Top 10s For 2013

First of all, check out my radio station's top ten albums at ACRN.com. I work with some great people with very diverse and lovely music tastes. Keep an eye out for some other cool stuff we experienced this year that will be popping up. 

Personally, I think I preferred 2012 when it came to albums from artists that I already adored, but cheers to 2013 for being a year of new discoveries, side projects and artists on the rise. Here's a rundown of my favorite music that was released this year:

www.explodinginsoundrecords.com

Ovlov - am [Exploding In Sound]: I am so thankful to have stumbled upon this band in my late night, tired-eyed hunts for new music. Ovlov is the very best of buzzing rock delivered from some homies from Connecticut. The sound is unique, original (while influences are still clear) and intriguing. It’s the type of record I’ve been waiting for all of my life, and I didn’t even know I was longing for it. It is elating. Favorite Tracks: "Milk," "Blue Baby," "The Great Alligator," "Nü Punk," "Grapes" 

deafheavens.bandcamp.com

Deafheaven - Sunbather [Deathwish]: Super emotional, chilling and probably the best driving music ever. It stimulates the imagination, mine in particular. It became a very visual record, evoking fantasies and foggy memories that I’m not sure are real. Deafheaven’s screaming is delicate and fragile while still inflicting incredible power and pain. Favorite Tracks: "Dream House," "The Pecan Tree," "Please Remember"

www.pitchfork.com

King Krule - 6 Feet Beneath the Moon [True Panther Sounds]: Check out my post dedicated strictly to the King. This guy has it going on. Favorite Tracks: "Neptune Estate," "Baby Blue," "Out Getting Ribs," "Ocean Bed," "Easy Easy"

www.brooklynvegan.com

Their / They’re / There - Their / They’re / There [Polyvinyl]: For a band that’s just a side project for some really talented, established guys, I’m really surprised at how well this came together. But not really, because I’m pretty sure anything these guys do will sound good. This record is just as fun as I’m sure they all had making it. It’s what Evan Weiss, Mike Kinsella and Matthew Frank are good at, thrown together into one catchy-ass album. Favorite Tracks: "Their / They're / Therapy," "Concession Speech Writer," "Apocalypse"

petalpa.bandcamp.com

Petal - Scout EP [Run For Cover]: RFC just signed this little cutie from Pennsylvania in November and I am head-over-heels. The EP is too short and I’m looking very forward to anything else she comes out with. It kind of reminds me of Lemuria, except I never really got into that band, so I would say this is much, much better. Kiley Lotz’s high notes rule and I’m looking forward to having this on repeat well into 2014 and beyond. Favorite Tracks: "Comeback," "Left A Mark," "I'm Sorry"

crashofrhinos.bandcamp.com

Crash Of Rhinos - Knots [Topshelf]: Crash Of Rhinos’ 2011 release Distal is energetic and upbeat, and Knots follows suit, except with more diversity. The band slows its tracks down and adds a grungy component for a very well-rounded, exciting piece of work. Favorite Tracks: "Interiors," "Luck Has A Name," "Speeds Of Ocean Greyhounds," "The Reason I Took So Long"

www.pitchfork.com

Julianna Barwick - Nepenthe [Dead Oceans]: Julianna Barwick creates dreamy soundscapes perfect for a scenic film with snowy mountains contrasting clear blue skies. Her flawless voice loops around and around as various instruments build around it. Perfect background music to heighten any mediocre situation, or to fall asleep to as a soundtrack for a striking dream sequence. Reminds me of Hallow's Bastion in Kingdom Hearts II or a flying shot through Middle Earth. I'm a freakin' nerd. Favorite Tracks: "Pyrrhic", "The Harbinger," "One Half"

datpiff.com

SZA - S EP [TDE]: Absolutely incredible. What I would consider a mix of the best of hip hop and the best of ambient, with a mouth-watering R&B voice at the front. SZA was just signed by TDE and is a little different from her counterparts Ab-Soul and Kendrick Lamar, but just as big and just as booming. Favorite Tracks: "Ice Moon," "Castles," "Terror Dome"

www.metalinjection.net

True Widow - Circumabulation [Relapse]: It isn’t True Widow’s self-titled, but it’s still awesome. Dark, doomy tracks for the laziest of days and sleepiest of mornings. The kind of album you just listen to all the way through.

altpress.com

Balance and Composure- The Things We Think We’re Missing [No Sleep]: I’m not sure if it was freshman blues or whatever, but this record really hit me. I was not into the band before this album, but I over-played it like crazy after it was pushed on me by a friend. It will always be known as the record that I drove down to OU listening to on move-in day. (They made a documentary about the creation of the album, check it out) Favorite Tracks: "Keepsake," "I'm Swimming," "Parachutes," "Notice Me," "Tiny Raindrop"

~honorable mentionz~

Cloakroom - Infinity, Beach Fossils - Clash The Truth, Gucci Mane - Trap God 2, Local Natives - Hummingbird, Pity Sex - Feast Of Love, Into It. Over It. - Intersections,  Native - Orthodox, Iron Chic - The Constant One, Waka Flocka Flame - From Roaches To Rollies, Pet Symmetry - Two Songs About Cars. Two Songs With Long Titles., Kelela - CUT 4 ME, Kanye West - Yeezus, My Bloody Valentine - m b v

Tracks From Those Albums Among Other Jams:

“Vivid Dreams” - Owen: Mike Kinsella conjures up all pain and longing and soothes it in a way that only he knows how.

