Five Albums That Will Remind Me Of 2013
Words and Picks by Annette Schaefer
I don’t know about everyone else, but for me 2013 was pretty incredible. The music was especially fantastic. In fact, aside from My Chemical Romance breaking up, this year was pretty much perfect. There was new music from almost all of my favorite bands and most of it exceeded my expectations. I got to see the likes of Green Day, Fall Out Boy, Panic! at the Disco, AFI and so many more. So here is my attempt to highlight some of the music that will forever bring me back to this wonderful year.
Hands Like Houses – Unimagine
This year I was reminded that Warped Tour is a wonderful place to discover new music. I was able to accomplish that without even trying. While I waited to see The Early November I got the opportunity to catch the set of Australian band Hands Like Houses. They caught my interest and refused to let go. I eventually bought their album, Unimagine, and haven’t shut it off since. Their music is both uplifting and edgy and I can’t get enough. It’s been awhile since a new band tugged at my heart strings, but Hands Like Houses did it effortlessly.
Panic! at the Disco – Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die
Panic! at the Disco always manage to hit the nail on the head when they put out new music. They have yet to put out an album that I haven’t loved. Again Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die is change-up in their sound, but it still fits who Panic! is as a band. I don’t think I’ll be able to stop belting “This is Gospel” or “Nicotine” for years to come.
The Swellers – The Light Under Closed Doors
I seriously can’t stop obsessing over these guys. It didn’t help that they released an amazing album, The Light Under Closed Doors, this year. I was listening to this album on repeat until I could sing every word to songs like “Should” and “Got Social.” Plus I got to see them live as a birthday present to myself and I must say it was a pretty fantastic birthday. I’m not sure I’ll ever get tired of loving them.
Green Day – Tre
I know that this album came out in 2012, but I didn’t really give it much of a listen until the start of 2013. After one listen this album was without a doubt my favorite album of the Green Day trilogy. “X-Kid” is so catchy and fun that it gives me chills every single time. “Dirty Rotten Bastards” brings me back to that American Idiot sound that made me fall in love with Green Day in the first place. And every time I hear “Brutal Love” I will remember those beautiful final minutes of my first Green Day show in eight years. Despite all the drama in 2012, 2013 was a good year to be a Green Day fan.
Fall Out Boy – Save Rock and Roll
Fall Out Boy returning from their hiatus basically made my year. Add that to them releasing a phenomenal new album and getting the chance to see them play at famous St. Louis venue The Pageant, you might as well call that perfection. Seriously every single track off of Save Rock and Roll oozes of everything that was wonderful about 2013.
