Saturday, January 10, 2015

2014 Music Review, Part 004 (Albums 50-26)


I’m back!
This countdown has been pretty difficult to narrow down because of how competitive all of these albums are for me.

This section was probably the most challenging to compose because I kept weighing all of my top 50 against each other so I could create a list I am comfortable with.

I have tinkered and tinkered and this section is finally complete.

Hope you enjoy!

Note: As always, f you want to view the rest of my list before moving forward, check these out:
We’re almost done!


50. Floating, Sleep Party People
Release Date: June 02, 2014

Not only is this one of my favorite album covers of the year, I stumbled upon this album at a time when I definitely needed some weird and airy music in my life. This album is perfectly industrial, creepy, beautiful, and accessible—has a Radiohead meets Nine Inch Nails feel.

49. De Oro, Jason Feathers
Release Date: August 19, 2014

Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) produces tracks for Kanye—which means he needed to create his own rap album. So he did! With the help of drummer/vocalist, S. Carey, & MC Astronautalis (by way of voice modulator), he has constructed a weird, endearing, and impressive effort as the collective Jason Feathers.


48. LP1, FKAtwigs
Release Date: August 06, 2014

THAT VOICE, DOE! Tahliah Barnett has such an angelic voice and it creates such a unique tension when juxtaposed with minimalist beats and atmosphere. This album is as beautiful as it is jarring, which makes for a very special listen.

47. I’ll Be the Tornado, Dads
Release Date: October 14, 2014

Dads took a bold risk on this album because they ditched almost every shred of the band they were on the beloved jam rock, American Radass LP. Their risk paid off because this follow up has so much depth to it that the band has completely reinvented itself into a powerful force of rock fusion.
Play: “But”

46. COPE, Manchester Orchestra
Release Date: April 01, 2014

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this Manchester release. They are easily one of my top three favorite bands, so I always have high expectations. This album is their heaviest to date, and while it never really lets up, we learn why later on this list. COPE is an incredible rock album by the emerging kings of rock.

45. Temple of Plenty, Somos
Release Date:

Somos is an emo/punk hybrid act that creates fun, honest, and accessible music. Their debut LP shows a lot of potential for the direction of this scene, as they emerge as front-runners for evolving what we thought we knew about emo and punk.

44. We Held Our Breath Until Our Hearts Exploded, Beneath the Watchful Eyes
Release Date: March 25, 2014

This is a post rock album for those who dig the industrial stylings of 65daysofstatic and/or God is an Astronaut. The drums and beats are chaotic, the riffs are infectious, and the atmosphere is borderline apocalyptic.

43. My Favourite Faded Fantasy, Damien Rice
Release Date: November 10, 2014

Damien Rice finally returned with a new album this year and yes, it is deliciously morose and somber as usual. Rice proves he is still one of the most vulnerable writers around.

42. ANTEMASQUE, Antemasque
Release Date: November 10, 2014

Okay, so the Mars Volta broke up. I’m okay with that. But I did not expect Omar and Cedric to already jump back into the game with a new rockin’ group that is nothing like any of their previous projects. Once the album starts, the jam is on! Flea even plays bass with this straight-forward experimental rock act.

41. Another Language, This Will Destroy You
Release Date: September 16, 2014

The first two TWDY albums are two of the greatest examples of instrumental post rock. I felt they fizzled on Tunnel Blanket. Yet, this LP completely brings the band back into form as they explore go from exploring noise to exploring uncharted atmospheres.


40. Wishful Thinking, Neck Deep
Release Date: January 14, 2014

Britain’s own pop punk rock masters, Neck Deep, released their first proper LP this year & it was a massive success. After seeing the band live this year, it was clear to see how their brand pop punk brings old and young fans together to appreciate the honesty, the childishness, and fun music this band creates.


39. Move on, Makes trails, Lost in the Riots
Release Date: June 30, 2014

Are you a fan of guitar tapping & upbeat instrumental music? Well, give this album a shot! I put my 2014 instrumental playlist on shuffle for much of 2014 & whenever LITR came on, I always started their album over. Such catchy riffs & infectious drums.



