Megan Frestedt writesCHIRP Radio Best of 2013: Megan Frestedt

Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its members’ top albums of 2013. Our next list is from DJ Megan Frestedt.

1. Waxahatchee – Cerulean Salt (Don Giovanni)
   BUY: Reckless / Permanent / Insound / iTunes / eMusic
   
   Man, the Crutchfield sisters hit it on the nose this year. I would add the Swearin' debut to this list, but that came out in 2012 (and I like it more than the new one). The first time I heard Cerulean Salt, I didn't like it. Higher production values and less cutes-y-ness than American Weekend, the first Waxahatchee record that I'd been obsessed with for a few weeks. But I grew with it and into it and ugh. Just those songs. Lyrically poignant and true. I love the way the music is circular and rises and falls. Just try to get "Swan Dive" out of your head.
   
   Sidenote: Katie and band played a simple, garage-y cover of Paul Simon's "Boy In The Bubble" at SXSW and it was great. I am still trying to find a recording of it.
2. Mikal Cronin – MCII (Merge)
   BUY: Reckless / Permanent / Insound / iTunes / eMusic
   
   Listening to this record is like releasing a bunch of different emotions you've been holding in for too long - it's got that level of energy and variety. There's great sequencing too. When one song ends I get excited about the next one. MCII is like Rumours because every song's a single!
3. Kanye West – Yeezus (Def Jam)
   BUY: Reckless / Permanent / Insound / iTunes / eMusic
   
   Not much to say about this that hasn't already been said. It's laughably but creatively obscene and makes effective points about our current racial climate. Nobody else wrote a line as memorable as "hurry up with my damn croissants" this year. But it also just sounds great - Kanye continues to push the production envelope.
4. Classixx – Hanging Gardens (Innovative Leisure)
   BUY: Reckless / Permanent / Insound / iTunes / eMusic
   
   DANCE PARTY 2013
5. Caitlin Rose – The Stand-In (ATO)
   BUY: Reckless / Permanent / Insound / iTunes / eMusic
   
   There was a month-long period this year where all I did on public transit was listen to this record over and over again on Spotify on my phone. Rose has such a pure, full voice and a knack for writing catchy songs. I discovered Caitlin Rose through CHIRP actually. I tabled at her band's Schubas show and knew nothing going in. It was an odd crowd, a lot of old folks and people in cowboy hats. But her voice was perfect and she stared up at the ceiling the whole time she sang. My favorites on this record are "Dallas" and the numbers where the male voice joins in.
6. Phosphorescent – Muchacho (Dead Oceans)
   BUY: Reckless / Permanent / Insound / iTunes / eMusic
   
   Lots of yearning in this one. Like The Stand-In, my love for this increased by seeing the band live. Their set at PMF this summer was one of my favorites.
7. Marnie Stern – Chronicles of Marnia (Kill Rock Stars)
   BUY: Reckless / Permanent / Insound / iTunes / eMusic
   
   This record was my first real introduction to Marnie's music, which is sad. The album is just guitar part after guitar part, tapping at super-speed, and I like the way her songs drastically change melody three or four times but always stay true to her individual voice. Plus she is a badass.
8. Arcade Fire – Reflektor (Merge)
   BUY: Reckless / Permanent / Insound / iTunes / eMusic
   
   This guy's hanging out at number 8 because I just haven't spent enough time with it yet. "Joan of Arc" is in the running for my fave tracks this year though. And I do think this is a great great record. So much going on, yet still so many hooks. It's been on repeat the last few weeks for me.
9. Darkside – Psychic (Matador/Other People)
   BUY: Reckless / Permanent / Insound / iTunes / eMusic
   
   So many instrumental electronic albums came out this year, but this was the one worth messing with.
10. The National – Trouble Will Find Me (4AD)
    BUY: Reckless / Permanent / Insound / iTunes / eMusic
    
    A little biased because I'm a big National fan, but I like the little changes they made with this record. I love how on songs like "Humiliation" they only give you one repeat of a hook and you can almost miss it. I love the background sounds, vocals parts you can barely make out but that actually say something important. Plus, it's classically sad and dark and who doesn't love that.

Honorable Mentions

• Lady Lamb and the Beekeeper - Ripely Pine (Ba Da Bing!)
  Superchunk - I Hate Music (Merge)
  The National - Trouble Will Find Me (4AD)
  Volcano Choir - Repave (Secretly Canadian)
  Eleanor Friedberger - Personal Record (Merge)
  Also: Magical Cloudz, Rhye, Speedy Ortiz, Charli XCX, Vampire Weekend