Individual Writers’ Lists: The Best Albums of 2013

From OJ Patterson:

1. Janelle Monae – The Electric Lady
2. Run The Jewels – Run The Jewels (Succinct Tag Team Lyricism, “Watch The Throne” On A Pile of Bones)
3. Toro Y Moi – Anything in Return (The Second (or Third?) Coming of Multi-Directional Genius)
4. Chance The Rapper – Acid Rap (A Defining Mixtape, A Coming of Age of a New Rap Champion)
5. Moshe Kasher – Live in Oakland
6. Born Ruffians – Birthmarks (Infinitely Listenable: Soaring, Grooving, Musing Magic)
7. Earl Sweatshirt – Doris (Rappin Ass Rap, Lived Up to Expectations By Drawing (Crudely) In Between the Lines)
8. Various Artists – Holy F*ck. Live Comedy (Strongest Comedy Compilation that Captures in a Bottle the Lightning of Los Angeles’ Alt Comedy Scene)
9. Vampire Weekend – Modern Vampires of the City (The Only High Profiled Indie That Didn’t Leave Me Listless)
10. Body Language – Grammar (Favorite F*ck You, Play Me Perpetual Earworm Dance Machine)
Special Mention: Childish Gambino – Because the Internet (Existential Ennui Dropped Too Late to Be Taken Seriously)

From Michelle Viray:

My first time submitting my favorites to Spinning Platters was tougher than anticipated. It was a good music year for me and I have only great memories of what I’ve seen and heard. In my opinion, the ladies gave the fellas a run for their money this year. Here you go, ladies and gentlemen!

Enjoy:

1.) Charles Bradley, Victim of Love

Genuine soul music by a man with a wonderful story, told even better in-person.

2.) Haim, Days are Gone

Ladies! Guitar riffs!

3.) Bleached, Ride Your Heart

These girls are badass and so is the album.

4.) Wild Belle, Isles

A long time coming, this album is infectious.

5.) Janelle Monae, The Electric Lady

The second album from a creative genius with an amazing voice.

6.) Deltron 3030, Event II

It’s hard to follow up their first album but in an over-abundant world of nerdcore, Deltron

3030 still reign supreme.

7.) The Julie Ruin, Run Fast

It’s loud and I like it.

8.) Kate Nash, Girl Talk

Let’s hear it for lady power.

9.) Arctic Monkeys, AM

I was hesitant to put this on my list but there is just something I like about this album.

10.)Mikal Cronin, MCII

Lovely.