Category Archives: best of 2014

(31) Days of Good//12.16.14

mariachi el bronx - III

I’ve seen Mariachi El Bronx in concert twice, both times by accident.  Each time I was blown away, each time I promptly forgot about them.  There’s something particularly liberating about their latest eponymous album.  Makes me want to drive around on a summer day with the top down.  Hackneyed?  Sure. How about: Makes me want to sit around on a patio, bbq, and drink three (four?) too many, like the Torretto family at the end of every Fast/Furious movie.  Next sunny day, here’s what you should do: Get a little wasted, call an Uber, and make the driver throw this shit on super loud while driving around town.  Tell him to play this.

♩ Mariachi El Bronx – Raise the Dead [from Mariachi El Bronx (III)]

[mariachielbronx.com]

 

Jenny Lewis - The Voyager

I was listening to a Grantland podcast a few weeks ago .  One of the hosts (Andy Greenwald) was talking about his interview with Jenny Lewis, who had just released the Adams-produced “The Voyager.”  Apparently Lewis and Adams got into an argument one night at the studio–Adams told Lewis to go home and “write Wonderwall” (which he believes is the apex of songwriting).  She came back with the best song on the album and his response was something to the effect of “that’s not Wonderwall.”  Fucking amazing.  (Also said, in response to Lewis’ request that she use backing vocals: “Morrissey didn’t use backing vocals.” Listen to the clip here, begins around the 43:00 mark.)

♩ Jenny Lewis – The Voyager [from The Voyager]

[jennylewis.com]

 

radams_spotify

And speaking of Ryan Adams. He released his 14th solo-studio albums this year. One of finest I might add. However, the best Adams song to come out this year is the live version of “Fix It” from Spotify Sessions.

♩ Ryan Adams – Fix It [from Spotify Sessions: Live At The Village] (watch the entire live set courtesy of KCRW)

[paxamrecords.com]

 

partynextdoor-two

“my money get older and older and older like Regis”

♩ PARTYNEXTDOOR – Recognize (feat. Drake) [from PARTYNEXTDOOR TWO]

[partyomo.com]

 

#31days2014

Favorite Albums of 2014

30 – Various Artists//The Space Project
the space project
Youth Lagoon – Worms (via soundcloud)
[lefserecords.com]

 

29 – Young Fathers//Dead
young fathers dead
Am I Not Your Boy
[young-fathers.com]

 

28 – Painted Palms//Forever
painted_palms_forever
Spinning Signs
[paintedpalms.net]

 

27 – Mapei//Hey Hey
mapei - hey hey
Don’t Wait
[mapeiofficial.com]

 

26 – LCD Soundsystem//the long goodbye
lcd soundsystem - the long goodbye
♩ Losing My Edge (Live at Madison Square Garden)

[lcdsoundsystem.com]

 

25 – The Acid//Liminal
the acid-liminal
Creeper
[wearetheacid.com]

 

24 – Mr Little Jeans//Pocketknife
mr little jeans - pocketknife-2014
♩ Heaven Sent
[mrlittlejeansmusic.com]

 

23 – ODESZA//In Return
odesza - the return
♩ Memories That You Call (feat. Monsoonsiren)
[odesza.com]

 

22 – Various Artists//Cut Copy Presents: Oceans Apart
Print
Ara Koufax – Brenda
[cutcopy.net]

 

21 – We Plants Are Happy Plants//Songs About the Unspeakable
We Plants are Happy Plants - Songs-About-The-Unspeakable
♩ Euphrosyne
[wpahp.com]

 

20 – I Break Horses//Chiaroscuro
i break horses - chiaroscuro
♩ Heart to Know
[ibreakhorses.se]

 

19 – Perfume Genius//Too Bright
perfume genius - too bright
Queen
[perfumegenius.net]

 

18 – Gem Club//In Roses
gem club - in roses
Hypericum
[iamgemclub.com]

 

17 – Sia//1000 Forms of Fear
sia-1000-forms-of-fear
Eye of the Needle
[siamusic.net]

 

16 – FKA twigs//LP1
fkatwigslp1
♩ Two Weeks
[f-k-a-twigs.tumblr.com]

 

15 – RAC//Strangers
rac_strangers_2014
Cheap Sunglasses (ft. Matthew Koma)
[rac.fm]

 

14 – Deptford Goth//Songs
deptfordgoth-songs
The Loop
[deptfordgoth.com]

 

13 – Halls//Love to Give
halls-love to give
♩ Walls
[hallsmusic.net]

 

12 – Alvvays//Alvvays
alvvays - alvvays
Archie, Marry Me
[alvvays.com]

 

11 – God Help The Girl//God Help The Girl (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
god help the girst - OST
God Help The Girl
[godhelpthegirl.com]

 

10 – Slow Club//Complete Surrender
slow club - complete surrender
♩ Suffering You, Suffering Me
[slowclubband.com]

 

9 – St. Vincent//St. Vincent
stvincent_stvincent2014
Digital Witness
[ilovestvincent.com]

 

8 – Röyksopp//The Inevitable End
royksopp_inevitable_end
Something In My Heart- Prologue
[royksopp.com]

 

7 – Run the Jewels//Run the Jewels 2
run the jewels - run the jewels 2
Blockbuster Night Part 1
[runthejewels.net]

 

6 – Phantogram//Voices
phantogram_voices
Fall in Love
[phantogram.com]

 

5 – Sisyphus//Sisyphus
sisyphus_cover
♩ Calm it Down
[sisyphusmusic.com]

 

4 – King Tuff//Black Moon Spell
king tuff - black moon spell
Black Moon Spell
[kingtuffworld.com]

