.jpg)
Remembering where we were, after the break!
2024 Update:
Ten years removed since I wrote these Album blurbs. Time is a crazy beast, isn't it? Can't escape that somewhat sad fact.
However... being able to say that these 25 records were the soundtrack to that time is an amazing thing honestly. The twenty-five projects (and my accompanied words) below capture a 30-year-old man at the height of his career & passion. Was truly at the top of the world. Though the current version of me may want to alter/re-rank albums 25 through 12... the final 12 selections are absolutely perfect.
Out of any list I've shared so far, this group of records doesn't live as CDs in my physical collection but as Vinyl (mostly!). Was a very expensive hobby back then. Still, I appreciate the amount of time I spent on our living room carpet on lazy weekends in 2014 playing these albums loudly. Not to mention the car rides. Never forget about those, right?
Don't be surprised if you see some new words from below. Spent a good portion of 2023's Christmas Break down in Cabo re-listening to every album listed underneath and jotting down a sentence or two for the ones that deserved it. Originally I was gonna review everything in a podcast but I didn't have much new to add. Past me knocked it outta the park. Enjoy the flashback!
Original Words from December 2014:
My Favorite Albums of 2014
#25 – 'I Forget Where We Were' by Ben Howard
First…a note:
“Here we are. Wrapping up another year. I’ve forgotten most of it already. Blame being 30 in uneventful days. Not much really happened. Saw many acts. The total is sitting at 38 presently. Impressive I know. Got a few more planned before 2015 awakens. Nevertheless…time to write about my favorite albums once more. This list won’t look nothing like those other blogs. Never has. My favorites meant the world to me as I drove in & out of Hollywood on what seemed like a nightly basis. Or when I sat alone in my room playing on my iPad waiting for my feeds to refresh. Troublesome habits that need to be killed. Being knowledgeable is overrated. Give me ignorance. Ceaselessly beating against the sands of times. Not all these posts are gonna be this poetic. I prefer to let the music to do the talking.”
I played I Forget Where We Were from my iPad & computer speakers mostly. Definitely not the type of album you should be rocking in your car at 5 A.M. with. Better at 12 A.M. The exact time this post is being published. Weird how my clock perceives indie rock. Never puts me to sleep when I have a days worth of sugar cooling down in my blood stream.
An empty freeway will always be romantic to me. Listening to Ben Howard’s dark howls to colorful pulsations is as beautiful & chilling under moonlight. Every Kingdom is the superior album. Sad that Ben got hit by a sophomore hurdle so quickly. Wish I could swap the two. This record should’ve been Howard’s debut. Listeners’ ears would perk up upon the first chord of “Small Things”, enchanted by the quiet romanticism playing from your speakers. The record blooms as you pass through it. Hope you make it to “Conrad”. The guitar solos feel like rays of sunshine. Pure, unfiltered, burning your body into golden brown. Pray it touches you as much as it did me.
Love can be dark, unconventional, and so invincible. Time is the problem. Obviously, Ben Howard can still paint its impressions effortlessly.
#24 – 'Hold My Home' by Cold War Kids
Pure, uncut rock soul. Like raw stardust looking back to you on a mirror. Putting the tube to my nose & sniffing in Cold War Kids’ Hold My Hand made my blood rush. Makes really.
On my 15th stream as I write this. “This is how all music should make a listener feel,” I told myself the second time. Knew it then that this record would keep its place on my shelf. For each track is attacked passionately. Eventually, you are overtaken by Nathan & the bands collective soul. Nothing sad or rotten here. Even sad lyrics are injected with rage & vengeful drums that you are dancing away the pain.
This is one of those records that makes the skip button vanish the second you start this rollercoaster ride. You’re strapped in. Still haven’t had a chance to let my famous Prius test it’s musical might on the road. Curious if it would’ve ranked higher if I brought it along for the summer rides. You can feel the asphalt dripping with oil on “Drive Desperately”. That’s quite the plus.
Enjoy Hold My Home as each second surprises even the most jaded of snobs.
#23 – 'Morning Phase' by Beck
Not being a big fan of Beck really made me love Morning Phase. Everything you needed to know was in the title. Morning. Good morning to you too sir. Each breezy cut does capture beautiful mornings in a pure sound form. Did he dip the mixer into liquid sunshine? Performed it in a lush green field contained in a glass box? Sounds like he did. Maybe Beck is really a spirit. That would put so much unanswered questions of his genius to rest, wouldn’t it?
