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 Drone

In a classroom, a drone is a nuisance, but in music, it’s an attraction.  These artists know that drone is more than sustained sound; it’s texture, movement and tone.  Songs hum like appliances, grind like motors & clank like factories.

Petrels ~ Onkalo

Oliver Barrett’s Bleeding Heart Narrative officially called it quits in late 2012, opening the door for more work under the Petrels name.  We’re a little bit greedy – we’d love to have both – but we’re overjoyed to hear this stunning follow-up