Words by Brandon Ringo | List by Sir Charles Barkevious Ringo
When looking back on the music released in 2013, it has become pretty obvious that it was an incredible year for all things heavy, especially death metal.
I listened to a ton of metal this year, but obviously man cannot survive on metal alone. It’s especially hard listening to a ton of metal on my record player when there’s a puppy less than a year old in my face at all times. Therefore, I also found myself listening to a handful of bands that were decidedly unheavy and much more to his liking. The following is a list of the best albums of 2013 as chosen by my now one year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Sir Charles Barkevious Ringo. Everyone else has a best of the year list, why not include dogs too?
10. Justin Timberlake – The 20/20 Experience
When my wife first bought this album, I was skeptical to say the least. Needless to say, I became a believer after hearing the amazing mixture of soul, funk, old school pop and even a heavy amount of jazz. The way he starts a song out full of bubblegum pop and ends it with a weird, heavily-jazz influenced movement is very cool. Charlie loves this album because of JT’s soulful melodies and smooth groove. In fact, this served as the soundtrack to the time he shared an intimate moment with his stuffed bear toy. Needless to say however, this record won’t be anywhere near the stuffed bear’s favorite albums of the year.
9. Pissed Jeans – Honeys
Charlie isn’t a big fan of heavier music typically, but even he can appreciate the amazingly heavy tone and deliciously snarky lyrics on this record. Also, I think Charlie only really likes this record because he has actually pissed on my jeans before and finds the name hilarious.
8. Nine Inch Nails – Hesitation Marks
This is one of my favorite albums to listen to while doing chores because it’s super upbeat and dancey, but with Reznor’s signature industrial touch to it. A lot of folks hated on this album, but I think it’s absolutely brilliant. Charlie really likes this because of how catchy it is and because of that one time I was listening to it and gave him a treat for just laying down and staring at me instead of running around the house causing trouble.
7. Queens Of The Stone Age – …Like Clockwork
This is one Charlie and I sort of disagree on. I think that it’s a bit slow and lacks a lot of the thrills and excitement of their previous record. Charlie thinks it’s awesome because Josh Homme is an amazing songwriter and it is a fresh new sound in the band’s discography. He also thinks I’m dumb for expecting them to continue improving their old sound instead of progressing forth with a fresh new approach that’s still in the same vein. I also think he only said that because he was mad that I threw away his recently decapitated stuffed Duck Dynasty toy.
6. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds – Push The Sky Away
Charlie likes this album because of Nick Cave’s beautiful voice and powerful songwriting. In fact, he likes it so much that he tried to chew on the album sleeve once only to end up in timeout right by the record player where he took a nap.
5. Black Joe Lewis – Electric Slave
If James Brown were alive today, there’s no doubt that this hybrid of blues, funk, jazz and rock n’ roll would be the type of music he’d be playing. Though they have already developed a reputation for playing rock n’ roll that doesn’t play by any rules, Electric Slave furthers that with a bit of punk/fuzz added to their sound to make it even more awesome. Charlie describes this album as the definitive soundtrack to playing fetch with me while I fold the laundry.
4. Helen Money – Arriving Angels
Considering that the only instruments used on this album are a cello and drums, this record is beautiful. Most people might consider it metal, but Charlie doesn’t because it’s too pretty. For him, it’s a great album to put on and chill out to while curled up on a fuzzy blanket and chewing on his favorite deer antler.
3. Jim James – Regions Of Light And Sound Of God
This album is absolutely beautiful. You may know Jim James as the frontman of My Morning Jacket, but this record showcases just how multi-faceted his songwriting ability is. Charlie likes this album because of its positive lyrics and smooth sound; also because it serves as the perfect soundtrack to a sunny Summer day full of pooping in the kitchen, running around the house to avoid a spanking and then sleeping in his kennel during timeout.
2. The Flaming Lips – The Terror
Where Regions Of Light appears to be one of the happiest and most beautiful albums of the year, The Terror is by far one of the bleakest and saddest records of the year. Despite its sad atmosphere, I find it incredibly uplifting. It’s important to Charlie because it’s the first album I ever played for him and it kind of freaked him out. I also find it interesting to note that I got Charlie two days after seeing the Lips live, which was the same day this record arrived in the mail.
1. Relient K – Collapsible Lung
This record is a huge change in direction for these guys. Gone are their infectious pop punk anthems about falling in love and wanting to be a better person, now replaced by wildly catchy pop songs about…falling in love and wanting to be a better person. Charlie likes this album a lot because of how catchy it is, and also how well he can relate to their puppy love sentiments. He also likes how easily it is to add his name to each song on the album when I sing songs to him.