I don’t know. I felt closer to this record the more I listened to it during those spring Sundays; Sun hanging over the SCV dry hills. Me…trying to figure out disconnect. My biggest dilemma of 2014. Usually reached a relaxing point by “Wave”. The loooooooooonnnnngggg drags of lyrics blending into the calm soundwaves keeps it all quite monotone. Thus reacting against my stress point in my brain. I couldn’t listen to Morning Phase every day. Don’t think it’s Beck intention for the tracks to be played in an endless loop. Like the morning, it should come and go as the day would. No one should be completed engulfed in an ethereal arena of sound. Possibly, drive you mad.
This record isn’t for everyone. Should you listen to it at least once? Yes. You gotta do it right though. Wake up before the sun, sip your coffee, slip on your running attire, and play this pure Americana music through your buds. Promise you’ll never forget the first feelings that arise. Don’t let it go either.
#22 – 'The Outsiders' by Eric Church
Country music’s rebel made a rebel album. 'The Outsiders' is a mature pack of tracks that continued to surprise me. Eric Church could’ve made another Chief (which made my 2011 rankings). Instead, he took chances exploring some new catchy country roots. Which made the twang even more addicting. Nice plentiful glass of TWANG is something we all need. Take a listen to “Cold One”‘s big band solo that happens close to 2 minutes in. If that didn’t want to make you wanna hoedown…not sure what will.
It is the soft moments that stroke my chords: “A Man Who Was Gonna Die Young”, “Roller Coaster Ride”, “Talladega”, “Like A Wrecking Ball”, “Give Me Back My Hometown”, etc. All brilliant stuff, filled with hometown memories. I can find myself singing the chorus of the later when I drive through Valencia. Then those drums & boots start to pound.
Easy to notice that the hard-soft-hard-soft combo is pretty much how the record is paced. But I love when stories take presidence. No matter how each song is performed…the songwriting couldn’t be more wonderful. You get such a grand picture of Eric’s rebellious world. Makes you wanna ride alongside him as he trolls through his hometown. All of which, he’ll fight for.
(Hope that made sense. My writer’s tank was running low.)
No point in dwelling in the past! You’re riding with the elite Outsiders. Best keep up.
#21 – 'My Krazy Life' by YG
“I woke up this morning, I had a b*ner…” is a nice lyric to have stuck in your head when you roll into work. Still haven’t gotten over it. Still say it at opportune phases, That’s what I took away from YG’s debut effort — My Krazy Life. Among other things. YG’s fresh sound really connected with me for that reason.
The amazing guest cameos from Drake, Ty Dolla $ign, Jeezy, Schoolboy Q, Jay Rock, and Kendrick Lamar opened the door to YG’s laid back spit game. All the previously mentioned artists brought their “A” Game to each distinct song that always had a signature catchy hook. Personal with devilish production value. It sounded like something from ’90s or like early T.I. No autotune needed. Straight from the street rap stories to a** shaking beats.
This record made me keep my street cred during the summer hip hop drought. If you’re ready to party. Enjoy “My Krazy Life”!
#20 – 'In The Lonely Hour' by Sam Smith
This was Sam Smith’s year. Knew it the second I got my report from our SXSW representative & listened to this amazing YouTube performance. “phuck me,” I thought as his beautiful falsetto corrupted my soul. When it ended…I immediately regretted not experiencing it live at Haven in Austin. What a night that must’ve been. The silence of those audiences in Texas. Probably an experience more chilling then an amazing voice heard for the first time. Mr. Smith was the real deal. In The Lonely Hour was going to be a bona fide international smash when it dropped. Funny. Looking back I can see the ripples continuing to grow larger in the distance.
So…why #20? What’s the issue? Yeah. This record is platinum status. A fantastic listening experience through & through. If I was a tad bit more depressed during the year, this album might of broken the top 10. But I wasn’t depressed, lonely, or sad. Was lucky enough to get a restart on my love life back in February. Haven’t been happier. Maybe one day this record will shoot to the top of my charts because of a major falling out. I’m anticipating it. Only a matter of time.
