My Top Albums of 2013

I posted this list on a message board, and decided to make it a blog post.  This is a tough list for me to make.  There were a lot of really good albums released in 2013.  My choice for #1 was super easy, but after that it is really tough for me to rank the albums.  With that said, here's my list.

1. "Water In A Whale" - Jillette Johnson

I was first introduced to Jillette Johnson through a free track ("Torpedo") from Google Play in late 2012.  I was instantly hooked.  I then discovered "Cameron", and was truly in love with this artist on the rise.  Both tracks are featured on "Water In A Whale".  Other standouts include "True North", "Peter Pan", and "Basset Hound".  This was easily my favorite, and most played, album of 2013.  I had the pleasure of seeing Jillette Johnson live in Salt Lake twice during the year.  She is incredibly friendly.  Her live shows have been acoustic with just Jillette on the keyboard by herself.  This girl has really got a voice.  I'm looking forward to seeing her again in March of this year.  Also worth noting, is that my name appears in the thank yous of the liner notes.

2. "The Blessed Unrest" - Sara Bareilles

It was very hard for me to choose an album to list at #2, but I decided this had to be the one.  "Brave" was one the biggest hits of the year, and is a song that I still love.  It really took on a life of its own as an anthem.  It has special meaning to me personally with my transgender identity.  Sara Bareilles really shines on the entire album.  Her fabulous voice is another favorite of mine.  Some of my favorite tracks other than "Brave": "Hercules", "Manhattan", "Little Black Dress", and "Eden".  The Grammy nominations she received for this album are well deserved, and I certainly hope she wins Album of the Year.  I also had the pleasure of seeing Sara live in Park City during the Summer.  Even in the thin mountain air her voice sounded great.  Honorable mention to "Brave Enough: Live at the Variety Playhouse" also from Sara Bareilles.

3. "Siberia (Acoustic)" - LIGHTS

I had to include this on my list, as I'm a sucker for anything acoustic from LIGHTS.  It's strange listing it at #3, as I really do love this album.  I've listened to the vinyl with delight multiple times.  I even traveled from SLC to LA to catch a Siberia Acoustic show, and it was well worth the trip.  I just really love the fact that we were finally treated with a full length acoustic album, after being teased with the acoustic EP.  Acoustic LIGHTS will always have a special place in my heart.  I really hope we will see the new album from LIGHTS in 2014.

4. "ARTPOP" - Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga made her triumphant return in 2013 after her absence due to hip surgery.  I don't care what others say, I've still got love for Mother Monster.  I love "Applause", "Venus", "Do What U Want", and "MANiCURE".  It was a great moment seeing Lady Gaga perform "Do What U Want" with Christina Aguilera on The Voice.  What a treat seeing those two on stage together.

5. "Too Weird To Live, Too Rare To Die!" - Panic! At The Disco

Panic! At The Disco delivered with this album.  My love for this band continues to grow.  They continue to release great music.  Some of my favorites include "Miss Jackson", "Vegas Lights", "This Is Gospel", "Casual Affair", and "Girl That You Love".  It really is an enjoyable album.  I actually just won tickets from a local radio station for their show next Friday.  It will be my first time seeing them live.  I'm pretty excited for it.

6. "Ballet The Boxer 1" - Ours

I had to include this album on my list.  Ours is one of my favorite bands, with Jimmy Gnecco being one of my favorite vocalists.  I could listen to that man sing anything.  They are also an incredibly nice group of people.  I've chatted with them on several occasions.  I had the pleasure of seeing them live last Summer as well.  Jimmy recognized me, and pointed at me from the stage while performing.  They self-released this album after funding the production through Pledge Music.  Some of my favorites are "Devil", "Stand", "Sing", and "Fall Into My Hands".

7. "Close Your Eyes" - Digital Daggers

I was going to list this under Honorable Mentions, but realized I liked the album too much for that.  So here it is at #7 on my list.  This album caught me by surprise.  I remember first hearing "The Devil Within" on a commercial for NBC's The Blacklist, and I had to track it down.  Shortly after they released "Close Your Eyes".  I really enjoyed the album a lot, and gave it a lot of listens.

Honorable Mentions (In no particular order)

"Twin Forks EP" - Twin Forks

"Avril Lavigne" - Avril Lavigne

"Devil" - Lydia

"Stars Dance" - Selena Gomez

"Shadows" - Lenka

"Secondhand Rapture" - MS MR

"In A Tidal Wave Of Mystery" - Capital Cities

"Girl Talk" - Kate Nash

"The Civil Wars" - The Civil Wars

"In Rolling Waves" - The Naked and Famous

"Burials" - AFI

"Yes. No. Maybe So." - Oliva Millerschin

"Native" - OneRepublic

"Hesitation Marks" - Nine Inch Nails

"Pure Heroine" - Lorde (even though her music has been overplayed)

"Montibello Drive EP" - Matrimony

"The Immigrant EP" - Holly Henry

"Caroline Glaser Vol 1 EP" - Caroline Glaser

There was a lot of great music released in 2013.  I'm excited to see what 2014 has to offer.