For the final installment of our (late) 2013 lists, we’ll follow tradition with a list of 10 EPs and cassettes that stood out from 2013. We covered a large range of cassette tapes over the year, while we covered at least 22 other EPs throughout 2013. Check out the list right below, and then be sure to catch up on the others if you haven’t been able to! TOP 30 ALBUMS OF 2013 – TOP THIRTY 7″ RECORDS OF 2013 > #30-16, #15-01
10.) Vince and His Lost Delegation – s/t 12″ EP
Label: SDZ Records
Track 4:
Vince Posadzki leads his band out of Paris, but originally hails from Québec City. The man has been in a slew of different bands based in both locations, but this is his first true solo record after it all. It’s easily his best and most personal work, adding another quality name to our growing list of French bands.
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09.) MMOSS & Quilt – New Hampshire Freaks 10″ EP
Label: Beyond Beyond is Beyond Records
Track 2:
MMOSS and Quilt teamed up for an exceptional EP of wooded psych-folk that is mesmerizing and hazy. The 10″ EP comes from Beyond Beyond is Beyond Records in Brooklyn, a label that only grew bigger in 2013. Ranging anywhere from spacy and strung-out to experimental and ethereal, this EP offers an awful lot through just 3 tracks.
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08.) Blank Range – Phase II Cassette
Label: Sturdy Girls Records
Track 6:
Blank Range easily became one of our favorite new bands from 2013. After this first cassette EP and a 7″ to follow, these hazy Nashville folk rockers are only warming up. There’s bound to be something bigger in their future and it’s only a matter of time before that happens.
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07.) The Tone – Demo EP
Label: Eye Vybe/ Piss Drink Records
Track 4:
Right after Philly’s premier basement rockers The Eeries broke up, Mike Kriebel packed up and headed to Los Angeles. But even before that he wrote these four songs on this little demo EP, which is soon to be released as a cassette tape and a 7″. We’d like to think there’s going to be more from Kriebel in the future.
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06.) The Raw Nerves – Sunburn EP
Label: 1:12 Records
Track 3:
The Raw Nerves followed up their awesome debut from 2012 with this snotty little EP. Brimming with eight soulful minutes of garage rock n’ roll based in New Zealand, the Nerves serve up each track with a particular style. Whether it’s gritty speed punk, doo-wop flavored pop ditties or progressive songs like “Not Gonna Try,” this EP includes their best material to date.
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05.) The Squids – Wizard of Loneliness EP
Label: Self-released
Track 2:
Originally crossing our radar as Heroes and Heroines, this Los Angeles-based band changed their name to the Squids but left everything else the same. They answered their first 7″ with this EP full of sunny and glimmering garage pop, tracked and mixed 100% analog for an absolutely gorgeous sound. If you’ve been sleeping on this EP now is the time to catch up.
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04.) The Mad Doctors – Fuzz Tonic EP
Label: Doctor Gone Records
Track 2:
The Mad Doctors hail from Brooklyn and offer up an absolutely menacing batch of evil, surf-inflected garage rock that can be accurately described in one word – psychofuzz. These five songs are shocking and invigorating, quickly leaving us ready for whatever they unleash next. The EP came released in a run of cassette tapes that the band only sells at shows, so you know what to do if you really can’t live without one!
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03.) Theo Verney – T.V. CS EP
Label: Italian Beach Babes Records
Track 6:
Theo dropped two scorching releases in his first year as a solo artist. This cassette EP came first followed by a 10″ on Hate Hate Hate Records, both of which expose us to his snarling blues-psych guitar proficiency. After a few one-off singles and now these two EPs, we’re looking forward to hearing from this Brighton-based multi-instrumentalist sooner than later.
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02.)
Zig Zags – 10 – 12 CS
Label: Burger Records
Track 3: 10 – 12 is the only other release on any of our year-ends lists that we didn’t actually cover in 2013. You could call that a mistake, sure. But after our love for all their singles and this tape from literally the third day of 2013, we’re foaming at the mouths for whatever comes next from these sludgy LA punks. On top of this they released their first record in Europe on Who Can You Trust? this year, as well as a split 7″ for Volcom Entertainment with The Shrine. They’re making sure they cover a much ground as possible before releasing their first proper LP, so we’ll just have to be patient!
