2014: Top 10
Hooray, another 2014 'Best of' List, as though the whole thing hasn't been overdone.
Let's just get this over with...
Edit: Combined my two 'Best of 2014' lists and made some heavy edits, including some overlooked gems. |
| 10 |  | Alt-J
This Is All Yours
I haven't heard the first Alt-J album, so I didn't go into this album with expectations ready to be dashed by the generic 'Sophomore Slump' heckling. Let me just say that 'Left Hand Free' is the hardest rocking track on the album, so don't expect anything else really close to it. Which isn't to say that's a bad thing; songs like the 'Nara' Triplet, 'Every Other Freckle' and 'Choice Kingdom' offer intriguing and rewarding listening experiences, with lovely vocals and ambient washes of synths and samples (including a quite unexpected one from Miley Cyrus) make for a pleasant collection of Indie Pop.
Favorite Song: Every Other Freckle |
| 9 |  | Teleman
Breakfast
Glossy, malice-tinged indie pop from the remaining members of Pete & the Pirates.
Favorite Song: Steam Train Girl |
| 8 |  | Parquet Courts
Sunbathing Animal
The newest band to receive glowing comparisons to Pavement, I found the music more in comparison to Jonathan Richmann and the Modern Lovers. Play 'Dear Ramona' and 'I'm Straight' alongside and you'll see. However, the vocals on songs like 'What Color is Blood' and 'Bodies Made Of' sound more vicious and snarling than Richmann's ironic drawl.
Favorite Song: What Color is Blood |
| 7 |  | The New Pornographers
Brill Bruisers
The Canadian indie-pop darlings returned quite unexpectedly this year with a solid grouping of bombastic, victorious pop songs exploding with electronic flourishes and vocal harmonies galore.
Favorite Song: Backstairs |
| 6 |  | Interpol
El Pintor
Blazing Post-Punk Revival come-back from New York's indie darlings of 2002, and their best work since 'Antics'.
Favorite Song: My Blue Supreme |
| 5 |  | Bombay Bicycle Club
So Long, See You Tomorrow
The BBC (see what I did there) sink further into the arms of world music and electronica, with standout tracks like 'Feel' and 'Home By Now' sounding like something ripped from a Bollywood rom-com, and I mean that in the best of ways.
Favorite Song: Home By Now |
| 4 |  | Ray LaMontagne
Supernova
I've never liked most of Ray LaMontagne's work. Until this album appeared, I hardly ever registered his presence. Having said that, this album, produced by Black Keys' Dan Auerbach, is a sunny collection of California-soaked pop rock. Put on 'Airwaves' and light some mood candles, cause you're headed for comedown town (ugh, that was horrible).
Favorite Song: Airwaves |
| 3 |  | Liars
Mess
What a glorious clusterf*ck of sound.
Favorite Song: Mess On A Mission |
| 2 |  | St. Vincent
St. Vincent
Songs about nude desert hiking, dead Black Panther leaders, and masturbation. Annie Clark's self-titled fourth LP is her strangest, and best, yet.
Favorite Song: Digital Witness |
| 1 |  | Spoon
They Want My Soul
Britt Daniels sh*ts gold records. I don't know if that's true, I'm just saying, is all.
Favorite Song: Inside Out |
|
