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Last Active 01-06-16 7:07 pm
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| Ali's 2014: Albums
It's been a truly excellent year, in terms of both the sheer number of
records I've enjoyed and the quality of those sitting at the top of the pile.
I've never had such a hard time whittling my favourites down to a top 10,
but here's how it's come out: | | 10 |  | Withered Hand
New Gods
Never the most prolific of artists, Dan Willson's intrinsic strain of perfectionism saw
the second Withered Hand LP take a full five years to make. Luckily, it's also a key
reason behind the resulting record's success - together with the natural melodic
gift exercised even more so than on cult predecessor Good News. Whereas that
record was of a decidedly downcast, self-deprecating disposition, New Gods is cut
from a markedly different cloth, instead sourcing inspiration from Scotland's
colourful indie pop tradition. There are moments of quiet introspection, particularly
in the album's second half, but the most memorable cuts without doubt are those
infused with an unlikely splash of sunshine and suitable guest appearances. Opener
'Horseshoe,' for instance, douses Willson's songcraft in a swathe of Teenage
Fanclub-isms; 'Black Tambourine' marks a joyful joining of forces with Pam Berry of,
err... Black Tamborine, while the breezy jangle of 'King of Hollywood' was pertinently
described by a friend of mine as "Withered Hand goes on holiday." The shift hasn't
appeased all, but the end product is a fabulous follow-up from one of Britain's more
understated writing talents. | | 9 |  | First Aid Kit
Stay Gold
Having gone from strength to strength since their formation in 2007, the fact Klara
and Johanna Söderberg's third LP was the strongest to date came as no great
surprise. That, though, should do nothing to undermine Stay Gold's qualities - or
moreover how they're retained amid a polished and increasingly mainstream exterior.
This radio-friendly sheen is epitomised by the likes of 'My Silver Lining' and 'Master
Pretender,' which see the sister's harmonies meld in flawless unison; but it's the
soaring later crescendos of 'Cedar Lane' and 'The Bell' where their voices - and
songwriting - shine the brightest. Having already plugged the album relentlessly,
2015 is shaping up to be another busy year in the live arena, but after a well-
earned rest, who's to say they can't go one better once again come its follow-up? | | 8 |  | A Winged Victory For the Sullen
Atomos
Having garnered cult status with their serene self-titled debut, Dustin O'Halloran
and Adam Wiltzie had a tall order on their hands if they were to improve second
time around. The duo's response, then, was to not even try; forsaking the
traditional album format for a follow-up instead created to soundtrack Atomos, a
dance by acclaimed choreographer Wayne McGregor. Presented as 12 fluid,
cinematic movements, the pair's music could scarcely have been better suited to
this fresh purpose, its effortless air veiling the beauty and elegance of their drone
and piano-based pallet. More dynamic than its predecessor, it drifts blissfully
between segments, seamlessly fusing soaring emotional peaks and more extended
ambient passages in a manner befitting one of modern ambient's leading exponents. | | 7 |  | Todd Terje
It's Album Time
The year's finest party album, and one which more than any other proved the
soundtrack to my summer. Initially censured for the presence of existing singles,
It's Album Time's station as a modern disco masterclass quickly brushed over such
pettily picked holes - so much so that it still has fans euphoric even the deepest
depths of winter. With tongue planted firmly in cheek, it's numbers come infused
with both purpose and tempo, whether it's the bright, cheesy fun of 'Strandbar,'
the wicked pulsing beat of 'Dolorean Dynamite' or the irresistible synth stomp of
'Inspector Norse.' Then there's 'Johnny and Mary,' the Bryan Ferry-featuring
curveball planted squarely at the center of the album's tracklist. A complete and
