Favorite Albums of 2014

 Looking back on 2014 finds a surprising number of excellent releases! Veterans (Bob Mould, Beck, Tom Petty), Rookies (Alvvays, Cheatahs, Temples) and everyone in between (Raveonettes, New Pornographers, The Rifles) created a wealth of memorable music! My #1 - 5 are pretty firm but after that the order could change by the hour so really give these honorable mentions a good listen!

                             

1. Cloud Nothings - "Here and Nowhere Else"

Imagine the world's steepest, fastest roller coaster. Feel the incredible rush of speed combined with sudden dips, turns and constant sensation of flying right off the tracks. From the first flurry of "Now Hear In" to the proud pop closer "I'm Not Part of Me" you'll be in awe of this ride, struggling for breath, smiling and racing right back in line!

            

              

2. TV on the Radio - "Seeds"    

Utilizing loops of beats and music alongside traditional guitar, bass and Adibimpe's flawlessly shimmering vocals results in an improbably beautiful album dripping with emotion. A stunning achievement!

3. Bob Mould - "Beauty & Ruin"

More "Sugar" era crunchy fuzz from the former Husker Du frontman. Making music as vital as ever with Jon Wurster on drums and bassist, Jason Narducy. Inspired!

4. The New Pornographers - "Brill Bruisers"

The Canadian collective returns to brilliantly rocking form! A.C. Newman and Dan Bejar's songs are contagiously unique and Neko Case's voice is a force of nature that elevates each song into the stratosphere!

5. Beck - "Morning Phase"

A stylistic companion to my favorite Beck album, the mellow and melodic "Sea Change" lives up to all the expectations. Hard to believe it would be possible to record a more beautifully crafted album than this.

6. Ty Segall - "Manipulator"

The prolific San Francisco rocker puts out the most polished collection of his career. With Mikal Cronin assisting it is a big shiny garage/psych/glam guitar workout! My favorite Ty Segall album...by far!

7. The Rifles - "None the Wiser"

Fourth release from one of England's best kept secrets (wake up America). Razor sharp songwriting in the tradition of the Jam and Kaiser Chiefs. 

8. Real Estate - "Atlas"

It takes a lot of work to make songs sound this effortless. These bright, sparkling, catchy, upbeat tunes reflect the band honing their writing and playing skills to the next level. 

9. Lykke Li - "I Never Learn"

Swedish singer returns with another helping of nicely produced girl group heartache. Every melodic verse is followed by a chorus soaked in reverb. Great stuff!

10. Temples - "Sun Structures"

New Psychedelic rock band from England led by a couple 20-somethings who sound like they just crash landed from the summer of love. Cool vibes abound! In the same vein as Australia's "Tame Impala".

Very Honorable Mention; Cheatahs - "Cheatahs", Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - "Hypnotic Eye", Sugar Stems - "Only Come Out at Night", Alvvays - "Alvvays", Raveonettes - "Pe'ahi", The See See - "Days, Nights & Late Morning Lights", First Aid Kit - "Stay Gold", Ryan Adams - "Ryan Adams", Interpol - "El Pintor", David Crosby - "Croz", Bryan Ferry - "Avonmore"

  

Something Old...Something New (#21)

Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes - Hearts Of Stone (released - 1978)

This is the album where Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes put it all together and should have hit the big time like their buddy from Jersey, Springsteen, except that it never happened. Following two albums of  uneven (but eminently enjoyable) R&B covers paired with originals. "Hearts Of Stone" is where everything coalesces. The wizard behind this musical alchemy is Steven Van Zandt (Little Steven) whose soulful songwriting, arrangements, production, rhythm guitar and background vocals create a masterpiece! Southside has obviously studied the great Sam Cooke's style and has a passionate blues soaked voice made for this music. The mighty Max Weinberg guests on drums and the horn section led by trombonist, La Bamba ("Conan") drive every song. The album explodes out of the blocks with the pounding "Got to be a Better Way Home" highlighted by a screaming guitar solo from Billy Rush. "I Played the Fool" stands toe to toe with the best of Motown. The Springsteen songs (from his "Darkness on the Edge of Town" sessions) are wonderful. The title track is a soaring ballad that culminates with a transcendent guitar solo from Van Zandt and the perky "Talk to Me" is the hit single that never was. My two favorites are "Take it Inside" where the drums and guitars build to release on the horn drenched chorus and "Trapped Again" which simmers through the verses before culminating in another emotional spiraling solo from Billy Rush! There's plenty more but you get the idea. Similar to Boston's J. Geil's Band this is real, heart-on-your-sleeve, dynamic, sweaty, rock and soul music at it's best. Although they perform to this day, due to take your pick; lack of promotion, little airplay, bad timing, waning interest in R&B music or all of the above this overlooked but acclaimed album ended up as the high water mark for the band. 

