!"

Finally when I submitted my votes, I totally forgot about the brilliant Congo Natty album this year. I've had the joy of seeing them 2 or 3 times, and they smash it every time. Anyway, on a hot junglist tip this year, I would have put this in at about number 4, but it came out ages ago and I totally forgot when I was writing up me votes.

Mini Album review: Ruby my dear - Remains of shapes to come

Well this is an album I've been waiting for, having loved two of Ruby my dear's previous EP's (gingko and the dreaming tree), I've been frothing at the mouth for this album, only made worse by the fact the release date seems to have been pushed back a couple of times too.

Ruby my dear is someone who manages to make music the switches between beautiful melody to head trashing breakcore drums effortlessly, and this album is no exception. I will admit it has taken me a couple of listens to get into the flow of this album, but now its got me hooked, im totally in it. One thing that really caught my attention was the introduction of some 'bang bang bang' techno style beats, which is not something I'd heard on the EP's, and its definately a benefit to this album.

Standout songs have to be 'Karoshi': A very well written, reasonably chilled breakcore tune, that still keeps you on the edge of your seat. I particularly like the 'twangy' sounds, which I get the impression are an eastern string instrument (maybe a sitar?)

Secondly the tune on the album that follows karoshi called 'Uken' which uses samples from 'They call it murder' by Damien Marley, this manages to somehow retain the reggae feel of the original whilst sound like someone's having lots of fun with drum programming in the background.

The third tune is called 'A monks dream', the drum beats in this remind me of what is still my favourite Ruby my dear tune (7C0 on the EP Gingko), but monks dream as some nice boom boom boom elements, whilst remaining complex and driving at the same time.

Overall I have to say I love this album, and imagine it will be on my car stereo for a very long time. I'd recomend it to any breakcore fan and add that it was well worth the wait. Definately give this album a listen, its available to order on Adnoiseam with plenty of tunes to preview.

For more info about ruby my dear, here's his myspace and his soundcloud, he also seems to be quite active on facebook too so you can check him out there aswell