Ben Mitchell has not only been a great friend to all of us here at Music Junkie Press but also is one of hell of a concert goer. We get to run in to him at almost every show we are covering! He also worked with us when we covered the Dir En Grey show in San Francisco and interviewed bassist, Toshiya for us. You can check out that video right here:
Ben has been sharing his Top Ten Albums of 2013 and we are pleased to present them here for you:
#10 album goes to “The Paradigm Shift” by Korn.
I was never a huge Korn fan by any means, but this new album was very impressive. It is their first album welcoming back original guitarist Brian “Head” Welch and the band continues to evolve their sound while keeping its roots. Check out their video for “Never Never”
#9 Favorite Album of 2013 – “Feel” by Sleeping With Sirens
Big year for SWS. “Feel” reached No. 3 overall on the Billboard charts when it came out….which is HUGE for a band on an independent label. Their fanbase is growing very rapidly. Got to meet the band several this year + they are super cool guys. Album also features guest vocals from MGK, Matty Mullins from Memphis May fire, Fronz from Attila, and Shay from Dayshell. Check out their lead single “Alone” featuring MGK.
#8 Favorite Album of 2013 – “Tracing Back Roots” by We Came As Romans
WCAR has found a successful formula combining clean/unclean vocals and making each song on their albums extremely catchy. The difference between them and the other bands in their genre is that their lyrics actually mean something and reach out to a positive audience. The album also features guest vocals from Aaron Gillespie (The Almost/Underoath). Check out my favorite song off of Tracing Back Roots: “Hope”
#7 Favorite Album of 2013 – “What You Don’t See” by The Story So Far
Here comes your daily dose of Pop-Punk by local heroes TSSF. These guys reside in Walnut Creek and are quite possibly the biggest Bay Area band you haven’t heard of. When they’re not opening for bands like New Found Glory, they are selling out their own shows leading the new wave of pop-punk. Their new album “What You Don’t See” has a ton of energy and is a solid album. Check out their video for “Empty Space” which contains footage by Pier 39!
#6 Favorite Album of 2013 – “The Blackest Beautiful” by letlive.
THE most energetic band in music. I cannot do letlive. justice by describing their live performances. I’m just going to say you HAVE to see them for yourself, and you will thank me that you did. As far as the album goes, it is another solid effort front-to-back jammed-packed with deep lyrical content and catchy riffs. They will be back here in March opening up for Bring Me The Horizon….it will sell out…..so better buy tickets fast! Check out their lead single off of The Blackest Beautiful – “Banshee (Ghost Fame)”
#5 Favorite Album of 2013: “Heart Attack” by Man Overboard
It’s just a plain fun album to listen to. The songs are short and basic, and there are enough of them to keep you satisfied. Rise Records isn’t known for pop-punk, but Man Overboard will be a band that will continue to grow on their label and will hopefully be around a long time. Check out their single, “Where I Left You”
#4 Favorite Album of 2013 – “Legendary” by The Summer Set
Definitely the poppiest + happiest album on my list this year. Some of their songs are cheesy, but the whole album is incredibly catchy nonetheless. It’s been a big year for them as they are starting to become mainstream + even got to open the IHeartRadio concert in Vegas. They are actually doing a mini-acoustic tour playing this entire album. One of those stops is at Bottom of the Hill in SF in February….it will sell out…just saying. Check out their radio hit “Boomerang”
#3 Favorite Album of 2013 – “Common Courtesy” by A Day To Remember
ADTR self-produced this album while in a lawsuit with Victory Records…..it took awhile but they somehow managed to release it, and they did not disapoint! It’s trulya record for their fans and combines their unique sound of pop/punk/hardcore for everyone to enjoy. They even have some great acoustic tracks. One of my favorite bands to see live and one of the most underrated bands in music today. Check out their brand new video for “Right Back At It Again”
#2 Favorite Album of 2013 – “Vessel” by twenty one pilots
Just do yourself a favor and watch all of the music videos Twenty One Pilots have put out this year….you’ll thank me. At one moment you’ll hear rapping, the next you’ll be in the middle of a dance party, and the next moment you will be hearing a serenade. The most energetic 2-piece group I know….they will be headlining big stages very soon. You can count on that! Check out their video for “Car Radio”
Here it is…..
My #1 Favorite Album of 2013 goes to…..(drumroll)
“Rise” by Skillet Music
Extremely easy choice. Those who know me probably aren’t shocked, but Skillet truly deserves this top spot. Their previous album “Awake” is one of my all-time favorite albums, and I am happy to say that their follow up does not disappoint! “Rise” is an amazing album and has a great combination of rock and pop tracks for every listener to enjoy. They are headlining The Roadshow which stops in San Jose on January 16th! Which means I hope to see a lot of people there. Check out their new video for “Sick Of It”
Great list Ben!! We look forward to what 2014 will bring!
~ Marisol
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