As with those Obies, the results are in!
The Village Voice's 41st annual Pazz+Jop Critics' Poll tallied up the rankings of various writers and critics across the nation to compile a list of the top 40 albums and top 48 singles of 2013.
While many argue the merits of the long-suffering publication as well as the results therein--hey, the lot of us feel the same way about the Grammys--the Voice's P+J issue (conceived of by disgraced music editor, Bob Xgau) is about as consensus as we're likely to get these days.
It's no surprise, then, to see the mainstream hits of the year peak at some of the higher numbers, but some will no doubt feel a sense of atonement for their more obscure artists having made the cut.
Compared to our pop and indie rundowns, here's the Voice's top ten winners in the albums category:
1) Kanye West, Yeezus (Def Jam)
2) Vampire Weekend, Modern Vampires of the City (XL Recordings)
3) Daft Punk, Random Access Memories (Columbia)
4) Beyonce, Beyonce (Columbia)
5) Chance the Rapper, Acid Rap (Self-Released)
6) My Bloody Valentine, m b v (Self-Released)
7) Haim, Days Are Gone (Columbia)
8) Janelle Monae, Electric Lady (Bad Boy)
9) Kurt Vile, Wakin on a Pretty Daze (Matador)
10) Neko Case, The Worse Things Get, the Harder I Fight, the More I love You (Anti)
The top ten winners in singles:
1) Daft Punk feat. Pharrell Williams, "Get Lucky"
2) Lorde, "Royals"
3) Haim, "The Wire"
4) Kanye West, "New Slaves"
5) Robin Thicke feat. T.I. and Pharrell Williams, "Blurred Lines"
6) Drake feat. Majid Jordan, "Hold On, We're Going Home"
7) Kanye West, "Black Skinhead"
8) Icona Pop feat. Charlie XCX, "I Love It'
9) Miley Cyrus, "We Can't Stop"
10) Kanye West, "Bound 2"
The winners receive no actual award, of course, but they are ushered into the Voice's storied archives. And whereas the lists reflect the opinion of some 457 critics (full disclosure: including Classicalite's editor-in-chief), the whole endeavor remains totally subjective.
A name and record that I feel really should have made the list was Swedish native The Tallest Man on Earth, specifically his album There's No Leaving Now. The neo-folk composition explores new ground for the singer-songwriter, and incorporates electric elements that echo pre-revivalist Americana.
Whichever way ye may swing, the P+J issue of the Village Voice is free and can be found at most newsstands across the city.
