- PREMIERE: Eloah Jones – “Under the Bridge” - November 18, 2021
- PREMIERE: Highbeams – “Campfires” - November 10, 2021
- Tali Azerad Shines on New Album - November 5, 2021
About this year’s list: I’ve been compiling this list since January and I wasn’t finished with it until this morning. That’s how great of a year it was in music. I just couldn’t limit myself to a Top 10, so I went to 15. As always, feel free to leave a comment with what you liked, what I may have missed, or if you want more recommendations like this!
15. Andrew McMahon In The Wilderness – S/T
There was a tangible energy present in the first Jack’s Mannequin album. You could tell Andrew McMahon was refreshed and brimming with stories to tell. With the events that followed it’s no surprise that the following Jack’s albums were a little heavier and probably emotionally draining for McMahon. His new album, under a new moniker, once again feels like a weight has been lifted and Andrew is refreshed and energized. This collection of songs may be centered around very different subject matter, but AMITW is reminiscent of Everything In Transit simply in the mood it strikes. Vivid storytelling & lyrics are captivating as usual, and Andrew’s ability to craft a substantial pop hit is more present than ever. If he’s going to produce albums as impactful & fun as this, let’s hope he stays in his wilderness.
14. The War On Drugs – Lost In The Dream
Perhaps the most refreshing of the albums on my list, Lost In The Dream conjures up visions of Tom Petty and the open road. This sprawling, spaced-out hour long journey is filled with endearing compositions that really make you appreciate the richness of a simple guitar line or piano keystroke. Aside from about 10 minutes of unnecessary intros/outros/interludes, the album’s unique identity truly shines and flourishes. Adam Granduciel has painted a picture that is at once nostalgic and fresh. Lost In The Dream is a must-have album of 2014 and confidently stands tall at its own pace, emerging from a music scene flooded with synth & electronic elements.
13. Wolf Gang – Alveron
Alveron is part 80’s rock opera, part indie-pop party, and all heart. These boys impressed with their last album Suego Faults, but have truly exceeded expectations with the new album. Song after song that you want to put on full-blast and sing at the top of your lungs. “Last Bayou” was one of my 5 favorite songs released this year, and it is only one example of some of the big hooks and memorable tracks on the album. In a sea of similar acts, Alveron is an album that truly stands out.
12. Heathers – Kingdom
This talented sister duo from Ireland released their album Kingdom early in the year, and it continues to be an album I listen to consistently. The main reason is that the album itself is consistent. Empowering messages, uplifting lyrics, impactful hooks, and beautiful harmonies are prevalent in nearly every impressive track.
All too often I come across a band/artist with several great songs. The task for them after that is to find the inspiration, creativity, and purpose to deliver a full album. Some can, some can’t. It is clear Heathers had a story to tell here and had no shortage of material. The thought, skill, and careful touch of each track shines through and lifts Kingdom beyond the vast majority of its contemporaries. If you missed this one and are a fan of HAIM and Tegan & Sara, do yourself a favor and pick up the breath of fresh air that is Kingdom.
11. Ryan Adams – S/T
Ryan Adams has more songwriting talent than I’ll be able to accurately describe – and it’s on full display on his new self-titled album. Earnest, down-to-earth tracks begging to be played loud in the car on a contemplative night-drive.
“Kim” and “Trouble” are two of the most impressive songs he’s written and the album plays really well as a whole. If I was a young aspiring musician picking up a guitar for the first time, I’d put on Ryan Adams and start taking notes.
10. Bleachers – Strange Desire
This is the best album of the 1980’s, only it was written in 2014. Nostalgic yet fresh and new, Jack Antonoff knocked it out of the park with Strange Desire. “I Wanna Get Better” is the quintessential modern ‘self-help’ anthem and somehow even exhaustive radio-play couldn’t kill it. Songs like “Rollercoaster” and “Like A River Runs” are skillful pop gems, and toned down pieces like “Reckless Love” and “Take Me Away” showcase the depth and range of a brilliant songwriter.
