Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writesCHIRP Radio Best of 2013: Clarence Ewing

Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its members’ top albums of 2013. Our next list is from DJ and Online Media Director Clarence Ewing.

1. The Dillinger Escape Plan – One of Us Is the Killer (Party Smasher)
   BUY: Reckless / Permanent / Insound / iTunes / eMusic
   
   Mathcore fury at its finest. I'm not sure if Greg Puciato is trying to destroy the listener or himself with his lead vocals, but he's determined that someone isn't making it out alive. The band screams into the void right along with him with an astonishing ability to change speeds and gears on a dime. Thier live shows are legendary for their wildness, and that does carry over to the wax - their recordings practically reach out of the speakers and body slam your ears. Awesome Song: "Nothing's Funny"
2. Allá – #FeedTheDragon Vol. 1 (self-released)
   BUY: Reckless / Permanent / Insound / iTunes / eMusic
   
   They are the J.D. Salinger of kickass Chicago bands. They don’t tour, the time between their concert appearances is measured in years, they don’t have a record label deal and apparently have no interest in getting one, and they certainly take their sweet time releasing albums. When they do, though, you get something special like this, the first of a planned trilogy. The product of a "no guitars" song writing rule, the music is a combination of RnB and experimental electronica that made me feel like I was listening to synths for the first time. Awesome Song: "Without U"
3. Grouper – The Man Who Died In His Boat (kranky)
   BUY: Reckless / Permanent / Insound / iTunes / eMusic
   
   Eerie and mystical in all the best ways, Grouper's music is in the same vein as Julianna Barwick, but not as alien. Mostly it's just her and a guitar, but the setup and delivery is beyond hypnotic. When I listen to it I feel like I'm staring into a dark forest in late November, or directly into someone's damaged, haunted soul. Awesome Song: "Cloud In Places"
4. Benoit Pioulard – Hymnal (kranky)
   BUY: Reckless / Permanent / Insound / iTunes / eMusic
   
   Speaking of Avant-Ambient, Pioulard is back with his distinctively crafted atmospheric sound. He's like an earthier version of Panda Bear (or maybe Panda Bear is a more ethereal version of him?). There aren't precise words for this sound. Just press "play," close your eyes, and be transported. Awesome Song: "Excave"
5. Anciients – Heart of Oak (Season of Mist)
   BUY: Reckless / Permanent / Insound / iTunes / eMusic
   
   The debut album from Vancouver band Anciients doesn’t re-invent Metal, they just do it better than just about any band I've heard. It's all here: the apocalyptic double lead guitar riffs, the epic solos, the heavy-duty rhythm section that breaks into machine-gun mode at just the right moments, and the throat-shredding vocals. Sure, it's a bit Progressive, but it's also got the kind of skill and polish that, dare I say, Metallica would appreciate. Awesome Song: "Giants"
6. Local Natives – Hummingbird (Frenchkiss)
   BUY: Reckless / Permanent / Insound / iTunes / eMusic
   
   Local Natives survives the departure of one of their members and mourns the loss through their music while keeping their sound intact, especially those soaring, gorgeous harmonies. Awesome Song: "Black Spot"
7. Elusive Parallelograms – Fragments [EP] (self-released)
   BUY: Reckless / Permanent / Insound / iTunes / eMusic
   
   This 6-track EP is a snapshot of a Milwaukee band that appears to have a lot of ideas and the skill to pull them off, as they make their way through Pop, Alt Rock, Electro-Pogo-Punk, and even a little Jazz and Psychedelic, delivering in quick bursts of energy that have the urgent feel of a live performance. Keep an eye out for these guys. Awesome Song: "Helium"
8. Pure Bathing Culture – Moon Tides (Memphis Industries)
   BUY: Reckless / Permanent / Insound / iTunes / eMusic
   
   On first glance, this debut album from guitarist Daniel Hindman and keyboardist/vocalist Sarah Versprille, who started out in New York but relocated to Portland, OR in 2011, signals "derivative," specifically of Cocteau Twins, Beach House, and '70s FM Pop (they even quote lines from Barry Mardones' 1980 mega-hit "Into the Night"). But I’ll be damned if “Pendulum” and “Scotty” haven't been on permanent rotation on my iPod ever since I got this album.
9. Barrence Whitfield & the Savages – Dig Thy Savage Soul (Bloodshot)
   BUY: Reckless / Permanent / Insound / iTunes / eMusic
   
   This is the first US release since 1995 for Boston-based R & B titan Barrence Whitfiled. Make no mistake though – this isn't a nostalgia tour or a watered-down Blues revue for a PBS pledge drive. Like Whitfield's voice, the music is big, loud, and gloriously alive. It sounds like what would happen if Howlin' Wolf decided to jam with a particularly fired-up garage rock band. Awesome Song: "Bread"
10. Doldrums – Fantasia (Artbus)
    BUY: Reckless / Permanent / Insound / iTunes / eMusic
    
    Montreal-based musician and artist Airick Woodhead stitches together a patchwork quilt of beats and electronic melodies, covering the range from digital blips to massively thumping beats to create a variety of sonic textures. A female vocalist adds a critical human element to the knob-twirling and electronic barrages. It's the kind of dance music that's just as listenable in one's bedroom through headphones. Awesome Song: "She Is the Wave"