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01.) Haunted Leather – In Her Golden Room 10″ EP
Label: Stolen Body/ Cheap Miami Records
Track 5:
Haunted Leather followed up their latest LP with In Her Golden Room in 2013, creating an absolutely hypnotizing take on sun-baked psychedelic rock. They leave you out to swelter in the heat of the sun as their songs stagger on, brimming with steady, thud-heavy rhythms and jangly psych guitars. It’s a similar feeling to bright and streaky rays of light shining across your eyes, all stirred by a sultry, slow-burning flame throughout. Considering this is their 3rd release to date, we’re confident in thinking this is just the beginning for Haunted Leather.
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That’s going to do it for our year end lists from 2013. Thanks for waiting around while we got our act together! Shame on us! But now we can begin to plan for an awesome 2014 – we really hope to take things to a new level this year. Regular posting will resume next week on January 13th – see you then!
To continue our year end coverage, we’re now focusing on the Top Thirty Albums of 2013. At the beginning of the year we began our weekly installment of Friday’s Find with eMusic, which meant we covered more full-length albums this year than in the past. Beginning with a list of some albums that just couldn’t fit, we’ve put together this list to show your our favorite albums from the past year. From veterans like the Oblivians to newcomers like Summer Cannibals, you’re bound to fall in love with these albums. If you haven’t been able to, now is your chance to pick up the physical copies of these records before they’re gone for good!
Some we missed:
The Frowning Clouds – Whereabouts LP (Anti Fade Records) Pampers – s/t LP (In The Red Recordings) The Zoltars – Walking Through the Dark LP (CQ Records)
Babes – s/t LP (Pizza Burglar Records) Cheap Time – Exit Smiles LP (In The Red Recordings)
Protomartyr – All Passion No Technique LP (Urinal Cake Records)
Nightmare Boyzzz – Bad Patterns LP (Slovenly Records)
Bad Vision – s/t LP (Every Night Is A Saturday Night/ Adagio 830 Records)
Warm Toy Machine – Not Tired to Blow LP (P.Trash Records)
Fins – s/t LP (Obscure Me! Records)
Boardwalk – s/t LP (Stones Throw)
Kaviar Special – s/t LP (Howlin’ Banana Records)
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30.) Verma – Coltan LP
Label: Trouble In Mind Records
A-side: Coltan is like a forty minute drift through the cosmos where you encounter anything from seething psych to flaring noise rock. This Chicago-based band has forged a path for themselves with this monumental take on instrumental space rock. We’ll see where it lands them next.
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29.) Los Dos Hermanos – Bourbon, Blood and Seafoods LP
Label: Howlin’ Banana Records
Track 5:
Slowly but surely we’ve been hearing from many bands in France taking on this garage-y/ surf revival of sorts. Howlin’ Banana Records is a major player in that right now, leaving us with a few quality examples over the last year. This sloppily concentrated debut from Los Dos Hermanos is at the head of the pack, delivering us a lethally metallic batch of reverberating surf pop.
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28.) Sun Stone Revolvers – Spaceship X
Label: Optical Sounds
Track 4:
Sun Stone Revolvers followed up their debut album this year with Spaceship X. Their psychedelic rock is mesmerizing and propulsive, held together by rollicking beats and thick clouds of colorful vapor. They’re a perfect fit for the Optical Sounds label and we’re hoping to encounter more in 2014.
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27.) Tough Age – s/t LP
Label: Mint Records
Track 4:
Formed after the death of Korean Gut, Mint Records released the debut from this punk rock supergroup in Vancouver. Their songs are muscular, catchy and melodic, combining a healthy bit of pop and surf rock into the picture for a clean and wholesome sound. Their record hits like a ton of bricks and they do it as fun and effortlessly as possible.
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26.) UBT – Ego Orientation LP
Label: Psychic Handshake Recordings
Track 7:
After their 2010 s/t debut, the friendly duo in UBT (Uncle Bad Touch) came back with this ecstatic batch of psychedelic garage pop. These songs are undeniably fun and innocent, brimming with bubblegum hooks and breezy flute melodies with an occasional metal-tinged flare-up for good measure. The album even came released on hot pink wax, what more could you ask for?
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25.) Mind Spiders – Inhumanistic LP
Label: Dirtnap Records
Track 9:
Marked Men frontman Mark Ryan continues to deliver as Mind Spiders. Inhumanistic brings his punk in an arguably new direction, weaving a colorful, synth-driven punch into his already highly caffeinated pop. That’s three albums in as many years for Mark Ryan and Mind Spiders, so is it even fair to call this a side project anymore? We would say no.
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24.) Brown Brogues – Triflin’ LP
Label: Stolen Body Records
Track 3:
From across the pond in Manchester, the duo in Brown Brogues brought us an album all on its own in 2013. Triflin’ shows off a troubling blend of slow, shadowy psych rock and pummeling post-punk, flooring us with loads of shocking fuzz and excess grunge in the process. They’ve quietly released a handful of other records, but unfortunately this was our first real encounter.
