Sound In The Signals Best Albums & EP's Of 2013

Every year I try to make a list that has actual order. I've done it in the past, but over the last couple of years I’ve just created a list of albums I thought were essential. This year I really wanted to make a return to giving the list some order. You can check out my top 30 albums with a little discussion about each of the top 30. With that I have also listed the best 31-70 albums of the year without a discussion of each. 31-70 are more what I deem to be other essential albums or albums that deserve honorable mention, but didn't quite crack the top 30. I've tried to strike a balance in this list with selections from different genres, which means this list is my favorite couple albums from a few genres compiled into one list. Remember these are my favorites in terms of how much they stuck with me, how good I thought they were, and how much I listened to them throughout the year. I will, of course, also post below the top 30 another list of the tons of other albums I found essential for 2013. Most of them could shift into one of these top spots on any given day. At the end of the year I can't deny 2013 was a great year for music. It always seems that I forget an album or two that gets lost in the shuffle between January to now, but I guess that's how it goes with any best of list. *Note: The top 10 albums and EP's have their album covers pictured.

01. The Wonder Years - The Greatest Generation
This album has it all. It's a great album for any time of the year. It has a maturity that not every pop/punk band can flaunt with such success. Every song is really well written. I really couldn't ask for  much more from this album. It was an extremely hyped album and luckily the band lived up to the hype plus some.
 

02. The Story So Far - What You Don't See
I think this album cemented this band as more than a one album wonder. I really like the approach the band took with the album. They played on their strengths and it paid off big time. This album is great. It's pumped full of youthful energy.
 

03. Kanye West - Yeezus
When Kanye's not out ranting about Kim Kardashian or his desire to design clothing he's making awesome music. This album may not have garnered quite the praise as Kanye's previous albums have, but it is a really great album. The beats, rhyming ability, and delivery make Kanye a true standout in almost every genre and style he touches. That continues on the EDM influenced Yeezus. It was an interesting release in terms of packaging, mentality of the album, and it has such an interesting listening experience.
 

04. Deafheaven - Sunbather
This is a beast of an album. I'm sure many sites will critically praise it this year. It's such a melting pot of interesting genres and sounds. Most notably is the shoegaze meets black metal vibe of the album. It is very rare you hear something this genuine and truly great. This is a gripping album.
 

05. The Dangerous Summer - Golden Record
I can't argue with some of the reasons you might not like The Dangerous Summer's online behavior. I will say though that this band is three for three in awesome albums. Lyrically this album is just so good. There was a fairly big line-up change with this album and it really seemed to work out. I can't find one song I skip on this album. It's too easy to play this one in its entirety.

06. Touché Amoré - Is Survived By
This is one of the better heavy albums of the year. There is really just no denying the fantastic songwriting and awesome vocal performance on the album. From the first track you almost know it's an amazing album. This album has a really good mix of heavy and melodic sounds. The lyrical content is really good on this album. You're doing yourself an injustice if you haven't listened to this album yet.
 

07. Balance And Composure - The Things We Think We're Missing
This album has just the right balance of heavy and melodic music that I really enjoy. I really enjoy a lot of the guitar work on the album. Vocally the performance is great. The vocals have a lot of melody while having a nice piercing intensity throughout the album. It can at times be a very brooding, moody album and the band knows how to capture the vibe perfectly and deliver it nearly flawlessly. I also really like the title of the album.
 

08. Vampire Weekend - Modern Vampires Of The City
This band hasn't released a bad album yet. Although this album may not be quite as good as the previous two, it comes pretty darn close. This band has a great sense of melody, interesting quirks, and the ability to continuously write great songs and create fantastic albums.
 

09. Owel - Owel
The songs on this album create such great atmospheric sounds, vibes, and moods when listening to them. It's phenomenal what this band does with instruments. The first track on the album is the longest track on the entire album at over 7 minutes and I think after you listen to it you'll hit replay to hear it again. Fantastic album. Once again it has no skippers or filler. Really well constructed and it flows really nicely, which is something important for an album like this.
 