Tinted Windows - Tinted Windows (released 2009)

This album is truly a sum of it's parts. James Iha brings his buzzing guitar from Smashing Pumpkins, Bun E. Carlos pounds the drums in vintage Cheap Trick style, Taylor Hanson (from teen idols Hanson) supplies the perfect pleading tenor voice and pop genius mastermind Adam Schlesinger (Fountains of Wayne) supplies the bulk of songwriting, bass and production to this Power Pop supergroup! Power Pop is a genre focusing on strong melody, catchy hooks and lots of guitar - glorious chiming, jangling, fuzzy guitar (early examples would be Badfinger, The Raspberries and Big Star). Here is a record that doesn't pretend to be anything other than what it is - expertly crafted songs with tight melodies and dripping with hooks! It's all too rare that a record like this comes along that is entertaining front to back and just plain FUN! Perfect pop gems are sprinkled throughout the album, from the opener "Kind of a Girl" through "Without Love" "We Got Something" and "Doncha Wanna" to closer "Take Me Back". A pretty ballad written by Iha "Back With You" breaks the tempo up nicely following the driving "Can't Get A Read on You" (a song Green Day would be proud to have written). "Nothing to Me" finds Taylor doing a pretty incredible Robin Zander (Cheap Trick) impression. This band is absolutely bursting with talent and each member's skills are shown to great effect. Iha's guitar leads and fills are always sharp and succinct never stepping on the melodies or Hanson's great vocals. Although the band did tour following this release it seems this 36 minutes of music may well be all we're left with from Tinted Windows. Always leave them wanting more - mission accomplished.

Something Old...Something New (#20)

Something Old...Something New (#20)

Audience - "The House On The Hill" (released 1971)

A tremendous record surfacing during the peak underground FM radio years "The House On The Hill" deserves a spot among the most uniquely satisfying albums of the era. Led by vocalist/guitarist Howard Werth who eschews electric guitar in favor of his nylon string model and submerges these songs in saxes, clarinets, flute (Keith Gemmell) and constantly changing tempos (Trevor Williams - bass and Tony  Connor - percussion). Combining bits of English Folk, Jazz, R & B, Progressive and Psychedelic Rock amid echoes of King Crimson, Jethro Tull and Van Morrison yet sounding like none of the above. This is an exceptionally well-paced record and you never quite know where the songs are headed which is half the fun because every tune turns out to be well worth the trip. "Jackdaw" highlights Werth's distinctive wail as the instruments steadily ascend to an extended, almost free jazz solo. "Raviole" is a beautiful instrumental that wouldn't sound out of place on a Barcelona street with its Spanish style guitar and strings. "Nancy" centers around percolating rhythms, punchy horns and Werth's flailing guitar. "Eye To Eye" is propelled by a spacey flute while "Indian Summer" is the most straightforwardly melodic track and a personal favorite. The band even manages to put its unique stamp on the Screaming Jay Hawkins classic "I Put A Spell On You". The centerpiece however is the "The House On The Hill". Opening with an ominous cascade of saxophones leading to the quavering vocals which eventually toss you into the spooky chaos of an instrumental breakdown with percussion effects and electronically treated saxes and flutes before escalating back into the chorus for the big finish, Wow! Audience followed this iconic release with their final album "Lunch" which is also excellent.

Rodriguez - "Searching For Sugar Man" (released 2012)

Back story - This music is over 40 years old yet unheard by most anyone (myself included) until the release of the documentary "Searching For Sugar Man" in 2012. The film follows the strange musical arc of Sixto Rodriguez's career. After recording two terrific albums in the early 70s to virtually no sales or recognition he seemingly vanished from the scene until South Africans rediscovered his songs of protest and oppression during apartheid. Turns out Rodriguez had been living in his hometown Detroit all this time working demolition before his miraculous rediscovery. This soundtrack contains the best of his two albums along with a few extra tracks featured in the film, 14 tunes and not a clunker in the bunch including; "Sugar Man", "Crucify Your Mind", "Street Boy", "I Wonder", "Cause" and "A Most Disgusting Song" (probably the most unique song here - a narrative of scenes in a bar). Sounding like a hybrid of Bob Dylan and Jose Feliciano, Rodriguez sings his street poetry with a rich distinct voice. The topics of sex, homelessness, job loss, poverty and drugs are as relevant today as when they were written giving these songs a timeless quality. Surprisingly Rodriguez performs these songs of inner city turmoil without a trace of desperation. Armed with his upbeat acoustic guitar and resonant voice he brings hope and truth to help us cope in a troubled world. For better or worse the production values reflect the thinking of the era adding horns, strings and other instruments to dramatically sweeten the sound. This is not necessarily a bad thing (think early Elton John, Glen Campbell or virtually any late 60s - early 70s hit singles) but these songs could easily stand alone with simply a voice and guitar.  This soundtrack is a fitting tribute to Rodriguez who has returned to performing and collecting some long overdue accolades! 