Love & heartbreak can make for a great experience as a listener. That’s why you should experience In The Lonely Hour. Let your inner child out. Find a place on the playground & let Sam’s hauntingly brilliant voice take your romantic soul into the heavens for 50 minutes. You’ll feel much better when you touch the Earth once more.
#19 – 'Lock Me Up' by The Cab
The Cab (who claimed a high position on our Fav Albums back in 2011 with Symphony Soldier) released the high octane, sexy, Lock Me Up EP this year. Got nothing but love for EPs. Great samplers before an impending LP release, Shortness is my only complaint. They can still be better than most LPs…which is the case here.
The Cab are a solid group who blends pop & rock into a twisted, complicated, package. The male equivalent of that Paramore sound we all find addicting. Lock Me Up hits for a quick rock pop fix. Nothing mind blowing. Just solid stories to lose yourself too. All the times I spent with it earlier on the year brought a smile to my face. A worthy musical escape. So, get locked up in it for a few short minutes. You won’t feel like you wasted any time.
[2024 Edit: This shouldn't have made it due to the project being an EP & not an LP...goes against my rules normally.]
#18 – 'Whispers' by Passenger
'Whispers' was an sweet experience. Solid storytelling from folk rock’s lone survivor, Passenger. Nothing complex here. Simply brilliant acoustic folk rock that flowed like poetry out the speakers. I always get lost in it. You’re listening to someone’s stories. Listen to “Rolling Stone” which plays the conversation between two romantics. Wanted to copy the first paragraph into a tweet, but it was way more than 165 characters. Good thing I blog…ha:
"Sometimes I feel I’m going nowhere, Sometimes I’m sure I never will, She said it’s ‘cos I’m always moving I never notice ‘cos I never stand still..."
Whew. That’s the kind of response I want from my love. Whoever she might be. Because this year, I felt so lost. Working to bone. Trying to make a dent into history. Just hearing those lines made me feel a tad better. Everyone deserves an perspective answer that is wonderful. Just didn’t expect it’d come through song at 5 A.M., driving through darkness.
This album was elevated after I experienced Passenger at the Wiltern. He played only the best songs from the record and told the mythological stories in great detail before entering in with his ghostly whispers. The passage that touched me most about the cancer-stricken smoker he met at a gas station in Minnesota who was “Riding to New York” to see his family a final time. Michael Rossenberg (Passenger) was in the midst of giving up smoking at the time. So, he wrote a great story just for him. Then i realized that this record is truth. Not electronic fantasy.
Love so pure exists on this record. It will touch you if you don’t let cynicism disrupt your experience. Close your eyes. Imagine yourself on the roads of the world. Dancing on your own. You’ll feel freer than you could ever imagine.
[2024 Note: Listened to this album over the 2023 Holiday Break down in Cabo and it felt like a religious experience honestly. Should've been higher on the countdown.]
#17 – 'Ry*n Ad*ms' by Ry*n Ad*ms
Already told you how Ry*n Ad*ms put together an impressive collection of personal tracks that become more romantic upon each replay. Blamed it on the guitar strings that one time. 14th LPs have to sound like this. No reinvention needed. Just Ry*n Ada*s playing his heart out, Personal stories perfectly sung while playing with veteran fingers. Wish I spent more time with it. Might have ranked higher. It is the layer of sadness that kept me from getting overly attached.
Ry*n Ad*ms is one of those records you must pick up on Vinyl. Again, the guitar strings sell it. Then…I recommend…take your free digital copy, download it, burn it to disc or move it onto a flash drive, then pop it in your car stereo and just drive. Feel the breeze as you drive away from your problems. You’ll feel quite safe as you look over to your lover during “My Wrecking Ball”.
…just sit back and listen one more time.
[2024 edit: really wish I could remove this, but I don't believe in revising history to such an extreme degree after it has been written in digital stone. If this list vanished like 2015 or 2017 then sure I would've excluded it after the fact. Just know that.]
#16 – 'Mastermind' & 'Hood Billionaire' by Rick Ross
I couldn’t disregard Rick Ross for dropping two full length albums in 2014. Mastermind was superior to Hood Billionaire, but together the vicious “war ready” collection delivers 2 hours of uncut top tapping rap. An achievement no hip hop artist equaled this year. It almost killed him. Twice. Made for a great summer while in a rap drought.
