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| Courtesy of NME.com |
As the year 2014 comes to a close, it is customary to look back at everything from personal events, sporting moments, political events, pop culture happenings, and everything in between. Looking back personally, for me 2014 boiled down to one great moment and one heart-breaking moment. While those two moments made the biggest impacts in my life this year, one of the few constants that I could count on was the steady flow of great music that was produced throughout the year. A bevy of music was released this year that was appropriate for celebrating my great moment. There was also plenty of songs and albums that spoke directly to me and related to my real life heart-breaking moment. Great music truly does enhance the highs and lows of life.
What follows is a list of my favorite tracks and albums I had the pleasure to listen to this past year. Whether you like it or not, these lists are pretty rock/alt-rock/indie/however you want to define it/etc. heavy. It must be written though, I find an appreciation for all music genres, mostly because no matter what type of music is out there, people are busting their butts and pouring their hearts and souls into something creative that has the ability to impact someone, anyone. The following songs and albums just so happened to resonate more with me this year.
I strongly recommend all of the tracks and albums listed below. Hopefully readers will discover a song or album that did not show up on their radar. Maybe I'll outrage others, establishing a forum for discussion and debate. Whatever the outcome, I truly am glad I get to share with you all my own 2014 playlist.
First, my 20 Top/Fav. Tracks of 2014:
20. "Left Hand Free" - alt-J
19. "Rainy Taxi" - Spoon
18. "Cosmic Vibrations" - Foxygen
17. "Happy Idiot" - TV On the Radio
16. "Sherman (Animals in the Jungle)" - Tom Vek
15. "Crime" - Real Estate
14. "Inside Out" - Spoon
13. "Dangerous (feat. Joywave)" - Big Data
12. "Something From Nothing" - Foo Fighters
11. "Tidal Wave" - Interpol
19. "Rainy Taxi" - Spoon
18. "Cosmic Vibrations" - Foxygen
17. "Happy Idiot" - TV On the Radio
16. "Sherman (Animals in the Jungle)" - Tom Vek
15. "Crime" - Real Estate
14. "Inside Out" - Spoon
13. "Dangerous (feat. Joywave)" - Big Data
12. "Something From Nothing" - Foo Fighters
11. "Tidal Wave" - Interpol
10. "Careful You" - TV On the Radio
9. "Every Morning" - J Mascis
8. "How Can You Really" - Foxygen
7. "Where No Eagles Fly" - Julian Casablancas + The Voidz
6. "Nothing But Trouble" - Phantogram
5. "All The Rage Back Home" - Interpol
4. "West Coast" - Lana Del Rey
3. "They Want My Soul" - Spoon
2. "Mistakes of My Youth" - Eels
1. "Weight of Love" - The Black Keys
9. "Every Morning" - J Mascis
8. "How Can You Really" - Foxygen
7. "Where No Eagles Fly" - Julian Casablancas + The Voidz
6. "Nothing But Trouble" - Phantogram
5. "All The Rage Back Home" - Interpol
4. "West Coast" - Lana Del Rey
3. "They Want My Soul" - Spoon
2. "Mistakes of My Youth" - Eels
1. "Weight of Love" - The Black Keys
Finally, the 10 Best Albums I heard in 2014:
10. ...And Star Power - Foxygen
This was the first year I had listened to anything by the band known as Foxygen. I had seen the name in passing, but never took time to listen their work. This year's ...And Star Power was certainly a pleasant surprise to my ears. While many reviews I read during the year criticized the album for being somewhat all over the place, I feel that is what made this album worth checking out. Sure there are some distorted sounds on the album, and pacing varies from track track; but the band's attempt at some sort of modern psychedelia or pop-psychedelia or whatever, caught my attention and provided an much needed alternative to typical rock and rock track (no matter how great that track may be).
Lead Track: "How Can You Really"
Additional must listen(s): "Cosmic Vibrations", "Brooklyn Police Station"
This was the first year I had listened to anything by the band known as Foxygen. I had seen the name in passing, but never took time to listen their work. This year's ...And Star Power was certainly a pleasant surprise to my ears. While many reviews I read during the year criticized the album for being somewhat all over the place, I feel that is what made this album worth checking out. Sure there are some distorted sounds on the album, and pacing varies from track track; but the band's attempt at some sort of modern psychedelia or pop-psychedelia or whatever, caught my attention and provided an much needed alternative to typical rock and rock track (no matter how great that track may be).
