2014 is coming to a bitter end, finally. Let me be the first to say “Good riddance” to this year that took some of our most infamous comedians musicians and actors, Hollywood provided us nothing but bad remakes and sequels we didn’t ask for, and our music culture is getting worse. I did come across some great music this year, however so here’s my year end review on my favorite albums that came out in 2014, in no order.
Glen Campbell’s ‘I’m Still Here’ makes the list even though it isn’t an album. This song highlights his battle with Alzheimer’s disease. The overwhelmingly emotional single came out with the documentary following the heartbreaking story he and his family are currently facing.
Bad Suns’ ‘Language & Perspective’ was a refreshing alternative rock album from a relatively new, unheard of band. I had the chance to watch this band live at the Mo-POP Festival in Michigan this past summer and their energy on stage pushed me to purchase the album. Odds are this will become another radio band with repetitive catchy hooks but their first big single “Cardiac Arrest” was enough for me to be interested in following them.
Damien Rice’s ‘My Favourite Faded Fantasy’ was this year’s most depressing singer songwriter albums and I loved it. It soothes you into each track and never feels stale. We may be hearing Damien at the peak of his career here.
Sun Kil Moon’s Benji was an album I was surprised by. Over the past decade I have tried to like Sun Kil Moon without luck, so when this album came out I didn’t give it much chance at first. Then I heard a few live recordings and decided to give the album another listen. I was pleased by the passion, sadness and mourning in the voice of Mark Kozelek leads me to believe this man has been through some tragedies.
Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross did the soundtrack for this year’s film Gone Girl and much like their work on the Social Network soundtrack it felt eerily dark and ghostly relaxing. Not an album I would leave on repeat but it was one to put on in a shuffle.
Schoolboy Q’s Oxymoron was a brilliant hip hop album that stayed focus throughout and gave us a look into the pride Q takes in his craft. It was refreshing to not listen to this and here about all the money he has in the bank, the cars he drives and let’s be honest, that’s what hip hop has become. His take on these popular subjects kept me curious what the next track brought.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, ‘Hypnotic Eye.’ What is there to say that has not already been said? Seeing this release brought a major smile to my face and to see it go number 1 was a bonus, I have never heard the Heartbreakers sound so tight and well produced as they are here.
Against Me!, ‘Transgender Dysphoria Blues’ was one of very few hard hitting, melodic, albums that came with an amazing story. The Transgender fronted band has been a staple in punk rock for many years but this album showed the fragile heart that was poured into it. I expect the bands best days are still ahead of them.
St. Vincent ‘St. Vincent’ can’t get easier than that title. I have been a fan of hers for a few years now but this album allowed for the rare instance of being enjoyable by my metal head friends, rocker friends and in the background of any party I had at my house. I worried it would be a little campy or fall into a very repetitive haze but the production was on point and we avoided all that with great tracks.
That’s all I have for you this time, I am sure I upset some of you because I left out Taylor Swift or some new Hip Hop artist who invented a new dance but this is just my opinion, and you know what they say about opinions….. Force them on everyone you know,
But then again, I’m just some guy on the internet.
Norm's World 