The End of Year Top Three by Chris Whitehead

The End of Year Top Three.
Queens of the Stone Age | Stone Sour | Frank Turner
“Our staff picks their top three records of 2013 and shares them with you.”

-By Chris Whitehead –

Where do you start when trying to sum up the world of music for 2013? First, there was a hip-hop millionaire talking about how his job is like being a soldier defending our country. Second, a girl swinging naked on a wrecking ball, singing about “molly” and twerking on anything and everything she could put her crotch on. Thank goodness both of these performers are just a novelty and are quickly forgotten.

Dave Grohl directed one of the best music documentaries in a long time. Sound City showed how much of a celebration it is to make music; while also giving you all the nuts and bolts of the studio, he proved that the “artist first” mentality can still produce true classics.

Grohl wasn’t the only one working on music documentaries. Green Day released their trilogy LP’s ¡Uno!, ¡Dos!, and ¡Tré!. In August, they also released their up close and personal documentary, ¡Quatro!. This gave fans a more personal look into their everyday lives and process they go through to make a record.

Enough about all that and on to my top three selections for 2013! I’m sure you’re dying to know.

#3. “Tape Deck Heart” by Frank Turner

Frank Turner’s 5th album, and major label debut on Interscope Records, didn”t disappoint. Tape Deck Heart is similar his previous efforts; talking about playing shows, drinking with friends and getting your heart broken, but one key difference is in the lyrical depth, based on more personally affecting topics of love and relationships. Fans have waited for a Frank Turner LP like this for a while; unafraid to rock, but also confident in its fragility.

Favorite Tracks; “Recovery”, “The Way Things Tend to Be”, and “Broken Piano”.

#2. “House of Gold and Bones pt. 2” by Stone Sour

It’s hard enough for an artist to make one successful album from start to finish, but how about a two-part concept album? Vocalist and songwriter Corey Taylor (Slipknot) meets this challenge head on. Taylor and company have managed to release a more emotionally charged and powerful record by digging deeper into the storyline, but yet still able to keep it balanced for the listener to bang their head to. This double knockout album will finally silence those critics who only associate Corey Taylor with Slipknot.

Favorite Tracks; “The House of Gold and Bones”, “Stalemate”, and “Black John”.

#1.  “Like Clockwork” by Queens of the Stone Age

It’s been six long years since the last QOTSA album and front man, Josh Homme’s came out swinging with this one. Technically this album might not have ever been, due to complications during surgery Homme’s briefly died on the operating table. Not taking this second chance for granted, he pulled out all the stops and had several friends help on the record. Don’t get me wrong, the band definitely shines through on their own, but it helps to have Alex Turner, Jake Shears, Elton John, Trent Reznor and Dave Grohl on your side too. Like Clockwork has everything you’re expecting and more; grimy guitars, heavy drum tracks, mesmerizing vocals, and the signature QOTSA hard-as-nails sex appeal.

Favorite Tracks; “My God is the Sun”, “I Sat by the Ocean”, and “If I Had a Tail”.