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23.) Ausmuteants – Amusements LP
Label: Aarght! Records
Track 9:
This is probably the latest entry on our list, but it just goes to show (once again) that something good is happening down under in Australia. Aarght! Records in Melbourne had the pleasure of releasing this driving, 60s-inflected synth punk, boasting members from a plethora of local bands the Living Eyes, Hierophants and Frowning Clouds. Their punk is angular and disco-inspired and we’re still not really sure how they’re name is pronounced, but that’s no reason you shouldn’t be listening.
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22.) Ketamines – You Can’t Serve Two Masters LP
Label: Southpaw/ Mammoth Cave Records
Track 6:
Dating back to their debut 7″ on Hozac in 2011, the Ketamines have been promising and consistent since Day 1. When your album spends 11-straight weeks in the Top 10 albums for Canadian college radio stations, you must’ve done something right, right? No shit. Paul K. Lawton and James Leroy continue to freshen up their pop every chance they get, this time honing their twisted sound with heavy Pet Sounds-era Beach Boys.
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21.) Ancient Sky – All Get Out
Label: Wharf Cat Records
Track 1:
Ancient Sky continue to pioneer their own take on space rock by mixing in murky folk and other noisy elements for an ultimately vast and expansive psychedelic experience. In the end that’s the special quality in Ancient Sky’s music – you’re not just listening, you’re experiencing. As each track immerses you deeper and deeper into their realm their goal becomes clear.
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20.) Owen Temple Quartet – Rot in the Sun LP
Label: Casbah Records
Track 8:
Belligerent is but one way you can describe this wild record. Another band based in France, Owen Temple Quartet creates a strand of primitive punk rock that is all their own. Their sound is arguably sloppy and harsh, bringing to life a blunt and medieval concoction of punked-up snarls. We’re not entirely sure what they’re up to now, but we’re hoping they’ll be back.
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19.) Oblivians – Desperation LP
Label: In The Red Recordings
Track 6:
The Oblivians released their first proper album in 16 years in 2013, continuing their tear of blues-inspired fuzz punk. On top of that they put on a summer-long North American tour, making old fans ecstatic while simultaneously welcoming new fans aboard. Call it wishful thinking, but who knows if this is supposed to lead to anything else in the future.
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18.) The Hussy – Pagan Hiss LP
Label: Southpaw Records
Track 4:
Bobby and Heather Hussy led a busy 2013. This year they released Pagan Hiss, their third LP, along with a handful of 7″ (and one 10″) singles and cassettes. They’ve turned in just under a half hour of crafty, psych-inflected trash punk on their LP, resulting in this scorching grab bag of twisted and explosive guitar-driven stomps. It’s their wildest ride yet and there’s still bound to be more up their sleeves.
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17.) Thee Open Sex – s/t LP
Label: Magnetic South Recordings
Track 1:
Fronted by Rachel Weidner’s bold, shrieking howl, Thee Open Sex brought us an unmatched debut in 2013. Crafting their boisterous rock with a sweeping wave of psych, their sound is brooding and sinister but with a positively uplifting edge. As far as debuts in 2013 go, there’s is not to be overlooked. This was their first release on vinyl and hopefully it starts a new trend for the band.
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16.) Summer Cannibals – No Makeup LP
Label: New Moss Records
Track 5:
This grungy Portland crew has been on our radar since their beginning. After some initial early singles and a good bit of touring the band came back with their self-released debut on their own New Moss Recordings. We’ve heard they have plans to get back in the studio for a sophomore LP (they also just released an EP), giving them another chance to flex their muscles. It’s still early on for Summer Cannibals, but the future is looking up.
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15.) Catholic Spray – Earth Slime LP
Label: Born Bad Records
Track 2:
Again with the string of French bands, Catholic Spray also finds themselves leading the charge out of Paris. Their dark wave of surf rock is warbled, wonky and downright weird, led by cavernous vocals and exceptionally grungy guitars. In the end, Earth Slime compares to sitting out and melting under the sun until you’re a baked and disfigured mess. The cover art is a totally different story.
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14.) Missing Monuments – s/t LP
Label: Dirtnap Records
Track 3:
King Louie’s Missing Monuments turned in this monster LP for Dirtnap and then a 7″ EP on Slovenly Records this year. Their album is full of melodic guitar shredding and King Louie’s burly howling, penning one grandiose pop banger after another. This album still hasn’t surfaced on vinyl yet and our fingers are crossed for whenever that day comes. Reportedly, as Louie claims himself, that’s the only real way to credit this as an official release anyway.
