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The Sharp Things' Favorite Music of 2013
T’is the season of lists, they say. Here are the albums and songs that rocked our world this year!
Perry Serpa (vocals, piano, guitar)
“Cultfever’s ‘Animals’ single – and their full self-titled album (actually released in 2011) is pretty fucking great as well and one that I discovered and wrapped myself around this past year, big time.”
Steve Gonzalez (drums, percussion)
“Anything by Okkervil River”
Jim Santo (guitars, vocals etc.)
“No surprise, it’s My Bloody Valentine, m b v (2013) – the album i never thought i’d hear. Worth the wait, amazingly.”
Runners up (click links for videos):
Toumani Diabate with Ballake Sissoko, New Ancient Strings (2006) – heavenly kora music from Mali
Jesse Sykes & The Sweet Hereafter, Marble Son (2011) – mysterious, brooding, sexy rock
Jimi Hendrix, People, Hell and Angels (2013) – blood from a stone, but what blood!
Shuggie Otis, Inspiration Information/ Wings of Love – mind-blowing soul explorations
Michelle Caputo (guitar, vocals)
“This year, only new stuff has been Sun Kil Moon, Among The Leaves ; Best Coast, Crazy For You ; and Beach House, Teen Dream. I think the song ‘Walk In The Park’ is especially nice.”
Aisha Cohen (viola, bass, vocals)
“My favorite album of 2013 was Laura Mvula’s Sing To The Moon and favorite song on the album is ‘That’s Alright.’ You all should check that album out if you haven’t already heard it.”
Steve London (piano, keys, guitar, vocals)
“As I started to listen to all the Sharp Things stuff old & new to learn the songs or just take a listen in general, I found myself going back and listening to similar works (in my mind at least) specifically Elton John’s Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy and Billy Joel’s Nylon Curtain.”
Andrea Dovalle (violin, vocals)
“Inspired by our trip to Iceland, I’ve listened to a lot of Sigur Ros, and their new album of 2013 Kveikur is as beautiful as always. their string arrangements and harmonies are haunting and beautiful. Related to Sigur Ros, we discovered Arvo Part, an Estonian composer, whose pieces were performed at the NY Phil this year by the Estonian Symphony. Key piece: Spiegel im Spiegel. I’ve also been throwing back to Simon and Garfunkel for their tight vocal harmonies, Prince, M. Jackson for old times, and a lot of frenchies. Here’s a yummy sexy vocal discovery of the year for me: Zaz (album by the same name).
Billy Polo (producer
“This has been on repeat in my house all year!!!”