Something Old...Something New (#19)

"Schoolboys in Disgrace" by The Kinks (released 1975)

Leader Ray Davies had spent the previous few years crafting ornate rock theatre pieces such as the "Preservation" trilogy of releases and "Soap Opera" to ever dwindling results. "Schoolboys in Disgrace" would be the final and most enjoyable of his concept albums. The songs have more energy, the story never flags and Dave Davies' guitar is unleashed in all it's slashingly tuneful glory! Ray's observations are in turn biting and insightful (as usual) while revisiting these formative years. The introductory nostalgic ballad "Schooldays" nicely sets the stage for all that follows from the revenge of the nerds comic zaniness of "Jack the Idiot Dunce" to the reprise of "Finale". "Education" is an epic  seven minute suite whose lyrics brilliantly paint an oral history of organized instruction from cavemen to the present while the music builds from a slow burn to a careening frantic finish. At the heart of the story our protagonist gets a girl pregnant "I'm in Disgrace" is sent to the "Headmaster" and faces the music "The Hard Way". These three snarling rockers are showcases for Dave's searing guitar solos and razor sharp rhythm playing, often recalling vintage Stones-era Mick Taylor at his best! "No More Looking Back" serves up a banquet of hooks and melody exposing the folly of living in the past "Yesterday's gone, that's a fact. Now there's no more looking back." This underrated album would help usher in a second wave of popularity for the Kinks (especially in America) and would be followed by the terrific LP "Sleepwalker". God save the Kinks!

"Root For Ruin' by Les Savy Fav (released 2010)

Les Savy Fav sprang to life in the mid 90s when five students at the Rhode Island School of Design began performing a mix of hardcore/post-punk/noise rock. If you are a fan of the Pixies you will love this music! They have refined their sound over the years with "Root for Ruin" standing as their most accessible and enjoyable album. They are led by burly frontman Tim Harrington who is known for appearing in outrageous costumes (anything from his tightie whities to being covered head to toe in silver paint) while wading throughout the crowd and venues at live shows. This is guitarcentric, powerful, noisily melodic stuff (right up my alley)! The Choppy punch of "Appetites" kicks the album off in roaring style followed by the dark and driving intensity of "Dirty Knails".  Harrington's Johnny Rotten-tinged vocals float on top of the mix but the songs are carried by the angular guitars of founding member Seth Jabour and newcomer Andrew Reuland. Next is the pretty swirling echo of "Sleepless in Silverlake" and then the urgent hook-filled single "Let's Get Out of Here". From the frenetic "Lips N' Stuff" to the sighing guitars of "High and Unhinged" and the tremolo dripping "Dear Crutches" there is not a weak moment on this record. This remains the latest release by Les Savy Fav and I hope it won't be the last but if it is, what a finish!

Something Old...Something New (#18)

I plan to review one golden oldie from my collection and one relatively new release that I really enjoyed each month. I welcome any ideas, comments or ideas for future reviews.

"Ram" by Paul McCartney (released 1971 - remastered 2012)

