The Top 10 Albums of 2013 (According To Me)

An excellent year for music. Keep in mind, I'm including EPs in my list. 

10. Dopplereffekt - Tetrahymena (EP)

Lurid, dark, and to the point. I've gone back to this EP a lot this year.  If you enjoy the darker electronic sounds with a German influence -- this is it. 

9.  Om Unit - Threads (LP)

Equal measures soundscapes, hip hop, drum and bass, and trance. Effortlessly showcasing his influences and interest in avoiding being pigeonholed. A lovingly crafted album with a repeat-friendly formula.  

8.  Tim Hecker - Virgins (LP)

Yet again, Tim Hecker manages to assault my sense with brilliant melancholia. Part of my writing ritual this year. Inspirational, moody, dark, conflicted, and uncompromising. 

7.  Sepalcure - Make You (EP)

To me, there's no agenda here. A couple of dudes creating a lovely instrumental adventure in making music you love and keeping it genuine. 

6.  Benjamin Damage - Heliosphere (LP)

One of my top underrated release of the year. Each track asks for you to listen again. Something driving, but don't call it 'techno' -- it delivers more than that, but still makes you want to move. 

5.  Atoms for Peace - Amok (LP)

This album is probably on a lot of lists and for good reason. Nearly flawlessly production and enthusiasm went into this one. One of my favorite releases with Yorke and Godrich. 

 4.  Moderat - II (Import) (LP)

I mentioned 'Import' because one of my fave tracks on it (above) was never included on the standard release. I never expected another Moderat album to happen, but it did. I certainly didn't expect it to outdo their last one (which stands out more than both acts' albums to me). So yeah, to me, this is the best thing both Apparat and Modeselektor have made. I've listened to it far too many times than I'm willing to admit. 

 3. Bibio - Silver Wilkinson (LP)

I adored the first Bibio album. I really liked the second album. I absolutely worship this one. The most consistent and thought-out release by him yet. Every track is excellent -- zero filler.  

 

2. Burial - Rival Dealer (EP)

This guy just keeps blowing my mind. So much stuff happening here and it comes across so natural and effortless. At times brutal/industrial and at other times soothing and full of compassion -- this tribute to the lonely and abused wins across the board. The yearly Burial EPs have become one of those things I eagerly anticipate and this EP stands head above most releases out there.

1.  Boards of Canada - Tomorrow's Harvest (LP)

Every single year that passed, I would lose a little more hope that another BoC album would happen. So finally a new album is announced and my expectations were staggeringly high. Nearly a year after its release and I'm happy to say this is as good as their past legends. Timeless tracks that continue to grow on me. So after 25+ listens, I can comfortably admit, it's my personal best of 2013. 

The Top 10 Games of 2013 (According to Me)

I'll admit it, 2013 definitely dominated on the indie game side -- that doesn't mean several larger-scale titles didn't make my list of favorite gaming experience of 2013. 

10.  Papers, Please! (PC, Mac)

Taking place in a fictional Communist-state (very similar to the USSR of yesteryear), you're forced to use your powers of deduction to verify if people crossing the border into your country are valid residents -- then things get a little fuzzy. There's something both addicting and terribly sad about this title.  The lines begin to blur as you realize that the rules you're following are causing genuine hardship on others. Need I mention that you'll be sent to prison (and your family will be thrown out to the streets) if you fail to do your job right? A stellar 'art meets adventure' experience.  

9.  Metro: Last Light (PC, Mac, Linux, Xbox 360)

A dark yarn that places you inside a dystopian near-future Russia that is equal parts shooter, survival horror, and stealth -- with a great sci-fi twist. A real labor of love experience developed by a Russian team of developers that plays like a AAA high-budget game. The reality:  a small team in a cramped office in Eastern Europe poured their hearts out to make their vision happen. The development of this game saw it go through two publishers, as THQ is now defunct. I'm glad it was finished and it's certainly worthy of your time if the bolded statement above appeals to your genre taste. 

8.  Outlast (PC)

Some of the biggest and best industry veterans get together and make the ultimate survival horror experience. This title is not for the faint of heart, but if you like adventure horror -- this is one of the finest. Your character is a reports. He has no weapons and no attacks -- the video camera is your only weapon and trust me, you'll need it (and that helpful night-vision mode). Investigate this asylum at your own risk -- you'll never forget what you'll find inside. 