Alongside his all-star friends (Jay Z, The Weeknd, Kanye West, Jeezy, Big Sean, Big K.R.I.T., Meek Mill, Scarface, Lil Wayne, French Montana, etc.) Ricky the boss brought torched Maybachs on fire to your neighborhood. You really got The Boss in all his glory. No longer novice. Rick Ross took center stage with his ghetto poetry. Mastermind defines the legacy the Teflon Don is trying to pave the ground work for & Hood Billionaire is just him having fun in the booth. Ying to Yang. Maybach to Aston Martin.
You won’t have single sober vein your body after listening to this epic playlist.
[2024 Note: They both played great when I listened to them recently. Props!]
#15 – 'Please' by Sondre Lerche
Last time.
Taking a well deserved Sondre break after this post. =) “Please” bear with me.
(Meh. That was bad)
Spoke a lot about Sondre Lerche, Please, and old memories…that are now sailing away…over the course of 2014. Through it all, I feel overly content and kind of sick of talking about the past. Shocking, I know. The future has always excited me. How random moments are building new bridges. Blah. Blah. I’m not here to rant random bullshit that doesn’t help anyone else but myself. Figures that what I learned over the past 350 days (even longer) was to let some it go.
Sondre gave all his being stylizing a record that reflected all the heartache oozing from his mind. Divorce can be a brutal thing, don’t you agree? You can feel the tears dripping off his guitars on the darkest tracks. The whole experience is like being stuck with Lucifer, the beautiful lady, in a static hell of endless nightmares. By the end, the listener eventually finds the much needed hopes…even if it breaks a few “bad laws” (another pun). This is realism at its finest for the exorcism is finally over. Be happy. You are now changed.
#14 – 'Turn Blue' by The Black Keys
Not many listeners liked The Black Keys’ 'Turn Blue' after the first go. Took me a handful of tries for the rough, coarse, bluesy Danger Mouse produced vibes to wash over me. Then I was smitten when the “Weight of Love” eventually cast its spell over me. Remember going a whole work trip repeating those vicious howling guitar instrumentals over & over. Set a daily mood. Started to explore a little more until I fell in love with being in “Hell Below”. Definitely brainwash yourself into loving the title track.
But what really solidified this LP on this list was when my diamond crested needle made contact on vinyl. I was sitting with my father on our couch late one evening experiencing all the colorful sounds pounding from the speakers. We both sat in silence until Side A ended with a fade out. The two of us are restless listeners, constantly multitasking during tracks, so to take break from everything that felt overwhelming. Talk about the perfect way to thoroughly enjoy a tune.
'Turn Blue' shouldn’t be judged by today’s rock pop standards. Listen. Close your eyes and let yourself be consumed by the fire. The hauntingly precise collaboration of Dan & Pat might send your body into a fever.
#13 – 'Old Boots, New Dirt' by Jason Aldean
Back-to-back Spotify enemies. Jason Aldean followed Taylor Swift’s example of excluding his new record — 'Old Boots, New Dirt' — from the streaming services. Not surprising seeing how country music is the most subjugating and controlling genre. Don’t hear such things from the free lovin’ EDMers. Anyway…I digress. We still find a way to recommend records & I LOVED Jason’s 2014 effort. He, like Sondre Lerche, recently went through a bitter divorce that ended up shaping this album.
Unlike the velvet Viking, Jason ran the spectrum of emotions through his pre-written words. Jason didn’t write his lyrics, but almost every song captures a scenario he doesn’t mind sharing from his personal life. There is loving words to a ex-flame, talking dirty to his new beau, songs about partying with friends, starting over, and being stuck in a new town. Not all of us are writers. That’s fine. Aldean makes them his own through projection. They aren’t just his stories but all listeners.
Seeing how I struggled with moving on all year, experiencing this album felt really good. “Too Fast” basically described my life for these past 6 years. Here’s a direct lyric that left me speechless:
I’ve been making a living, not making a life. And knowing that now, well it cuts like a knife. The way it’s been ain’t how it’s gonna be Baby, starting right now, gonna give you the best of me
I said, “Wow” to myself afterwards. I’ve been doing things wrong. For you can half ass a lot of things, but you should half ass only one & give everything else to the rest. Time moves too darn quick. Gonna start doing that. Hitting the break. With my old boots on new dirt.
