For whatever reason, I decided to come up with a list of my favourite folk and rock videos of 2013.  I previewed a very large number of recordings and videos in order to make this list, so it is somewhat definitive, that is, as far as my own taste is concerned.

Arcade Fire’s new music is not on this list, and in case someone wonders why, as they are one of my favourites, it’s because I haven’t had time to fully process and understand their double CD since its late fall release.  So … next year.

Numbers 25 to 11.

#25. This one is a catchy novelty song by ‘Walk the Earth’.   You may have seen this group’s viral video cover of Gotye’s ‘Somebody that I used to know’ with the five individuals of the group cleverly playing one guitar.  This particular version was commissioned by Volkswagen, and I believe it’s the best of the various versions ‘Walk the Earth’ has on youtube.   You’ll notice three buttons on the screen; click on them at your peril.

(This video is no longer available on ‘youtube’).

#24. Tim Chaisson’s Beat this Heart, with Serena Ryder adding backup vocals.  I saw Tim Chaisson perform this summer at the Edmonton Folk Festival with Colin Linden on slide guitar.  Now, that performance would have been sweet to see on youtube.  However, as you’ll see later, I’m quite enamored with Serena Ryder’s singing so that makes up for the absence of Linden’s slide.

#23. Another Love by Tom Odell.  This was recorded at a Dutch pop festival, and for this list I’ve tried to find live or radio studio performances.  I don’t care for all the augmentation (dynamic compression, autotuning and echo), and superfluous instrumentation used on professional recordings.  Often listening to today’s pop songs is akin to eating too much fudge.  The excitement of a live performance usually makes up for the lack of polish, and that is certainly the case here.