In hot pursuit of my Top Albums of 2014 list, here comes my Top Songs of 2014 mix!  Instead of the typical 20-ish-song, 80-ish-minute compilation, this year I decided that FIFTY is the magic number.  That’s right, you’re in for a treat…3 hours 17 minutes of top-notch, grade-A tracks that were the soundtrack of my year.  I didn’t bother splitting hairs to decide the order of the Top 50.  Rather, I mixed them in the order I felt most appropriate.  So take a listen.  All you have to do is press PLAY above!

If you prefer to SPOTIFY, here is the link.  LDD – Best of 2014
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DECEMBER 2014

1. Young Fathers | No Way
2. Ghostface Killah | Call My Name
3. J. Cole | No Role Modelz
4. Run the Jewels | All My Life
5. Panda Bear | Mr. Noah
6. Giraffage | Chocolate
7. Yppah | R. Mullen
8. TV on the Radio | Seeds
9. The Rural Alberta Advantage | Terrified
10. Ex Hex | Waterfall
11. The Decemberists |  Philomena
12. Rubblebucket | Young and Old
13. Alvvays |Party Police
14. Stars | No Better Place
15. Borrisokane | Andrew Torrey Amos
16. Horse Feathers | Violently Wild
17. Jamie T | Love is Only a Heartbeat Away
18. Ultimate Painting | Winter in Your Heart
19. Hiss Golden Messenger | O Little Light

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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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Fall is fast approaching.  Leaves are changing color and soon the branches will bare themselves for the coming of a new year.  At least that’s what I hear.  I live in San Diego, so the four seasons are the stuff of grade school textbooks.  I’ve also heard of a “water cycle”.  I think I’ve seen people riding one on a lake.  Anyway, it’s time for a top albums update. Continue Reading

Summer has now been breached but the spring sprang some great tunes that shan’t be overlooked.  The top 3 spots on my Albums of the Year list were all replaced by more recent releases and some less obvious shuffling also took place.  Sneak a peek at the music that has carried me beyond Independence Day and place your bets on who will remain through the end of December. Continue Reading

It’s never too early to pass judgment and make much warranted recommendations on this year’s offerings to date.  Despite some solid offerings, there are no albums on the market that have sealed a place in history as far as I’m concerned.  However, these ten albums bare the fruit of both (relatively) old and (relatively) new musicians and are worth a tasting. Continue Reading