ACL 2013: The Top 20 Albums of the Year

Over the course of the past year, we received thousands of albums and EPs to pore over, review and discuss.  Out of these, we reviewed approximately 500.  In this feature, we answer the Big Question: Which releases were the best?

ACL 2013: Top Ten Ambient

Ambient music continued to stretch its wings in 2013.  Among our top picks: an album conceived as a love letter, an EP addressing mental illness and a 7″ vinyl that samples the original Dracula.  It’s not just piano and birds anymore.

LCNL 031: Ruhe Mix

LCNL 031: warm ribbons connecting thoughts and souls (Ruhe) Ruhe made a big splash on the scene in the last year or so with his lovely tape compositions.  Bryan has been nice enough to produce for us a mix bringing

Ruhe ~ Easing / Organs

Bryan Ruhe is having a wonderful season.  First came A Beautiful Weakness, the lovely music box EP released on Audio Gourmet, reviewed here earlier this year; then Small Gifts, a compilation including two Ruhe tracks, on his own Clothbound label; and now