Jury's Top Ten Records of 2013: #3

#3: Russian Circles - Memorial

More melancholy than what we’ve become accustomed to, but well-paced, inventive and exceptionally powerful at times. Like their last record, Memorial features one vocal track, this time sung by touring buddy Chelsea Wolfe. I caught Chelsea Wolfe when she and her band opened for Russian Circles a few years ago and hated it entirely, so I was surprised and pleased to enjoy her contribution here.  Otherwise, we get another rock-solid collection of bombastic, moody, dynamic and heavy instrumental tracks.

Failed to make the cut:
pozvakowski – seven people left: A pleasant surprise, this is competent, interesting post-rock or experimental rock or some such thing. Not ground breaking stuff, but solid and enjoyable heavy instrumental music incorporating occasional tape loops and other sound effects. These guys are apparently a thing in Hungary.

Shining – One One One: Often stunning, full speed ahead spaz-jazz-rock, featuring amazing musicianship and arrangements that are complex but not, seemingly, just for the sake of being complex (take heed, Colin Marston). In a way, Shining remind me of the great Belgian band dEUS, but with severe ADHD. Enjoyable but also exhausting and hampered slightly by too many too similar tracks.

Sleigh Bells – Bitter Rival: Last year’s Reign of Terror was among the biggest musical disappointments for me and I’m happy to report that the ship has been righted, somewhat. Of course this record is replete with more jagged guitars, canned drums & handclaps, but this time around they’ve made far better use of Alexis Krauss’ voice, combining the shout/chant style introduced on Treats with more melodic vocals more in the background, rather than so up front as they often were on that wretched second album. Bitter Rival is not without a few clunkers but it’s far more good than bad.