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...

Phosphorescent and Caitlin Rose at Scala

Phosphorescent
Timber Timbre
Caitlin Rose
Scala, September 8 2010
There’s something special about Caitlin Rose. Here she is, a petite 23-year-old from Nashville with Linda Ronstadt circa 1969 hair, in the cool surroundings of the Scala, wearing cowboy boots, demin shirt and a Western-style belt (belonging to her dad) and playing country music to a bunch of trendy young Londoners and they are absolutely captivated. It’s a joy to see and a testament to her power as a songwriter and storyteller.