10. Grayscale - Leaving
This release just caught me off guard with how good it was. I stumbled upon Grayscale and I instantly thought to myself these guys should be as big and have as much buzz as Real Friends currently has. The song writing is fantastic and the lyrics are really cool.
11. Earl Sweatshirt - Doris
The mysterious Earl returned from odd (pun intended) circumstances and finally released a proper debut album. The great thing about the album is how it lives up to the hype in a completely different way than you would expect it to. After hearing the graphically violent mixtape/album Earl it was interesting to hear the amount of maturity and talent found on Doris. It does have a few minor flaws, but it was easily one of the better rap albums of 2013.
12. Citizen - Youth
The album is one of the better melodic/rock tinged albums I've heard this year. I really like the way the bass guitar sounds throughout the entire album. The vocal delivery and lyrical content has a somewhat heart on your sleeve emotional mentality that really worked great for the vibe and mood of the songs.
13. Jayke Orvis and the Broken Band - Bless This Mess
A great mixture of country, roots, with just a touch of an old timey vibe. Jayke Orvis' sophomore album is truly exceptional. It's full of catchy songs that any southern roots fan should really enjoy.
14. The Republic Of Wolves - No Matter How Narrow
This album came out in December. It's often tough to include December released albums because they don't have a lot of time to sit with me as a listener. I was lucky to get a review copy of this and since I've received it my enjoyment of this album has improved with each listen. This album really is fantastic. It's a really nice evolution from the band's debut. It's really well written. It has a lot of moods and vibes. This might arguably be the band's most cohesive well written batch of songs to date.
15. Shooter Jennings - The Other Life
Shooter wrote a great batch of songs this go-around. I always tend to enjoy Shooter's releases. I always end up listening to his albums quite a bit. "The Low Road" and "The Other Life" are a couple stand out songs that I really like lyrically.
16. The Front Bottoms - Talon Of The Hawk
This band has the ability to write really catchy music coupled with sometimes absurdly quirky lyrics. You really can't deny how catchy and singalongable the songs can be. “Skeleton” is such an awesome song.
17. The Swellers - The Light Under Closed Doors
This to me is The Swellers best album. I've always been a casual fan of this band and enjoyed their music, but this album really caught my attention. It has a great melodic punk vibe. It has moments that are dare I say Weezer-esque and the last track really reminds me of The Ataris in their glory days...that's never a bad thing.
18. William Beckett - Genuine And Counterfit
This is the first post The Academy Is... official full length album from Beckett (he had a series of EP's and an acoustic album). I really dig this. It is mostly better than the last The Academy Is... album and it showcases how great a songwriter and vocalist Beckett is.
19. Mansions - Doom Loop
From the first song and the way it kicks in this album just catches me. Vocally it sounds great. I really like the way the guitars were recorded and sound as well.
20. Cartel - Collider
This is a big return to form for Cartel and is probably my favorite album of theirs since Chroma. The vocals are great and the music has that classic Cartel feel I wanted to hear. If you were a fan of this band and haven't stuck around since Chroma you should definitely jump back in and check out this album.
21. State Champs - The Finer Things
This is an album I was anticipating quite a bit. These guys know how to write super catchy pop/punk tunes. It's an energetic album. It's catchy, breezy, and every time I listen to it I think I enjoy it a little more.
22. Hellogoodbye - (Everything Is) Debatable
The band overcame the sophomore slump by evolving their sound and delivering something that sounded different. (Everything Is) Debatable may not be as big of a departure, but it's full of great songs. The vibe and mood of the album is great and the title track is insanely catchy.
23. Panic! At The Disco - Too Weird To Live, Too Rare To Die!
This is an album I expected to like a little and ended up liking a lot. Brendan Urie gives a really great vocal performance, the lyrics are interesting, and I like the direction Panic! went on this album.
24. Childish Gambino - Because The Internet
Donald Glover surprised many people when they realized the Community actor/stand-up comedian revealed he's a pretty good rapper. Because The Internet is a stronger album than his official debut album Camp. It's an interesting album that has a lot going on and it's a very ambitious rap album (it probably isn't fair to call it just a rap album because it really has a lot going on in terms of sounds and genres). This could have had potential to be higher on the list if it had been released a couple months earlier. This came out in December so it just hasn't had as much time to sit with me as other albums.
25. The Weeknd - Kiss Land
Okay so this may not have been good as his trilogy of mixtapes (maybe not anywhere near as good), but the first official full length from The Weeknd continued to deliver the sound and vibe I've really come to enjoy from his music. I played some of the songs quite a bit this year.
26. Nine Inch Nails - Hesitation Marks
Trent Reznor’s return to Nine Inch Nails was something I was definitely ready for. I've been listening to NIN for years and the way Reznor creates music has always been interesting and a good listen.
27. Man Overboard - Heart Attack
This has grown to become my favorite Man Overboard album. It's super catchy and I really enjoy this one lyrically. It's a really fun pop/punk album from one of the better bands of the genre.
28. Last False Hope - Dig Nails Deep
This album has a really interesting mixture of country, bluegrass, hardcore, punk, and roots sounds. The production, done by Shooter Jennings, was top notch. This album exceeded my expectations. It's a really neat sounding album.
29. Flatbush Zombies - BetterOFFDEAD
I was really anticipating this release. I thought this group’s mixtape last year was really interesting. This release continues the trend. These guys have a really good rhyming abilities. Mixed with an interesting quirkiness, hints of new school rap, as well as nods in sound to groups like the Wu Tang Clan. It's definitely a must listen.
30. Allison Weiss - Say What You Mean
This album has some really well written songs. I almost feel like it could have placed higher on the list. Vocally Weiss is insanely talented. I really enjoy the lyrics and the overall sound of this album a lot.

