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Last Active 07-31-15 1:41 am
Joined 08-01-11
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| A Short And Sweet 2014
Trying to compile this made me realize how incredibly far behind I am on music from 2014, but nonetheless, here are ten albums that stuck with me in some way shape or form. Only the top three or four are in any kind of order. Recs are always welcome. | | 10 |  | Kimbra
The Golden Echo
The Golden Echo is an album choc-full of genre mashups, and each one is executed incredibly well. If you have enjoyed any of Janelle Monae's output, you should give this a shot.
"Miracle" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4K1hoMlxQmg
"Madhouse" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fg_BHCyxySU | | 9 |  | Kayo Dot
Coffins on Io
Leave it to Kayo Dot to completely abandon the sound that excelled so well on last year's Hubardo for a completely different more prog-rock oriented sound that also excels incredibly well. It's a Kayo Dot we haven't heard until now, but it just further proves how genius Toby Driver really can be.
"The Mortality of Doves" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Af2cr-Iahw
"Library Subterranean" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLDlh1t58bA | | 8 |  | St. Vincent
St. Vincent
I still think Actor is her best album, but her s/t really grew on me as the year wore on. Eclectic and bombastic as always, Annie Clark brings it hard. My biggest regret is completely forgetting about her rescheduled show that she played in Columbus and missing it.
"Huey Newton" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gD-jD5f84w
"Bring Me Your Loves" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECbjQIqb-BY | | 7 |  | Ne Obliviscaris
Citadel
I haven't listened to much metal from this year, but Citadel is easily the best that I've heard, of what little I've heard. Painters of the Tempest is one of the best composed songs I've heard in a while.
"Painters of the Tempest (all three parts)" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTiX-xAgBi8 | | 6 |  | Marissa Nadler
July
Some of the tracks on here lack a bit, but when Marissa kills it, she fucking kills it. If nothing else, listen to "Drive." It's song of the year.
"Drive" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3uH8ipVEmA
"Dead City Emily" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_KVavjkdTs | | 5 |  | Run the Jewels
Run the Jewels 2
It's Killer Mike and El-P with more bangers, more fiery verses, more insane beats from El-P, really, what's not to love? The lyrics occasionally leave something to be desired, and Gangsta Boo's Verse on "Love Again" is seriously horrible, but the album is meant to be a light hearted, fun listen, and at that it exceeds expectations. If you don't like it, you can all run naked backwards through a field of dicks.
"Oh My Darling Don't Cry" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-S9mtYowPY (video is absolutely NSFW)
"All Due Respect" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=webSjuoNy2s | | 4 |  | FKA Twigs
LP1
Not only is Twigs fantastic as both a lyricist and vocalist, but her production skills are great as well. LP1 may not be anything inherently unique, but the atmosphere of Twigs' whisper quiet vocals and minimalistic production is about as well executed as they come. If you're a fan of James Blake, you should definitely check this out.
"Preface" and "Video Girl" (music video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jhTiLuGezI | | 3 |  | Swans
To Be Kind
It's yet another daunting, dense, and out of the box slab of music from Swans. Despite a two hour length, it feels much more concise as a whole than 2012's The Seer, and a bit more varied at that. To Be Kind is another sonic adventure from perhaps the most creative group still putting out music.
"Some Things We Do" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuYn0Oj7vo4
"She Loves Us!" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJWtCFTfmDo | | 2 |  | The Hotelier
Home, Like NoPlace is There
It's almost a shame to put this album anywhere other than the top of the list. Few albums have the ability to elicit such an emotional response from me, but the way in which the lyrics are so transparent is hard to stomach. It's a beautifully written record of dealing with the loss of someone close to a suicide, and trying to cope with those feelings, right down to the feeling of personal guilt in missing the clues and not doing enough to prevent it. Even if you're never personally dealt with this, Home, Like NoPlace is There is sure to pierce your soul.
"An Introduction to the Album" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHsBgcwOw6Y
"Among the Wildflowers" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51h9hFI66Hc | | 1 |  | Trophy Scars
Holy Vacants
Trying to describe how incredible this album is is nigh impossible. The phenomenal musicianship matches the storyline perfectly every step of the way, all the way through the emotional, albeit somewhat cheesy, ending to "Everything Disappearing" which is quite possibly the best song the band has written. Each and every song has its own identity and place within the context of the album, and it feels fresh at every point throughout its almost 60 minute run time. If you can get past Jerry Jones' raspy, throaty vocal style, Holy Vacants is easily one of the best albums to come out in quite some time.
"Crystallophobia" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdsQ6IKMSUE
"Everything Disappearing" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggxCFMtjAjo | |
ILJ
01.01.15 | Trying to compose this list also made me realize that I can no longer write worth a shit.
| RogueNine
01.02.15 | Meteorology takes up too much time man. Ain't got time for all this new music stuff. |
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