 

3 – Blackbird Blackbird//Tangerine Sky
blackbird blackbird - tangerine sky
More Beautiful (Spotify Exclusive)
[birdblackbird.net]

 

2 – Future Islands//Singles
FI_singles
Seasons (Waiting On You)
[future-islands.com]

 

1 – Kishi Bashi//Lighght
kishi bashi - lighght
Q&A
[kishibashi.com]

 

#31days2014

(31) Days of Good//12.15.14

FI_singles

After four LPS, and a handfull of EPs and Singles, Future Islands is finally garnering the attention, acclaim, and high praise they’ve always deserved. Their latest LP, Singles, is one of the best albums of the year and some of the Baltimore band’s best work to date. I recently lost my Grandmother and though the title refers to “grandfathers”, I can’t help but think of my Grammy whenever I listen to this particular track.

Future Islands – A Song For Our Grandfathers [from Singles]

[future-islands.com]

 

Panda Bear - Mr Noah EP

Panda Bear will release his latest LP (Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper) early next year. Lucky for us, he was kind enough to drop a little preview in the form of the Mr Noah EP. All four tracks are brilliant, but the easy flowing “Faces in the Crowd” is without a doubt my favorite of the bunch.

Panda Bear – Faces in the Crowd [from Mr Noah EP]

[pbvsgr.com]

 

Talos-Tethered-Bones

Talos is the music of Irish native Eoin French. The perfect blend of R&B, electronica and beat production. I predict Talos will blow up in the near future. I for one can’t wait to hear more.

Talos – Tethered Bones [from Tethered Bones EP]

[talostalos.com]

 

stvincent_stvincent2014

People shat all over her SNL performance earlier this year, but I for one thought it was fantastic. As always, Ms. Clark shreds all over this album and proves once again why she is one of the best guitarists in the biz.

St. Vincent – Birth In Reverse [from St. Vincent]

[ilovestvincent.com]

 

the-rentals-lost-in-alphaville

I was super surprised to get a new Rentals album this year. Not surprised at all with how good it is.

The Rentals – It’s Time to Come Home [from Lost In Alphaville]

[therentalsmusic.tumblr.com]

 

#31days2014

(31) Days of Good//12.14.14

TheRuralAlbertaAdvantageMendedwithGold

Over a shuffling drum beat, the track builds to a climax of buzzing guitars and a large, wordless vocal melody. (via Miles Bowe, Stereogum).

♩ The Rural Alberta Advantage – On The Rocks [from Mended With Gold]

[theraa.com]

 

luluc - passerby

“…delicate ‘Small Window’ heavy in gentle guitar strumming and angelic vocals. (Zoë) Randle says the song ‘was drawn from the sometimes enchanting space between dreaming and waking’ and we couldn’t think of a more appropriate description.” (via My Old Kentucky Blog)

♩ Luluc – Small Windows [from Passerby]

[lulucmusic.com]

 

hundred-waters-the-moon-rang-like-a-bell

“There are tracks that can be compartmentalized. They fit within a genre, tucked neatly within a tab at the record store. This Hundred Waters‘ melancholic, angelic song sprawls itself openly, abstractly – with patience and grace. It is soul and ghost pop and R&B and all the nuances you want it to be, with each listen.” (via Abby Yemm, Turntable Kitchen)

♩ Hundred Waters – Murmurs [from The Moon Rang Like a Bell]

[hundred-waters.com]

 

deerhoof - la isla bonita

“Paradise Girls” is bright and upbeat, defined by fluttery percussion and syncopated guitar lines. The song was inspired by the band’s long roster of female heroes, including ‘Joan Jet, Janet Jackson, [and] Kim Gordon.’ (via All Songs Considered)

♩ Deerhoof – Paradise Girls [from La Isla Bonita]

[deerhoof.net]

 

#31days2014

 

(31) Days of Good//12.13.14

newpornographers-brillbruisers

Quintessential indie pop from the quintessential indie pop super group.

♩ The New Pornographers – War on the East Coast [from Brill Bruisers]

[thenewpornographers.com]

 

museum-of-love-LP

“Drummer Pat Mahoney was the backbone of LCD Soundsystem. For his new project, Museum of Love, he partners with Dennis McNany and the duo’s self-titled debut features a little ditty we love called ‘In Infancy’.” (via KCRW: Morning Becomes Eclectic)

Museum of Love – In Infancy [from Museum of Love]

[museumoflove.net]

 

grmln - soon away

“GRMLN’s ‘Of Nothing’ is a bold but contemplative song that’s perfect for windows-down listening and solitary thought.” (via All Songs Considered)

♩ GRMLN – Of Nothing [from Soon Away]

[grmlnband.tumblr.com]

 

the 2 bears - the night is young

London-based dance-pop sidetrack of Hot Chip’s Joe Goddard and Raf Rundell. This track is 7+ minutes long (13+ if you count the secret song attached) with a gradual instrumental buildup. Hold on ‘til the end, this track is marvelous.

♩ The 2 Bears – The Night Is Young [from The Night Is Young]

[the2bears.co.uk]

 

les sins - michael

“Album opener ‘Talk About’ is a solid introduction to Les Sins’ sound. While some have eagerly followed his singles released over the past few years, it’s a welcoming track for new listeners and debut-anticipating fans alike. Wavering synths reminiscent of Disclosure build around a choppy vocal sample for a warm, house sound.”  (via Alex Vickery, The 405)

♩ Les Sins – Talk About [from Michael]

[toroymoi.blogspot.com]

 

#31days2014