From reading other Top album lists, it really seems like everyone just copied and pasted each others lists and changed a few around, which is a little bothersome to me. I put this list together based on how much I enjoyed the album, how long it stayed in my I-pod, if I could listen to it from start to finish, how quick I got tired of it, etc.
So here is my list:
Top 25 albums of 2014
25. The Mary Onettes - Portico
Portico isn't really a full length album (its only 7 songs), but its not really an EP either, its kind of in the middle ground. I was able to see these guys at SXSW this year and it was great to finally see them live.
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| Shot I took of The Mary Onettes at SXSW 2014 |
Song Recommendations: Your Place, Naive Dream and Everything Everything.
24. Painted Palms -- Forever
I first heard about these guys while I was preparing to go to SXSW. I saw their name at several venues but was never able to see them while I was there. I listened to the album once I got back and loved it. The first three songs you feel like you were shot out of a canon into sunshine,60's psychedelia land. From the party like "Hypnotic" to the calmer "Carousel", I was very pleasantly surprised to stumble upon this album.
Song Recommendations: Hypnotic and Too High.
23. Haunted Hearts - Initiation
This duo, who is more famous individually than together, ( Dee Dee Penny of Dum Dum Girls and Brandon Welchez of Crocodiles) have formed a side project called Haunted Hearts. Since they are married, it makes sense that they would put something out together as a power couple. This was very anticipated by me ever since they released their single 'House of Lords' at the end of 2013. The songs seemed to head in the direction of the grit and fuzz of the band Crocodiles, but it seems Brandon let Dee Dee take over on the album because all of the songs now have the more lush, dream rock akin to the new Dum Dum Girls album. Although I love the new DDG's album, I was hoping for a more rough around the edges album, but what you get you certainly can't complain about.
Song Recommendations: House of Lords and Up is Up (But so is down)
22. St. Paul & The Broken Bones - Half the City
I found this album late in the year and was a little skeptical at first but found myself really enjoying it. The similarities to the Alabama Shakes are undeniable. Apparently they are both from Alabama, share the same producer, both have energetic lead singers and both sing the same style of music, which is a kind of gospel soul music. Also an interesting note is that they actually recorded the album live which helps bring in more of the chemistry and energy of a live performance. As I'm writing this I'm regretting not ranking this album higher I think they are underrated for sure -- heck Pitchfork didn't even review their album and they have almost 20k followers on Spotify. This is a band that will be on my list to see live in the near future.
Song Recommendations: I'm Torn Up and Call Me
21. The New Pornographers - Brill Bruisers
This was a late in the year release so I didn't get a ton of exposure to this album, but my few runs through it has been fun. I can't say I've been a huge Pornographers fan over the years, but this album for some reason has drawn me in more so than previous ones. This album seems more synthy and upbeat and maybe that's why I like it more. I plan on delving into the album more and more in the upcoming months, but I like it this much right off the bat then I know it'll hit even more later on.
Song Recommendations: Brill Bruisers and Dancehall Domine
20. Ex-Hex - Rips
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| Ex-Hex performing at SXSW 2014 |
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| SXSW 2014 |
Another band that I stumbled upon at SXSW. I had just seen Hospitality and was waiting to see who was playing next. Ex-Hex came out firing with their fast paced Riot Grrl styled pop rock. I definitely think they upstaged Hospitality.
I've loved past Riot Grrl bands like Juliana Hatfield, Belly, The Breeders, etc., but this was the first time seeing a Riot Grrl band live. They have a lot of energy and fun infused in their music. The new album brings that energy and has a more summer sound for those carefree fun times.
Song Recommendations: Don't Wanna Lose and Beast
19. Vinyl Williams - Into
Vinyl Williams may not claim Utah, but I remember him starting out here before he left for the big city of LA LA land. I didn't really see him as a mature artist then, but he's sure surprised me ever since. His previous albums were very garage, lofi psychadelic pop affairs that I loved. This new album is a little more smoother around the edges and is a tad more mellow with some added 70's soul beats and clean syth. But still encompasses the same airy vocals that sometimes blend into the background and thumping bass lines as the previous efforts had. This is an album to be listened to while drifting off to sleep and that is very much a compliment. Its so warm and fluffy in parts that I just want to stop what I'm doing and just sort of drift into my own thoughts.
Song Recommendations: Zero Wonder, Iguana City and Space Age Utopia
18. War on Drugs - Lost In The Dream
I'm generally not into bands like The War on Drugs. Their alt-country, Wilco-esque songs are all seven minutes long and it seems like you'd get bored with it. But this album seems to hit it just about right. For one, each song goes in a different direction. Some have only guitars and bass, some have piano, others keys, some all of the above. But they all have one thing in common, which is they all seem to build up something good in the middle of them. "Under the Pressure" has its piano hook within the first 40 seconds and rides that throughout the whole 9 minutes.
