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Like a lot of rock writers, I’m asked to make top 10 lists every year. And every year I end up leaving a lot of excellent recordings on the cutting room floor. This is an attempt to call attention to albums I think deserve the end-of-year lists spotlight but didn’t. My one rule was that the albums on these lists couldn’t appear on one of my more “formal” lists, hence the reason some obvious records might seem to be missing.
10 GREAT 2013 PSYCHEDELIC ROCK RECORDS: “Psychedelic” can mean pretty much anything, frankly – if there was ever a style that perfectly fits the cliché “I know it when I hear it,” it’s psychedelia. My own personal definition keys on certain tones, atmospheres and intent, but is pretty wide-ranging, and as a genre I think it had a pretty good 2013.
Luder – Adelphophagia (Small Stone)
Borne from the ashes of Detroit’s late, lamented Slot, Luder gives us a powerful and surprisingly gorgeous blend of shoegazer splendor and stoner rock crunch.
Monster Magnet – Last Patrol (Napalm)
Dave Wyndorf and company rarely disappoint, but going back to the acid-fried sound of Superjudge and Dopes to Infinity resulted in the Magnet’s most inspired, exciting LP in years.
Föllakzoid – II (Sacred Bones)
Haunting and cosmic, this Chilean crew came up with the space rock record to beat.
White Hills – So You Are…So You’ll Be (Thrill Jockey)
This New York trio is best known for its guitar jams, but reigning itself in with tighter song structures made its work more accessible without compromising its power.
The Parson Red Heads – Orb Weaver (Fiesta Red/Parson Farm)
The Portland band turned heads with its gorgeously melodic folk rock, but the (re)integration of its psychedelic side made for its most potent LP yet.
Purling Hiss – Water On Mars (Drag City)
Philly’s favorite power trio may be the earthiest of all the bands on this list, but its brand of improvisatory melodic aggression fits the bill, as far as I’m concerned.
Midlake – Antiphon (ATO)
Picking up the pieces after the departure of songwriter Tim Smith, Denton’s Midlake made a record that’s arguably more style than substance, but man…what a beautiful style.
Earthless – From the Ages (Tee Pee)
Because sometimes you need to plug into your amp and just GO.
The Saint James Society – Bab(a-y)lon Rising (Tee Pee)
The Austin-bred/L.A.-based Saint James Society continues to sculpt its uniquely sleazy glam/psych sound on its first full-length – I can’t wait to hear how it continues to evolve.
The Holydrug Couple – Noctuary (Sacred Bones)
Another Chilean wonder, this duo successfully translates its acid pop from the bedroom to the big wide world.