Being memorable isn’t something you can quantify or plan for, but when you hear it, you know it. Bleachers released perhaps the most memorable album this year.
9. Bear Hands – Distraction
Distraction is a connected string of different influences that combine to form an extremely enjoyable album. Bear Hands can switch from atmospheric & anthemic, from brash & punk-driven, to delicate & understated at a moment’s notice. Variety is the cornerstone of this album and each track delivers a new mood and a different aspect of their music that will get stuck in your head. You’ll hear sonic build-ups akin to Angels & Airwaves, fiery pop-punk attitude, quirky “hit making” ability like Grouplove, and breezy-yet-sincere acoustic numbers you might expect from someone like Sufjan Stevens. You’ll hear all that, everything in between, and chances are – you’ll enjoy it all. Only the band’s second album, Distraction is an indie-rock Master’s thesis, written by a sophomore.
8. Haerts – S/T
NYC band Haerts treated us to a fantastic debut. Their self-titled album features just about everything you could want from this style of music. You’ll get flourishes of Fleetwood’s greatness and you’ll get HAIM’s penchant for pop hits. The songwriting craftsmanship of Haerts is particularly impressive. The album flows perfectly from start to finish and it is one of the ‘can’t miss’ albums of the year.
7. Spoon – They Want My Soul
They Want My Soul somehow possesses the ability to make you feel like you’re at a swanky NYC cocktail party and strolling along a West Coast countryside at the same time. I have no idea what that means or if it makes sense, but it’s a testament to the ability of the band to transport you to a different place. I wouldn’t single out any specific song as being a “hit single” or “standout track,” but that’s not what Spoon is aiming for. This band could write catchy indie-pop hits in their sleep. They could fill albums with them and be all over radio and TV. Instead, they choose to follow their artistic vision and create unique albums, distinct atmospheres, and further their skill as songwriters. Spoon is one of the best bands making music today and They Want My Soul is simply the next step in solidifying that assertion.
6. Sarah Jaffe – Don’t Disconnect
If you are unfamiliar with Sarah Jaffe, you’ve got some catching up to do. The Texas native is one of the best musicians out there, in any genre, period. Her third full-length Don’t Disconnect is absolutely stunning. The album can shift from shimmering pop to dark and minimalistic in a moment’s notice and will thrive in either space. The beauty in the album is how well Jaffe can extract emotion from one note, one line, or one instrument. Sometimes when she slows things down, it’s when they really stand out. Don’t Disconnect is a fascinating and layered album that needs time to sink in. When it fully does, these songs will stick with you like glue and you’ll find yourself in awe. Again, if the name Sarah Jaffe is new to you, an introduction is long overdue.
5. Bombay Bicycle Club – So Long, See You Tomorrow
So Long, See You Tomorrow is complex, intricate, technically precise, and yet fluid & effortless all at once. Nearly every song brings something different to the table and leaves you with a solid understanding of its place & purpose. This should be the standard of what aspiring bands strive for when writing an album: smart, skilled, and diverse, with every song having its message and purpose strengthened by those around it. If there’s an album to own, sit with, and enjoy this year, this is it; it’s a special piece of art.
4. Tokyo Police Club – Forcefield
I’ve introduced quite a few people to this band over the last year, and I can’t remember receiving a lukewarm response from anyone. They all grow love this band as I do, and that’s not a hard thing to do when you turn on a TPC album. Their newest, Forcefield, is no different. Beginning with the sprawling amalgam of “Argentina, Pt I, II, III” all the way through to the sublime closer “Feel The Effect,” Tokyo Police Club take their unique songwriting ability to a new level. They don’t try to reinvent the wheel, they simply do things better than their contemporaries. They are more interesting; interesting musical & lyrical choices, interesting themes & directions, interesting is the key word. They have a “can’t put your finger on it” quality that makes their music a blast to listen to. One of my most played and most enjoyable albums of the year.
