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Studio One Picks the Best of 2013

Arcade Fire

Host Charity Nebbe sits down with "Studio One" host Mark Simmet and "Blue Avenue" and "Backtracks" host Bob Dorr of Iowa Public Radio's Studio One to talk about the best music of 2013.  Their picks are listed below, and you can hear excerpts throughout the show.

Mark Simmet - Best alternative/independent albums of 2013

10.  Sky Ferreira- Night Time, My Time   
She’s very young and she’s a tabloid celebrity, but her debut full-length album is catchy and creative.  It’s not disposable pop music, it’s good pop music.

9.  The National- Trouble Will Find Me  
More thoughtful, well-crafted lyrics on album number six from the Brooklyn-based band (originally from Ohio).  Their literate, dramatic approach really works for them.

8.  Vampire Weekend- Modern Vampires of the City   
The Afro-Pop-inspired rhythms and melodies are even more skillfully integrated into the band’s sound on their third album.  Also, Ezra Koenig’s most thoughtful and well-crafted lyrics.

7.  Atoms For Peace- Amok   
Radiohead’s Thom Yorke and his side project Atoms For Peace.  More satisfying than later-day Radiohead records.  And Flea’s bass playing is fantastic!

6.  Iowa musicians and bands
I received many strong submissions from Iowa bands in 2013, including:  The Mittens, Twins, Brooks Strause, H.D. Harmsen, We Live In Sod Houses, Adam Bolts, The Beat Strings, The Lonelyhearts, Emperors Club, King of the Tramps, Dylan Sires and Neighbors, The Multiple Cat, The Wheelers, The Uniphonics, The Olympics,  Land of Blood and Sunshine, Love Over Gold, Har-di-Har, The Janeys, Bryce Janey, Mumford’s, Gloom Balloon and more.

Arcade Fire

5.  Lucius- Wildewoman  
A hybrid of styles resulting in very well-crafted indie pop from this Brooklyn band.

4.  David Bowie- The Next Day    
A new Bowie record after a decade of supposed retirement was a joy for many in 2013.  Even better, Bowie delivered with this deep, artful album.

3.  Foxygen- We Are The 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic    
The duo’s sly referencing of classic rock of the ‘60s and ‘70s makes for a fun and satisfying listen, even without always knowing the exact source of their inspired borrowing.

2.  Deerhunter- Monomania   
Bradford Cox is the kind of idiosyncratic frontman we need more of in indie (or any other kind of) rock.  Also, a great set at 80/35.

1.  Arcade Fire- Reflektor    
The Montreal band’s fourth full-length album continues their string of intriguing and musically adventurous records.  Sure, it’s too long, but the self-indulgence seems justified.

Credit BuddyGuy.net
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BuddyGuy.net
Buddy Guy

Bob Dorr of "Blue Avenue" - Best of Blues

4.  The Cash Box Kings - Black Toppin'

3.  Roomful of Blues - 45 Live

2.  Barrelhouse Chuck & Kim Wilson's Blues All Stars - Driftin' From Town To Town

1.  Buddy Guy - Rhythm & Blues  
This is my pick for "if you could only get one blues CD for the year, what would it be?"

Bob Dorr - Best of "Backtracks"

Credit Galadrielle / DuaneAllman.com
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DuaneAllman.com
Duane Allman

3.  Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - Stephen Stills-Carry On

2.  Sly & The Family Stone - Higher

1.  The Allman Bros. Band - Skydog:  The Duane Allman Retrospective

Bob Dorr - Best of "The Beatles Medley"

2.  Paul McCartney - "New"

1.  The Beatles - On Air-Live @ The BBC Vol. 2

Charity Nebbe is the host of IPR's Talk of Iowa
Katherine Perkins is IPR's Program Director for News and Talk
Bob Dorr is a Studio One Host
Mark Simmet is a Senior Producer and Studio One Host