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13.) Useless Eaters – Hypertension LP
Label: Jeffery Drag Records
Track 11:
The release of Hypertension was easily the biggest and best thing yet from Useless Eaters frontman Seth Sutton. Bringing to life twelve new tracks of this quirky and wiry pop-punk, Sutton continues to create his own path as an artist one record at a time. We have no idea what’s in store going forward but we’d be wrong not to expect more at this point. After this Sutton had a relatively quiet year, but now something currently appears to be in the works.
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12.) The Jons – In the Hole and Out of the Water LP
Label: Southpaw Records
Track 8:
Operating out of the backwoods of the Baltimore suburbs since 2000, the Jons released their first proper full-length this year on Southpaw Records. Combining an absolutely ecstatic blend of rock and roll and invigorating punk, the Jons do serious damage with their psych-infused slop attack. We haven’t been able to witness them live but you get the feeling it’s a wild experience.
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11.) Fuzz – s/t LP
Label: In The Red Recordings
Track 4:
There’s no denying that after their first three singles we were anticipating this monstrosity. After a massive amount of touring and selling out practically every copy of their record(s) this year, Fuzz became a regular name thanks to their authentic metal sound blended with a generous helping of modern techniques. The trio did their homework for this one and there’s evidence all over the record. Now who knows what comes next.
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10.) White Fence – Live in San Francisco LP
Label: Castle Face Records
Track 13: Live in San Francisco is the only album on our list that we didn’t get to properly review this year. Even so, it’s such an accurate snapshot of White Fence performing in all of its 43 minute glory that it’s a staple to the year. The record fairly balances Presley’s four studio albums, pulling only a couple from 2013’s Cyclops Reap. This far in and it’s the obvious winner of Castle Face’s Live in San Francisco series.
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09.) Lantern – Rock ‘n’ Roll Rorschach LP
Label: Sophomore Lounge/ Cardinal Fuzz Records
Track 4:
Philadelphia’s friendly punk crew in Lantern had a huge 2013. They came out with their biggest and best record yet, which was appropriately released on labels in both the United States and Europe. As they continue to make a name for themselves with this soulful punk n’ roll, we’re sure this is only the beginning.
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08.) The Living Eyes – s/t LP
Label: Anti Fade Records
Track 10:
On top of leaving us with 7″ gold in 2013, the Living Eyes also put out one of the year’s most promising debut albums. Coming from Anti Fade Records, the album saw two short pressings that quickly sold out. The Living Eyes only appear to be getting started, and we’ve been told to expect a sophomore album at some point in 2014. Again as far as debuts go in 2013, this would be towards the top of the list.
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07.) Cool Ghouls – s/t LP
Label: Empty Cellar Records
Track 4:
San Francisco’s Cool Ghouls made a strong case for one of the most impressive debuts in 2013. Their brand of folk-inspired garage rock leaves you in a sunny, western state of mind, mixing in a generous helping of blues and soul for a twangin’ good time. After their initial release – their Alright cassette – we were looking forward to something, and we got even more.
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06.) Heavy Times – Fix It Alone LP
Label: Hozac Records
Track 8:
After some disheartening rumors that these Chicago punks had broken up, they quickly answered with their most complete album yet. It’s their second full-length for Hozac Records, cramming these short, sweet and melodic pop-punk nuggets down our throat one after another. Like their previous albums songs average about two minutes each, but they hit harder and harder each time. We’re not sure of the word on the street for Heavy Times these days, we’re just glad they’re still around.
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05.) Purling Hiss – Water On Mars LP
Label: Drag City Records
Track 3:
It was only a matter of time before something like Water On Mars came to be. When you see Mike Polizze and the gang performing live, you imagine their recordings and think something like, “Why don’t their albums sound like this?” With Water On Mars they’ve changed their typical approach to recording, leaving us with a clean and polished record that shows a different side of the band. If you’ve never been lucky enough to catch them live, you wouldn’t even know the difference, so this album was coming sooner or later. The fact that it’s this good, well, that’s a different story.
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04.) White Fence – Cyclops Reap LP
Label: Castle Face Records
Track 5:
Tim Presley’s strongest output yet came in the form of Cyclops Reap. The record capitalizes on all of the crucial elements that made his previous albums special, leaving us with 11 solid and cohesive tracks that actually feel like an album. There’s no second volume or lengthy tracklists, leaving us with the thought that less is more this time around. With this being the fourth full-length he’s turned in, we’re sure this is just the beginning.