“Bank Head" - Kelela: A catchy, sexy party song. Not something to get everyone on the dance floor but enough to nod your head, sing a long and drink to. 

“Drawstring” - Pity Sex: Short and sweet, fuzzy and youthful. 

“I’m In It” - Kanye West: Dirty as hell. Extremely uncomfortable. I couldn’t stop listening.

“No Amount Of Sound” - Into It. Over It.: Sad. Slow. Pretty.

“Dream Journal” - Cloakroom: I did a whole lot of nothing this summer except stare at the ceiling. This song made that much more of an experience than it should have been. 

“No We're Not Actually” - Dads: The power in this song lie in the lyrics, and the build up, and I just love Dads. I'm a weirdo and I really like the complexity of hospitals and this song captures the beauty and pain lodged into every room.

“Anxiety’s Door” - Merchandise: A friend put this on a mix for me over the summer and I can’t get over how '80s it is. Very Meat Is Murder-esque: everything I am about.

“Lose My Breath” - Yuck: Yeah, it's not old Yuck. But this is a jam.

“Receiving Line” - Title Fight: As long as these guys keep putting out releases, I’m always going to find at least one song to overplay. 

"Love In A Cold World" - Beastmilk: Reminds me of Danzig. Into it.

"Curtain Call" - They're / Their / There

I'm sure there's stuff that I'm missing. Thanks for taking interest in my interests. Love ya. Sorry I never post, Sarah. I'm very lazy. 

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By: Marlena Scott

Friday's Music Day,

But my mind is more frazzled than it has ever been, so here are a bunch of talented people playing candid versions of some very bangin' songs on a Wednesday.

I hope everyone's having a nice week :)

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By: Marlena Scott

TV Shows That Have More To Do With My Sense of Humor Than I Realize...

This was my favorite part of my favorite Nickelodeon hit The Amanda Show, Moody's Point. It's what I remember most and they're probably my favorite YouTube videos to revisit when I'm feeling nostalgic. Here's my most quoted interaction. 

If it's ever caught by anyone and not mistaken for my own youthful angst, that is a recipe for immediate friendship:

I wonder if shows like these, as well as the other child-sized Saturday Night Live sketch comedy shows (i.e. All-That and Kenan & Kel) have more of an influence on my sense of humor as well as the rest of my peers than we can control. We all seem to be into ironic humor that I find in the revisiting of these shows. Of course it can get loud, repetitive and terribly annoying in a way that only a child could enjoy, but if you skip around there's some real gold to be found.

The same may be said for some moral lessons found in cartoons I would watch, Hey Arnold! being an especially loaded one upon revisitation.  Not to say there wasn't great comic value in those, too.

This may explain the apparent "gap" in the understanding of humor from generation to generation. Just thinking aloud.

Anyway, please enjoy some Moody's Point and my very first brooding, mysterious crush, Sternum.

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By: Marlena Scott

Ali Michael, Girl Crush

My girl crushes are endless. There are so many beautiful women in the world that are cool and fun and funny (as far as I can tell from the internet). More importantly they're huge influences on my personal style, so I will glorify them on this blog. First up:

23 year old Ali Michael from Colleyville, TX. She's a beautiful model with piercing blue eyes, but she's also just really, really freakin' cute.

She's talented in high fashion, but what I admire is the appeal she brings to a t-shirt and socks, my most beloved outfit.

thelibertineezine.com

terrysdiary.com

Pretty self explanatory. B-A-B-E

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By: Marlena Scott

Unearthly

Back in 2010, Zoo Kid released a home-made mixed and mastered track he created with his friends via House Anxiety Records at 16 years old.

In 2011, Zoo Kid transitioned to King Krule and debuted his new title at a festival in France.

I feel deprived to the bone that I hadn't heard of this kid before this past summer with his release of 6 Feet Beneath The Moon via True Panther Sounds. It's November, and I'm still not over it.

The album is an incredibly layered piece of art that is impossible to confine to a genre, so I won't even bother.

It hits at every part of the body. It appeals to every sense. It is everything.

Read into this kid; at only 19 years old he will grab your attention and hold onto it. I was at WalMart and saw a relatively thin red headed boy, and my heart sunk thinking of King Krule. The feelings I experienced during the course of this record are that deep.

