Mick Jagger once said, “I know it’s only rock n’ roll, but I like it.” And while, 1974 Mick is probably too coked out right now to salute this year’s best 50 tracks, Keith Richards just dropped a heater of lick and suddenly Mr. Jagger’s all punching the air shouting, “Yes I Do, Yes I Do.” It’s B3SCI’s favorite 50 tracks of 2013.
Bombay Bicycle Club are one of those few bands in Indieverse 2013 that continously push themselves stylistically. The band, too, have proven their ability to innovate while still managing to be tuneful; to still write great songs in the context of new sound and arrangement structures. “It’s Alright Now” with it’s magnetic hypnotic vocal hooks and totally fresh melodic rhythmic elements sounds totally brand new and is off a level of originality that demands attention. “It’s Alright Now” is the first single from Bombay Bicycle Club’s fourth LP So Long, See You Tomorrow
Bombay Bicycle Club 
: (Official)
Rating: 8.4
“Salt” is excerpted from SoCal band Bad Suns’ forthcoming “Transpose” EP. A neatly compact bit of rhythm-driven indie pop, “Salt” succeeds especially on its very hooky bridges and choruses (try not getting “I raaannn til’ I couldn’t, and I scceeeamed til my voice was gone” stuck in your head) and its very clever and effective use of harmony in at all the right turns in the track. “Transpose” is out Jan. 21st on Vagrant.
Bad Suns 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.1
“Candy” is the new one from Canadian band Wake Owl. An engaging mix of classic soul-leaning indie pop & the melodically sensibility of big acts like Portugal. The Man and Cage The Elephant, “Candy” is the caliber of track that can catapult bands. The Private World of Paradise is due on Vagrant, March 4th.
Wake Owl
: (Facebook)
Rating: 8.7
Brighton’s TOY is a band that we on the B3SCI team have followed closely in 2013. TOY’s SXSW shows were a powerfully played success and their self-titled debut EP was definitely a good listen. Songs from their Join the Dots album, coming in January, seem different in structure and less uptempo, but the band’s significant growth will be on display, especially if “Endlessly” serves indication. It took me a couple of listens but I’m hooked. “Endlessly” has a memorable chorus and a real psychedelic feel to it. Singer Tom Dougall, formerly of the Joe Lean & the Jing Jang Jong band, has a voice that reminds me of The Church’s Steve Kilby. His vocals work beautifully on this track. The synths nicely augment the dirty guitars, and an unobtrusive instrumental break suddenly explodes into a blast that this band will nail live. After dealing with visa issues that prohibited additional touring in 2013, the band will be play a strong set of January shows in American major markets. See ’em if you can! Reviewed By Bruce Review
TOY – EndlesslyTOY (Official)
Hear Bruce’s “Go Deep With Bruce Rave” weekly new music show on Indie1031/Los Angeles and WSUM-FM/Madison. Details and archived shows can be found on his blog and be sure follow Bruce on Twitter too!
“Taj Mahal” originally by the great songwriter Jorge Ben (and latercovered by Rod Stewart as “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy”) is the latest bit of source material from one of our favorite bands, Oakland’s Trails and Ways. The samba/bossa sounds of Jorge Ben’s tune fit the classic Brazilian pop-lean of Trails & Ways perfectly; with T&W’s while tightened/slightly more accessible to the indie 2013 palette arrangement still ably maintains the original song’s soul & heart (something it’s not at all short on).
TRAILS AND WAYS (Official)
Rating 8.1
Ezra Furman always seems to live up to his reputation of continuously dropping great music that flies just under the radar. In short, his Day of the Dog album is another winner. A favorite song from the album “Tell ‘Em All To Go To Hell” is a little different for him, as a fun-sounding, infectious, sax-dominated tune that won’t allow you to sit or stand still. His message is to the young redheads that no longer have his number, or to the purveyors of material wealth. Mainstream success probably isn’t a priority for Ezra but you never know. “Take Off Your Sunglasses” did well for him a few years ago and his “My Zero” single from this current album is seriously infectious. I’m betting there will be more to come.
Ezra Furman – Tell ‘Em All To Go To HellEzra Furman 
(Facebook)
Hear Bruce’s “Go Deep With Bruce Rave” weekly new music show on Indie1031/Los Angeles and WSUM-FM/Madison. Details and archived shows can be found on his blog and be sure follow Bruce on Twitter too!
