A Round of Sound: 2014 Mixtape

January 16, 2015

BW 2014

Now we come to my annual playlist that caps off my list. I find it way to difficult to do a ranking of songs, so this is my way to capture the tracks that defined the year. As always, I try to make a concise playlist that fits on a standard CD-R, so a bit outdated, but DEAL WITH IT. Keep in mind these aren’t necessarily my favorite songs of the year, but rather a mix that I think is a good look at what 2014 had to offer. Also, the order is based on how the songs show up on their respective albums, and is in no way an order of a rank.

This year’s mix consists of 20 songs, which has been typical the last few years, but is a little more varied from year’s past. Seven of the songs come from albums in my top 10, with seven songs from albums in my 11-25 range, leaving the remaining six from those outside my top 25. The lowest ranked album to have a song featured is I Never Learn from Lykke Li, which despite some great moments was an album I found a little too melodramatic for my liking, rendering it 51st in my rankings.

Below, you’ll see the tracklist as well as the Spotify playlist. I’ve also created Rdio playlist if that’s more your bag. And finally, this is the 7th straight year Amy Boyd Runner has provided my album art for the mix. It really is a highlight for me every year having her help out, and this year is no different. Great stuff.

2015 is already off to a fast start, and promises to be a freaking HUGE year for music. I can’t wait.

1) “Transgender Dysphoria Blues” – Against Me! :: Transgender Dysphora Blues
2) “Seasons (Waiting On You)” – Future Islands :: Singles
3) “Goshen ’97” – Strand of Oaks :: HEAL
4) “No Rest For The Wicked” – Lykke Li :: I Never Learn
5) “Water Fountain” – Tune-Yards :: Nicki Nack
6) “Archie, Marry Me” – Alvvays :: Alvvays
7) “Murmurs” – Hundred Waters :: The Moon Rang Like A Bell
8) “Queen” – Perfume Genius :: Too Bright
9) “Red Eyes” – The War On Drugs :: Lost In The Dream
10) “Just One Of The Guys” – Jenny Lewis :: Voyager
11) “Two Weeks” – FKA twigs :: LP1
12) “Alexandra” – Hamilton Leithauser :: Black Hours
13) “Your Love Is Killing Me” – Sharon Van Etten :: Are We There
14) “Do You” – Spoon :: They Want My Soul
15) “Close Your Eyes (And Count to Fuck)” – Run The Jewels :: Run The Jewels 2
16) “War On The East Coast” – The New Pornographers :: Brill Bruisers
17) “Digital Witness” – St. Vincent :: St. Vincent
18) “Words I Don’t Remember” – How To Dress Well :: “What Is This Heart?”
19) “Coffee” – Sylvan Esso :: Sylvan Esso
20) “I’m Not Me”  – Cloud Nothings :: Here And Nowhere Else

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Top Albums of 2014: #11 thru #25

January 14, 2015

#25) Wild Beasts – Present Tense

The second time these English rockers have found themselves at #25 on my list, with their singular experimental rock sound that can be mistaken for no other band. Present Tense is an album that was largely forgotten by the time the end of the year came around but was indeed one of the year’s best. Perhaps no 2014 release had better bookend tracks than “Wanderlust and “Palace”.

#24) Tune-Yards – Nicki Nack

Merrill Garbus remains one of the most creative artists today with her follow up to 2011’s excellent Whokill. This album doesn’t quite reach the heights of that release, but Nicki Nack still exudes the eccentric songwriting techniques that make Tune-Yards such a unique an adventurous listen.

#23) The Hotelier – Home, Like Noplace Is There

The sophomore album from the Massachusetts quartet is the best we’ve gotten from any so-called emo revivalist to this point. Home, Like Noplace Is There is 9 hook-laden, energetic, and yes, emotional tracks with not a wasted moment to be found.

#22) Jenny Lewis – Voyager

Her best work since her Rilo Kiley days, Lewis has crafted a collection of lush pop songs that shows mastery of an assortment of styles, from classic-rock to alt-country, all the while showcasing some of the most personal lyrics of her career. Also, my favorite album art of 2014.

#21) A Sunny Day In Glasgow – Sea When Absent

As hard to classify as any album in 2014, the genre busting Sea When Absent contains 11 songs of experimental pop that despite their unconventional structures are still accessible and create a captivating listen.

#20) How To Dress Well – “What Is This Heart?”

A surprisingly divisive album among fans and critics, Tom Krell’s third album is another example of the burgeoning indie-R&B scene with this collection of slow jams highlighted by “Words I Don’t Remember”, one of 2014’s finest tracks.

#19) Cloud Nothings – Here and Nowhere Else

Follow up to 2012’s breakout is a continuation of that album’s raw melodic rock leanings, but at an even more intense pace, largely thanks to a rejuvenated rhythm section which takes the energy to an even greater level.

#18) Owen Pallett – In Conflict

When he wasn’t explaining the genius of pop music using music theory, Pallett was busy releasing another excellent collection of his patented chamber-pop  songs, which, as usual, is accessible while being intelligently crafted.

#17) Angel Olsen- Burn Your Fire For No Witness

One of my most listened to albums in the early part of the year that got shuffled to the back as the year went on, Olsen’s second album eschews the folk singer songwriter stigma for a more inspired sound that places her in more rarefied air.

#16) The Antlers – Familiars

Long since one of my favorite bands, what Silberman has done with Familiars is partner the band’s pop stylings of Burst Apart with the intimacy and atmospherics that the trio has always done so well. The album is a grower, but it’s as textured and stirring as anything they’ve produced.

#15) Future Islands – Singles

Breakout album from the Baltimore synth-pop band – largely thanks to song of the year contender “Seasons (Waiting On You)” and their performance on Letterman – is a dark, cathartic album hidden beneath a plethora of pop hooks. As unassuming of an album as the artists behind it.

#14) FKA twigs – LP1

This is the debut album from the mysterious British artist formerly known as twigs (hence the FKA) and it features a masterwork of minimalistic R&B using experimentation, all the while displaying a confident intimacy and fragility that makes this the year’s best debut.

#13) Perfume Genius – Too Bright

The powerful third album from the Seattle singer-songwriter is an absolute gorgeous collection of subtle pop songs that reminds me in spirit of Antony and The Johnson’s The Crying Light, a similarly themed look at LGBT culture, and is just as vulnerable and majestic.

#12) Sturgill Simpson – Metamodern Sounds In Country Music

I wouldn’t expect a country album to ever have reached this high on my list, but this isn’t the radio friendly pop-country you’ll find on one of the 19 country music award shows (heck, even the Grammy’s call this Americana), but rather the country that fits along side that of the Highwaymen. Simpson’s style includes a bit of experimentation, but even when he doesn’t, this is country music I can get behind.

#11) White Lung – Deep Fantasy

A fist-pumping and heart-pounding release from the Canadian quartet is 22 minutes of passionate, catchy as hell punk rock songs that leave no time to relax.  Perfect Pussy was this year’s punk darlings, but if you ask me, it’s White Lung and the exhilarating Deep Fantasy that deserve the praise.

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