38. The Physical World, Death From Above 1979
Release Date: September 09, 2014

These dudes took years off from creating music together and their first release after the sabbatical has garnered them lots of attention for this brilliantly constructed rock album. There was apparently no dust to shake off. Just more classic tunes to create.

37. Sisyphus, Sisyphus
Release Date: March 18, 2014

Another collaborative album! This is from one of the most talented instrumentalists, Sufjan Stevens, as well as post rock/hip-hop producer, Son Lux, & rapper, Serengeti. This is one of the most creative albums I’ve ever heard. It isn’t folk, or hip-hop, or atmosphere—it's a full musical experience.



36. Oblation, Floor
Release Date:

Apparently I enjoy sludge and stoner metal now because I could not stop listening to Oblation in 2014. This droning metal performance is absolutely impressive. Each track builds onto the next as Floor crafts a powerful for virtually any metal head.

35. Modern Noise, Thomas Giles
Release Date: November 25, 2014

The lead singer of Between the Buried and Me is one talented man. Modern Noise is his third album and contains a massive array of styles and techniques, demonstrating that Tommy Rogers truly gets music. While I can’t wait for the next BTBAM album, at least I have this brilliant release to tide me over.


33. They Don’t Have to Believe, PUNCH
Release Date:

PUNCH crafted the punk album of the year. This 20-minute album packs such a—wait for it—PUNCH! This Loma Prieta side project takes no prisoners en route to being a nonstop thrill-ride of feminist punk.

34. HOPE, Manchester Orchestra
Release Date: September 16, 2014

Manchester announced this secret album OUT OF NOWHERE in August to a rampage of internet buzz. The band took all of the sounds from COPE and turned them into chill/acoustic arrangements. This added so much depth to the concept & inspired me to create my own mash up of the album, which is accessible here.

32. Guilty of Everything, Nothing
Release Date: March 04, 2014

I initially slept on this album. But after a few drives across Massachusetts I fell for this brilliant showgazey post-metal album. Basically, I just keep turning the album up louder and louder.

31. Built on Glass, Chet Faker
Release Date: April 11, 2014

Groovy, sultry, addictive—three words that sum up this album. I’m not sure that I need to say much more than if you enjoy fun electronic beats accompanied by soulful vocals, this is an essential album for you.

30. Eschaton, Waking Aida
Release Date: June 02, 2014

Talk about creating post-rock instrumental music that is so groovy it feels like each song is an out-of-body experience. Waking Aida dazzles on this epic instrumental album full of everything pleasing for post rock fans. 

29. From Parts Unknown, Every Time I Die
Release Date: June 27, 2014

ETID must've realized folks weren’t into Ex-Lives, so they decided to follow it up with an album that completely kicks ass. From Parts Unknown makes for one epic spastic-hardcore experience. ETID is most comfortable when pushing the boundaries & this album delivers.

28. Early Riser, Taylor McFerrin
Release Date: June 10, 2014

Easily one of the most chill albums of the year. Taylor McFerrin’s debut established his production and arrangement skills as tops in the chill-step game by meshing jazz piano/synth and drums, infectious bass, and atmospheric ambience.



27. El Pintor, Interpol
Release Date: September 08, 2014

I didn’t have the easiest time with Interpol’s previous self-titled album. However, holy shit! El Pintor was exactly what I needed from Interpol. They returned to form with their earlier sound, which gave me all sorts of feels and excitement for the success of this classic post punk band.

26. Head in the Clouds, Hands in the Dirt, Aviator
Release Date: August 19, 2014

It was great to hear a band release an incredible melodic hardcore album in 2014. I needed this one. It has such an old Thrice feel and certainly stood out to me for its perfect balance of intensity and eloquence.




There you have it!
Only one section left!


If you want to view the rest of my list, check these out:


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