2013 Mixtapes & Ask the Critic

Mixtapes for 2013

Jim and Greg bid a final farewell to 2013 with Mixtapes featuring their favorite songs of the year. And they take questions from listeners during the "Ask the Critic" segment.

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Ask the Critic

  • In the New Year  Jim and Greg resolve to answer more of your questions starting with Pete who asks, "How do you tell the difference between and album that's bad, and one that just isn't made for you?" Lee on Facebook adds, "Can you fairly review an artist you may think sucks. (This is meant as a serious question)."

To make a long story short...yes (if you're a good critic). See Greg's Yanni reporting below.

  • Thomas in Maine leaves a voicemail asking about the best psychedelic bands of 2013. Greg recommends Wooden Shjips, Darkside, The Warlocks and Besnard Lakes.
  • Jonathan asks on Facebook, "Why such a preference for the underground?"

Jim doesn’t think they really have such a preference, especially now that underground music is so accessible online. But Greg admits that mainstream, major label acts are expected to appeal to as large a population as possible, and that often means buffing out the good edges.

  • "Chili Mac Klein" also posts: "How awkward is it to have to meet with a musician after you have slammed his/her work in the past?"

Greg describes an interesting conversation with Neil Young in which he asks the singer why he kept doing this. But, for the most part, artists are good sports, especially if a critic does his or her homework and gives critiques with confidence.

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The Best Songs of 2013 - Mixtapes

We've said goodbye to 2013, and now we want to salute the tunes that wowed us. There's no better way than with a personal mixtape from Jim and Greg to you.

Greg Kot's 2013 Mixtape: "Night Still Comes"

  1. Deltron 3030, City Rising from the Ashes"
  2. Janelle Monae, Givin’ Em What They Love"
  3. Blood Orange, Uncle ACE"
  4. M.I.A., Lights"
  5. Wooden Shjips, Ghouls"
  6. Capsula, The Riverside of Love"
  7. Savages, She Will"
  8. Oblivians, Call the Police"
  9. Palma Violets, Best of Friends"
  10. Sam Phillips, Things I Shouldn’t Have Told You"
  11. Guards, Not Supposed To"
  12. Eleanor Friedberger, I Am the Past"
  13. Neko Case, Night Still Comes"
  14. The Handsome Family, Glow Worm"
  15. Parquet Courts, Picture of Health"
  16. Waxahatchee, Peace and Quiet"
  17. Superchunk, Me & You & Jackie Mittoo"

Listen to Greg’s Mixtape

Jim DeRogatis’ 2013 Mixtape: Poptimist Vs. Rockist

  1. Lorde, "Royals"
  2. Ylvis, "The Fox"
  3. B Schoolio, "Blurred Lines (Ft. Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids)"
  4. Badfinger, "Baby Blue"
  5. Daft Punk, "Get Lucky"
  6. Justin Timberlake, "Take Back the Night"
  7. Solange, "Some Things Never Seem to Fucking Work"
  8. Kanye West, "Bound 2"
  9. Wire, "Doubles & Trebles"
  10. Karl Bartos, "Musica Ex Machina"
  11. Franz Ferdinand, "Right Action"
  12. Richard Thompson, "Stony Ground"
  13. Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs, "Sitting Still"
  14. The Warlocks, "Dead Generation"
  15. Palma Violets, "Step Up For The Cool Cats"
  16. Parquet Courts, "Stoned and Starving"
  17. Savages, "Husbands"

Listen to Jim’s Mixtape

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