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03.) The Everywheres – s/t LP
Label: Father/ Daughter Records
Track 4:
Again speaking of strong debut albums, the Everywheres stole the show and top the list of debuts with their self-titled LP for Father/ Daughter. Samuel T. Hill has mastered his own lysergic strand of psychedelic pop, decorating tracks with slithering guitars and a warming, technicolor atmosphere. This record is about all we’ve heard of Hill’s project, but we’re eagerly anticipating anything that comes down the line.
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02.) Strange Attractor – Back to the Cruel World LP
Label: FDH/ Resurrection/ Mammoth Cave Records
Track 1:
No other record was quite as absurd and disgraceful as this disheveled mess from Strange Attractor. Boasting 14 mangled tracks ranging anywhere from crusty speed punk to squealing noise rock, Strange Attractor’s plan is a little more complex than just shoving mindless racket down your throat. Weaved into their nasty songs are a slew and angry and disgusted messages about aliens and feeling utterly helpless, so why not join them on their downward spiral straight to hell?
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01.) Dead Ghosts – Can’t Get No LP
Label: Burger Records
Track 6:
Released three years after their debut LP, Can’t Get No is a perfect example of a band at the height of their powers. Their sophomore album has it all, ranging from swampy psych and hazy surf to bluesy and bubbly pop and everything in between. The Dead Ghosts have taken their time releasing a handful of quality records over the past five years, but by now it’s clear they have absorbed a thing or two on the way. If they continue their usual trend they’ll be silent for awhile, but if it means they come back like this again we’ll just have to wait patiently.
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We were a little late on our LP list this year, but better late than never! We hope you enjoyed 2013 as much as we did, and we can only hope you’ll stick around for another year of fun as 2014 begins. We’ve got some big plans this year that were put on hold through 2013, so sit tight!
Welcome back! Today continues our coverage of the Top Thirty 7″ Records of 2013. If you missed the first half, we’d recommend you backtrack and take a look – see the beginning of the countdown right here before moving on!
(As 2013 comes to a close, we’ve put together the fourth edition of our annual year-end lists covering the most crucial records of the year. We’ll begin this year’s wrap-up by counting down 7″ singles, ranked in order to represent our anticipation of the band’s future releases in the new year. It’s also a list of anything we thought stood out in 2013, so save up some extra cash and make sure you cop these premium singles before it’s far too late. Happy holidays and most of all, happy reading. Now sit tight for the next round of countdowns, the Top 25 Albums of 2013!)
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15.) Ex-Cult – Mister Fantasy 7″
Label: Goner Records
A-side:
Was it possible for these guys to sound any angrier than they did on their debut LP? That’s exactly the case with both of these raw and bloody cuts of punk rock. It’s like taking a 7″ out of it’s sleeve and finding a circular saw blade that trims your little fingers right off your hand. Proceed with caution.
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14.) Natural Child/ Guantanamo Baywatch – Surf ‘n’ Turf Split 7″
Label: Suicide Squeeze Records
A-side:
Suicide Squeeze Records truly left us with a gem at the tail end of the year. Combining the landlocked blues of Natural Child with the surfy and honest twangs of Guantanamo Baywatch means this 7″ couldn’t have a better title. It almost goes without saying, but watch out for either crew in 2014. Also, it’s up for debate that this is Natural Child’s best standalone track yet.
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13.) Fuzz – Sleigh Ride 7″
Label: In the Red Recordings
A-side:
2013 turned out to be the year of Fuzz, dropping a slew of 7″ singles and eventually their crushing debut. Sleigh Ride was the second of three 7-inches, becoming the first indication that the trio wasn’t just messing around. “Sleigh Ride” is an anthem in itself, boasting a burly, blues-fueled crunch wrapped around a jolting time-signature change-up. Throw in the gnarled metallic shards on the B-side and it’s a done deal.
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12.) GOLD – Losing Your Hair 7″ EP
Label: Mammoth Cave Recording Co.
A-side:
Chris Reimer, late guitarist of the band Women played drums on this EP. The band used his equipment to record the four songs too, appropriately dedicating the 7″ to him. Jewel-toned guitars and a chilling atmosphere fuels their entrancing dream pop, delivering a remarkable debut from the one and only Mammoth Cave Records.
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11.) Golden Pelicans – The Earls 7″
Label: Total Punk Records
A-side:
Once again, Total Punk means Total Punk and you get the feeling Golden Pelicans know that too. This 1-2 punch follows their debut 7″ from last year, berating us with a snarling and shredded take on rowdy punk rock. The 7″ ends up leaving a garbage-flavored aftertaste and you never would’ve thought it tasted (or sounded) this good.