I couldn't quite get into their previous album, I think I gave it one listen or so but this album had/has lasting power within my Ipod.
Song Recommendations: Under the Pressure, Red Eyes and Suffering.
17. Peaking Lights - Cosmic Logic
Its interesting, the band Churches was such a big hit in the indie scene and was acclaimed by most everyone. But I couldn't get into them as much as I tried. I remember thinking that there are too many of these types of bands around, they are all starting to sound the same to me. Then I hear Peaking Lights new album which is another synth pop band and I really like it. Churches and Peaking Lights definitely sound different so I can't say they are the same band. I think Peaking Lights uses more interesting synth beats and sounds, some sounding similar to 16 bit video game music....her voice isn't cookie cutter perfect like Churches either. Churches synth beats and voice have a very main stream sound in my opinion, which means kind of bland and boring and cookie cutter. I'm not proclaiming P.L. is doing anything ground breaking or super different, but what they are doing is more catchy and fun. Peaking Lights previous albums were filled with seven or eight minute dub dance songs. For their new album, they have definitely honed their sound into more workable three to four minutes.
Song Recommendations: Breakdown, Bad With the Good and Hypnotic Hustle.
16. Gardens & Villa - Dunes
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| Gardens & Villa at SXSW 2014 |
Song Recommendations: Domino, Bullet Train and Echosassy.
15. Fear of Men - Loom
This british four piece has the sounds of The Cranberries, especially on the track 'Waterfall' and also Camera Obscura. The lyrics are a bit of a downer but that's not a knock on the band itself or this album. This album is great to listen to on a rain/snowy day even though the lyrics can be a little bleak at times, the melodies can also be rich and sunny.
Song Recommendations: Waterfall, Luna and Tephra.
14. tUnE yArDs- nikki nack
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| tune-yards performing at the Urban Lounge in SLC |
This is an album that was very excited for it to come out based on my love her previous album "WhoKill". Although it doesn't live up to its predecessor, it still brings plenty of glitter and paint to the table. This is a great album, with great songs like the playful "Water Fountain" and the synthy "Hey Life". The sounds are a little bit more clear and full and the beats a little bit more deep but its still got the same tUnE-yArDs flair minus the ukulele. I really loved seeing her live earlier in the summer, she's a major talent and this album proves she can expand her sound and still sound catchy and different.
Song Recommendations: Hey Life, Water Fountain and Sink-O.
13. Dum Dum Girls- Too True
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| Dum Dum Girls perform at SXSW |
Song Recommendations: Lost Boys and Girls Club, Evil Blooms
12. Parquet Courts - Content Nausea & Sunbathing Animal
Putting out one album a year would be tough, but putting out two albums in a year would be really hard, but the band Parquet Courts have pulled it off and done an excellent job. From the description of the band (which is kind of like a straight talking rock similar to Pavement, Television and Velvet Underground) its not a band that I'd leap to go see or check out their album, however; there is something about the awkward voice of Andrew Savage and the sometimes slow and sometimes fast jangly tunes they have put together that is amusing to listen to. To pull this off on two albums in one year is pretty remarkable.
Song Recommendations: Black and White and Content Nausea
11. Eyes Lips Eyes - Place to Be
I already did a big write up on them a few posts ago on their last show and also a big album review so there isn't anything new to add, however; this album has not left my I-Pod since its release and I still listen to it quite often. Amazing album if you want to get pumped up for something. The songs "Old", "Getting Late" and "Language Lessons" have yet to loose their luster.
10. Tennis - Ritual in Repeat
Its hard to follow up a great album like "Young & Old" and I can't say its not quite as good but its really really close. There really isn't a bad song on the album. With its glimmery guitar play or the thumping bass and drums, the songs are really driven by Alaina Moore's vocals.
Song Recommendations: "Never Work for Free", "Viv without the N" and "Night Vision".
9. Sego - Wicket Youth
It's cool, its fun, its different....listen to it, listen to it right now. Sure it's only an EP, but there are always exceptions. All the songs are good, I'm excited to hear the LP this year.
8. Ariel Pink - Pom Pom
Ariel Pink is an interesting dude and by interesting I mean a little weird and that weirdness definitely bleeds into his music. His band Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti has never been my favorite, but breaking away from the rest band making something himself seems to be the trick. He's definitely obsessed with the 70's and 80's and even the 60's sounding music and even commercials jingles. The album has some "regular" songs and then jumps into a different direction and becomes silly. Its kind of all over the place and has a hard time being consistent but I don't really care. Its got my favorite single of 2014 and the rest of the album is fun to listen to.
