1. Where Can I Go – Laura Marling – This magnificent song puts Laura on the trjectory for a Joni Mitchell type career, a career that defines the apex of singer-songwriter artistry.
2. History – Modern Hut – I have withheld really writing about this song for months while I wait for it to be released.
3. All Over Again – The Mavericks – The country rocker to beat from one of the best albums of the year.
4. Beat This Summer – Brad Paisley – A masterpiece of instant nostalgia
5. Boys 'Round Here – Blake Shelton – Red red red red red neck.
6. Western, Mass – Claire's Diary – The story of a bad boy
7. Timeout New York – The Normal Living – Classic pop song, like the Ronettes were still around
8. Gradual Return – Trixie Whitley – The best song of her career making debut album was worth the weight. Blues yes, but blues by a pop sensibility,
9.. Definition Of Down – Teena Marie – Any complaints about weak songs on her final album are irrelevant. This is a full blooded disco ballad and nobody else does it any more.
10. I Don't See You Laughing Now – Marshall Crenshaw – Timeless new Crenshaw.
Catcall – Tinvulva – Ferocious contempt for harrassment on the street.
I Still Yearn – Jahn Xavier And the Bowertytones – Not actually released yet but wait till it is.
1Train – ASAP Rocky – The wittiest take down of poverty.
Bats – The Joy Formidable – I love this rocker so much, I may have overestimated the album!
Cool Zombie – Adam Ant – Killer lead off song on the really excellent new album.
Lose To Win – Fantasia – Her best single to date is pure disco diva.
Because We Can – Bon Jovi – Undeniable, and trust me I’ve tried, singalong.
Higgs Boson Blues – Nick Cave – If you're gonna name your song after the "God Particle" it better a song this good. A bluesy weird trip to the bottom of the swimming pool.
In The End – Black Veil Brides
I Got A Boy – Girls generation
Judge Jury And Executioner – Atoms For Peace
Ohn – Yo La Tengo
God’s Great Dancefloor – Chris Tomlin
Dead Bite – Hollywood Undead
Bathroom Laughter – Pissed Jeans
One Way Trigger – the Strokes
Electric Fever – Free Energy
Stupid Things – Yo La Tengo
New York City – Christopher Owens
Where Are we Now – David Bowie
Suit And tie – Justin Timberlake
American Rail – Hilly Eyes
Backscratcher – Free Energy
Money Honey – Aaron Neville
5 To 9 – Fidlar
Hardaway – Gary Allen
This Ladder Is Ours – The Joy formidable
Valentines – Adam Ant
Who’s A Goofy Bunny – Adam Ant
Millions – Pusha T
She Found Now – My Bloody Valentine
You N Me N XTC – Chris Stamey
Sea Cruise – Gary Wilson
Somewhere – Jimi Hendrix
Top Of The World – Joe Budden
Try – Pink
I Will Do What It Takes – Gary Wilson
Sneak Out The Back Door – Ron Sexsmith
Toast To Love – Avant
Away We Go – Coheed And Cambria
Dead End Rock – The Normal Living
Exploding – Jim James
Youth Wasted – The Bronx
Started From The Bottom – Drake
Retrograde – James Blake
Born To Roll – Kelly Willis And Bruce Robison
You Can't Be My Girl – Darwin Deez
Temper Temper – Bullets For My Valentine
Lost Weekend – The virginmarys
Good Times – Matt Costa
Sueno con Mexico – Pat Methany
Wide Lovely Eyes – Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds
Entertainment – Phoenix
Box Chevy – Rick Ross
Upstarts – Johnny Marr
The Right Right Thing – Johnny Marr
Demon To Lean On – Wavves
Gal Wan More – Elephant Man
Taking Off – Beach Fossils
Beach Monster – STRFKR
Romanticize Me – Pissed Jeans
The Stars (Are Out Tonight) – David Bowie
There's A Fire – Dirty Projectors
Dog Radio – Poyenso
Egypt – Doldrums
Falling In Rain – Polyenso
It's A Beautiful Day – Michael Buble
So Good To Be Here – Boz Scaggs
Violet – Pretty Little Demons
Just Movement – Robert Delong
This Is For The Ones Who Care – Araabmusik
I'd Rather Be High – David Bowie
Butterfly – Bilal
Atomic Robo-Kid – Paul Blackford
Last Of The Summer Wine – Palma Violets
Diane Young – Vampire Weekend
Pusher Love Girl – Justin Timberlake
Cabaret – Alice Smith
Heaven – Depeche Mode
My Baby And Me – Pep
The Chronicles Of Marnia – Marnie Stern
America – Modern Hut
Hello – Lil Wayne
Cop – Wavves
Comment: If we continue at this pace, I will have a third less songs on my best of 2013 by the end of the year.