7.  Dishonored: The Brigmore Witches (PC, Xbox 360, PS3)

The second (and final) DLC expansion to the Dishonored universe is even better than the original game. In a matter of hours, you're given a very personal peek at the Dishonored universe. Something I would have loved to see more of in the full game. If you enjoyed Dishonored, make this a must-buy. 

6.  The Swapper (PC)

A sci-fi puzzler that has you constantly transferring your soul (and in turn, murdering your past selves) to escape a haunted space station. A moral conundrum that is a treat to experience. Did I mention all of the 3D objects and environments in the game are modeled using clay? A really atmospheric and haunting experience that encourages problem solving and trigger finger moves. 

5.  Kentucky Route Zero (PC, Mac)

If David Lynch made a surrealist adventure game for the ages. That is the perfect synopsis of this 5-part episodic adventure (currently two are out with a third coming out soon). Expect a surreal and moving and dreamy experience where there are no puzzles -- exploration is the key and reading is important too. I've been eagerly awaiting the next episode. 

 4.  Tomb Raider (PC, PS3, Xbox 360)

After a slew of terrible and subpar releases, Tomb Raider finally gets the reboot it deserved. Visually gorgeous, lots of room to explore, fun narrative, modernized controls that pay huge homage to the Uncharted series (which in many ways nods its hat to the original Tomb Raider).  I ended up playing through this one twice just to find all the hidden goodies. 

 3. Gone Home (PC, Mac, Apple Store)

You return home after a one-year European adventure. You arrive to find your parents and sister missing. There is a frantic message on the answering machine from your weeping sister. You are now allowed to explore this large abandoned Oregon home to solve the mystery. The more you look, the more letters and information you'll find about your family's secrets until you find out what's really going on. A game that is as much about exploration and atmosphere as it is about true love.  

2.  Bioshock Infinite + Burial At Sea (PC, PS3, Xbox 360)

Ken Levine makes the spiritual successor to Bioshock and it's as thought provoking and memorable as the original. The follow-up expansion called Burial at Sea is equally essential to any one that's been fascinated with the universe. 

1.  The Last of Us (PS3)

The most moving and well-written narrative and acting in a game -- seriously, no story-centric game has gotten remotely close to this (yet). Prepare for a slow building and emotionally driving experience. You will think on the conclusion of this game days/months/years later. Every title that attempts to create emotionally engaging characters and stories are taking notes from this. 

Top 5 films of 2012 according to me!

I'm not even going to pretend there were 10 films I loved in 2012. So here are five films that impacted me and will ultimately end up in my collection. I also want to point out that with the exception of one film (Lincoln), the remainder were written or co-written by the director--this seems to be a common thread in the films I enjoy. 

5. Lincoln

Stephen Spielberg is nearing his 70th year on this earth. This is both maddening and exhilaration to me. He is no longer at the point in his life where he wants to challenge his viewer or to prove anything to anyone. He's confident in his ability to deliver good films quickly and efficiently with minimal fluff. He acknowledges that life is too short to spend too long on a film. With that said, he's still putting out films that continue to gain my respect and awe. One of the few superstar directors that has aged well in terms of retaining his craft (Lumet and Scorsese also come to mind). With that said, Daniel Day Lewis is as legit as Lincoln could get. Method actor in action. This film is both slow paced, thought provoking, a bit too preachy (and musically overdone) at times, and hilarious when it needs to be. It's worth your time. 

4. Dark Knight Rises

A lot of people are torn on the final film in the Dark Knight series by Chris Nolan and brother. I'm  the first to admit that it has its faults. Regardless of those faults, it took something as unrealistic as Batman and turn that universe into one you can believe in. Ultimately, closing out a complex and gritty trilogy like this is going to have some issues and this one had a few stumbles (a bit too camp in some spots and a few loopholes). Regardless, Nolan delivered a great film that's a great balance of pop and retains the indie visual flair he's known for (thanks to his longtime cinematographer Wally Pfister). I can't think of any director that's tackled a trilogy of this kind and concluded it better. It belongs in your library. Now, it's time for Nolan to go back to something smaller and more personal. I'll be here waiting. 

3. The Master

Paul Thomas (P.T.) Anderson isn't one to shy away or compromise from anything. I agree that Boogie Nights and Magnolia are all great films, but it was with There Will Be Blood and The Master where I truly became a believer. Something about his craft has evolved to a point where not an ounce of him is trying to win the audience over. These films were made in his mind and ultimately, if everyone leaves the theater because the material is offensive or uninteresting, he doesn't care. I find this so alluring. A man who lives in his mind and has people pay to bring that experience to reality--lucky man. Joaquin Phoenix is flawless in his role and challenges the like of Daniel Day Lewis for the method acting award. If you don't cringe, smile, and feel uncomfortable during his performance, you're probably dead inside. This will be the second P.T. film added to my collection--I get a lot of hate for not owning them all, but I like to stay true to myself. Worth your time. 