This record has the power to change your life…on top of being a solid country album. I think you’re gonna like it here. =)
#12 – 'Cadillactica' by Big K.R.I.T.
I found life // I found life // I found life upon this planet // Damnit, I’ve been damaged // But I I can manage // I won’t take this for granted, life
Talk about an adventure into sound. Always loved Big K.R.I.T. however 'Cadillactica' was a revelation. His best work to date. Every track hits hard with those vicious drums. Kept my head bobbing banger after banger. If rappers are evolving into storytellers & writers…then this record is a modern day urban sci-fi novel on wax. No hook is wasted as you discover Big K.R.I.T.’s flourishing world in all its introspective splendor. You never feel lost as you ride around in that Caddy listening to each story play out.
There aren’t many cameos, K.R.I.T. can handle his own. But the ones from Raphael Saadiq, Jamie N Commons, Lupe Fiasco, A$AP Ferg, etc. keep it from getting boring. Jamie N Commons on “Saturdays = Celebration” actually brings out the best version of Justin Scott. I can imagine both of them letting loose in a war torn jungle to the haunting track as the choir howls. Such an unreal four-minutes. Leaves me speechless every time. That and “Life”. Which I quoted above. Those words will forever stay with me.
The first time I played this record, I didn’t stop. Hope y’all feel the same. Journey to 'Cadillactica' (deluxe edition) now!
#11 – 'Tough Love' by Jessie Ware
I can’t tell you how many times I have played “Say You Love Me” since it debuted back in September. 100? 150? And counting. It is my FAVORITE song of 2014. Hands down. Knew it the first time I heard it. Jessie Ware’s passionate voice made this Ed Sheeran, Ben Ash, Benny Blanco collaboration soar. Into another stratosphere. Once you hit play…try not to be moved. Not sure why I was touched so deeply. Probably because I had…still have…these deep unspoken feelings I’m unable to express. Or I know that someone else is having a hard time. Me wishing, she would finally move in the right direction. Probably never will as of this typing. Something I’m fine with. But that track, every time I hear it, certainly makes me hope. Ah, hope. With catchy choruses.
My love for Tough Love definitely bloomed from “SYLM”. It was tough to move away from that AMAZING single. Nothing on the record had that supreme paralyzing power. Did find the beauty in the subtleties in the title track, "Kind Of…Sometimes…Maybe", "Keep on Lying", and "You & I (Forever)". You get sense it was inspired by old school ’90s R&B. Gives the record a pace that is easy to follow & vibe along with. Just watch out for those explosive moments that traps your attention.
Had amazing luck to these songs. Made for a fantastic soundtrack for my crazy concert schedules that left me on the road around midnight. For Tough Love needs moonlight for you to feel the full effect. Grab hold. This is Jessie Ware at her very best.
[2024 Edit: This should've been placed higher but the Top 10 really is quite strong]
#10 – 'Run The Jewels 2' by Run The Jewels
*********. Hardcore underground rap. One of my favorite genres because they always get nasty. Mikey & Jamie went straight brutal when they dropped 'RTJ2' just before Halloween…for free! The internet chewed it up, me loving every bite. Killer Mike is one of the best lyricists in the game and his tag team partner EL-P is no slouch either. They spend the entire record just having fun in the booth. Wordplay. Wordplay. Wordplay. You’ll have to hit repeat due to the fact they spit fire that will definitely leave you in the dust. Don’t cry. They are just that damn good.
Helps when the beat is so damn unforgiving. The instrumentals are probably my favorite aspect of the LP. 40 Minutes of being punched in the eardrums. Travis Barker makes a cameo to take a few shots with his legendary kickdrum. Smile on your face the entire time. Can I say that the transition between “Oh My Darling, Don’t Cry-Blockbuster Night Part 1-Close Your Eyes (And Count To ****)” personifies this fact. All you’ll remember is that hook for “Run Them Jewels Fast!” despite it having your full attention.
According to internet, 'Run The Jewels 2' is the best album of the year. Can’t argue. It’s dope. For Run The Jewels is now a way of living. A generation of rappers will use it as their B*ble. Better run fast. Because the jewels are going fast!