Song Recommendations: Put Your Number in my Phone, Black Ballerina, White Freckles.
7. St. Vincent - St. Vincent
I've been following St. Vincent since her first album "Marry Me" back in 2007 and I think her song writing has evolved and improved. Her performances are incredible I think. I thought it was interesting how many people thought her performance was weird on SNL. She's very talented and I think she'll only improve. The album is great and should be checked out, here are my
Song Recommendations: Rattlesnake and Digital Witness
6. Temples - Sun Structures
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| Temples at SXSW 2014 |
Song Recommendations: Keep in the Dark, Shelter Song and Colours To Life.
5. Beck - Morning Phase
Well my favorite artist put out a new album. Although the style of the music isn't the direction that I would have liked, I'll still take it. Beck sure knows his folk music, which isn't surprising since some of his favorite artists are folk singers from the 70's. Its definitely has a "Sea Changes" feel. Its a mellow album that's good to listen on an all night drive as the sun comes up. I finally had the pleasure of seeing him live for the first time and my mind was blown.
Song Recommendations: Morning, Heart is a Drum and Waking Light
4. Ty Segall - Manipulator
I guess when Ty Segall had his full band then its a garage rock at its best, but when he and the longtime collaborator Mikal Cronin do separate albums they are a lot more mellow and melodic. The album is full of solid,clear bass lines and steady drums with some fuzzed guitar but not a lot.....not what you'd expect. But it turns out Segall can put out very catchy 70's styled rock......plus its almost a double album at 17 songs. Every song is good, there isn't a lemon among the bunch and that's hard to do in my opinion.
Song Recommendations: Manipulator, Tall Man Skinny Lady and Mister Main.
3. Real Estate - Atlas
Real Estate knows their strengths and they play to it. Their styled 70's dream pop is awesome. Its a great summer album to listen at anytime during the year. Its gentle guitars and melodies just massage your ear drums into relaxation ( I have no idea what that means).
Song Recommendations: Had To Hear, Past Lives and Crime
2. Alvvays - Alvvays
What a great album. Nothing crazy, not trying to do too much or be way different. Just great sounding indie pop rock. Its not an album that loses its luster quickly either, I've had this in my I-pod for months and months and haven't take it off. I'm usually a melody and instrument guy with bands, but some voices really pull me and I really like Molly Rankin's voice......especially when its combined with lush guitar riffs. Definitely an album that anyone should check out during the gloomy season to cheer you up.
Song Recommendations: Adult Diversion, Ones Who Love You and Atop a Cake
1. Mac Demarco - Salad Days
A much deserved win for this very bizarre, weird, hilarious and very talented man. When you look at the guy you don't see that awesome voice coming from him. He's just an odd looking dude, but that's what's so endearing about him. His new album Salad Days is nothing short of amazing and is a great listen no matter what mood you're in. He manages to brings his signature guitar sound and style from his previous album '2' and add a different twist to it making it new and improved from his previous effort. Go and buy this album now.
Song Recommendations: Passing Out Pieces, Salad Days and Brother
Honorable Mentions:
Ringo DeathStarr
Merchandise
The Orwells
Small Reactions
Hundred Waters
Courtney Barnett
Spoon
Post Script:
Best Live Performances I saw in 2014
It was really tough to decide between Beck and Eyes Lips Eyes. Beck was absolutely amazing and it fulfilled my dream of seeing him live after all of these years, but the Eyes Lips Eyes performance was one for the books that I'll never forget.
1. Eyes Lips Eyes' Final Show at Velour in Provo
2. Beck at Twilight Concert Series in SLC(unfortunately no picture)
3. The Orwells at SXSW in Austin
4. Royal Canoe at SXSW in Austin
5. Tune-Yards at Urban Lounge in SLC
Post Post Script:
Albums that I couldn't get into (because of a disappointing follow up to a previous superior album, not my style or just wasn't as good as people have the album hyped up)
It seems to me that a lot of the bigger blogs now a days add albums that appeal to the masses...... like Taylor Swift......come on guys, I'm sure she's a nice person and she's good to her fans and she sold by far the most albums this year but it doesn't make her music good in my opinion.
Anyway, here is my mini list:
FKA Twigs
Aphex Twin
Future Islands
Angel Olson
Sylvan Esso
Rubblebucket
Run the Jewels
Taylor Swift
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