It’s that time of year again.  At least it WAS that time of year…two months ago.  Still, it’s never too late for an Albums of the Year list, right?  I just wanted to be sure nobody copied my answers.

According to some parts of the internet, 2014 wasn’t a triumph in the album arena, with the exception of Taylor Swift’s 527 ft home run, 1989.  Speaking of monster home runs and 1989, shout out to the Bash Brothers – Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire.  Despite this ruling by the interwebs that doesn’t mean there are some serious gems out there.

Thanks to all my favorite people for slangin’ recommendations my way throughout the year.  Per the usual, gimme a shout with any albums that I absolutely, positively haaaave to check out, lest my street cred flow directly into the sewer.  I’m all ears.

Now for the moment you’ve been waiting for….the L.I.S.T.  My Top 50 Albums of 2014. Continue Reading

NOVEMBER 2014

1. Death from Above 1979 | Right On, Frankenstein!
2. Run the Jewels | Lie, Cheat, Steal
3. Black Milk | What’s It Worth
4. TV on the Radio | Careful You
5. Bee Caves | Heaven and the Come Down
6. Zola Jesus | Dangerous Days
7. Röyksopp | Monument (feat. Robyn)
8. Museum of Love | In Infancy
9. Stars | No One is Lost
10. Borrisokane | Soft Circles
11. Ex Hex | Radio On
12. Rubblebucket | Origami
13. Jamie T | Zombie
14. OK Go | Another Set of Issues
15. Alvvays | Archie, Marry Me
16. The Rural Alberta Advantage | Runners in the Night
17. Ultimate Painting | Ultimate Painting
18. Parquet Courts | Pretty Machines
19. The Gaslight Anthem | Sweet Morphine (Bonus Track)

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OCTOBER 2014

1. Run the Jewels | Close Your Eyes (And Count to Fuck) (feat. Zack De La Rocha)
2. Death from Above 1979 | Cheap Talk
3. …And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead | Sound of the Silk
4. OK Go | Upside Down & Inside Out
5. Rubblebucket | Carousel Ride
6. ODESZA | Say My Name (feat. Zyra)
7. Caribou | Can’t Do Without You
8. SBTRKT | NEW DORP, NEW YORK (feat. Ezra Koenig)
9. French Style Furs | (World in My) Bloodstream
10. The Gaslight Anthem | Ain’t That a Shame
11. Alt-J | Left Hand Free
12. The New Pornographers | Brill Bruisers
13. Tennis | Meter and Line
14. The Rural Alberta Advantage | On the Rocks
15. Spoon | Knock Knock Knock
16. Tweedy | World Away
17. Ty Segall | The Singer
18. Cymbals Eat Guitars | Jackson
19. Interpol | My Desire
20. Bee Caves | Black Mason Hills
21. In The Valley Below | Take Me Back

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In the world of DIY choreography, Ok Go, are the undisputed heavyweights.  Having jumpstarted their career with the backyard classic, “A Million Ways,” the sultans of synchronization have since let loose with a chain of multi-platinum Youtube videos.  Previously, the foursome has tasked themselves with plotting and performing elaborate dances with a twist and a thick layer of Velveeta.  With the release of “This Too Shall Pass,” the gang kicked it up a notch, actually hiring an engineering firm to design and build the monumental tribute to Rube Goldberg.  This relinquishing of power was sign of what was to come. Continue Reading

If you don’t care for my top 10 album selections, maybe you’ll prefer my choices for top 10 tracks.  Or maybe you’d rather suck it. Continue Reading

There are two words for this video.  “Amazing” and “Fuckin-incredolicious.”  One of those words was recently made up by an anonymous author, but still holds true.  In this tribute to Rube Goldberg, the members of OK Go play a trivial role amidst the seemingly endless mechanisms timed to their single, “This Too Shall Pass.” Continue Reading

MARCH 2010

1. Local Natives | Airplanes
2. Surfer Blood | Swim
3. Titus Andronicus | No Future Part Three:  Escape From No Future
4. Keepaway | Yellow Wings
5. Neon Indian | Should Have Taken Acid With You Continue Reading