This year was a bit of a let down after the flood of great releases the past couple of years. These are my favorite releases from 2014 in no particular order with a few comments about sound quality...
Roseanne Cash "The River and The Thread" (Blue Note/Universal)
Roseanne Cash understands that this LP is a career highlight noting on the album cover “If I never make another album I will be content, because I made this one." Beautiful songs, lovingly performed and extremely well recorded on 180 gm vinyl. You'll be hearing this one at audio shows for years. Easy choice for album of the year.
Leonard Cohen "Popular Problems" (Columbia)
In a year he celebrated his 80th birthday, the great singer/songwriter released the follow up to a masterpiece, "Old Ideas". While not quite up to that lofty standard, this is a really great record. A few ticks on side one mar an otherwise excellent pressing.
Opusoid "Doon Wop" (Feedbands)
From the Feedbands website: "Doon Womp is a compilation of songs from Opusoid, AKA Age A, AKA A.J. Leone...We hesitate to even attempt to assign Opusoid a genre. Even A.J. himself struggles, saying the best word to describe his sound would be "playful." Combining Afro-Latin influences, jazz improvisations, live percussion loops, and completely organic sounds, Opusoid creates a genuinely interesting and inimitable overall sound. By relying on the natural rhythms of live performance, the artist is able to weave together compositions that take you on a ride, never staying in one place for long....You'll hear brassy horns, clapping hands, electric guitar fuzz, heavy bass lines, a whole slew of various percussion from beatboxing to bongos, and even some dubstep wub-wub. All we can say is you'll have to hear it for yourself, so hang on tight—this one-of-a-kind listening experience is about to blow your mind." A good sounding recording. You can download tracks for free on the website: http://www.opusoid.com/
Dum Dum Girls "Too True" (Sub Pop)
Follow to 2011's "Only In Dreams" finds Dee Dee and the girls taking a slightly more pop approach to great effect. "Rimbaud Eyes" is one of the years best singles. A very good live band.
Opeth "Pale Communion" (Roadrunner Records)
I admit to having a love/hate relationship with this LP. It's not the beautiful acoustic set of "Damnation" or the metal LP of 'classic Opeth'. Mikael Alkerfedt takes the band in a prog direction which has been a source of controversy (check out the threads on Steve Hoffman's Forum). I really got into this LP, once I got past my expectations based on prior releases. Well recorded.
Mark Lanegan "Phantom Radio" (Flooded Soil)
Another great record from one of my favorite artists (Gutter Twins, The Screaming Trees, etc), although not quite as consistent as the recent "Blues Funeral". Following on the heels of last year's "Imitations" (a fabulous LP of standards), Lanegan is back to his roots. "Floor of the Ocean" is one of the year's best singles.
Real Estate "Atlas" (Domino)
Another fine collection of catchy guitar driven pop tunes. No track stands out in this collection of well crafted songs. Sound quality is pretty good.
James Apollo "Angelorum" (Mattery Records)
A Seattle transplant via Arkansas, this powerhouse live performer's latest release is consistently excellent with strong songwriting and good sonics on CD. Awaiting the vinyl release.
Gary Clark "Live" (Warner Brothers)
Much stronger than his inconsistent, but promising debut. This LP really let's Clark show off his guitar chops. Vinyl sound quality is iffy but the quality of the music and smoking performances win out.
Prince "Art Official Age" (Warner Brothers)
Prince and his original label have patched up their differences and the first new release is an excellent Prince record. While not as hard driving as his 1980's peak, this is a fun LP and is very well recorded.
The Acid House "Number 1a" (Feedbands)
Don't let the band name fool you, the music is definitely not 'acid house' rather it is an impressive debut record of guitar driven songs.
Mike Dillon "Band of Outsiders" (Royal Potato Family)
From a review: "The new album is the perfect storm of Mike Dillon’s creativity: a blend of “deep, funky go-go, experimental hip-hop, snarling punk rock assaults, and ska grooves.” Perfect LP for a boring drive or a high impact workout. Sound quality is mediocre at best.
Ultimate Painting "Ultimate Painting" (Trouble In Mind)
Jack Cooper (Mazes) and James Hoare (Veronica Falls) each contributed 5 songs to this side project. Although breaking no new musical boundries, this is a fun LP of catchy melodies. Worth seeking out.