31-70:

31. Saves The Day - Saves The Day
32. The National - Trouble Will Find Me
33. Senses Fail - Renacer
34. Norma Jean - Wrongdoers
35. Jonny Fritz - Dad Country
36. Tegan & Sara - Heartthrob
37. Fall Out Boy - Save Rock And Roll
38. Save Your Breath - There Used To Be A Place For Us
39. The 1975 - The 1975
40. Coheed And Cambria - The Afterman Descension
41. The Maine - Forever Halloween
42. A$AP Rocky - Long. Live. ASAP
43. Koji - Crooked In My Mind
44. My Bloody Valentine - MBV
45. AFI - Burials
46. The Sheds - I'll Be Fine
47. Dance Gavin Dance - Acceptance Speech
48. The Almost - Fear Inside Our Bones
49. A Loss For Words - Before It Caves
50. The Devil Wears Prada - 8:18
51. Into It. Over It - Intersections
52. Jimmy Eat World - Damage
53. J. Cole - Born Sinner
54. John Moreland - In The Throes
55. Danny Brown - Old
56. Wavves - Afraid Of Heights
57. State Lines - For The Boats
58. Hopsin - Knock Maddness
59. Scholar - Choose Adventure
60. Matt Pryor - Wristslitter
61. Drake - Nothing Was The Same
62. Fifth On The Floor - Ashes & Angels
63. Sainthood Reps - Headswell
64. Mixtapes - Ordinary Silence
65. Reggie And The Full Effect - No Country For Old Musicians
66. The Ongoing Concept - Saloon
67. Have Mercy - The Earth Pushed Back
68. Alkaline Trio - My Shame Is True
69. The World Is A Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid To Die - Whenever, If Ever
70. Cage The Elephant - Melophobia

Coolest Comeback Album:

Black Sabbath - 13

Biggest Letdown Of The Year: 

Black Flag - What The...

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Best 20 EP's Of 2013:

01. Real Friends - Put Yourself Back Together
This band really has the it factor. They aren't necessarily the most original sounding group, but they stick out from the pack. I really like this band lyrically. This EP continues the trend of exciting and interesting music from this band. I'm really interested to hear the band's debut full length in 2014.
 

02. Turnstile - Step To Rhythm
This EP is great. Hands down could easily have been my number one. This is hardcore/punk at its finest. I would recommend it for fans of Judge and Youth Of Today. Great EP. You are doing yourself a disservice if you haven't heard it yet.
 

