15. Big Wreck - "Ghosts"
Ian Thornley and co. return with their 2nd reunion album after 2012's "Albatross". I personally feel the song Control off "Albatross" opened up a new door for the band. The extended guitar outro on that song proved that a) Ian Thornley is an amazing guitarist and b) the band was back to putting solid musicianship first. I always thought the band Thornley (Thornley's post-Big Wreck band) was too radio friendly and less about taking risks so Control was a real welcome return to the old Big Wreck days. "Ghosts" continues this musical freedom - with most songs clocking in at the 5+ minute mark - and it rewards listeners with solid guitar jams without sacrificing melody.
Key Tracks: Ghosts, Diamonds, My Life
14. Bruce Springsteen - "High Hopes"
I love Bruce Springsteen. Huge fan. Mega-excited that he still releases vital music. His "surprise" 2014 effort "High Hopes" was a nice New Year's gift 11 months ago and it still gets some spins from me today. Although it is more of an 'odds and sods' record, with some covers, re-works and new songs, it still holds together quite cohesively. Plus, Tom Morello from Rage Against The Machine plays on 8 of the 12 tracks, adding some explosive fills and in the case of The Ghost Of Tom Joad, an electrifying solo.
Key Tracks: High Hopes, Just Like Fire Would, Hunter Of Invisible Game, Dream Baby Dream
13. U2 - "Songs Of Innocence"
Yes, there was huge backlash that this album was gifted to pretty much everyone in the world. It was kind of arrogant. So delete it if you don't like it! I'm about the music and to me, this is U2's most consistent and cohesive effort since 2000's "All That You Can't Leave Behind". While the first 5 songs shoot for the rafters and I prefer the back-half of the album, no one really does stadium rock like U2.
Key Tracks: Cedarwood Road, The Troubles, Sleep Like A Baby Tonight
12. Foo Fighters - "Sonic Highways"
I still haven't seen Dave Grohl's series of the same name as I don't get TMN, but I've heard it's in many ways better than the album. I have heard the album and it sounds like Foo Fighters to me, which is a great thing. It's a concise 8 song blast of rock and Foos, slowing down only for the last 2 tracks. There hasn't really been a more consistent band over the last 20 years than the Foos and they continue to deliver here.
Key Tracks: Something From Nothing, Congregation, Outside
11. Arkells - "High Noon"
I have all 3 Arkells albums and I've never met one of their songs that I truly dislike. They are the only band I know that have ever name checked Hamilton, Burlington and Oakville in the same song (Cynical Bastards) and that is clearly amazing. The songs Come To Light, Leather Jacket and 11:11 combine '80's stylings, soul and rock, plus they are great live act. Also a plus, they wrote and sing the Hamilton TiCats' (CFL people!) anthem TiCats Are Hummin'.
Key Tracks: Cynical Bastards, Come To Light, Leather Jacket
10. TV On The Radio - "Seeds"
I made fun of my colleague Catherine for liking this album as the first time I heard it, I was put off by its "simplicity". When I was painting one day I re-visited it and wow was I wrong. Yes, it is more of a straightforward effort than previous albums but it is layered and contains probably the best melodies the band have put to tape. So maybe I should give an album more than one listen before I open my big mouth.
Key Tracks: Seeds, Happy Idiot, Test Pilot
9. St. Vincent - "St. Vincent (S/T)"
When I first heard St. Vincent on Indie 88, I was intrigued. She definitely was getting a lot of buzz but I wasn't at all familiar with her previous albums. So I went into Sunrise Records at Yonge and Bloor (RIP Sunrise in Toronto), saw the CD staring at me and decided, what the hell? I was pleasantly surprised and this record has been spun quite a few times. I can't even describe it except as an eclectic mix of music that is held together by a strong sense of melody. There you go, the writer in me has spoken!
Key Tracks: Birth In Reverse, Prince Johnny, Huey Newton
8. Milky Chance - "Sadnecessary"
Another band that I discovered through Indie 88, my gateway to Milky Chance was through the song Stolen Dance. I felt this was a pretty good tune. A few months later I was in HMV in Pickering (the only record store in the town I live in, ridiculous) and saw the album for $9.99 so I decided again what the hell? I'm glad I made this purchase as this is a warm record filled with off-kilter beats but ultimately very accessible songs that get under your skin.
Key Tracks: Flashed Junk Mind, Stunner, Sweet Sun
7. Jack White - "Lazaretto"
Who else releases tricked out vinyl? I don't know anyone other artist who respects the vinyl medium these days more than Jack White. It would be one thing if he released the tricked out vinyl and the music didn't deliver, but it's Jack White, so of course it does. From rockers like the title track to more mellow fare such as Alone In My Home and Temporary Ground, the album is very diverse. Plus, the vinyl generates a hologram when you play it!
Key Tracks: Lazaretto, High Ball Stepper, Alone In My Home
6. Damon Albarn - "Everyday Robots"
I've been a Blur fan since "Parklife" in '94, so naturally I also like Gorillaz and The Good, The Bad & The Queen. I was pretty excited when I heard Damon Albarn was coming out with his first proper solo album in 2014. It's a mellow affair but filled with many melodic surprises and introspective lyrics. Hoping for a Blur reunion record but failing that, another Damon Albarn solo album would work just fine for me!
