2014 Album of The Year

The most positive thing I can say about 2014 in music was how much of it seemingly came out of the blue.  About half of the following list are releases I had no knowledge of when starting 2014.  Some were from acts that I had no idea were even in operation anymore.  It's a trend already bleeding into 2015 (more on that in the next post), and I can only hope continues throughout the new year.
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NUMBER 10
Rx Bandits
Gemini, Her Majesty

For a Rx Bandits album, this wasn't much of a mind-blower.  A wonderful surprise in 2014 though; and some impressive / original stuff.  The Fugazi inspired "1995" is a real highlight.

Here's what this album just managed to push off the list: Cibo Matto, The Menzingers, and Jamie T.

NUMBER 9
Hello Saferide
The Fox, The Hunter And Hello Saferide

The music of Hello Saferide's third album is nothing special.  The fact that this is even in my top ten says how brilliant Annika Norlin's songwriting is right now.  Dark, insightful, charming, cute, heartwarming, and heartbreaking.  She does it all here.  "The Crawler" has got to be the most original concept for a song I've heard all year.

NUMBER 8
Fujiya & Miyagi
Artificial Sweeteners

I'm always looking forward to new stuff by this simple, yet charming, Krautrock outfit; and I'm never let down.  Despite that, they've never done anything attention grabbing to make it into my top ten.  The injection of sharp and rattling synthesizers finally did the trick.  I knew from the moment I heard "Tetrahydrofolic Acid" leak, this album would be something special.

NUMBER 7
Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra
SKA ME FOREVER

Another fantastic band that I sing the praises of year after year, but hardly ever seems to make the cut when it comes time for a top ten.  TSPO is as talented as ever here, but have managed to put out a more consistent release than usual.  This is thanks in part to a bunch of guest appearances, making the whole package feel more fresh and vibrant.

NUMBER 6
Spoon
They Want My Soul

While there are a few clunkers on here, what remains is some of the god damned catchiest work Spoon has ever done.  I wish they were a more experimental band, but making the most irresistible tunes of the year is a pretty good talent as well.

NUMBER 5
Liars
Mess

While Liars have sacrificed some of what has made them such an attraction in the past, these weirdos bring you do the dance floor in the first half of Mess.  It's something I would have never expected them to try, let alone pull off.  Not everything on this album hits the mark, but stuff like "I'm no Gold" is absolute death-by-disco.

NUMBER 4
Polysics
Action!!!

Somehow Polysics still keeps doing it.  My favorite band in the world has been through a rough transition for the last few years, and just now starting to make the most of it.  Some of their best vocoding work is in Action!!!.  Most importantly, they manage to write a bunch of fun and unique new-wave hits without stooping to pop music clichés.  A good mix of electronic sounds as well.  The crunch and tear of "Sparky" is like delicious candy to my ears.

NUMBER 3
Kenichi Asai
Nancy

When Kenichi Asai clicks, he's one of the most resonant rock and roll musicians out there today.  You don't need a translator to be swept away by "Paper Plane".  There's power behind the songs of Nancy, even at its sauntering pace.  Every guitar solo has impact, and the emotional vocal performance transcends language barriers.

NUMBER 2
Lagwagon
Hang

Hang ROCKS like nothing else in 2014.  Lagwagon dug deep down to unearth their original early 90's sound, stuck Joey Cape's busted up heart in there, and gave it a serious volt of electricity.  Cape is painfully relevant, with introspective truth as harsh as the hard hitting speed-metal punk sound that rips through most of this album.  I still miss Bad Astronaut, but this is Joey Cape's best work since.

NUMBER 1
Buffalo Daughter
Konjac-Tion

The weirdest thing about Konjac-Tion being my favorite album of the year is that there are no specific standout tracks on it.  It's entirely reliant on the product as a whole to win you over.  Buffalo Daughter fixed what they did wrong in their last release, and just stopped trying to outdo themselves in the Krautrock department.  Konjac-Tion is Buffalo Daughter expressing their freedom to just make fun music, but with enough musical experience to sound mature and artistic.  It's a well paced, groovy block party that can be enjoyed by both pop music fans and the "art school" crowd alike.