Sharon Jones "Give The People What They Want" Daptone
After being treated for gallbladder cancer, the hardest working woman in show business roars back with her band the Dap-Kings. From a review "The ten tracks they've delivered are what you've come to expect, even need, from the 11-piece band: the classic songwriting of We Get Along, the impressive energy of Retreat, and, solidified in Stranger To My Happiness; that kind of studio expertise that defines the band and their sound. It's those sharp, danceable funk grooves that stick to your bones; the fervent, impassioned singing that goes straight to your heart; and those sweet soul hooks that stay in your head for days on end. Give the people what they want, indeed." A fun record with typical Daptone production values.
The Smoke Fairies "Smoke Fairies/Wild Winter" (Full Time Hobby)
I combined these two 2014 releases by one of my favorite groups. The eponymous release from earlier this year is filled with typically excellent compositions but marred by one of the worst vinyl pressings I can remember. Buy the CD! Just received "Wild Winter", a collection of seasonal, somewhat darkly themed music on a quality pressing that mitigates the earlier sonic disappointment.
Jack White "Lazaretto" (Third Man Records)
Follow up to the killer LP "Blunderbuss". After you get past the backward recorded track, the hologram and other gimmicks, you are left with another fun release by the White Stripes' frontman. Not as consistent as Blunderbuss but has some great tracks including "High Ball Stepper" and "I Think I Found The Culprit".
Joan As Police Woman "The Classic" (Play It Again Sam)
With vocals a bit reminiscent of Amy Winehouse, vocalist/violinist takes on a more R&B flavor with great results. Sound quality a bit inconsistent but worth seeking out the vinyl IMO.
Other releases I enjoyed...
First Aid Kit "Stay Gold" (Columbia)
Damien Jurado "Brothers and Sisters of the Eternal Son" (Simply Canadian)
Lake Street Dive "Bad Self Portraits" (Signature Sounds)
Little Hurricane "Gold Fever" (Death Valley Reocrds)
St. Paul and The Broken Bones "Half The City" (Single Lock)
The Sweep "Starlight City Moans" (Feedbands)
Best reissue...The Beatles "In Mono"...like it could be anything else!
Best NOS purchase...The Rolling Stones "Beggar's Banquet" (Decca, mono unboxed). Completely different mix of "Sympathy For The Devil" is revelatory (although still recorded at the wrong speed). Although the remaining tracks are fold downs, the sound quality is excellent.
Hope people jump aboard and add their favorites.
Roseanne Cash "The River and The Thread" (Blue Note/Universal)
Roseanne Cash understands that this LP is a career highlight noting on the album cover “If I never make another album I will be content, because I made this one." Beautiful songs, lovingly performed and extremely well recorded on 180 gm vinyl. You'll be hearing this one at audio shows for years. Easy choice for album of the year.
Leonard Cohen "Popular Problems" (Columbia)
In a year he celebrated his 80th birthday, the great singer/songwriter released the follow up to a masterpiece, "Old Ideas". While not quite up to that lofty standard, this is a really great record. A few ticks on side one mar an otherwise excellent pressing.
Opusoid "Doon Wop" (Feedbands)
From the Feedbands website: "Doon Womp is a compilation of songs from Opusoid, AKA Age A, AKA A.J. Leone...We hesitate to even attempt to assign Opusoid a genre. Even A.J. himself struggles, saying the best word to describe his sound would be "playful." Combining Afro-Latin influences, jazz improvisations, live percussion loops, and completely organic sounds, Opusoid creates a genuinely interesting and inimitable overall sound. By relying on the natural rhythms of live performance, the artist is able to weave together compositions that take you on a ride, never staying in one place for long....You'll hear brassy horns, clapping hands, electric guitar fuzz, heavy bass lines, a whole slew of various percussion from beatboxing to bongos, and even some dubstep wub-wub. All we can say is you'll have to hear it for yourself, so hang on tight—this one-of-a-kind listening experience is about to blow your mind." A good sounding recording. You can download tracks for free on the website: http://www.opusoid.com/
Dum Dum Girls "Too True" (Sub Pop)
Follow to 2011's "Only In Dreams" finds Dee Dee and the girls taking a slightly more pop approach to great effect. "Rimbaud Eyes" is one of the years best singles. A very good live band.
Opeth "Pale Communion" (Roadrunner Records)
I admit to having a love/hate relationship with this LP. It's not the beautiful acoustic set of "Damnation" or the metal LP of 'classic Opeth'. Mikael Alkerfedt takes the band in a prog direction which has been a source of controversy (check out the threads on Steve Hoffman's Forum). I really got into this LP, once I got past my expectations based on prior releases. Well recorded.
