It’s been a little while. Life keeps me pretty busy these days. Hopefully I’ll be able to visit this space a little more often, and now seems as good a time as any to end the year. Here’s what albums blew me away in 2014.
10. Jenny Lewis The Voyager
This is a bit of a late riser since so much came out around the same time. I interviewed Jenny about the record a week ago and really listened through it for the first time. The Ryan Adams influence really shines through along with some of the most direct lyrics of her career. She led off with a heavy hitting song “Head Underwater”
9. The New Basement Tapes Lost On The River
As far as supergroups go, this one really took the idea to the next level. Not only did it include some of the best songwriters and musicians around (including Elvis Costello, Marcus Mumford, Jim James, the criminally underrated Taylor Goldsmith, and Rhiannon Giddens) and one of the great producers of our time in T Bone Burnett, they celebrated one of the true greats in Bob Dylan by putting music to newly discovered lyrics. The best part of the record is hearing every member take the lead and the pure spirit of collaboration.
8. War On Drugs Lost In The Dream
Imagine Bruce Springsteen singing in Dire Straits. That’s the best way to describe War On Drugs. Their 2nd album sees the band evolve with some very creative guitar licks, providing killer songs to rock out to. “Under The Pressure” stood out above the rest on this record.
7. Sam Smith In The Lonely Hour
We all know “Stay With Me”. We all know the old formula: love troubles, a terrific singer, and perfect timing. It all came together on this album.
6. Benjamin Booker Benjamin Booker
Sometimes, you just need to rock out and jam. Benjamin Booker’s plays fiery guitar licks that I can only describe as punk blues. It’s from the heart with a voice that has touches of greats like John Lee Hooker, Joe Cocker, and Son House. “Have You Seen My Son” is just an incredible piece.
5. Ray LaMontagne Supernova
This album received a lot of shade from folks who thought the single was way to poppy, especially from a respected songwriter like Ray. Then the album revealed so much more with a 60’s sound spanning from psychedelic to rock to folk sounds of Laurel Canyon. The exquisite “Ojai” is probably my favorite track, but this is the kind of album with different songs for any mood.
4. Yusuf Tell ‘Em I’m Gone
The artist formerly known as Cat Stevens’ first revisitation to his musical past came in the form of Another Cup. It was a great album, but who could be sure it just wasn’t the result of years away from the studio. Well, he showed his talent again here on an album that hinges on reimagined American music. He covers Edgar Winter, delves heavily into the Blues, and even throws in some gospel for good measure. His use of Saharan blues band Tinariwen really sealed the deal as he connected the sounds of America to the sounds of Northwest Africa.
3. Ryan Adams Ryan Adams
Let’s be clear about this: Ryan Adams made a better Heartbreakers album this year than Tom Petty did. No disrespect to Tom, but Ryan went into his PAX AM studio and cranked out a good ole fashioned rock and roll album. Benmont Tench’s keys certainly helped, but the underrated piece of the puzzle is producer and guitarist Mike Viola. This effort moves from song to song beautifully and is brilliant in it’s straightforward delivery. Certainly there are more complex undertones to the record, but overall Ryan just wanted to play good music and did so.
2. Robert Plant lullaby and…The Ceaseless Roar
Anyone who knows me knows I’d be remiss to leave out Robert from my list. I’ve come to accept the fact Robert will never tour with Led Zeppelin, so I rooted for him to get back with the Strange Sensation. So he did, except he added a few new pieces to expand their sound and renamed it the Sensational Space Shifters. From there, they balanced the sound of the record between traditional folk sounds of England and America with rock and Northern African blues to evolve further from the two Strange Sensation records. This was the return of the Golden God, who could playfully balance the heavy sounds of “Turn It Up” with a lighter song like “A Stolen Kiss”. This not only ranks as one of the top albums of 2014, this ranks highly on my personal top Robert Plant album list.
1. St. Vincent St. Vincent
Musicians who can take a totally unique sound and find a devoted fan base are rare. An artist who takes that sound and evolves to the point they can reach the masses is even rarer. Annie Clark AKA St. Vincent took the music world by storm with an album that came after years of work. After her last album with David Byrne of Talking Heads fame, she had a direction to make a hit album that was totally unique and outside the box. “Digital Witness”, “Bring Me Your Loves”, and “Birth In Reverse” are so complex and interesting while being approachable and catchy. She will go down as one of the more influential artists of our generation.