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

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

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.

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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