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10.) Natural Child – CRS Blues 7″
Label: Jeffery Drag Records
B-side:
What would any of these year-end lists be without these Nashville scoundrels? They crammed in a late entry from Suicide Squeeze, but this CRS Blues 7″ steals the show. They channel their inner-Stones on the B-side “Nathan’s Blues,” while the A-side is a bluesy 6-minute burner filled with smoke. It’s moody and silky smooth, leaving us to say the Natural Child boys can do no wrong.
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09.) Slushy – Candy 7″
Label: Randy Records
B-side:
Randy Records churned out gem after gem in 2013 and the sugary sweet 7″ debut from Slushy was right on point. Recorded with an extra sticky analog twang, the fun-loving duo from Chicago only has this single and a pair of cassettes under their belt. Even so their future is looking up without a doubt in our minds, so we’ll see what happens going forward.
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08.) Ancient Slang – Fake Future 7″
Label: Gloryhole Records
A-side:
Ancient Slang came out from way in left field during 2013, bringing this 3-track debut with them comprised of angular and shadowy post-punk. The single has a stunning cohesiveness even though it’s only tree tracks long, leaving us highly anticipating anything from this grungy Indianapolis trio going forward.
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07.) Vacation Club – Daydream 7″
Label: Randy Records
A-side:
Randy was at it again with this two-song banger from Indianapolis garage crew Vacation Club. These guys lay down some gritty garage tunes loaded with an undeniably ecstatic approach. These two songs are fun and loose, fully exposing us to their progressively innocent and noisy garage pop.
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06.) The Young Sinclairs – Hurt My Pride 7″ EP
Label: Croque Macadam/ Requiem Pour un Twister Records
B-side:
Talk about a busy year. The Young Sinclairs busted out at least four different singles in 2013, all of which end of making up an album’s worth of twangy, folk-inspired garage. Hurt My Pride stood out from the rest, delivering three clean and wholesome tracks for an ultimately timeless sound.
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05.) Feel Alright – Oahu Ohio 7″
Label: Mammoth Cave Recording Co.
A-side:
The Mammoth Cave released a handful of quality records on the year, but none we’re as memorable as this stunning debut from Feel Alright. Penning their pop with an airy and featherweight approach, this is about as charming and pristine as garage could come. Our fingers our crossed for more in 2014, because as promised this stuff will restore your faith in humanity.
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04.) Jensen Serf Company – Electric Sister 7″ EP
Label: Daddy Kool Records
A-side:
The duo in Jensen Serf Company turned in this stellar 7″ EP at the beginning of the year. Combining a good bit of psych, surf and punk rock, the band has honed in on a sharp and wild sound that is all their own. They’ve turned our heads with two killer EPs now and we’re thinking 2014 will have some more of that.
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03.) Uh Bones – Only You 7″ EP
Label: Randy Records
B-side:
No label impressed us more than Randy Records in 2013. This Uh Bones 7″ EP was the initial reason for the infectious love, exposing us to their heavily-reverberated take on soulful garage pop. The 7″ unfolds with a grainy analog twang, decorated with Luke Trimble’s crooning over a hazy layer of colorful synth. We already know there’s bound to be more from this Chicago crew in the new year, so let’s hope they don’t keep us waiting for too long.
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02.) Straight Arrows – Never Enough 7″
Label: Hozac Records (Hookup Klub #31)
B-side:
For those who kick themselves (myself included) for not subscribing to Hozac’s Hookup Klub, this Straight Arrows 7″ is one huge reason surrounded by almost 30 others. It was their lone release in 2013, but boy is it heavy. B-side track “Can’t Stand It” could be their best standalone track to date, offering up an absolutely dazzling combination of garage, psych, punk and ecstasy that will steamroll you. They haven’t dropped an LP since 2010 and we’re really not sure what to expect going forward, other than we’re expecting.
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01.) The Living Eyes – Eat It Up 7″
Label: Goodbye Boozy Records
A-side:
From down under in Geelong, Australia, garage sensation the Living Eyes destroyed the year of 2013. Goodbye Boozy in Italy dropped this sick little 7″, starting a new era for the band as they take their punk in a different direction. There’s a sophomore album on the horizon for these guys, and quoted from Billy Gardner himself, “it’s a bit more ‘Eat It Up’ style.” We’re still patiently waiting for details on said LP, but we’re certainly not asking them to rush anything either. Just as long as there is more of this streamlined punk in our future, all is well.
