Ryan's Year in Reviews: Top Five Albums and Top Ten Songs

1.            The Wonder Years – Suburbia, I've given You All and Now I'm Nothing

The Wonder Years have always been consistently great with their music and this  album is an outstanding showing of how great these guys are. Based loosely off the poem "America" by Allen Ginsberg, Dan "Soupy" Campbell describes what his life has been for the past year, the struggles he and the band has seen, how things at home have changed while away on tour and making music, and overall just trying to stay positive in a world that's trying to keep you down. The album is stacked with astounding lyricism and musicianship and is a must listen for anyone in my opinion.

2.            Girls – Father, Son, Holy Ghost

If you've been following music trends over the past couple of years or so you would have noticed a somewhat "retro" explosion with bands like LCD Soudsystem and The Black Keys leading in the somewhat mainstream. The band to really perfect and make the sound their own since LCD Soundsystem has left us would be Girls. Christopher Owens, the groups lead singer and song writer, has essentially taken multiple eras of rock and roll and pop and even indie music and placed his own spin onto all of it and he manages to pull it off flawlessly.

3.            The Roots – Undun

The latest release by the legendary Roots Crew is a fascinating one indeed. The album is essentially a reverse narrative of the life of a young man named  Redford Stephens, an inner city youth who is trying to find out who he is and going to be in life. Eventually he ends up dead on a street corner, seen as a criminal. That's where the album begins; on that very street corner where Redford then tries to make sense of his former life and what caused him to come to this point, what made his life unravel to where it is now. Even though the album comes in at a short 38 minutes, it holds heavy meaning and is one hell of a ride.

4.            Frank Ocean – Nostalgia, Ultra

Frank Ocean is the soul of Odd Future, and I mean that musically of course seeing as he is the only R&B singer of the group. Throughout Nostalgia  Frank takes us on a trip with songs of love, his own personal philosophies, and the ways of the past. On this album he sings over samples from a pretty varied group of artists as well (Radiohead, Coldplay, and the Eagles to name the majority) and, honestly, he makes the most listenable version of "Hotel California" I've ever heard. This is one album that just simply bleeds swagger and heart and it's expertly done.

5.            Into it. Over it. - Proper

This is the second full release  from Evan Weiss' Into it. Over it project and it's one amazingly listenable album. I can't tell you how many times I've caught myself listening to this album multiple times. The album draws a lot of it's influence from folk, indie, and emo roots and it combines them all perfectly to make a perfectly cohesive piece of work. Not to mention Weiss' lyricism is top notch, the man can really paint a beautiful picture. You'll find these songs in your head and on you iPod on repeat for weeks.

            Honorable Mentions:

1.     Tyler the Creator – Goblin

2.     Radiohead – King of Limbs

3.     Stephen Malkmus & The                          Jicks –  Mirror Traffic

Top 10 Songs of the Year

1.            Tyler, the Creator - "Yonkers"

This song is as great as it is creepy, and I love every second of it. This song launched Tyler, the Creator and Odd Future for a reason, it's astoundingly good. The beat to this song is something out of nightmares with it's heavy bass hits and creepy synth looming in the background. Also Tyler's flow and lyricism are top notch.

2.            The Rapture – "How Deep is your Love?"

This song was the best song off of a pretty good album at best. This song is just so heartfelt and passionate, and it's all set to what sounds like the soundtrack to a 80's work out  video.

3.            Das Racist – Michael Jackson

This is one of the biggest songs of the year in every way. This song is Das Racist saying not only are they here, but they're here and ready to make lots of money. They're talking Michael Jackson figures. This song takes the initiative to punch you in the stomach with it's larger than life beat as well.

4.            Girls - "Die"

Christopher Owens know how to construct a hell of a song. This song starts off like some sort of late 90's to early 00's sounding alt rock song and then, in almost the blink of an eye, you're hearing a slow moving ballad-esque song. The tempo shift in this song is incredible and will leave you jaw rightfully dropped.

5.            Mister Heavenly - "Bronx Sniper"

This song starts off in such a mellow way you think it could end up being some sort of ballad, then you get hit with the drums and heavy guitar. Once you get to the chorus, I guarantee you won't be forgetting this song for a while.

6.            Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks - "Forever 28"

This song is just a a great mix of 90's alternative in the chorus and bouncy pop goodness in the verses. It's a fun song.

7.            The Wonder Years - "Came out Swining"

Want to learn how to open and album on the right foot? Listen to this song. 'Nuff said.

8.            Kanye West & Jay-Z - "Otis"

I love this song for 2 major reason. First of all, this is Kanye returning to his old production techniques and it's just awesome. Secondly, this just sounds like  Kanye and Jay-z just having fun and that just makes the song so much more enjoyable.

9.            Battles - "Ice Cream"

This song is about 4:30 of pure synthy instrument fun, if you want something you can just dance to then listen to this song.

10.            Gorilla Warfare Tactics - "Temptations" and "Dark Saber Jedi"

These guys are probably the best rappers you have yet to hear. "Temptations" takes up more of a late 80's, very early 90's style of rap that's bouncy and fun. While "Dark Saber Jedi" feels more like a track from the Wu-tang Clan .