utter change of pace, it stands out like a hobo on a dancefloor and has all the
hallmarks of a lead balloon, yet somehow it works; emitting a rhythmic lure that's
wildly removed yet equally effective. There is, however, no doubt where Terje's
true strength lies, and while some may deem disco a dirty word, a life with It's
Album Time is a life less ordinary. | | 6 |  | St. Vincent
St. Vincent
Perhaps the most frequent explanation behind self-titled records is that they signify
a definitive statement; a culmination of all that's good about an artist and the
benchmark against which future efforts will be held. Whether this was Annie
Clarke's intention with St. Vincent isn't entirely clear, but in being at once her most
focused, accomplished and accessible to date, there's no doubt it's amounted to
something of a breakthrough. What's more, this has all come about without a hint
of compromise, with even modal, three-and-a-half minute pop songs like
'Rattlesnake,' 'Digital Witness' and 'I Prefer Your Love' infused with the off-kilter
angles and vibrant sonic innovation synonymous with Clarke's solo ventures. The
result is a record that's bold enough to branch out, yet weird enough to maintain
intrigue - a combination which has proved impossible to ignore for new and familiar
followers alike. | | 5 |  | The War on Drugs
Lost in the Dream
With the conclusion of three wasted years at university, the first half of 2014 was
an immensely stressful time; my mind bouncing back and forth between the sheer
weight of work confronting it and the sheer pointlessness of it all. It was during this
phase that Lost in the Dream became something of a salvation - a record I'd put
on, lie down and soak up, allowing its sonic waves to wash over me and cleanse my
brain of its swirling swathes of negativity. It's a routine which worked time and time
again, and is testament to the vision and ability of Adam Granduciel, whose own
bout of depression spawned this minor masterpiece in therapeutic escapism. The
acclaim for The War on Drugs' third effort has, predictably enough, given way to an
originality-themed backlash, with the ever-eloquent Mark Kozelek in particular
dismissing it as "beer commercial lead-guitar shit." In truth, though, this classic
approach is barely an issue when applied in such a fresh and distinctive manner,
and while they might not have made my favourite record of the year, there's no
question Granduciel and The War on Drugs have been among 2014's big winners. | | 4 |  | The Twilight Sad
Nobody Wants to Be Here and Nobody Wants to Leave
Having spent much of the year revisiting debut Fourteen Autumns and Fifteen
Winters, the stage seemed set for Scotland's finest modern misery mongers to
return to the glorious sound of their early years following dabblings in post-punk
and electronica on 2012's No One Can Ever Know. In a sense, that's exactly what
they did. Far more guitar-centric than its predecessor, Nobody Wants to Be Here
and Nobody Wants to Leave finds axeman Andy MacFarlane rediscovering his stash
of pedals and penchant for warped, layered din - most notably on searing center-
point 'In Nowheres.' That, however, is only part of the story, as the record also
utilises virtually every other trick acquired in their decade-long innings, together
with new ones on what's their most confident, accomplished and quite possibly best
set to date. The songwriting, in particular, has progressed significantly, yet their
greatest strength lies in vocalist James Graham, and his soaring, transcendent
Scots brogue. From the gathering momentum of 'I Can Give You All That You Don't
Want' to the naked isolation of 'Sometimes I Wished I Could Fall Asleep,' the
frontman performs with the conviction of a man possessed, lending the songs an
electric emotional intensity, and what's more aligning them with the group's
stunning live shows. Tremendous stuff. | | 3 |  | Sun Kil Moon
Benji
Mark Kozelek has made himself incredibly difficult to like in 2014; a mighty shame,
as no record this year has been as endearing nor emotionally stirring as Benji.