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There you have it, folks. The conclusion of our Top Thirty 7″ Records of 2013 right before your eyes. Before the end of the year we still plan on bringing you our Top 25 Albums of 2013, which you should be expecting shortly after the Christmas holiday. Please sit tight and stay tuned!
While you wait, take a look at our album countdown’s from the past three years: 2012, 2011, 2010
As 2013 comes to a close, we’ve put together the fourth edition of our annual year-end lists, covering the most crucial records of the year. We’ll begin this year’s wrap-up by counting down 7″ singles, ranked in order to represent our anticipation of the band’s releases in 2014. It’s also a list of anything we thought stood out in 2013, so save up some extra cash and make sure you cop these premium slices of wax before it’s too late. We covered a total of 97 different 7-inches this year and we hand-picked 30 of them right below, beginning with a list of some that just couldn’t fit. Happy holidays and most of all, happy reading – Part 2 comes tomorrow covering records #15-01, so sit tight!
Victims of time: The Lees of Memory – We Are Siamese 7″ (Velocity of Sound Records)
Missing Monuments – Blast! 7″ EP (Slovenly Records) The Soupcans – Parasite Brain 7″ EP (Jackshack/ Telephone Explosion)
Ubu Roi – Nice Dude 7″ EP (Help Yourself Records)
Kyle Kaos – Negi Zonin’ 7″ EP (Party Nogg Records)
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30.) Energy Gown – I Watch the Sun 7″
Label: Self-released
B-side:
Chicago drone-rockers in Energy Gown self-released their own mesmerizing debut in 2013. Strung-out and spacey, their brand of psych is hypnotic and soaked in acid. After a 16 minute 7″ there has to be more up their sleeves heading into 2014, so we’ll have to wait and see.
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29.) Cop City/ Chill Pillars – Gift Shop 7″
Label: Hozac Records
A-side:
Nobody twists and bends their psychedelic pop like the Pillars of Chill. After an excellent sophomore album in 2012 these guys continue the illness with two cuts of mutated pop seemingly from the same batch as their previous LP. Listen long enough and you’ll feel a second head grow out of your shoulders.
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28.) Ttotals – Spectrums of Light 7″
Label: Twin Lakes Records
A-side:
After a killer EP in 2012 the Nashville duo followed up with this 7″ on Twin Lakes. Their take on psych rock is murky and saturated in smoke, employing colorful electronic samples to go with their menacingly bluesy sound. They’re taking their time dropping these records and we’re patiently waiting.
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27.) Blank Range – Scrapin’ 7″
Label: Sturdy Girls Records
B-Side:
Blank Range brought two top-notch releases in 2013: Their Phase II cassette and this two-song 7″ from Sturdy Girls. Both give us a look at their kaleidoscopic take on hazy rock and roll as they only begin to get started.
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26.) Gap Dream – Chill Spot 7″
Label: Burger Records
A-side:
Gabe Fulvimar and Burger Records started the second wave of Gap Dream with this 7″. His sophomore LP was announced shortly afterward, delivering a magnified version of this blurry and warbled electronic pop. It’s probably still too early to say, but Fulvimar probably has much more going on under his hat for 2014.
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25.) Cannon – It’s Cool, No Worries 7″ EP
Label: Bon Voyage
A-side:
Bon Voyage doesn’t always drop a ton of records, but whenever they do we’ve been sure to pay attention. 2013 brought us the dense and twisted pop from Brisbane-based Cannon, leaving us with a smoking batch of mangled and ecstatic garage pop nuggets.
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24.) Shark Week – Santurce 7″
Label: Analog Edition Records
B-side:
After a solid debut this Washington DC trio came back even stronger than we could have predicted with this single. They named the 7″ after the neighborhood in Puerto Rico it was recorded in, delivering their honest and soulful take on rugged, Western-tinged rock and roll.
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23.) Last Year’s Men – Clawless Paw 7″
Label: Sophomore Lounge Records
A-side:
Chapel Hill wrecking crew Last Year’s Men dropped this 7″ loaded with two explosive cuts of their jagged, garage-minded rock and roll. With at least 3 records to their name since 2010, they clearly value quality over quantity.
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22.) Travel Check – Wild Tropics 7″
Label: Howlin’ Banana Records
B-side:
Monster garage rock label in Paris Howlin’ Banana Records released this 7″ from Parisian psych-outs Travel Check. Their trippy rock sounds cloudy and sinister, backed by a thud and veiled in vapor. 2014 would be a lot better if we heard from them again.
