Again it’s time to take stock of the year in music as it relates to my life. The leeway afforded by cutesy use of the year for the number of entries – 13 this year – is really coming in handy, as there were a lot of good albums and shows this year. Here we go, in alphabetical order by artist.
TOP 13 ALBUMS OF 2013
Elvis Costello and The Roots – Wise Up Ghost
Foals – Holy Fire
Jason Isbell – Southeastern
Jim James – Regions of Light and Sound
Kurt Vile – Wakin On A Pretty Daze
Lorde – Pure Heroine
Paul McCartney – NEW
Pearl Jam – Lightning Bolt
Superchunk – I Hate Music
Thee Oh Sees – Floating Coffin
Volcano Choir – Repave
White Denim – Corsicana Lemonade
William Tyler – Impossible Truth
TOP 13 SHOWS OF 2013
The Breeders – September 7, Hopscotch Music Festival, Raleigh, NC
Charlie Hunter and Scott Amendola – April 5, Billsborough Music Hall, Hillsborough, NC
David Byrne and St. Vincent – June 15, Bonnaroo Music Festival, Manchester, TN
Father John Misty – June 13, Bonnaroo Music Festival, Manchester, TN
Foals – June 14, Bonnaroo Music Festival, Manchester, TN
Jason Isbell – July 2, Lincoln Theater, Raleigh, NC
Jerry Garcia Symphonic Celebration – June 20, Red Hat Amphitheater, Raleigh, NC
Mike Dillon Band – March 18, Pour House Music Hall, Raleigh, NC
Paul McCartney – June 14, Bonnaroo Music Festival, Manchester, TN
Pearl Jam – October 30, TWC Arena, Charlotte, NC
Steve Martin and Steep Canyon Rangers with Edie Brickell – September 28, IBMA Festival, Raleigh, NC
Tame Impala – June 15, Bonnaroo Music Festival, Manchester, TN
Umphrey’s McGee – January 23, Ziggy’s, Winston-Salem, NC
The Wounded Messenger 