#9 – 'New Eyes' by Clean Bandit
You know that gust of wind that hits your face when you open a door or window…that’s how 'New Eyes' by Clean Bandit sounded when I first heard their danceworthy-romantic sounds bumping from my stereo. Crazy that this was an album 3+ years in the making. The inconsistency in experience is tangible on a few of the tracks, but “Rather Be” & “Real Love” featuring Jess Glynne are two just beautiful songs that wash away any album complaints on my end. I could listen to both those tracks on repeat for ages. The rest of the record goes to great lengths in style: reggae, classical instrumentals, EDM, pop, indie rock, etc. Actually, it’s a bit of risk to jump so high. Thought it worked due to the united power from all the featuring vocalists (a good majority feminine). Made each track far brighter.
It wasn’t what I expected from these veteran newcomers & their classical instruments. Like I was truly looking at something with 'New Eyes'. A great analogy is a late-night dance party at the Louvre to the tune of their fresh “Show Me Love” rendition lead by Elisabeth Troy. Or basically my senior prom (which was held at a local museum). Having fun in a bourgeois sort of way.
A lot can be said about a record that makes me want to travel. Strings have an adverse effect on me. Pray that these heavenly sounds send you running with fresh perspective. Keep an open mind & you’ll find yourself bouncing in your room to this.
#8 – 'Lazaretto' by Jack White
Oh, the rock God, Jack White, & his magical wax. The devilish sounds of crows hidden between the grooves. Waiting to be run backwards like a dark side Pink Floyd classic. Made the first listen experience of 'Lazaretto' a memorable one. When you get into the sophisticated world of vinyl, like I did back in 2012, you hope for moments like this. For artistry is still admired by a minority of musical geeks. Makes me happy that we live in such a segmented culture. That it does.
'Lazeretto' grew on me. The same way Blunderbuss did. Took over fifty listens to comprehend all the subtle touches Mr. White painted on each track. The man’s a genius. In the end I personally wanted more “That Black Bat Licorice” than “Alone In My Home” in sound. Jack White, the musical auteur, has always had two rich styles that land on deep hard rock or Tennessee blues. Gives the album edged roundness worthy of a heartbroken romantic. If he is dealing with devils in the Lazarus pit…the journey you hear makes him grow into a better person. Was that goal? Listen and find out!
#7 – 'A Town Called Paradise' by Tiësto
One of my only HUGE travel highlights of the year involved me taking a trip with my friends, Owen & Ross, to Las Vegas for my friend’s bachelor party. Great trip. Origin story for the legend of #30Deep. I used Tiesto’s 'A Town Called Paradise' to get me psyched for that long weekend. Vegas is better known as “A Town Called Paradise” and Tiesto captured the spirit of that remarkable achievement of light, sound, & debauchery in his 2014 effort. Because nothing describes modern Vegas better than EDM with deep bass drops. Ongoing soundtrack for a million moments of drunken/high trances.
The record is amazing. Even for EDM. My body gives all control away by track 2 – “Footprints”. Then you’ll blackout by the time you arrive at the dangerous drop on “Echos”. All the tracks are original compositions featuring new voices like Matthew Koma, Krewella, Icona Pop, DBX, that come at you like ghostly echoes of Tiesto’s mighty machine. Tiesto, the master of Deus Ex, is a season pro – presenting a dangerously addictive package of vicious sounds that get better upon each listen. There are highs, lows, WTFs, and hell yeahs around every turn. You have found musical nirvana.
Knowing that there is a huge chunk of hipsters who hate EDM doesn’t bother me. It’s music for moments. Mostly with friends…in cities with no time limit like NYC or Las Vegas. Trust me. Play “Red Lights”, “Wasted”, or “Let’s Go” when you head to Vegas on your next adventure. Not only will it set the mood, but you’ll take those memories with you every time you hear Tiesto’s electronic Paradise. Perfume Genius won’t even come close.
Enjoy my favorite EDM record of 2014! Go light a million sparks in the name of love…
#6 – 'Diamonds' by Johnnyswim
Merry Christmas everyone! I’m currently in Cabo. Celebrating with my dear family under a bright Mexican sun. My first time here in over 7 years! Crazy. I’m writing this post from the past. Allowing for a little time travel in my life. Couldn’t have chosen a a better record to kick off this amazing day of pre-published music. I don’t care about writing about the elephant in the room either.