Deadpan and perennially downbeat, the 47-year-old's chief concern on his greatest
set to date is death - the death of his uncle, his second cousin Carissa, serial killer
Richard Ramirez, even his parents (even though they're yet to pass) via freak
accidents, fires, natural causes and practically everything in between. It's bleak,
harrowing and at times hard to listen to, but the punch of both his lyrics and
delivery is irrefutable. While it's clearly the overriding theme, mortality isn't the only
issue which plays on Kozelek's mind. 'Dogs,' for instance, represents a filthy and
uncomfortably detailed forray into his sexual beginnings, while the heart-stopping 'I
Watched the Film the Song Remains the Same' includes a poignant, apparently
sincere apology to a victim of his childhood bullying. How regrettable, then, that he
reverted to old habits as the year wore on. | | 2 |  | The Smith Street Band
Throw Me in the River
While its sentiments aren't quite as desolate or melancholy as those on Benji, the
emotional arc perpetrated by Wil Wagner and The Smith Street Band on their third
full-length sees that they edge into my runners-up slot. All but abandoning their
folky beginnings, Throw Me In the River is a big, brash punk rock record, but also
one with immense heart, documenting as it does its writer's relationship struggles
and resulting toils with depression. The results are explosive and more often than
not life-affirming, from the gut-wrenching wallow of 'The Arrogance of a Drunk
Pedestrian' to the the sheer jubilation of 'I Love Life,' which completes a remarkable
turnaround from the brink of self-destruction to glorious, celebratory redemption. A
truly remarkable record, Throw Me In the River is a work which deserves to age
well, and to propel the Australians alongside contemporaries like The Menzingers at
the forefront of today's punk scene. | | 1 |  | Swans
To Be Kind
In normal circumstances, any of the records in this list's top five would be serious
album of the year contenders. But they aren't. In fact, none of them even come
close. That's because, from the moment it was unveiled back in May, nothing was
ever likely to top To Be Kind. To do so would require a record of such unearthly
proportion and monolithic power as to practically defy comprehension, as Michael
Gira and co's latest packs that and much, much more into its stunning two-hour
runtime. If you're after Exhibit A, look no further than 'Bring The Sun/Toussaint
L'Overture,' a gargantuan 34-minute suite which marks the LP's obvious
centerpiece. Certainly, no other piece of music has ever left me feeling butterflies
in my stomach, but that's precisely the effect wreaked by the epic build
encompassing its entire first half, so staggering is its scale and aural impact. It's no
exaggeration to hail it among the densest passages ever committed to tape, but
despite representing an obvious high point, the same strain of intensity comes
entwined in every one of the record's tracks, from the rhythmic punch of 'A Little
God in My Hands' to the eerie flow of 'She Loves Us' to the manic rush of 'Oxygen.'
A quite astonishing body of work, and my album of the year by a considerable
distance. | |
AliW1993
12.27.14 | 10/10 album art. Woop!
Anyway, these have by no means been the only records I've loved this year, and I feel the following all deserve an honourable mention:
Against Me! - Transgender Dysphoria Blues
Caribou - Our Love
Leonard Cohen - Popular Problems
Richard Dawson - Nothing Important
Earth - Primitive and Deadly
Eels - The Cautionary Tales of Mark Oliver Everett
EMA - The Future's Void
Freddie Gibbs and Madlib - Pinata
Jenny Hval & Susanna - Meshes of Voice
Interpol - El Pintor
King Creosote - From Scotland With Love
Mastodon - Once More 'Round the Sun
Mogwai - Rave Tapes
Marissa Nadler - July
Randolph's Leap - Clumsy Knot
Run the Jewels - Run the Jewels 2
Ty Segall- Manipulator
Sharon Van Etten - Are We There
Scott Walker + Sunn O))) - Soused
Wild Beasts - Present Tense | RadicalEd
12.27.14 | Probs for 1, 5,6,7,8. Good list. I hated 3 though.
Still gotta check 4. | AliW1993
12.27.14 | It's a divisive one for sure. It took me a while to get into as well, but once it hit hit home hard.
I'd very much recommend giving The Twilight Sad a go. I've been really pleased by the positive response it's been getting here. | Pangea
12.27.14 | Good list as I expected from you. Surprised to see First Aid Kit here. I enjoy My Silver Lining, might have to check the rest | AliW1993
12.27.14 | It seems they've fallen under the critical radar slightly as they've become more successful. It's a very commercial record for sure, but I love it. | RadicalEd
12.27.14 | checked 4. just gave the whole album a spin, and it's really good. | greg84
12.30.14 | I'm familiar with only two albums from your top10. 6 is much better than 1 imo. Both are enjoyable though. |
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