2. Django Unchained

Tarantino is another director/writer that rarely compromises, but his influences are perfectly placed in the middle ground where art and pop culture meet. It's fair to say that not a moment in Django is portrayed accurately based on the timeline and social issues it collides with--that's not the point. Tarantino mixes in music from all eras with dialog that would have never been spoken during that time to deliver an experience that really felt new to me. I was laughing and cringing in equal measure. I also think this one has some of the best writing out of all his films. Jamie Foxx is stellar and believable. DiCaprio plays his first villain (as far as I know) and he played it like he's got something to prove--I'm a believer. Great stuff!

1. Moonrise Kingdom 

All my friends are probably rolling their eyes by this point since I'm an overly proclaimed (mostly by myself) Wes Anderson fan. I'm an equally large Nolan fan and for me to place his work at #4 on this list, I think it should speak to the quality of this film. Wes has figured out that perfect balance of keeping things quirky and visually dreamy while delivering dialog and chemistry that can win over even a casual moviegoer. This is definitely an achievement.

Okay, I'm done. Thanks for reading my rants. 

Top 10 albums of 2012 according to me!

What an excellent year for music. The following are the top 10 that made the biggest impact on me this year. 

10. Blondes - Blondes 

Don't be fooled by the name--this is actually Blondes' sophmore album. This gem has gotten so many listens from me while I'm writing, working, or being creative--not even funny. Simple, flawed, lo-fi, electronic melodies and rhythms that ease my soul. Take the journey. It's worth your time.

9. Burial - Kindred

Yes, this is technically an EP and not a full album, but Burial's EPs are essentially albums. Each going on a tangent that lasts up to 40 minutes--dragging through various genres and elements. I don't know how he does it, but there's no one out there that's been able to touch his gritty production value. A dark, soulful, dirt infested mess you can't help, but adore.

8. BVDUB - The First Day + Resistance is Beautiful

Brock (aka BVDUB) is an amazing man. I've gotten to know him a bit via email and his music speaks leaps about his stance on the industry.  Each track last 15 to 30 minutes and manages to defy all commercial qualities and never gets dull. He's currently living in China, but he plans to return one day to California--I  hope to give him a platform to share his lovely work in Sacramento. An underrated gem.

7. Clams Casino - Instrumental 2

Clams Casino has been getting a lot of hype the last couple of years and for good reason. A lot of his work is generally for popular rap artists. The highlight for me is actually his Instrumental series which consist of the stripped down (you guessed it) instrumental version of the tracks he's made for different artists. The second in the series is just as essential and it's totally free to download. 

6. Daniel Avery - Water Jump

A loving homage to the early '90s darker dance music scene. Each track in this release shifts through different genres melding 303 and 909 energy. It's energetic, dark, strange, and manages to stay fresh for me. I'm rarely into dance music these days, but innovative producers keep it coming back for me.

5. Hammock - Departure Songs

This is the second time Hammock has made it to my top 10 for a year. The sleeping/relaxing soundtrack to your year. Bordering on shoegaze, but never berating you with it--a must own for anyone that enjoys the ambient side of artists like M83, Ulrich Schnauss, and Sight Below. 

4. Simian Mobile Disco - Unpatterns

This goes down as the best SMD album for me, hands-down. Eschewing the pop vocals of their previous releases and more palatable than their minimal techno release called Delicacies. There's a lot of analog love in this release. 

3. Legowelt - The Paranormal Soul

What a legendary album. Totally old school and totally unapologetic about what it is. Lots of crazy cool analog synths too. If this track doesn't take you back, then I'm pretty sure you've wasted a lot of time reading this little blog. 

2. Lemonade - Diver

The first time I listened to this release, I didn't quite know what to make of it. A similar experience to the older Junior Boys releases. I felt it was a bit too much initially and with repeated listens, it just hooks you. The simplicity of the vocals combined with the layered love given to the music. This one definitely proved a real highlight for the year. 

1. Chromatics - Kill for Love

Johnny Jewel is a production mad man. One of the few artists out there that can make me gobble up so much pop music by layering it with layers. Also, that methodical programming and dirty vinyl trademark. I'm not even going to rationalize it for you--this album is fantastic and hasn't aged one bit for me after tons of repeat listens.