Where do I begin? 'Diamonds' from Johnnyswim put my blogging career back on track during the summer. Felt a tad off the tracks to be honest after award show season wrapped. I was beaten down to the ground & my body felt it. Hard to keep the fire going when nothing changes despite working hard. Then their El Rey Showcase touched me. Amanda & Abner’s love story with great meaningful words really struck at my heart that night. “Diamonds” & “Live While We’re Young” reminded me to get up off my a**. And I did. Ended up covering almost 40 different shows/festivals with over 100 different artists present. I broke my personal best.
Writing those few words just now means so much. Johnnyswim, thank you. I lived again because of your music. Anytime I needed to get my energy up, I listened to Diamonds on Spotify. Helped put things in perspective while building a fire to these lyrics:
We’re the fire, from the sun // We’re the light when the day is done // We are the brave, the chosen ones // We’re the diamonds, diamonds // Rising about the dust.
You won’t find this on any other blog’s Favorite Records of 2014 countdowns I’m sure. That’s fine. Because no one can tell you what albums or performances will touch you. All I can do is recommend & hope it touches you. Check out the following if you’re interested: “A Million Years”, “Paris In June”, “Take The World”, “Live While You’re Young”, and the title track – “Diamonds”. It is a powerful triumph love story on disc that change my world.
#5 – 'My Favourite Faded Fantasy' by Damien Rice
8 years. I have been waiting for this record for 8 years.
Wow. Still can’t believe it. Even as I write this. I’m listening to the new Damien Rice. (Saw him live too.) He sounds like the man who defined by college days, but with material made for my lonely 30s. Subjects and lyrics I can easily relate with. For 'My Favourite Faded Fantasy' is a true testament to parting ways with his past siren & branching out solo for the first time in his career.
I have all these words that I can’t easily express…or how I described it: “The Feels”….about this album. I love everything about it. No matter how depressing it gets. You can hear the beauty in every inch of wax slowly unraveling.
Damien Rice delivers a tour de force of unbridled raw emotion; channeled into eight moving tracks by the infamous Rick Rubin. Was it everything that I hoped for as a longtime fan? Mostly. Wish the record was longer. Always my biggest complaint. Yet, rediscovering Damien in this very spiritual sense of self made it all worth the wait. Songs like “Colour Me In” and “The Greatest Bastard” will forever stay with me. Probably because the first time I heard “The Greatest Bastard” was in church with chills shooting down my body. A triumph of the album’s core theme of picking up broken fantastical fragments of love in the aftermath.
A interview he did in the twilight run of 9 has always stayed with me. In it Damien stated that he was in a generally happy place. Singing all the depressing tunes didn’t make any sense to him. He isn’t known as a happy indie folk maestro. Instead an artist who feeds off a dark side of love. So, of course there was gonna be a delay. All these songs burst out from his heartbroken guitar with great intensity.
You can always mourn love’s demise in the fantasies we devise. But they are better when they end. Only then you can truly start to rebuild. Did that make any sense? Any of the words above? Sorry, got a good case of the feels. You might too. Make sure you’re wearing a sweater before you hit play.
Ladies & Gentleman, welcome back Damien Rice!
#4 – 'STN MTN / Kauai' by Childish Gambino
I never thought a Mixtape/EP combo from Donald Glover’s Childish Gambino was gonna be my favorite hip hop record of 2014. It is. Undoubtedly. Thank you DJ Drama. Still listen to it every morning on the way to work. No sign of stopping either. Pity that my hometown click think it’s wack. They really need to open their ears.
The 'STN MTN' Mixtape is an Atlanta love story told by Gambino & his royalty crew that channels old school southern hip hop. You’ll hear beats that are inspired by classic Ludacris / Outkast alongside harmonies that reflects old school 8701 Usher. “You got it bad” indeed. There is even a joke radio promo that left me stitches the first time I heard it. Childish Gambino is intense as he raps his heart out with his notorious Kanye-inspired god flow. No doubt you’ll be surprised by how much he’s improved since Camp.
'Kauai EP' showcases the softer side of Gambino. More romanticism as the music has the taste of salt water and sand in each soundwave. He switches styles to a more classic R&B crooner that sounds like Michael Jackson. Works wonderfully in comparison to the very rough, hard hitting, STN MTN. There are still some rapping, but the songs allow themselves to be damn catchy over lyrical excerises. Jaden Smith drops some mad poetry during a few lovely interludes. They aren’t really necessary. Still added bonus. I guess. Tend to skip them.
