20. While I Stay Secluded, Knuckle Puck
Release Date: October
28, 2014
2014 was the year I revisited the pop punk scene to realize
that I was way behind and that many new players have taken over the scene. This
EP from Knuckle Puck is a solid portrayal that pop punk is not dead.
19. Broods, Broods
Release Date: January
31, 2014
I latched onto this EP when it was released because it is an
infectious poppy demonstration that is great for spring/summer listening. However,
I was disappointed by the full length release.
Play: “Never Gonna Change”
18. EP II, Alice Boman
Release Date:
Yes, Alice Boman appears on my top EPs list again this year!
She returns with slow-burning and methodical songs that feel like sketches,
with piano arrangements accompanied by her quaint vocals and subtle
storytelling.
Play: "What"
17. Nothing Here For Us, Cult Leader
Release Date: April
15, 2014
This is an absolutely punishing EP. These Ex-Gaza members create
an extraordinary hardcore/metal experience. If you’ve slept on this release,
wake up!
Play: “Skin Crawler”
16. Woohoo!, CHON
Release Date: March
04, 2014
Chon gave us another EP this year and it was pretty damn
good. These instrumdjentalists create some powerful pieces that keep guitar
enthusiasts on their toes.
Play: “Knot”
15. Chapajuby, Their Dogs were Astronauts
Release Date: August
23, 2014
Guitar virtuosos are apparently hard to come by in Austria—yet,
these brothers have crafted a beautiful prog post-djent (Yes, POST-DJENT) album
that speaks volumes without uttering a single word.
Play: “Droids Choir”
14. Resist, Hundredth
Release Date:
After seeing Hundredth live this year, I was convinced they
are a group that has many elements that could make them huge in the post
hardcore scene. This quick EP is merely an extension of what the band is
capable of—as it serves as a companion to their heavier effort on the Revolt EP.
Play: “Shelter”
13. Belong ≠ Betray, Devil Sold His Soul
Release Date: November
17, 2014
Some damn fine post hardcore tunes that sort of came out of
nowhere for me. I have since gone through some older tunes, and despite some
changing within the band, their sound doesn’t suffer.
Play: “Devastator”
12. Ocean Death, Baths
Release Date: May 06,
2014
Baths followed up its 2013 release, Obsidian, with this brilliantly dark electronic display of
heartbreak and yearning. This was released in the mid-Spring, but it feels more
suited for winter listening.
Play: “Yawn”
11. And Then The Moon, NTNT
Release Date: January
23, 2014
I’ve been following Dustin Brown since he hit me in the head
with a guitar during our junior year of high school—the man is a musical force
to be reckoned with. His latest group, NTNT, has gained a lot of attention for
this dance-filled indie-rock explosion of fun.
Play: “Good Heart, Bad Lungs”
10. Clear, Periphery
Release Date: January
28, 2014
This release wasn’t necessarily an EP or an LP. It sort if
just is what it is. It’s a seven song powerhouse of one of today’s best metal
bands creating dazzling tunes. Each member of the band wrote a song for this release, which gives it a unique feel. Cannot wait for the Juggernaut: Alpha/Omega in a few weeks!
Play: “Feed the Ground”
09. Infinity(zero), symmetry/symmetry
Release Date: December
19, 2014
Hailing from Salem, Oregon, these experimental genre-bending
dudes have been melting my brain with tunes for many years. They return with a
follow-up to their debut LP, Have Cake,
with this brutally honest and expansively vast array of exploration akin to
Radiohead meets Sigur Rós.
Play: “Machine”
08. Ultramantis Black, Ultramantis Black
Release Date: July 08,
2014
Do you think you’re hardcore? Well, are you a straight-edge vegan
masked professional wrestler that fronts a hardcore band? No? Well…time to
educate yourself. Note: This vinyl release has one of the most intricate etchings ever.
Play: “West Siberian Plain”
07. Dragon Mouth, Dust Moth
Release Date: April
22, 2014
Here is another Pacific Northwest band that has given me a
lot of feels this year. This band has a perfect blend of O’Brother’s sludgy tone
mixed with older 30 Seconds to Mars experimentation, and a female vocalist that
gives this release a very unique sound. Sounds weird? No. Sounds incredible!
Play: “Selector”
06. Meridian, The Helix Nebula
Release Date: August
29, 2014
Instrumental djent and/or metal take over much of the time I
spend walking around during the day. Helix Nebula makes me feel invincible when
I listen to this debut EP. Plini guests
on this release because obviously. Give it a listen!
Play: “Convalescence”
05. Side 02, Caleb Hawley
Release Date: November
18, 2014
If you enjoy soulful, Mo-Town rock with a groovy/jazzy feel—this
is EP is perfect for you. I met Caleb a few years back in Wisconsin and knew he
was an incredible dude. Having just penned a recording deal with BMG, he is set
to take over the radio airwaves.
Play: “Bada-Boom, Bada-Bling”
04. Wild and Waste, How the West Was Won
Release Date: April
11, 2014
This hardcore metal outfit out of Corvallis, Oregon absolutely
dominates on this sophomore EP. The future is bright for these dudes.
Play: “Sons of Perdition”
03. Kauai, Childish Gambino
Release Date: October
03, 2014
It took me a while to enjoy Because the internet. However, Donald Glover came out of nowhere
with this incredible new EP that further cemented his talents as a hip hop
artist. NOTE: This release was a multi-collaborative dual LP/EP mix-tape release—yet,
I chose Gambino’s EP as the shining demonstration.
Play: “Sober”
02. Little Histories, Cloudkicker
Release Date: December
01, 2014
So, Cloudkicker finally got to do a live tour and it took the
scene by storm. Alongside Intronaut, Ben Sharp was able to assemble his
one-man-show into a full-fledged, powerful instrumental force. This new EP only
furthers the impressive collection that Sharp has amassed to this point.
01. Between Bodies, The World Is a Beautiful Place and I am No Longer Afraid to Die
Release Date: October
07, 2014
The band with the longest name in music today teamed up with
slam poet, Chris Zizzamia to create a whole new vision for this group at the
forefront of the emo revival movement. Zizzamia brings in an added energy to
the band, as well as a sharp-tongued approach to social justice and living a
pleasant life. I consistently came back to this EP whenever I needed to
remember why I love slam poetry enmeshed with dazzling musical accompaniment—I’m
a sucker for it.
Play: “If and When I Die”
Honorable Mention ALBUMS of 2014 (In Alphabetical Order by artist):
“Lowborn,”Anberlin
“Principio de Incertidumbre,” Audiolepsia
“Yamadori,” Bear the Mammoth
“Phantom,” Betraying the Martyrs
“Versus,” Emarosa
“Beneath the Brine,” The Family Crest
“Lions,” William Fitzsimmons
“In Roses,” Gem Club
“Life Lessons,” Handguns
“Moiety,” Helios
“Wolverines,” I Am the Avalanche
“Life Reaper,” I the
Breather
“Never Hungover Again,” Joyce Manor
“Evolve,” Jackiem Joyner
“Little Machines,” LIGHTS
“Slingshot to Heaven,” Margot & the Nuclear So & So’s
“The Amanuensis,” Monuments
“Foundations of Burden,” Pallbearer
“The Endless River,” Pink Floyd
“Atlas,” Real Estate
“Colouded,” This Wild Life
“Blissfucker,” Trap Them
“We Have a Ghost,” We Have a Ghost
“Sway,” Whirr
“Atomos,” A Winged Victory for the Sullen
There is the first part of my music review of 2014!
Stay tuned for part two in just a few days, when I start counting down my TOP 100 albums of 2014!
Be well.
-Craig.
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