2013 | Kyle’s Top Records 25 – 21

What’s an end of December without a giant list of albums I was totally head over heels in love with? Here are my picks for records you absolutely should be picking up.

25. Lindi Ortega – Tin Star

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZG_2rZ4UzN0[/youtube]
[N]ashville by way of Toronto country crooner made a fantastic record about the road, being a musician, and not getting fame, no billboard hits, and no sold out nights, but making her way as a musician, and trying to become a star. The Tracks > Tin Star, Gypsy Child

Buy Tin Star

24. Tim Noyes – In Hands

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXU2_ydHUZE[/youtube]
[A]unt Martha front-man, songwriter etc Tim Noyes transitioned into a solo act only to unleash a short record that will delight from beginning to end, its a melancholy set of songs, that evoke loneliness, the cold of the winter over folk / synth vibe. The Tracks > Blue Buildings, Patterns

Buy In Hands

23. Kingsley Flood – Battles

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ymlO9dU6D0[/youtube]
[B]oston band Kingsley Flood has been very good to us this year, they released their raucous effort, Battles, which leans heavily on great songwriting, and the energy of their live shows. It’s a great record, one you’ll spin again and again. The Tracks > Sun Gonna Lemme Shine, Waiting on the River to Rise

Buy Battles

22. Ivan & Alyosha – All The Times We Had

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7gmr5uxi30[/youtube]
[T]he first full length album from the Brothers Karamazov loving Seattle band is one that I fell in love with from first listen of their standout single “Running for Cover,” they deliver an emotionally affective, ride through 11 tracks that prove their songwriting mettle, & their pop sensibilitiesThis is a band quite a bit similar to Seattle’s darlings the Head and the Heart, with a weep of early Killers. The Tracks > Running for Cover, Be Your Man

Buy All the Times We Had

21. Hollis Brown – Ride on the Train

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GlNKST3_Rc[/youtube]
[S]ounding like a refined version of the late 60?s era rock and roll that sort of trembles into 70?s rock / folk /country territory, Hollis Brown gave us Ride on the Train, a throwback record that transports to an era of simple rock structures, and damn catchy songwriting. The Tracks > Ride On the Train, Faith & Love

Buy Ride on the Train