All that’s left to say is: #NoPhucksGiven. Take a trip to Childish Gambino’s STN MTN / Kauai now!
#3 – 'X' by Ed Sheeran
Still get chills every time the needle drops on this record. Starts off so quietly then by track 3 I’m “SING”ing. Part of me thinks there’s a deep story beneath the surface. All the tracks are individual. Nevertheless, based off the lyrics – “I listen to sad songs, singing about love And where it goes wrong” – I got sense that was Ed’s central theme for 'X' (multiply). For that’s what you get in subject matter. Twisted romances that ultimately have a turn. Except for a few like “Thinking Out Loud”.
Out of all my 2014 CDs. I played 'X' the most. Had multiple copies in multiple cars. The stashed copy in my family’s green Prius made my weekend rides around LA pleasurable. Gorgeous music for peaceful moments in my crazy life. Just me and the radio. The way it’s always been. Not the right equation for someone trying to regain a footing in love. Because everything Ed sings on the record felt like it was coming from my soul. There was enough edge to allow me to blow off some steam while peeling off my skin. Figuratively.
In 2014, I fell in love with Los Angeles. 'X' was my soundtrack. Will never forget it.
#2 – 'White Women' by Chromeo
Really wish I could’ve made #1 a tie. I nearly lost my shit the first time I played Chromeo’s White Women in the car. The people driving by were probably like “Da Phuck? Put your window up white boy!” Not ashamed of playing amazing music from out my speakers while stuck in traffic. It makes for a fantastic ride. No need to hit skip or pause on this either. Just let these groovy White Women make your hips shake.
Chromeo learned from Daft Punk’s R.A.M. by inputted more soul into each track over unnecessary electronic synths. Allows the music & vocals to roll back a generation in order to connect with the listener. Not off putting or overly vintage. It’s the perfect mixture of sounds that stays true to “Dave 1 & P-Thugg”‘s special vibes.
Had the best luck whenever I played this record. (Yes…quite lucky. ; P) Hope ya’ll do too! Hit me with some Old 45’s and let the romance come back.
[2024 Note: Still holds up immensely!]
#1 – 'Singles' by Future Islands
Boy. Was this a tough decision. For no band lit my musical soul on fire like Future Islands. Chromeo gave me amazing luck. However, that doesn’t define a year. Not this time. The collective indie rock / metalcore sounds that blew from the speakers paralyzed me the first time I listened to not yet released 'SINGLES'. This was a record my team, when they got back from SXSW, went nuts about. That night at Haven…when Sam did his ritual dances with his demonic tones…continued to stick out as the memory of 2014. The videos didn’t do it justice. Was so driven to see this epic tale play out for my eyes.
And I did. In a two day span, I watched Future Islands sell out The Fonda & FYF Fest in mosh pits & balconies. Both shows left an impression that I have yet to write about formally. Their late-night Fonda showcases were some of the most buzzed about concerts I read in 2014. Nice feeling when you’re their.
This record is quite spectacular. Front to back. You forget that you’re listening to probably one of the most romantic rock albums of our age. Loved listening to it on the rides from work or on my lazy weekends. The blooming horns captured a sunny California morning in my living room. Can still feel the light beams bouncing off my eyelids as I try to trap Sam’s iconic growls.
It’s near impossible to define an entire year of amazing experiences into one song. “Back In The Tall Grass” comes real close. The steps I took away from home made me grow exponentially. Endless nights on the road chasing an uncatchable dream alongside new friends. Work almost crushed me. Yes. I admit it. In 2015, gonna spread my wings a bit more. All it takes is just that one foot forward. Trust me.
Happy New Year & thanks for reading!
[2024 Note: You made the right decision. This album (and band) now holds the spirit of your late father... who encompasses every feeling written above. Makes it one of the most important albums in my history. My dad told me years later, after his SXSW 2014 experience, that was the "best gift I ever gave him". He had a blast living through the music for that week in Austin. Funny how a personal disappointment turned out to be a diamond of a memory, huh? Bless the scales of fate.]
Thanks for reading this far!