I am not a great one for getting involved in reviews. I don't particularly enjoy reading reviews in newspapers because I only end up disagreeing with what's written; it's amazing how often I think other people are just wrong. With this in mind, I am going to tell you very briefly what my favourite album of 2013 is and why. Feel free to not read or disagree - goodness knows I would do one of those two if I was in your position.
I've bought a load of music this year. This is not really any change from the norm really but I've embraced MP3 downloads this year more than ever before and have had to get an iPod with a bigger capacity as a result. Up until this week I didn't really have a favourite album of 2013 because I listen to such an eclectic mix of music that it's difficult to nail down a 'favourite' across genres. However, these last few days my ears have been treated to the most brilliant music I've heard for a long time. To put my choice into context here are my 'other' favourite albums of 2013:
- Bad Blood - Bastille
- Anna - The Courteeners
- Days are Gone - Haim
- Too Weird To Live, Too Rare To Die! - Panic! At The Disco
- Modern Vampires of the City - Vampire Weekend
- Paramore - Paramore
- The 1975 - The 1975
I should point out that those are just the albums that I have enjoyed all the way through and are exclusively releases from this year. For an example of other music I've been listening to a lot this year, I have delved further into Elvis Costello's back-catalogue and been handsomely rewarded for it. Katy Perry has also been doing a lot of 'roaring' in my ears recently as well - one can only wish that was a euphemism.
Anyway, onto the big one. I heard the first single from this album last week and hated. I thought it was a bit weird and, as it was played on the radio programme that is supposed to wake me up in the morning, I was not in a very good place to appreciate it. I persisted though and £4.99 and many hours later I have come to the conclusion that Lorde's album, Pure Heroine, is simply magnificent. Listen to it and listen to it a million more times and then try and disagree with me. I ain't no professional music reviewer but I think you'll find I'm right - at least I sound like one...
Thanks for reading, listening and agreeing.
Martin