3. The Gaslight Anthem – Get Hurt
You wouldn’t put a diamond ring in a brown paper bag – the contents are way too precious for that kind of packaging. On the other hand, the ring is what matters; the ring is all anyone remembers.
The Gaslight Anthem’s new album Get Hurt came wrapped in a strangely out of place package, with surprisingly bland and uninspired artwork. It looked like a bad piece of clip-art that took all of five seconds to pick out. The cover art paired with promises from the band that this album would be very different from previous work made me a little nervous. Thankfully, what was behind the cover art was very much the diamond ring we have grown accustomed to with TGA albums. Yes, there are some key differences and new ground explored on Get Hurt, but thankfully, all the new roads are well-chosen and this still has the feel of a classic Gaslight album.
From the dirty, grungy verses in “Stay Vicious,” to the uniquely distinct moods of the title track and “Underneath The Ground” (two of the best songs they’ve ever written), to the vocal delivery of “Helter Skeleton,” to the pleasant addition of female vocals on “Stray Paper,” this is definitely a band branching out. The key is that with this growth and evolution, they don’t lose sight of their strengths as a band, and they keep finding ways to deliver a gem.
2. Empires – Orphan
There’s an air of 80’s nostalgia permeating through Orphan, but not in a synth-pop new-wave sort of way. This is much more of a “dimly-lit Midwestern dive bar” air of nostalgia…rooted in down-to-earth rock that endears itself to you like your favorite jacket. Each track plays beautifully sequenced with the preceding and following songs. The crisp beginning of the amazing “Shadowfaux” contrasts perfectly following the gritty emotion of “Hostage.” The wake-up call of “How Good Does It Feel” after the floating brilliance of “Lifers” is a fantastic segue. The bouncy “Please Don’t Tell My Lover” shows the band’s poppier side and is a great entry point to the album for the first-time listener. The bold statement of the album’s final two tracks is simply perfect.
I’ve spent perhaps more hours with this album than any other this year and it was undeniably time well spent. Orphan is one of the absolute gems of 2014.
1. Sir Sly – You Haunt Me
When I interviewed Sir Sly earlier this year, I asked them a standard question I ask a lot of bands – “What is your ultimate goal for your music career?” Many bands shrug that off, saying things like “We just want to enjoy the ride,” or “we want to make music as long as we can and have fun,” which are completely fine responses. Sir Sly didn’t shy away from their aspirations. They have had other jobs, they’ve been through circumstances they didn’t enjoy, and they seem to have a quiet confidence in their abilities. The SoCal trio made one thing clear: they want to have a lot of success with Sir Sly. They want the band to be big and are very serious and passionate about the process of working hard in the industry.
It was no surprise to me that their debut You Haunt Me brought a thoroughly well-crafted album that you can tell was created with hard work. The band creates a distinct mood with ease, effortlessly weaving from moody indie-rock to electro-tinged pop to down-tempo contemplative moments. The album is ridiculously enjoyable, filled with lines & lyrics that can’t help but lodge themselves in your brain.
Following the five songs that have already been released, Sir Sly completed the album with six additional tracks that mesh perfectly. The album truly has a feel of one fluid piece, which is not an easy task considering the length of time since the EP has been out.
I planned on shining a light on some of the tracks that really stand out, but whenever I’d start on one song, I’d want to talk about the next, then the next after that. You Haunt Me doesn’t have a dip in quality from start to finish, which is perhaps the best compliment I can give an album. Their bonus tracks could easily be most bands’ lead singles. If this band isn’t huge this time next year, it’ll be a big surprise, and it won’t be because of the music. The instantly memorable and endlessly re-playable You Haunt Me will stick with you long after the last note.
Other Albums I Highly Recommend
Canon Logic – WYLD
Tycho – Awake
Anthony D’Amato – Shipwreck From The Shore
Augustana – Life Imitating Life
Magic Man – Before The Waves
Augustines – S/T
Bear’s Den – Islands
Sylvan Esso – S/T
James – La Petite Mort
The Hotelier – Home, Like Noplace Is There
