It’s that time of year, dearest readers! 2014 is almost at a closing. To celebrate the year in music, we asked an array of friends in the Connecticut scene for their favorite releases of 2014. As lovers of music, it’s always fun learning what other people are really digging! We gave two rules:
1. Five Releases with a short description
2. No Local Artists
Of course, with musicians being inherently rebellious, some people broke the rules! And who are we to censor. So, we decided to publish unabridged regardless. Here’s Part 2:
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Rich Martin – Telegraph Recording Company
The War on Drugs – Lost in the Dream
This is a hazy anthem for our times where nothing is clearly declared but you feel the earnest need for solid ground in the driving rhythm and sturdy riffage. That an indie rock outfit can safely reference Dire Straits, Springsteen, and Petty is a tribute to the progress we’ve made (or is it?). This a soundtrack to unrest that seems to reveal that even through chaos, true zen may be a possibility.
J Mascis – Tied to a Star
At long last, J is back in, on top of the cultural zeitgeist after a reworking/reunion of his star-turn vehicle Dinosaur Jr – having made peace with the bleeding heart idiot savant Lou Barlow. The rewards are these solo records where J shows he needs nothing more than six strings and his diffident visceral poetry to draw us in. (ps: check out his Black Friday RSD 7″ covering Mazzy Star’s Fade Into You – soooo good).
Flaming Lips – With a Little Help From My Fwends
So, listen, I knew this record was coming and knew just what to expect and never thought I’d ever include it on a list like this here on a blog like this. But, hey, it’s friggin’ awesome. Seriously. Give it a listen. Sure, it’s out. Way out. And yeah, Miley Cyrus blah blah blah. But, man, this record is good fun and challenging and cool and beautiful and weird and well worth a listen or ten. And it does The Beatle’s proud – at least my take on them – by exploring the possibilities.
King Tuff – Black Moon Spell
Maybe I’m just a sucker for T.Rex glam pop cuz no one else seemed to notice that Kyle Thomas released another fantabulous collection of stoner anthems called Black Moon Spell this year. It was just a slight tick down from his SubPop self-titled debut but this record made up for it in voltage and the additional fuzz was just fine by me. His live set in New Haven a few years back made me a true believer, can’t wait to see him again and hear these tracks in the mix.
Spoon – They Want My Soul
This record is a sleeper by all accounts. A slow creeper that will still have legs in year two three and beyond. It didn’t grab anyone by the balls when it hit but that’s largely due to the quality of the back catalog (which is one of the best in the biz over the last several decades, hit for hit) and no one expected any less than a genius turn. Pretty cool turn to mix it up with the Lips psychedelic-mix-master Dave Fridmann too. It’s a sleeper: give it a few spins and it will continue to spin you for a few more.
Gary Gone – Cygnus Radio
Treavor James & The Perfect Gentlemen – Huron
Great vocals, excellent production, interesting lyrics – The complete album package. Melodic Rock-n-Roll from Toronto, Canada.
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers – Hypnotic Eye
One of the best from Tom & the boys. Exceeds all expectations. A perfect TP & H lp.
Chrissie Hynde – Stockholm
An amazing return – Billed as her 1st solo album (but could have been called Pretenders without missing a beat), Ms. Hynde shows why she was, and still is, one of the best.
Dann Morr – Shouting Into The Wind
Stepping out of his former band(s) shadow, this 1st solo effort by the Chicago musician puts pop into alt. and hooks you throughout.
Thievery Corporation – Saudade
Chillax. Is it Acid-House Bossa Nova, or Brazilian Trip-Hop, or ??? It doesn’t matter, it’s awesome.
Honorable Mentions:
G. Love & Special Sauce – Sugar
Neil Young – Storytone
Temples – Sun Structures
Echo & The Bunnymen – Meteorites
Imelda May – Tribal
Ray LaMontagne – Supernova
Hank Hoffman – Best Video Performance Space; Happy Ending
Quilt – Held in Splendor LP.
This New England group manages a superb
psych-folk vibe with winsome female vocals, simple but catchy chord
progressions and a whole lot of feeling. Held in Splendor is their
second record; their first one is also well worth seeking out.
