Underrated Albums Of 2014
Just on my weekly scout for new music, and I see a lot of the same things on people's lists (even my own). So here are some handpicked treats that I feel haven't gotten a lot of attention by the collection (not just here). |
| 1 |  | Warehouse
Tesseract
Punk - While most people are raving over new punk bands fronted by females like Perfect Pussy, Priests, and White Lung - I've found Warehouse to do all that they do, much better. With a twist of psychadelia in there to boot, this is one of the most overlooked I've seen. It doesn't help that it was only released digitally by surprised, for free. But if you like those bands (note, they do not sound the same) I'd strongly recommend. |
| 2 |  | Liam Betson
The Cover of Hunter
Indie Rock - If you enjoyed Mikal Cronin's first two albums at all, this would be right up your alley. Liam used to do backing vocals and guitars for Titus Andronicus, but now he's forging his own path and sounds pretty damn great. |
| 3 |  | Wovenhand
Refractory Obdurate
Psych-Folk/Indie Rock - The main Young God Records release this year is definitely Swans, but Wovenhand's newest effort is his best yet. |
| 4 |  | Creepoid
Creepoid
Shoegaze - A lot of folks are creaming about Nothing and Lantlos, and absolutely with good reason. I think Creepoid offer a more restrained shoegaze element, and lean more towards an alt-gaze that's just as good as the rest. |
| 5 |  | Mimicking Birds
Eons
Indie Folk - There's a dozen or so albums that probably sound like this out there right now, which made it easy for this one to be overlooked. I saw them open for Modest Mouse and adored their set (they were actually better than MM, technical issues marred MM's set). Eons is a folk pop record that has a lot more feeling than you'd realize based on the cover. Wonderful album. |
| 6 |  | Bleeding Rainbow
Interrupt
Garage Rock - BR have made three or so albums (under Reading Rainbow too) and they all have the same sound. That's not a discredit, it's a compliment. Their reliable sound is always a welcome addition to any playlist. |
| 7 |  | Emma Ruth Rundle
Some Heavy Ocean
Shoegaze Folk - I was surprised to see this listed under Shoegaze, but alas, I can hear bits of it in there. Very talented young lady here. Enjoyable record through and through. |
| 8 |  | What Moon Things
What Moon Things
Psych Rock - Genre mislabeling aside, I couldn't quite determine the best way to put this band. They have a bit of goth to them, but they don't sound like a gothic rock hybrid. Lyrically I'd say they lean more towards the cryptic, but musically they sound like a band just having a great time. |
| 9 |  | Tacocat
NVM
Garage Pop - If you can get past the weak band name, there's a lot of fun brittle pop rock here with a hint of garage. |
| 10 |  | Alex G
DSU
Indie Rock - I was thrown by the album cover at first, but I came around to this one. It's just a fun record all around. |
| 11 |  | Planning for Burial
Desideratum
Shoegaze/Industrial - I saw this guy in Manhattan, KS a few months ago, play to a handful of people and he didn't even notice. So entranced with his music, very passionate about it. |
| 12 |  | Aerofall
Aerofall
Shoegaze - I'm a huge shoegaze fan. And I must say that of the shoegaze albums to come out this year (and there are a lot), this is my favorite, right next to Lantlos. Different type of shoegaze obviously, but it's pretty damn amazing. |
| 13 |  | The Antlers
Familiars
Indie Rock/Post Rock? - I don't know what all the fuss was about on this album. I heard a lot of criticism, but most of it seemed unwarranted. This album is far from bland or homogenous. It's near perfection from a band already producing high quality work. It may not top Hospice, but it's better than Burst Apart (imo). Lovely album. |
| 14 |  | The Wytches
Annabel Dream Reader
Garage Rock - It has a great score here, but around the net, I see scathing reviews and overall dislike of the album. This needs to change. It's been awhile since there was a blasting garage rock album that functioned like an old school White Stripes recording from the 90s. Excellent debut. |
| 15 |  | Flesh Wounds
Flesh Wounds
Garage Punk - I'm tagging their single (sorry, didn't feel like adding the album), but their newest album, also self titled, is most excellent. Worth searching out. |
| 16 |  | Sink Tapes
Touchdown Buffalo
Shoegaze/Surf Rock/Lo Fi - The label only slightly resembles the album. It's a brief listen, but what they pack into that small amount of time is wonderfully lush. |
| 17 |  | Hamilton Leithauser
Black Hours
Indie Rock - I miss the Walkmen, but this is a great substitute. It doesn't have the same punch as a Walkmen record, but it's exactly what it needs to be - solid fun. |
| 18 |  | Thee Oh Sees
Drop
Garage Rock - Ever reliable, Dwyer shows up right on time for another TOS' album and it doesn't disappoint. I still prefer Putrifiers over all of their albums, but this is more of an old school record for them. |
| 19 |  | Ty Segall
Manipulator
Garage Rock - I was disappointed by this at first, but it slowly has crept into my weekly rotation. He hasn't missed a step. |
| 20 |  | Papercuts
Life Among the Savages
Dream Pop - I feel the songwriting went up a notch with this release. It appears to be their more criticized album, but the things people are hating about it, I love. |
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