Favorites Of 2014 So Far
Just some of my favorite LPs from these first 6 months of 2014. |
| 1 |  | Step Brothers
Lord Steppington
Alchemist's production is aces. Just a fun album in general, and quite a few
excellent bangers. |
| 2 |  | Isaiah Rashad
Cilvia Demo
I was honestly surprised at how TDE's newest member churned out probably the
best TDE album so far. Very southern production and Isaiah has a very cool,
sometimes eclectic flow. |
| 3 |  | Broken Bells
After the Disco
A really consistent album, and the best Danger Mouse produced album this year.
(Sorry, Turn Blue. I really didn't dig you.) |
| 4 |  | Sun Kil Moon
Benji
When this came out, I thought it might be album of the year. I no longer think that,
but it's still a collection of really honest, playfully naive stream of conciousness folk
songs. |
| 5 |  | St. Vincent
St. Vincent
First St. Vincent album I've loved, and apparently the first that Annie Clark feels
represents her, so that probably has something to do with it. |
| 6 |  | Freddie Gibbs and Madlib
Pinata
This album feels like an instant classic. It's the album that is gonna make people
remember Freddie Gibbs. No one has flowed like this gangsta rap style since Tupac. |
| 7 |  | Indian
From All Purity
This was a hard listen. Towering guitar chords and shrieks all through it. Some
electronics too, but fairly hidden. Really dope sludge/doom metal. |
| 8 |  | Future Islands
Singles
I found these guys the same way most people did. That Letterman show. Honestly
I expected them to be one hit wonders but the whole album is filled with really chill,
layered, subdued music that I pretty much dig the whole way through. |
| 9 |  | Big Ups
Eighteen Hours of Static
These guys are fantastic. Again, sounds like a post-punk instant classic. It's short
too, so it's easy to compulsively listen to this one. |
| 10 |  | Thou
Heathen
Monolithic sludge metal right here. Need to listen to it a few more times, especially
since I'm catching them live next month. |
| 11 |  | White Suns
Totem
Disgustingly abrasive noise rock. I still don't know exactly how half the sounds on
this record were made, but it sounds otherworldly. Not welcoming at all, but well
worth the stay once you start it up. |
| 12 |  | Cloud Nothings
Here and Nowhere Else
These guys come from my home state of Ohio, so I'm surprised they didn't circulate
around my high school, since Twenty One Pilots sure did. Basically some really low fi
garage rock with some hella catchy hooks and smart writing. |
| 13 |  | Mac Demarco
Salad Days
Took a couple listens but I dig this. |
| 14 |  | Damon Albarn
Everyday Robots
Falters somewhat in the second half but there's some really inventive stuff going on
in these songs. Expect no less from Damon Albarn, though. |
| 15 |  | The Roots
...and then you Shoot Your Cousin
Pretty short, not that much Black Thought, and I hate that fucking hook in "Never",
but other than that, The Roots are The Roots and that means it's really killer, but
rather bleak. |
| 16 |  | Swans
To Be Kind
Holy shit. There hasn't been a sonic journey so far this year that has surpassed
just how special this album's journey was. Probably album of the year. Requires
patience but honestly after hearing The Seer, I think it has more replay value than
that album. |
| 17 |  | Eyehategod
Eyehategod
I heard these guys are sludge metal staples. They certainly sound like it. |
| 18 | | Death Grips
Niggas on the Moon
I'm probably a Death Grips Stan, so take what I have to say about Death Grips with
a grain of salt, but they haven't disappointed me yet. They took the best parts of
Government Plates and added all the layers it was missing to make a glitchy, much
more fulfilling experience. The opener is one of their greatest songs, period, and MC
Ride has never sounded so experimental with his delivery. Lots of strange stuff
going on here and it makes for yet another great listen. Can't wait for part 2. |
| 19 |  | Jack White
Lazaretto
Took a couple listens for it to click but I prefer this to Blunderbuss. |
| 20 |  | clipping
CLPPNG
Noise Rap, kinda like Death Grips, but more minimalist and certainly more standard
hip hop in vocal delivery. Very interesting listen. |
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