McCartney coped with the Beatles split by doing what he does best, writing and recording amazing pop/rock tunes. This is my favorite of McCartney's solo albums and followed his sometimes brilliant but uneven debut, "McCartney". "Ram" showcases a musical genius at a creative peak and the music pours out at a dizzying pace. Moving effortlessly from the rock infused opener "Too Many People" (dig the awesome guitar flourishes - all by McCartney) to the bluesy goofiness of "3 Legs" to the ukelele/keyboard bounce of "Ram On" followed by the darkly beautiful piano driven "Dear Boy" into the centerpiece of the record "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey" (a stunning five minute musical suite that leaps from one ear-hugging hook to another matching anything the Beatles produced). The rollicking "Smile Away" leads to the unhinged wildness that is "Monkberry Moon Delight" (any song that begins with the line "I sat in the attic with a piano up my nose" guarantees a good time ahead). "Eat at Home" and "Long Haired Lady" highlight McCartney's voice at it's most melodic. The album ends with the penultimate paean to teenage love "The Back Seat of my Car". It is mind-boggling that McCartney plays every instrument and yet elicits the groove and passion of a live band. His vocals as always are jaw-droppingly ridiculous. Sliding flawlessly from crystalline perfection to throat shredding abandon and everyplace in between. Simply the greatest rock writer/musician/singer of all time. The 2012 remaster includes a bonus disc of 8 tracks highlighted by the gem "Another Day" and the boogie woogie of "Little Woman Love". Ram On!

"Ghosts" by Marked Men (released 2009)

Hailing from Denton, Texas and fronted by the frantic duel guitar attack/vocals of Jeff Burke and Mark Ryan, Marked Men may be the greatest band you've never heard of. "Ghosts" is a flawlessly executed thirty minute attack on the nervous system! Hurtling through fifteen amazingly addictive songs in a half hour setting a standard rarely achieved by anyone. Led by a sharp jittery guitar snap and buzz (think Ramones + Buzzcocks) every tune is a 2 minute rush of adrenaline. More hook-filled riffs and rhythms than you can shake a 6-string at all accompanied by sweet post-punk whining harmony-laden vocal melodies. Not a second is wasted as each cut explodes to life like a coiled spring, roars into the catchy chorus and charges into the next tune almost before you know what hit you. "Stay Away" could play on an eternal loop in my head and I'd die a happy man. The closer "Blew My Head" at a relatively marathon-like length of three minutes begs you to repeat the whole experience (gladly and often). This is the fourth and final album by Marked Men although the members continue to perform together and in other projects such as The Mind Spiders. They must have been a killer live band because this album is an unrelenting rip-roaring Punk/Pop delight!

Favorite Albums of 2013

 Nothing here measures up to last year's classics from Cloud Nothings, Bob Mould or Neil Young but 2013 provided a healthy amount of good/great music! Here are my favorites...

1.   Superchunk - "I Hate Music"
Original indie rock faves issue a follow-up to the amazing "Majesty Shredding". Addresses mortality, loss and middle-age in fine rocking form. So good to have these guys (and girl) back!

2.   Wavves - "Afraid of Heights"
Slackmeister-in-Chief, Nathan Williams continues to grow with each release. Between layers of gnarly guitar fuzz and stretching syllables like chewing gum in a vocal haze we ride the crest of the best Wavves yet!

3.    Mikal Cronin - "MCII"

Singing and playing almost every instrument Cronin amazes and shows that Ty Segall's loss is our gain. Fantastic songwriting and guitars fill every tune. Play it LOUD!

4.   Nick Piunti - "13 in my Head"
A new name to me and he arrives loaded with hooks, harmonies and melodies galore. The best Power Pop album of the year!

5.   Best Coast - "Fade Away"
This killer EP with 7 tunes is not outstaying it's welcome anytime soon. Leslie Gore (Bethany Consentino) meets Dick Dale (Bobb Bruno) and suddenly it's a sunny summer day every day of the year! 

6.   Phosphorescent - "Muchacho"
The latest laid back southern grooves from Matthew Houck go down smooth. The album unfurls beautifully and "The Quotidian Beasts" is epic!

7.   Wooden Shjips - "Back to Land"

Hawkwind + Neil Young & Crazy Horse + unintelligible lyrics = some serious psych/rock awesomeness! May be a bit one-dimensional for some but I like this dimension :)

8.   Yo La Tengo - "Fade"

Ira Kaplan & Co. continue to create uniquely challenging music of equal parts beauty and power. This is a mellower and more focused album that grows with each listen.

9.   Deerhunter - "Monomania"

The ever unpredictable and multi-talented Bradford Cox returns with a collection of lo-fi gems. Excellent vocals and cool guitar sounds abound!

10. The Sundelles - "No Milk"

A free download from a new band that surprised me with catchy, upbeat, reverbed guitar/vocal goodness. The price is right and so are the tunes!

Honorable Mention - Johnny Marr - "The Messenger", Minor Alps - "Get There", Veronica Falls - "Waiting for Something to Happen", Jake Bugg - "Shangri La", Red Jacket Mine - "Someone Else's Cake", The History of Apple Pie - Out of View", Joy Formidable - "Wolf's Law"