Following on from last week's input from Dan Hegarty, Steven Gannon, Edda Kjarval, Louise Bruton and Leanne Harte, it's the turn of John Barker to select his music highlights for the year that was. John is the host of Totally Irish on Sunday evenings on 98FM and oversees Totally Irish Presents every Thursday night in the in the Hard Rock Café, where two Irish acts play every week and admission is free. You can also find him on Twitter.
Previously: Dan Hegarty | Steven Gannon | Edda Kjarval | Louise Bruton | Leanne Harte
TOP FIVE ALBUMS OF 2013
1. Kanye West - Yeezus
It's dark and heavy and intense but always fun and interesting even after 100+ listens. I think it's the ambition and willingness to take risks that impress the most. No other album comes close this year.
2. Vampire Weekend - Modern Vampires of the City
The soundtrack to my summer. Makes you want to laugh, jump around and enjoy life. Their Longitude set was probably my favourite gig of the year.
3. Gold Panda - Half Of Where You Live
One of those albums that gives so much and sucks you in. 'Junk City II' and 'Brazil' are hypnotic. An album that I would recommend to everyone.
4. Girls Names - The New Life
I probably listened to this album from Belfast's Girls Names the most out of the 5 albums I've chosen this year. It has deadly basslines and hooks, distorted vocals which suggest despair and an overall sense of being pissed off and yet at times the music is uplifting even when maybe it doesn't intend to be. The artwork is perfect too.
5. Foals - Holy Fire
The album when Foals became the band you hoped they would. I had to sell my ticket for their Academy gig in February and with that went the last chance to see them in a venue of that size. This album was really important for them after 'Total Life Forever' which was decent but at times disappointing. The Olympia gigs in February should be fun.
TOP FIVE SONGS OF 2013
1. The National - Pink Rabbits
From the very first moment I heard this song in June the melody stuck in my head forever and I can picture myself in 40 years time sitting in some bar reading the paper and humming it away to myself. Taken from the album 'Trouble Will Find Me'.
2. Kanye West - Black Skinhead
Play it over and over and as loud as you can.
3. Croupier - Power Up
A belter of a song. Great fun to hear live. They're a lovely bunch of lads too. Taken from 'The Visor' EP. If I could start the show every week with this song I would.
4. Arctic Monkeys - Do I Wanna Know?
A catchy guitar riff, a simple drum beat foot stomp and some tender loving vocals from Alex Turner is what makes this one of the coolest songs that the Arctic Monkeys have written.
5. Hozier - Take Me To Church
I had such fun interviewing Andrew and the Hozier gang back in August. You hear this song for the first time and you know it's going to be huge. "AAAMEN!!"