Vacation Club – Heaven Is Too High LP.
Out of Indianapolis on the Magnetic South label, this record is fantastic garage punk with clamorous, clanging guitars and snotty vocals. It’s got the caveman beat and several
songs feature staccato subway sound lead guitar a la the early Modern Lovers and the Velvet Underground.
White Fence – For the Recently Found Innocent LP. Tim Presley, aka White Fence, is—like his friend Ty Segall—very prolific. A lot of his
records are bedroom productions but this record was recorded in a studio and it’s all the better for that. Recommended for those who might like their Syd Barrett-era Pink Floyd with a bit more garage approach.
Slushy – Pastime Gardens LP. This clangorous Chicago duo cranks up the gutbucket rock ‘n’ roll with a huge dose of reverb and an underpinning of fuzz. Their record should be the background music in the beach party scene of some contemporary teen exploitation rampage flick.
Teen Runnings/The Lemons split 7″ EP
Teen Runnings’ song “I Wonder What Your Mom’s Thinking.” The Lemons’ three songs are charming innocent twee noise pop. But the killer for me is the song “I Wonder What Your Mom’s Thinking” by the Japanese noise-pop group Teen Runnings. It’s pure lo-fi ear candy and got me dropping the needle on it over and over.
Carlos Wells – Safety Meeting Records
Protomartyr – Under Color Of Official Right
There’s a certain sincerity in this music that’s hard to deny. A certain earnest drunken poetry that shines through. This record finds these guys at the top of their game. Great song writing and top notch recording. “What the Wall Said To You” and “Come And See” are stand outs for me.
Mogwai – Rave Tapes
Beautifully produced Scottish post rock instrumental bliss. These guys have consistently been awesome in my book. Rave Tapes is just the latest in the long running string of lush and utterly immersive records from this outfit.
Parquet Courts – Sunbathing Animal
Couple guys from Denton, Texas move to the big city to be a part of the proud NYC punk lineage and this record reeks of it. Tons of Television, Talking Heads, and 90s indie rock influences run amok through this and I’m all about it. There’s a killer live video of them at some bike shop on KEXP that’s sure to convert those on the fence.
Run The Jewels – Run The Jewels 2
El-P (from the much loved and missed Company Flow) and Killer Mike return with the second Run The Jewels record. I don’t really have to say much on this one, it’s undeniable. Run this through your stereo and you’ll know what’s going on. Dope hip hop.
Raspberry Bulbs – Privacy
I love this band. I recently read that this particular genre is “blackened crust.” Whatever. The main guy from Bone Awl (black metal lo-fi duo), Nick Forte from Rorschach, and some other guys come together and deliver another full length of exposed nerve, raw punk that’s sure to get in your head and stay there.
Eric Lichter – Dirt Floor Studio
Jackson Browne – Standing in the Breach
This is one of Jackson’s finest records, period. That’s a hard thing to say, considering he’s been making them for over 40 years! He’s in fine voice and his writing is sharp as ever, with a band consisting of current Laurel Canyon favorites Dawes and Jonathan Wilson.
Tweedy – Sukierae
The truth is, I haven’t been in love with a Wilco album in a while, because, to my ears, they’ve all more or less sounded the same. This record is a triumph on many levels. As a dad I can only hope that one day my daughter will want to play with her pop. Spencer Tweedy is a remarkable drummer, nevermind who his dad is. This record has 20 songs on it and every single one is a winner. The recording itself is inspiring and very musical.
First Aid Kit – Stay Gold
Yet another killer record from sisters Johanna and Klara Söderberg, from Sweden. It’s such a beautiful, easy, breezy kind of record, and very California, which I love. Again, top notch instrumentation.
Beck – Morning Phase
Similar in many ways to one of my other all-time faves Sea Change, this record is incredible in every way. The songwriting, musicanship and recording are all stellar, but we’ve come to expect that from him. This could be the audiophile’s Aja for today’s listener.
Steelism – 615 to Fame
These dudes are the future!
Lonesome Noise 