My Favourite Albums Of 2013

Even though I've always been partial to female musicians, whether they are singers, songwriters guitarists, or rockers, this year more than ever it was the girls who dominated by iPod and stereo. There's even a few that I've failed to include that I truly loved: Alessi's Ark's lovely third album The Still Life; Caitlin Rose's fun follow-up to her debut, The Stand-In; Juliana Hatfield's underrated collaboration with Nada Surf's Daniel Caws, Minor Alps; Speedy Ortiz's 90s style alternative rock; Lissie's joyful pop; Mazzy Star's long-awaited comeback and Laura Marling's elegant and beautiful Once I Was An Eagle. I really wanted to include them all but a few of those annoying boys just couldn't be ignored so unfortunately it isn't an all-girl end of year list (but almost). These are my 10 favourites. Well, right at this minute anyway...

Haim at KCLSU

Haim
Death At Sea
King's College London Student Union, 14 November 2012

Death At Sea are a pretty typical support band. An indie band from Liverpool with one single to their name, they actually sound far more polished than you'd expect from a group that's only been together mere months. Still their sound is pretty unremarkable, not terrible just overly familiar. For me the most interesting thing about them is the way they were dressed: like something out of an 80s movie. The singer was clearly channeling Springsteen, satorially speaking, sporting a denim jacket, with the arms cut off and plaid shirt over a t-shirt. The only thing missing was the bandana and mullet hair, instead disappointingly he had the fashionable One Direction/Justin Bieber hair. I guess the kids may love them.