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21.) Buck Biloxi & the Fucks – Holodeck Survivor 7″
Label: Total Punk Records
A-side:
Buck Biloxi & the Fucks have a nasty attitude and it shows on this blown-out piece of wax. They eventually released their debut full-length this year on Germany’s Red Lounge Records too. Total Punk means Total Punk and these guys fit the mold, no questions asked. Hopefully they’re up to no good in 2014 – take a look at Hozac’s upcoming releases for some added insight.
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20.) Red Hex – Shoulda Known 7″ EP
Label: Negative Fun Recordings
A-side:
Negative Fun Records unleashed this bloody sucker punch and knocked our heads clear out of the park. Red Hex concoct an absolutely raw and gruesome blend of angry punk and post-punk, complete with shrieking vocals and shredded guitars for a heinous and angular sound.
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19.) Fuzz – Sunderberry Dream 7″
Label: In the Red Recordings
A-side:
Fuzz began turning heads right at the end of 2012. Since then this turned out to be their third 7″, released just shortly before their monstrous debut album. Included is a menacing non-album track and an absolutely lethal cover of King Crimson’s “21st Century Schizoid Man.” They speak for themselves.
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18.) Ketamines – All the Colours of Your Heart 7″
Label: Pleasence Records
A-side:
The Ketamines came back in a wave this year, dropping their sophomore album and enough 7″ singles that we started losing track. All the Colours of Your Heart was the first in a set of four, leaving us with two fun-filled cuts of twisted bubblegum pop that’s as menacing as it is catchy. Besides their relentless pop, this 7″ has a bit of a jazzy feel weaved into it, naturally leaving us to wonder where they’ll go next.
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17.) Bad Vision – 112 7″
Label: Every Night Is A Saturday Night/ Adagio 830 Records.
A-side:
From down under in Melbourne, Bad Vision came into our lives at the beginning of 2013. That’s when this rotten little 7″ first came out and it was eventually followed by their full-length debut at the end of the year. Sharp and melodic, this self-described “garage rock/proto punk” will absolutely flatten you.
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16.) Lantern – Mr. Mars 7″
Label: Goodbye Boozy Records
A-side:
Loving Philadelphia trio cleaned it up this year with a slew of releases on labels all over the globe. This is one of their most vibrant releases yet, shoving their soulful strand of punk n’ roll down our throats with the squeal of a saxophone. These guys have the heart and the soul and they’re only getting started.
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That’s all for today – follow the link to see Part 2 (#15-01) of the 7″ Countdown! Now join us in saying happy (belated) birthday to the Styrofoam Drone – the blog turned four years old yesterday on the 18th.
Hey again, welcome back for 2013. With year-end coverage out of the way and a new year just beginning, it’s time to look ahead! A new year means new plans and this time around we’ve got some fresh ideas to bring your way in 2013. See what’s in store below:
‘Hot Off the Press’
-‘Hot Off the Press’ is going to be our way of telling you about the best and newest vinyl records around. When a label or a band releases a new record and we think you should know, we’ll do our job to keep you posted on when the records are available to buy/preorder. This way you can avoid missing out on your favorite record because it sold out and gives you a better chance to score any limited color vinyl that might be available. Since you all love vinyl as much as we do, it’s a fun way to keep us surrounded by what we love most.
Styrofoam Drone Records
-After three years of blogging at the Styrofoam Drone, one way we thought we could bring things to the next level would be putting out records from the bands we all love. You heard right. At this point in time there is nothing set in stone, however we have been looking around and seeing what type of options are available. There’s also a band or two we’ve been talking with about making this all a reality (wink). That said, if your band has some new material and it’s not on vinyl yet, we should get in touch. We’ll be keeping our ears to the ground, but don’t be shy to send stuff our way either – we are “currently accepting demos” and we’re pretty sure you know what we like to hear. Also if anybody has any suggestions/recommendations/whatever about this idea, please get in touch > styrofoamdrone AT gmail DOT com
Shows in Philadelphia
-If you’re a touring band and looking to set up a show in Philadelphia, our friends at Phonographic Arts can always help you find what you are looking for. Either get in touch with them directly or we can help you!
Other Miscellaneous Upgrades/Updates
-We have gotten our hands on a brand new HD camcorder which means the quality of the videos in our live show posts should be better than ever
-Regular review/SOTD posting continues as normal this week
-SXSW plans? If we knew how to set something up we would. Philadelphia band showcase? See you there?
-Unrelated to anything here: NHL hockey is back. We’re psyched!
That’s all for today, but hopefully this gets you ready for the upcoming year. Let us know what you think about these new ideas in the comments below! Any feedback would be great!
Styrofoam Drone 