It is once again that time of year where Larry and I go
through all the music that we have collected and enjoyed throughout this year
and give you our choices for both songs and albums that we think are the best.
Once again Larry and I thank you so much for reading our blog. We love having
the opportunity to share with you our musical tastes and really appreciate your
support of this blog. It makes it all worthwhile when we get notes from people
telling us just how much they enjoyed a particular album or band that we have
featured. That is exactly why we share our love for music with you. We
encourage you to leave us a comment as to what albums or songs did we leave out
that you think need to be included. You will soon know our favorite music of 2014. What were your favorites from this year?
Fletcher’s Best of
2014 picks
This year for me was a good solid year of music. Some of my
favorite artists put out new music and there were a bunch of really good new bands to
the scene. I always love listening to new bands and introducing you to them. I
find a lot of bands I write about end up in my favorite albums and songs, but I
guess I write about them because I like them so much. So no harm done, hopefully. I did finally whittle my top albums of the year to six. Make sure
you click on all the links of songs for they go to a video of each chosen song.
Top Albums of the Year (listed alphabetically by band)
Courtney Barnett.
The Double EP & A
Sea
Jukebox the Ghost. Jukebox the Ghost- This album came out
late this year but is a solid effort from my friends from Brooklyn .
This album shows a lot of maturity musically but keeps their fun loving piano
based pop style. They write such catchy tunes that you will be humming
throughout the day. These are all great songs to get stuck in your head.Enjoy "The Great Unknown" and "Made for Ending".
Marah. Mountain Minstrelsy- I can’t get enough
of this album from my favorite live band ever!!! Two years in the making but
worth every second. This mountain, americana , folk, psychedelic, indie rock music strikes you to the core. Done in the Marah
way, by recording it in Monophonic. They always do it their way and stay true
to who they are. Go get this one now!!
Here is "A Melody of Rain" as well as "10 Cents at the Gate" (I sang this song live with them in Baltimore-see below)
War on Drugs. Lost In a Dream- I also wrote about this
band earlier this year. This is a very strong album. Made many “best of” lists
this year. It deserves it. “Under the pressure” is still one of my favorite
songs of the year. Listen to "Under the Pressure" and "Suffering".
Wye Oak. Shriek- It has been a few years between
releases from my friends originally from Baltimore .
They continue to make our city proud. When people and critics heard that this
album was made without any of their usual lead guitar, people panned it before
they even heard it. This brilliant album made with just keys, drums and bass is
truly incredible. They made all the critics eat their words. Way to go Jenn and
Andy! Take pleasure in "The Tower" and "Logic of Color".
Top Songs of the Year (listed alphabetically by band)
Apache Relay. Katie Queen of Tennessee-
This folk rock Nashville
Cloud Nothings. I’m Not Part of Me- I wrote about this Cleveland band earlier this year. Still in love with this straight ahead rock tune.
Horse Thief. Devil – Had the pleasure of working the merch table for a show for this
psychedelic folk rock band from Oklahoma .
Very cool sound. Love his phrasing of this song.
Matt Hutchison. Only You- This Baltimore based
songwriter works each song with great hooks. He is the former front person of
Fools and Horses which was a big band in this city for years. Love the jangly
guitar opening chords on this hummable song. I am sending you to his web site.
Ray Lamontagne. Drive-in Movies- This former shoe
factory worker from New Hampshire has such a soulful and emotional voice that you
believe everything he says.
LP. Into the Wild. You can’t be helped but
to be moved by her soaring voice. I wrote about her this year after seeing her
live and being blown away. I still am.
Scars on 45. Golden- After being dropped by their
label a few years ago, I was worried they were done. Thank goodness I was
wrong. They are back with their killer male-female harmonies, as good as ever.
The Strypes. Blue Collar Jane- This Irish band of
four musicians under the age of 20, sound like the British invasion bands from
the 1960’s who were influenced by the blues. Don’t let their age fool you, they
kick ass.
Best surprise: Scruffy the Cat unreleased recordings. The Good Goodbye. I wrote last year
about the tragic loss of Scruffy the Cat’s front person, Charlie Chesterman. A
number of you replied that you also LOVED this band from Boston in the 80’s. I know I did. They
changed how I looked and listened to music and made me thirst for underground
bands at that time. They were one of the best live bands I have ever seen and I saw them
a number of times. They were just joyful people who were way ahead of their
time. I mean what band in the 80’s used banjo’s and mandolins with their
punkish pop Americana
songs. Anyway, I was so pleased that this album was released this year by
Omnivore Recordings because it lets me remember their greatness. Hopefully, this release will
introduce them to new ears.
