Top 5: 2013 Albums of the Year

Five great albums could easily have been ten. Some of my favourite new albums from 2013:

5. Heart Attack by Man Overboard

Possibly out of place on this otherwise indie-pop list, the third studio album from defenders of pop punk is more than an enjoyable walk down memory lane, their brand of pop-punk/emo is an energetic combination of everything and everyone I ever loved in my late teens but somehow fresh and new and exciting at the same time. Heart Attack demonstrates the sounds of a band who have toured non-stop and matured exponentially as they went.

4. Say Hi To The Band by Stagecoach

The first and, sadly, last album from the indie poppers. Their usual spiky, raucous sound toned down on several wonderful tracks imbued with real melancholy. The standout track for me has to be "A New Hand" and the kind chaps even outdid themselves by allowing me to use the song in my now aborted feature film directorial debut.

3. No Blues by Los Campesinos!

A rather lovely surprise, this fifth album from my favourite Welsh indie popsters is a triumphant return to form after the almost unlistenable self indulgent misery of Hello Sadness. I'd all but given up on them but No Blues is filled with fabulousness and more than its fair share of sporting metaphors. LC4LYF!

2. Love Makes Monsters by My First Tooth

Beautiful. Just beautiful. AND incredibly lovely people. AND have the distinction of playing one of the most memorable gigs of my life during 2013. The horny old goat dude on a Camden sound desk tried his hardest to ruin the sound for the five of us present but My First Tooth rode through it and made flying to England worthwhile.

1. Balancing by The October Game

The album I listened the most this year is an incredible collection of pop songs performed by some of the most talented musicians I've had the pleasure to spend time with. Drifting from pop to post-rock with catchy choruses, eccentric lyrics, heartfelt sentiment and atmospheric nods towards folklore this is an album of different ideas and styles, almost like a greatest hits compilation rather than an album led by one definite concept. Yes, I admit a little bias BUT that doesn't change the fact that I have happily listened to this on repeat for 14 hours.

Currently Listening: Love Makes Monsters by My First Tooth (2013)

...lovely, happy, jaunty...they're a lively little bunch...

My First Tooth are a Northampton, UK based band that play uplifting folk-pop. Taking influence from modern indie heroes such as Eels, Okkervil River and Neutral Milk Hotel, they have crafted ambitious and beautiful songs aching with subtle heartbroken soul and unwittingly touching melody. Yes that is promotional speak from the awesome indie label Alcopop! Records but it pretty much sums up how I feel about them. But then this isn't an audition piece to find work with NME, this is merely an attempt to raise awareness of a great band who deserve success.

Love Makes Monsters is the followup to the quite wonderful Territories, their debut album which featured so many beautiful songs it would be a crime to name drop any single track but how about taking a listen to the sublime Cutty Sark as an introduction? 


Whilst not as immediately arresting this sophomore effort is equally as rewarding of repeat visits. With a blend of brass and strings, sing along choruses, haunting vocals and toe-tapping melodies this is the kind of music to appeal to fans of folk-pop who actively dislikes such trendy garbage as Mumford & Sons. Although comprising only four members playing quietly beautiful songs there is a deceptively big sound contained within these thirteen tracks, the kind of noise that could soundtrack your Summer, or in my case Autumn.

I'm not one to break down albums on a track by track basis, I'll just point you in the direction of the entire album instead. Buy it direct from the label for only 8 Pounds and whilst you're at it be sure to buy yourself a Clever Girl sweater, they're aces.