Rubbed in Dirt, Dipped in Sugar writesCHIRP Radio Best of 2013: John Lombardo

Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its members’ top albums of 2013. Our next list is from DJ and Music Director John Lombardo.

1. Circuit des Yeux – Overdue (Ba Da Bing!)
   BUY: Reckless / Permanent / Insound / iTunes / eMusic
   
   Haley Fohr really has created something amazing here. Channelling Nico with swarms of sampled strings, this album is equal parts spare and alien.
2. The Hecks – Trust and Order 7” (Moniker)
   BUY: Reckless / Permanent / Insound / iTunes / eMusic
   
   The Hecks managed to seize my attention this year with two killer songs that ride that line of utterly ramshackle and genius. I was further amazed after seeing this duo live, with their two-stringed guitars and stripped-down kit, re-create every scratch and squeal of this excellent debut.
3. Tim Kinsella – Tim Kinsella - Tim Kinsella Sings the Songs of Marvin Tate by Leroy Bach Featuring Angel Olsen (Joyful Noise)
   BUY: Reckless / Permanent / Insound / iTunes / eMusic
   
   Local legends Tim Kinsella, Leroy Bach, and Angel Olsen team up to give new life to Chicago poet & snow-globe artist Marvin Tate’s tales of love, loss, and physical transformation. Jarring, utterly unique, and addictively catchy.
4. CAVE – Threace (Drag City)
   BUY: Reckless / Permanent / Insound / iTunes / eMusic
   
   I initially doubted that there was any way Cave could one-up Neverendless, but sure enough they have produced something even more impressive. The new line-up is even tighter, the songs are even more epic (adding in sax, flute, and congas), and their live show is even more dizzying! Get a hold of this.
5. Coins – Coins Songbook (Self-Released)
   BUY: Reckless / Permanent / Insound / iTunes / eMusic
   
   Somehow this flew under the radar this year for many folks. Beautiful harmonies from this female piano & guitar duo. Simple, soothing, and catchy as all get out.
6. Advance Base – Tomorrow’s Homes Today EP (Orindal)
   BUY: Reckless / Permanent / Insound / iTunes / eMusic
   
   An exceptional track for track cover of the Magnetic Fields’ House of Tomorrow EP. Owen Ashworth breathes new life into these classic songs, re-shaping them into something equally gripping.
7. Maston – Maston (Trouble in Mind)
   BUY: Reckless / Permanent / Insound / iTunes / eMusic
   
   Equal parts Brian Wilson, Ennio Morricone, and Phil Spector, Frank Maston’s debut finds him as a conductor, wading through an avalanche of woodwind, percussion, and farfisa tracks. Amazingly, this could double as your soundtrack to summer or snowed-in winter week.
8. Body/Head – Coming Apart (Matador)
   BUY: Reckless / Permanent / Insound / iTunes / eMusic
   
   This is Kim Gordon like you’ve never seen/heard. This collaboration with Bill Nace ventures into noisy territory but the compositions are structured with hooks, solos, and damaged choruses. This album is hypnotic, frenetic and teetering on the edge of stupor-inducing.
9. The Holydrug Couple – Noctuary (Sacred Bones)
   BUY: Reckless / Permanent / Insound / iTunes / eMusic
   
   Coming out of what felt like nowhere, this duo from Santiago, Chile specialize in creating gorgeous swirling & smeary psychedelic sounds. Listening to this on headphones makes it feel like the songs were recorded right in your room, with their punchy drums and walls of soaring and crashing echo effects. No drugs needed.
10. U.S. Girls – Free Advice Column EP (Bad Actors)
    BUY: Reckless / Permanent / Insound / iTunes / eMusic
    
    Meg Remy has changed so much since leaving Chicago. Trading in scratched-up tape loops and screeching vocals for a sound that combines pop and the sweet sounds of early girl groups, this EP is soulful, kitschy, and demands repeat listens.

Honorable Mentions

• Moonrises - Frozen Altars (Captcha)
  The Dead C – Armed Courage (Ba Da Bing!)
  Heavy Times - Fix It Alone (HoZac)