Key Tracks: You And Me, The Selfish Giant, Heavy Seas Of Love
5. Royal Blood - "Royal Blood"
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My friend Josh sent me a youtube link of a Royal Blood concert in England and then I happened to be in Sunrise (again, RIP Sunrise) and saw the album in the new release section. Again, I thought what the hell and picked it up. This is a barn-burner of a debut, 30 minutes of drum, bass and vocals wrapped up in tight melodies. Hopefully these guys have a long future ahead of them.
Key Tracks: Out Of The Black, Blood Hands, Come On Over
4. Counting Crows - "Somewhere Under Wonderland"
Almost as shocking as seeing this album on the new release rack is the fact that it is so good. Not that the Counting Crows haven't been good before ("August And Everything After", Recovering The Satellites", "This Desert Life"), it's just been a really long time since they have been. The album starts with the 8+ minute Palisades Park, which has shades of the 1999 epic Mrs. Potter's Lullaby. The remaining 8 tracks are loose, filled with lyrical and instrumental excursions that make you think it's the 90's all over again but are modern at the same time. A great return to form.
Key Tracks: Earthquake Driver, Dislocation, Possibility Days
3. Spoon - "They Want My Soul"
"Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga" may be in my top 10 albums of all time. Definitely top 15. So 2010's "Transference" was good but didn't live up to the previous album for me. "They Want My Soul" is filled with tight, minimalist rock that still somehow manages to be loose and melodic. I really enjoy Brit Daniel's rasp and his lyrics. This is definitely my 2nd favourite Spoon record.
Key Tracks: Inside Out, Let Me Be Mine, New York Kiss, Do You
2. Weezer - "Everything Will Be Alright In The End"
I wrote a blog about this album, so won't spend a lot of time on this one. I would say, if it wasn't for this year's #1, Weezer would have their 2nd #1 album of the year for me ("The Blue Album" in 1994 was my #1!).
Key Tracks: Da Vinci, The British Are Coming, Foolish Father, The Futurescope Trilogy
1. Against Me! - "Transgender Dysphoria Blues"
This is a 29 minute blast of emotion from Laura Jane Grace and co. as she deals with coming out as a transgendered woman. Make no mistake, the blood is all over the page but each song is sturdy, filled with contained rage and sharp melodies. I've had this album since last January and still play it at least once a week. I also had the privilege of seeing the band open for Gaslight Anthem in September and they brought the same emotion to the stage as on the record. A great rebirth of both person and band and an easy choice for best album of the year for me.
Key Tracks: Black Me Out, Transgender Dysphoria Blues, Two Coffins, Paralytic States
Honorable Mention: The War On Drugs - "Lost In The Dream", Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - "Hypnotic Eye", Ryan Adams - "Ryan Adams", Interpol - "El Pintor", Vance Joy - "Dream Your Life Away"
Most Disappointing:
The Black Keys - "Turn Blue". Please step away from the Danger Mouse and locate the guitar and drums again. Thank you.
The Gaslight Anthem - "Get Hurt". Sure, I understand that divorcing your wife of 10 years is difficult and one needs an outlet to deal with it. And some of these songs are good, but after listening to 15 songs about divorce, it becomes somewhat depressing.
Best Re-Issues
1. Oasis - "Definitely Maybe" & "(What's The Story) Morning Glory?"
This should not be shocking to anyone who has kept up with this blog. Some people on Oasis fan sites have complained about the content on these re-issues, that they don't offer enough rarities, etc. To me, they celebrate the albums proper, all the great b-sides and have enough unreleased and live material to satisfy my needs as a collector. All of the music is top-notch; documents of a band at the top of their game.
2. David Bowie - "Nothing Has Changed" (3 CD Version)
Another Bowie comp, but this one I dig because it gives some props to his '90's and more recent output. I didn't have a blog in 2013 but if I did, David Bowie's "The Next Day" would have easily been in the top 5 albums of the year. And some of those tracks make it to this comp. It goes in reverse chronological order, so you get a new song Sue (Or In A Season Of Crime), all the hits and misses, and then it closes with Liza Jane from the '60's. While I still can't listen to Dancing In The Street with Mick Jagger and some of his '80's output is dated, you can't argue with what is included in this comp. Extensive and exciting.
3. Wilco - "What's Your 20? Essential Tracks 1994-2014"
This was kind of a shocking discovery while I was browsing amazon about a month ago. Wilco was releasing a greatest hits comp though they didn't really have any hits. So a retrospective. I have to admit, I enjoy a good greatest hits or retrospective (Crowded House's "Recurring Dream - The Very Best Of" is one of the best out there). Don't get me wrong, listening to full albums is awesome and rewarding but sometimes I want to listen to all of the songs in one place. Like the Bowie comp, it's interesting to hear where bands started and how they evolve. Wilco's double disc comp covers off "AM", "Being There", "Summerteeth" and the excellent "Mermaid Avenue" albums on Disc 1. Disc 2 starts with 7 cuts from "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot" and then moves into the experimental "A Ghost Is Born", "Sky Blue Sky", "Wilco (The Album)" and closes out with "The Whole Love". You trace a band moving from scrappy, almost garage rock to art rock auteurs. But the consistent force is melody. This compilation is essential.
I'm hoping to post again before the holidays but if not, hope everyone has a safe and relaxing break!
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