Lead Track: "How Can You Really"
Additional must listen(s): "Cosmic Vibrations", "Brooklyn Police Station"
9. Sonic Highways - Foo Fighters
What has not already been said about Foo Fighters? At this point, this is a band that knows how to produce a quality record. While putting together a record that sounds effortless, the HBO documentary series Foo Fighters: Sonic Highways took a look at how much effort truly went into the making of this album and how the roots of modern music still matter to the band. It was a fascinating look at how certain American cities shaped their respective music scenes and how the band was able to take a little bit of that history and incorporate it into each track. Foo Fighters is my favorite band of all time and after seven albums I am still eager to hear more and more in the years to come.
Lead Track: "Something From Nothing"
Additional must listen: "Subterranean"
What has not already been said about Foo Fighters? At this point, this is a band that knows how to produce a quality record. While putting together a record that sounds effortless, the HBO documentary series Foo Fighters: Sonic Highways took a look at how much effort truly went into the making of this album and how the roots of modern music still matter to the band. It was a fascinating look at how certain American cities shaped their respective music scenes and how the band was able to take a little bit of that history and incorporate it into each track. Foo Fighters is my favorite band of all time and after seven albums I am still eager to hear more and more in the years to come.
Lead Track: "Something From Nothing"
Additional must listen: "Subterranean"
8. Worship the Sun - Allah-Las
This is a band that has nearly perfected recapturing the surf rock sound of the 1960s in only two albums. There are two instrumental tracks that drive home the surf rock sound and help put you on a California beach no matter where you are located.
Lead Track: "501-415"
Additional must listen: "Buffalo Nickel", "Had It All"
This is a band that has nearly perfected recapturing the surf rock sound of the 1960s in only two albums. There are two instrumental tracks that drive home the surf rock sound and help put you on a California beach no matter where you are located.
Lead Track: "501-415"
Additional must listen: "Buffalo Nickel", "Had It All"
7. Atlas - Real Estate
This was the probably the easiest album to sit through this year. There is not much to delve into here. This album has a great soothing sound. Perfect for a lazy weekend morning or just right to end the night.
Lead Track: "Crime"
Additional must listen: "Navigator", "Had to Hear"
This was the probably the easiest album to sit through this year. There is not much to delve into here. This album has a great soothing sound. Perfect for a lazy weekend morning or just right to end the night.
Lead Track: "Crime"
Additional must listen: "Navigator", "Had to Hear"
6. Turn Blue - The Black Keys
The Black Keys always produce quality albums. Whether they are working alone or bringing Brian "Danger Mouse" Burton into the studio to produce them, the Black Keys clearly know what it takes to play rocking music while appealing to a large audience. This year's Turn Blue continued to fuse the band's original blues rock influence with a modern psychedelic twist. The track "Weight of Love" made the number 1 spot on my top track list because of its haunting beginning, powerful lyrics, and exemplary finish. It's a song that hit me right in the heart when thinking about love. Another great effort by the guys from Akron, Ohio.
Lead Track: "Fever"
Additional must listen: "Weight of Love", "Waiting on Words"
The Black Keys always produce quality albums. Whether they are working alone or bringing Brian "Danger Mouse" Burton into the studio to produce them, the Black Keys clearly know what it takes to play rocking music while appealing to a large audience. This year's Turn Blue continued to fuse the band's original blues rock influence with a modern psychedelic twist. The track "Weight of Love" made the number 1 spot on my top track list because of its haunting beginning, powerful lyrics, and exemplary finish. It's a song that hit me right in the heart when thinking about love. Another great effort by the guys from Akron, Ohio.
Lead Track: "Fever"
Additional must listen: "Weight of Love", "Waiting on Words"
5. Morning Phase - Beck
There was much anticipation behind the release of Beck's latest album. The last music Beck released was 2012's Song Reader and the last album he released was 2008's Modern Guilt. A back injury during that time put Beck's future as a performer in doubt, until bouncing back to release this year's Morning Phase. Considered a follow up to 2002's Sea Change, this latest album, Morning Phase delivers a similar sound without being as break-up-y as SC. Definitely worth the wait and worth the return from Beck.
Lead Track: "Blue Moon"
Additional must listen: "Blackbird Chain"
There was much anticipation behind the release of Beck's latest album. The last music Beck released was 2012's Song Reader and the last album he released was 2008's Modern Guilt. A back injury during that time put Beck's future as a performer in doubt, until bouncing back to release this year's Morning Phase. Considered a follow up to 2002's Sea Change, this latest album, Morning Phase delivers a similar sound without being as break-up-y as SC. Definitely worth the wait and worth the return from Beck.
