My favorite albums from 2014
I’ve
been thinking about all the great music that came out this year and
felt compelled to put together a list of my favorites. So, in no
particular order, here’s my list of top 10 favorite albums for 2014.
- Ryan Adams by Ryan Adams
I
love this album and my dad loves this album and it’s just a great
album. I had the fortunate experience of seeing Ryan live year, the 6th
time I’ve seen him, and dang it he’s still my favorite. The new album is
his best in years. It’s raw and simple, but with great melodies and
emotion. I get jealous thinking about his abundance of talent.
- Pslip by Sierra
I’ve
talked about it a bunch but, in case you haven’t heard, I signed up for
the Retro Futurist record subscription in January of 2014 (You can sign
up for 2015 now if you’re interested) and wow, I feel like it was the
best money I’ve spent on anything music fan related in forevs. Sierra’s
album, Pslip, was the first album I received and I listen to it so much.
It does sound great on vinyl. Anyway, they’re Canadian rockers with a
sound somewhat akin to Mastodon’s Leviathan. It’s heavy and driving
music and it gets my blood flowing. I can’t wait to find out what they
release in the future.
- Out Among The Stars by Johnny Cash
It’s
not a new album, but newly released. If you haven’t heard the really
really really interesting NPR story about this album, it is worth
seeking if you’re into Cash stuff. While I think it’s a shame that this
music didn’t surface earlier, I’m glad to be hearing it now. I really
like this album, although sometimes I feel like Johnny Cash could have
been reading the back of a cereal box into a microphone and I’d think it
was good. I can’t say it’s Cash’s best (it was recorded in the 80’s!),
but it’s still better than most music released these days.
- Morning Phase by Beck
I’ve
been a Beck fan for a long time. I remember purchasing Odelay,
listening to it for the first time on a big stereo and thinking I should
take it and get my money back, but then on the second listen I was
hooked. I got to see him on that tour and had my mind blown (Salem
Armory, 1997!!!!). My favorite of his is Sea Change and this latest
album is, in my mind, a follow up to that one. I like it a lot. It’s a
little more out there and less catchy than Sea Change, and it takes a
bit more work to find the appreciation compared to some of his stuff
that grabs you instantly. However, Beck has always explored new
territory and I appreciate that immensely.
- Maximum Overload by Dragonforce
I
watched a short documentary on this album, which made me appreciate it
even more. It’s what you might expect from Dragonforce, shredding epic
fantasy themed masterpieces, but definitely a new step for them as well.
Their new singer is amazing and he sounds more confident on this second
album that he’s been on. The rest of the band seems more tight (if
that’s even possible) and they switched up some of their routines for
making an album with this one… new producer, studio, etc. While they
maybe had been becoming a bit stagnant in the past, this one is not. It
face melts.
- Once More ‘Round The Sun by Mastodon
It’s
catchier and poppier than I typically like my Mastodon, more like The
Hunter than any other previous album. I’m more of a Crack The Sky kind
of Mastodon fan. And, I don’t think it’s as cohesive conceptually as
some of their other stuff. Still, the song writing is solid and the
musicianship is at a level that’s rarely matched. These guys tour all
the time and their skills are sharp. They’re still one of the best metal
bands around.
- Most Messed Up by The Old 97’s
The
Old 97’s finally wrote an album about tour life, drinkin’, and
partying. It’s their most memorable album yet and was my drive around
album of choice all summer. It’s fun and, if you play guitar, you’ll
feel like you want to learn all the songs (although I’m sad to say I’m
yet to learn any L).
- Astrogasm From The Inner Space by Acid Mother’s Temple
I
also had the very fortunate experience of seeing Acid Mother’s Temple
this year. Wow. They are so much more entertaining than I could have
imagined. Based on their catalogue of music, I found it hard to guess
what a live show would be like. It was a nearly spiritual experience.
This album is now my favorite of theirs. It might be because I got to
see them live in support of it, but I don’t care. Kawabata Makoto is so
underrated as a guitar player these days. If you find yourself listening
to Acid Mother’s temple and don’t like the album, try a different one.
There’s something out there for everyone.
- Clearing the Path to Ascend by Yob
Oh,
man. Yob. So good. I had a chance to talk a little with Mike Scheidt at
a show a few weeks before this album was released and he told me how
much work he and the band had put in and how emotionally charged the
songs were. This album is pure hard work and perfection. It’s not for
everyone, but if you like doom or metal at all, I think it’s a must
listen. Of all the albums that came out this year, this is the one that I
think will be looked back on as a masterpiece by the peoples of the
futures. I can see it now, in a hundred years or more, folks talking
about Yob. Also, it’s pretty cool that it made the Rolling Stone top 50
albums of the year.
- Ultraviolence by Lana Del Rey
I
heard about this album because of Dan Auerbach’s involvement. I had no
idea who Lana Del Rey was nor had I heard about her contributions to pop
culture. When I went to buy the album, all I’d heard was a couple songs
off this album. Walking up to the counter, I got a look from the
cashier and she actually said “are you buying this album for yourself?”
which I promptly responded “Uhm… I don’t know”. I went home thinking, am
I supposed to like this music? I now consider this a ridiculous
response… people can generally like whatever music they want, right? I
still don’t know much about Lana Del Rey, but I did go listen to some of
her older stuff. I do think that the release this year is by far her
best. Some might say she finally made an album for adults. Some might
say that she was finally allowed to make the album she really wanted to.
The Black Keys influence is undeniable. I would call it kind of a doom
pop album. The songwriting is solid and that’s the best part of it.
There were a lot of other really great albums this year… So… Here are my honorable mentions:
Pilgrim,
II: Void Worship; Jagged Vision, Harvest Earth; Black Label Society,
Catacombs of the Black Vatican; Michael Jackson, Xscape; First Aid Kit,
Stay Gold; Willie Nelson, Band of Brothers; Serpentine Path, Emanations;
J Mascis, Tied To A Star; Weird Al, Mandatory Fun; Robert Plant,
Lullaby and the Ceaseless Roar; Brimstone Coven, Brimstone Coven; Neil
Diamond, Melody Road.
Feel free to share your favorite
albums from 2014 if you want. I'm always glad to hear about what else is
out there or if we have some common favorites.
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