Wrapping Up the Year in Music - Best Songs of 2013 via PopMatters

Turning the page from the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, it's time to move on to celebrating all that was noteworthy in 2013. PopMatters posted The 75 Best Songs of 2013 today, after tallying the staff picks of only five for the year.  I was handed writing assignments for two of my picks, Arcade Fire's "Reflektor" (#16) and Phosphorescent's "Song for Zula" (#17), while Daft Punk's "Get Lucky" claimed the #1 spot on the list. It's always interesting to peruse this compilation of musical tastes, checking out unknown bands and genres.  Here's my picks for PopMatters and I'll put together a post for the Top 20 Songs along with Top 10 Releases for 2013 (with video highlights, of course!)

TOP 5 BEST SONGS

1. "Reflektor" - Arcade Fire

2. "Get Lucky" - Daft Punk

3. "The Perfect Life" - Moby (featuring Wayne Coyne)

4. "If You Didn't See Me (You Weren't On the Dance Floor) -
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.

5. "Song for Zula" - Phosphorescent

TOP 5 ARTISTS OF THE YEAR

1. Arcade Fire/The Relektors

2. Daft Punk

3. The National

4. Thom Yorke/Atoms for Peace

5. Vampire Weekend

TOP 3 BEST NEW ARTISTS

1. Jagwar Ma

2. Cayucas

3. Foxygen

TOP 3 BOOKS/DVDs

1. Nirvana Live and Loud DVD

2. Freddie Mercury Tribute DVD

3. A Token of His Extreme (Frank Zappa) DVD

TOP 3 HOPE TO HIT BIG IN 2014

1. The Wild Feathers

2. Man Man

3. Love Inks

TOP 5 BEST REISSUES

1. Nirvana In Utero 20th Anniversary Edition

2. Four Tet: Rounds

3. R.E.M. Green 25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition

4. Fleetwood Mac Rumours Deluxe Edition

5. Bob Marley &  The Whalers Kaya Deluxe Edition