Mark Lanegan "Phantom Radio" (Flooded Soil)
Another great record from one of my favorite artists (Gutter Twins, The Screaming Trees, etc), although not quite as consistent as the recent "Blues Funeral". Following on the heels of last year's "Imitations" (a fabulous LP of standards), Lanegan is back to his roots. "Floor of the Ocean" is one of the year's best singles.
Real Estate "Atlas" (Domino)
Another fine collection of catchy guitar driven pop tunes. No track stands out in this collection of well crafted songs. Sound quality is pretty good.
James Apollo "Angelorum" (Mattery Records)
A Seattle transplant via Arkansas, this powerhouse live performer's latest release is consistently excellent with strong songwriting and good sonics on CD. Awaiting the vinyl release.
Gary Clark "Live" (Warner Brothers)
Much stronger than his inconsistent, but promising debut. This LP really let's Clark show off his guitar chops. Vinyl sound quality is iffy but the quality of the music and smoking performances win out.
Prince "Art Official Age" (Warner Brothers)
Prince and his original label have patched up their differences and the first new release is an excellent Prince record. While not as hard driving as his 1980's peak, this is a fun LP and is very well recorded.
The Acid House "Number 1a" (Feedbands)
Don't let the band name fool you, the music is definitely not 'acid house' rather it is an impressive debut record of guitar driven songs.
Mike Dillon "Band of Outsiders" (Royal Potato Family)
From a review: "The new album is the perfect storm of Mike Dillon’s creativity: a blend of “deep, funky go-go, experimental hip-hop, snarling punk rock assaults, and ska grooves.” Perfect LP for a boring drive or a high impact workout. Sound quality is mediocre at best.
Ultimate Painting "Ultimate Painting" (Trouble In Mind)
Jack Cooper (Mazes) and James Hoare (Veronica Falls) each contributed 5 songs to this side project. Although breaking no new musical boundries, this is a fun LP of catchy melodies. Worth seeking out.
Sharon Jones "Give The People What They Want" Daptone
After being treated for gallbladder cancer, the hardest working woman in show business roars back with her band the Dap-Kings. From a review "The ten tracks they've delivered are what you've come to expect, even need, from the 11-piece band: the classic songwriting of We Get Along, the impressive energy of Retreat, and, solidified in Stranger To My Happiness; that kind of studio expertise that defines the band and their sound. It's those sharp, danceable funk grooves that stick to your bones; the fervent, impassioned singing that goes straight to your heart; and those sweet soul hooks that stay in your head for days on end. Give the people what they want, indeed." A fun record with typical Daptone production values.
The Smoke Fairies "Smoke Fairies/Wild Winter" (Full Time Hobby)
I combined these two 2014 releases by one of my favorite groups. The eponymous release from earlier this year is filled with typically excellent compositions but marred by one of the worst vinyl pressings I can remember. Buy the CD! Just received "Wild Winter", a collection of seasonal, somewhat darkly themed music on a quality pressing that mitigates the earlier sonic disappointment.
Jack White "Lazaretto" (Third Man Records)
Follow up to the killer LP "Blunderbuss". After you get past the backward recorded track, the hologram and other gimmicks, you are left with another fun release by the White Stripes' frontman. Not as consistent as Blunderbuss but has some great tracks including "High Ball Stepper" and "I Think I Found The Culprit".
Joan As Police Woman "The Classic" (Play It Again Sam)
With vocals a bit reminiscent of Amy Winehouse, vocalist/violinist takes on a more R&B flavor with great results. Sound quality a bit inconsistent but worth seeking out the vinyl IMO.
Other releases I enjoyed...
First Aid Kit "Stay Gold" (Columbia)
Damien Jurado "Brothers and Sisters of the Eternal Son" (Simply Canadian)
Lake Street Dive "Bad Self Portraits" (Signature Sounds)
Little Hurricane "Gold Fever" (Death Valley Reocrds)
St. Paul and The Broken Bones "Half The City" (Single Lock)
The Sweep "Starlight City Moans" (Feedbands)
Best reissue...The Beatles "In Mono"...like it could be anything else!
Best NOS purchase...The Rolling Stones "Beggar's Banquet" (Decca, mono unboxed). Completely different mix of "Sympathy For The Devil" is revelatory (although still recorded at the wrong speed). Although the remaining tracks are fold downs, the sound quality is excellent.
Hope people jump aboard and add their favorites.
Last edited:
. It is in my HDTRACKs downloader as we speak 