03. Andrew McMahon - Pop Underground
About any project Andrew McMahon is in is worth getting interested in. In this debut project under his own name he continues the trend of writing noteworthy music. One interesting thing about the EP is the experimentation with some elements you don't always hear in his projects. I played the first track on this EP a lot this year. Pretty solid solo offering.
 

04. You, Me, And Everyone We Know - I wish More People Gave A Shit
I'm sure by now most everyone knows that YMAEWK has been a band that has always encountered line-up shifts, problems, etc... So when the entire band left frontman Ben Liebsch fans thought that was it for the band. Well Liebsch regrouped and basically turned the project into his solo project recording some of the YMAEWK material yet. This EP is four solid songs that show Liebsch is still writing fantastic music.
 

05. The Weeds - Roots/Routes
This EP has a few different vibes. Some of the songs really remind me of Name Taken which I really dig. I think this EP turned out great and I can't wait to hear what the band does next. (side-note: the vinyl release of this is awesome!)
 

06. Vinnie Caruana - City By The Sea
Much like Andrew McMahon anything Vinnie is involved with is worth checking out. This EP has a lot of really great songs. For fans of I Am The Avalanche and The Movielife this is an essential must have. It isn't too far from the sound we've come to expect from Vinnie and I personally liked that aspect of the music a lot.
 

07. Travi$ Scott - Owl Pharaoh
If you liked Kanye West’s new album you should listen to this beast of an EP. It's somewhat similar in sound in a few ways (which isn't a total surprise Scott did some work on Yeezus). It's insanely good. It's well produced, interesting, and one of the better hip hop projects released this year.
 

08. Knuckle Puck - The Weight That You Buried
I really liked this EP. It is very much pop/punk in the vein of bands like The Story So Far. It has a great intensity and catchiness.
 

09. Jon Russelburg - Ghost
There's a haunting aspect to this EP I really like. It’s also really catchy and well written. Lyrically and musically it reminds me of great acts like Pedro The Lion and Rocky Votolato.
 

10. Transit - Futures And Sutures
I really like the vibe, sound, and production of this EP. When fans were really doubting this band they came back and released this really good EP.
11. Roam - Head Down
UK pop/punk has had a huge year this year. Roam has contributed to that. This EP is great. This band could easily be a big breakout band in 2014.
12. Chance The Rapper
This is without a doubt one of the better rap releases this year in my opinion. Chance has a unique enough sound and I enjoy this release from start to finish.
13. Seasons Change - Nothing And Everything
This EP really put this band on my radar. The song "Save It" is a really catchy pop/punk tune and some of the hardcore influences were interesting. I'm interested to see what this band does in the future.
14. Molly's Worst Enemy - You'll Never Walk Alone
One thing I really liked about this EP was the overall sound of the recording. It has kind of an unpolished rough around the edges pop/sound. The songwriting is really good and I especially like the vocals.
15. Dads - Pretty Good
16. Pentimento - Inside The Sea
After a great self-titled album I kind of worried the band wouldn't be able to live up to that album on future releases. Lucky for me the band has done just that. Inside The Sea shows the band writing some of their best songs yet.  
17. Wes Mantooth - Von Ghoul
I really like the artwork for this EP. It caught me instantly. The music is top notch and these guys are a group I hope catches on in 2014 and has a really good year.
18. The Republic Of Wolves - Empty Vessels
This is the only band to make both the albums and EP's list. For one reason both releases came out at around the exact same time and this EP contains some acoustic and alternate versions of songs. I feel like you should definitely hear this if you enjoyed the album.
19. Whytheycame - The Scarecrow
This is without a doubt my favorite thing this band has done. It is really well put together and has a cool concept. I’m interested to see where they go from here.
20. Chuck Inglish - Droptops
Nowhere near as good as The Cool Kids, but this is the best post-The Cool Kids project from either member. It's worth checking out if you were ever a fan of this group.

Check out our other best of lists: Sound In The Signals Best Vinyl Releases of 2013: HERE. Check out the best Comic Book List of 2013: HERE.