Here is an interview he did with The Guardian that is particularly effective in illustrating his demeanor; he encompasses a natural, relatable anger toward the world all the while possessing a relentless desire to do this "life" thing the right way.

Can I hang out with you guys?

Here are some of his side projects to check out:
DJ JD Sports
Edgar the Beatmaker

For the record: I wouldn't have broken your heart, Archy Marshall.

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By: Marlena Scott

Something about this photoset,

I found these on VICE, and I adore them.

I love film, I love bodies, I love bikinis, and I don't know shit about photography but these make me feel good. These are all by Tamara Lichtenstein. See more dreamy, muted photos of beautiful people in relatively mundane places here.

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By: Marlena Scott

Doing the 90s Right

This fabulous 90s revival is the word of the web and the current object of our affection. The whole point of this entry is to introduce you to these classic grunge staples for you to make them your own. To start off, here's a rule of thumb: be you, always. How you wear and style these classics should be to your own liking and comfort. So on that note, here are our nine steps to reviving the 1990s the right way, sans "soft grunge".

http://vintagetees.storenvy.com

1. Band t-shirts are a loaded component. Think outside of the box because Sublime and Nirvana have been done to death. Personal favorites from the era include: Built To Spill, Slowdive, Pavement, Dinosaur Jr., Cocteau Twins and Sonic Youth, to name a few. For my rap fiends: Lord Finesse, A Tribe Called Quest, N.W.A., etc. Don't take this lightly, this entire "movement" is built off the foundation of these artists. Check out 90s music before you decide to snag a t-shirt or continue on with this list.

www.90s411.com

2. Flannel needs to be on your body. Not only will you be nice and toasty in it but it's so versatile. First, there are so many color combinations. There's the classic red flannel and the blue/green flannel. But the best flannels are the odd colors,  I'm talking brown/orange, purple/white and green/yellow. Pick whichever color combination speaks to your grungy heart because you'll have it on you 24/7. Wrapped around your waist, carried in you hand, or actually on your body, you will be one with your flannel.

www.annaroditi.wordpress.com

3. Jackets are most valuable to this trend when they are found in your dad's closet, or the family Goodwill bag downstairs that has been collecting dust over the years. Popular materials include but are not limited to denim, leather, and maybe even suede. They are to be paired with your flannel, your loose white tank top or your band t-shirt. They should be big, boxy and broken-in.

www.urbanoutfitters.com

4. Black tights are necessary if you want to pack some extra grunge punch. The tights shouldn't be too sheer but also not made of wool, they should be right in the middle. If your tights are ripped up and have holes in them they are still wearable, please don't throw them away. Extra grunge points if you layer black knee socks over them.

www.urbanoutfitters.com

5. High waisted bottoms, both flattering and easy to find, are the perfect time machine back to our beloved decade. If you're looking for shorts, cruise over to Goodwill's men's pants section, find a waist that fits, hike them up and cut them. For fall and winter, don't be afraid of thick men's jeans (also known as dad jeans). If you're looking for a decent fit, Urban Outfitters and American Apparel are options.

www.en.wikipedia.org

6. Boots need to be the "shit kicker" chunky type. They will keep your feet warm while you're reviving the 90s but also make you look infinitely cool. When in doubt go black, the black boot will go with everything. But don't limit yourself because dark green, burgundy, or floral boots will give you grunge credibility.

www.marieclaire.com

7. Hair in the 90s varied from the Rachel to Winona and there is certainly nothing wrong with the long, greasy blonde locks of Courtney Love and Kim Gordon.  However you want to execute it, doesn't matter. Just avoid shampoo and attempt a middle part. The messier the better and the long-instilled girl rules of roots and dead ends do not apply to the 90s. Let your hairstylist bitch at you. They just don't understand (angst is a subtle yet important aspect of this look).

www.monroemisfitmakeup.com

8. Dark lips will complete and tie together your grungy look. Most importantly dark lips are not just restricted to red. Do everyone a favor and rock some burgundy or plum lips, but not black. Unless you plan on attending a Lamb of God show please step away from the black lipstick. Matte lips or shiny lips, it doesn't matter just wear what you like. Make it dark and make it daily.

www.thegloss.com

9. Black eyeliner is essential to the grunge look. Pile it on. Layer it. You can even give it wings. Whatever you do just make sure that there is a lot. If your eyeliner falls through out the day, even better! Just make sure that you're not using your eyeliner as eye shadow. You're not channeling your inner scene girl; you're channeling you're inner grunge girl.





This is only the beginning of your journey. Don't forget your muted floral, your velvet, your scrunchies, your overalls, your backward hats. We're starting simply; grungy baby steps. Do not mimic the 1990s, allow it inspire you. For further effect, study the behaviors and values of our darling idols in Crippled Rejex:

Just a reminder: we're reviving and glorifying the 90s, not reliving it.

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By: Marley Scott and Sarah Weingarten