Best Of The Year 2013: First Quarter Update

As we've done every three months since the beginning of 2011, we will again be doing quarterly updates in 2013. All of the staff here at MuzikDizcovery listed our top five albums that we've heard so far in 2013, and wrote up little blurbs about why we love these albums. We really hope you check out the albums on our lists, as I'm sure most of them are very dear to us. There's a very wide variety of music that you'll find on these lists, as groups such as Owel, Autre Ne Veut, Justin Timberlake, K Sera, The Story So Far, My Bloody Valentine, Youth Lagoon, Foals and Frightened Rabbit all have mentions from at least two of our staff members, so we guarantee that there will be at least one artist on here that you will end up loving. Check out all of our lists below.

Artist of the Day: The Story So Far

A few months ago I wrote a review of The Story So Far’s debut LP, Under Soil and Dirt. Although I still completely stand behind everthing stated in the review, my attitude toward the release is vastly different. The review, found here, is a very accurate characterization of the Under Soil and Dirt. However, it does not do the emotional impact of the album justice.

The band is a really fun pop punk group that plays off the trend toward heavier production and songwriting in a tasteful manner. Though, when broken down the individual pieces are generic, there is some intangible hidden in the sum of the parts that is unique. The lyrics are just as they were when I wrote the full review, yet I have found much more depth in them through repeted listenens. Maybe it says something about album reviews. More likely, it says something about listening to music.

Today, I would have given the record an A-, so the least I can do is offer The Story So Far my artist of the day. Regardless of what the real motivator was in the change of my perception of the album, there’s a lot of good stuff going on that everyone should check out. If you already have, try giving it another spin. I did and it was well worth it.

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Album Review: The Story So Far - Under Soil and Dirt

Album Rating: B-

Newcomers in the scene The Story So Far plant their flag with their debut Under Soil and Dirt. Recently scooped up by Pure Noise Records, the album was released June 21st. An energetic and relentless effort, it is difficult not to enjoy what The Story So Far has to offer.

Under Soil and Dirt is largely power chord driven pop punk. Though it is pretty generic, some of the lead lines and song structures are interesting enough to keep your attention. Every song hits with high gain guitars and pummeling drumming, but The Story So Far had the maturity to provide the listener with numerous laid back breaks, giving the hooks a bit of room to breathe. Though by the end of the record Under Soil and Dirt feels a bit monotonous, it’s hard to deny that the hooks aren’t enjoyable. I consistently find myself tapping my foot to "Daughters".