Lead Track: "Blue Moon"
Additional must listen: "Blackbird Chain"
4. The Best Day - Thurston Moore
This was another pleasant surprise of 2014. Over the past year and a half I have begun to get into Sonic Youth (many years late, yes I know). When I heard former lead singer Thurston Moore was releasing a second solo album (first in 2011), I was expecting more (no pun intended) of the same. While this album lacks much of the distorted sound that is synonymous with Sonic Youth, there was just enough of the band's influence on this album that did not make this a completely different sound from Moore. That does not take away from Moore being able to stand on his own and giving it his own identity.
Lead Track: "The Best Day"
Additional must listen: "Forevermore" (If you happen to have 11 minutes to spare)
This was another pleasant surprise of 2014. Over the past year and a half I have begun to get into Sonic Youth (many years late, yes I know). When I heard former lead singer Thurston Moore was releasing a second solo album (first in 2011), I was expecting more (no pun intended) of the same. While this album lacks much of the distorted sound that is synonymous with Sonic Youth, there was just enough of the band's influence on this album that did not make this a completely different sound from Moore. That does not take away from Moore being able to stand on his own and giving it his own identity.
Lead Track: "The Best Day"
Additional must listen: "Forevermore" (If you happen to have 11 minutes to spare)
3. They Want My Soul - Spoon
From start to finish, no album spoke directly to me more than They Want My Soul. Love and loss were themes I was able to pinpoint on this album. I could hear just how personal some of these lyrics were based on the sound in Britt Daniel's voice. While my expectations for a great album from an awesome indie rock band were met, I had no idea I would also get an album that really resonated with my own struggles this past year. Brilliant.
Lead Track: "Rent I Pay"
Additional must listen: "They Want My Soul", "I Just Don't Understand"
From start to finish, no album spoke directly to me more than They Want My Soul. Love and loss were themes I was able to pinpoint on this album. I could hear just how personal some of these lyrics were based on the sound in Britt Daniel's voice. While my expectations for a great album from an awesome indie rock band were met, I had no idea I would also get an album that really resonated with my own struggles this past year. Brilliant.
Lead Track: "Rent I Pay"
Additional must listen: "They Want My Soul", "I Just Don't Understand"
2. Manipulator - Ty Segall
Ty Segall is considered a 27 year old prodigy among certain critics. Despite his relative young age, Segall has managed to release seven solo albums already. This album starts out strong and does not let up at all for a total of 17 tracks and nearly 60 minutes, with the full intention of melting off your face with phenomenal guitar riffs and overall great sound.
Lead Track: "Susie Thumb"
Additional must listen: "The Faker"
Ty Segall is considered a 27 year old prodigy among certain critics. Despite his relative young age, Segall has managed to release seven solo albums already. This album starts out strong and does not let up at all for a total of 17 tracks and nearly 60 minutes, with the full intention of melting off your face with phenomenal guitar riffs and overall great sound.
Lead Track: "Susie Thumb"
Additional must listen: "The Faker"
1. El Pintor - Interpol
This was not a difficult decision for me at all. Interpol has been one of my favorite bands for a few years now, and after 2010's underwhelming self-titled album, I always hoped the guys would get back together and make amends. It took 4 years and two solo albums from frontman Paul Banks for the band to make a triumphant return with El Pintor. Though only spanning 10 total tracks, Interpol wasted no effort in this album, hinting a return to the sound from its first two albums that put the band on the map, while still sounding fresh and exciting. This album was a much needed restart for a band that left fans uncertain for the future after 2010. From start to finish, El Pintor proves to established and new fans alike that this band is here to stay and that the future still holds great music ahead.
Lead Track: "All the Rage Back Home"
Additional must listen: "Tidal Wave"
This was not a difficult decision for me at all. Interpol has been one of my favorite bands for a few years now, and after 2010's underwhelming self-titled album, I always hoped the guys would get back together and make amends. It took 4 years and two solo albums from frontman Paul Banks for the band to make a triumphant return with El Pintor. Though only spanning 10 total tracks, Interpol wasted no effort in this album, hinting a return to the sound from its first two albums that put the band on the map, while still sounding fresh and exciting. This album was a much needed restart for a band that left fans uncertain for the future after 2010. From start to finish, El Pintor proves to established and new fans alike that this band is here to stay and that the future still holds great music ahead.
Lead Track: "All the Rage Back Home"
Additional must listen: "Tidal Wave"
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