Best Musical Moments-
No doubt. MARAH presents Mountain Minstrelsy. They came back and came back
strong with this side project that features a 12 year old fiddle prodigy. It is
not a shtick, for he can play. I helped bring them to Baltimore on two occasions and became their
merch guy for a number of East Coast dates. This is a band I have loved for
years so for me to be in their presence was inspirational. For me meeting them
is like most people meeting a Beatle. I have said on numerous occasions to
anyone who will listen that this is my favorite live band ever. After going out
with them on a number of dates, I can still vouch that this is true. I brought
out lots of people to their shows here and they all came up to me and asked why
aren’t they huge, It is because they do things the way the want to. They always
do it well. They may never be rich but they can hold their artistic heads up
high. They know themselves better than anyone. Anyway my best musical moment
was guest singing with them at a show here in Baltimore . I asked them if I could sing and
they didn’t even hesitate. What a thrill. It will be the best musical moment of
my life and will be one of the best moments of my life. Thank you to Dave and
Christine and the rest of the band for being so kind to me on all of our
excursions. It has been an honor.
I had another
great year working the merch tables for a number of bands this year. Some new
ones included the Hold Steady, Seawolf. Ark
Life, and Ozomalti. Thanks to everyone who trusted me working with them this
year.
Looking Forward to in
2015- The Damnwells!!! I know I said this last year also. The album did not
come out this past year. The original members recorded the album on their own.
Before they put it out a label signed them which will delay it until
March/April. Can’t wait, Also I am looking forward to new Decemberists as well
as Courtney Barnett. The Waterboys are releasing a new album early in the year. My fingers will be crossed. The new Lone Bellow also drops early next year.
The Delines. Colfax. I keep playing this album for it's terrific songwriting and for Amy Boone's amazing voice. Listen to "I Won't Slip Up" and "The Oil Rigs At Night".
Nels Cline and Julian Lage. Room- This album, just released the last week of November, is an amazing gift for lovers of creative virtuoso guitar work. Both players are masters of their craft. Here, they selflessly collaborate to create beautiful music. I've been a fan of Nels work since he joined Wilco in 2004. However, Nels started his career playing jazz. Julian Lage was a child prodigy who has played with an impressive who's who of guitarists since he was a child. This album is a tribute to Jim Hall's work. One can also hear echo's of Larry Coryell works. Here is a link to a recent show by Nels and Julian at this year's Ottawa Jazzfest.
Ryan Adams. Ryan Adams- Ryan is rocking again, and rocking well. I really like the tone of his guitar on this album. Listen to "Gimmie Something Good" and "Stay With Me".
Sturgill Simpson. Metamodern Sounds in Country Music- I like good country music. Sadly, with a few notable exceptions, there has not been much great country music to listen to the past couple of decades. Sturgill Simpson is one of those exceptions. Listen to "You Can Have The Crown/Some Days".
Temples. Sun Structures- I really am drawn to the retro sound of this band. Listen to "Keep In The Dark" and "Colors to Life".
Looking Forward to in
2015- Like Fletcher, I am also eagerly awaiting the forthcoming albums from The Damnwells and the Decemberists. Diana Krall and Bob Dylan also have new albums in the works. It will be exciting to hear what what both of these artists are up to in 2015.
Larry’s Best of
2014 picks
This year presented a terrific mix of new faces and the return of some old favorites, sometimes in a new form. My favorite musical moments will take a new turn, as this year I moved from Texas to Hawai'i. The music performed here and the music scene itself is a bit different than anything I've seen on the mainland. As is the case with Fletcher's picks you will see many familiar artists from earlier blog posts along with, what I hope will be, a few surprises.
Top Albums of the Year (listed alphabetically by band)
Nels Cline and Julian Lage. Room- This album, just released the last week of November, is an amazing gift for lovers of creative virtuoso guitar work. Both players are masters of their craft. Here, they selflessly collaborate to create beautiful music. I've been a fan of Nels work since he joined Wilco in 2004. However, Nels started his career playing jazz. Julian Lage was a child prodigy who has played with an impressive who's who of guitarists since he was a child. This album is a tribute to Jim Hall's work. One can also hear echo's of Larry Coryell works. Here is a link to a recent show by Nels and Julian at this year's Ottawa Jazzfest.
Ryan Adams. Ryan Adams- Ryan is rocking again, and rocking well. I really like the tone of his guitar on this album. Listen to "Gimmie Something Good" and "Stay With Me".
Sturgill Simpson. Metamodern Sounds in Country Music- I like good country music. Sadly, with a few notable exceptions, there has not been much great country music to listen to the past couple of decades. Sturgill Simpson is one of those exceptions. Listen to "You Can Have The Crown/Some Days".
Temples. Sun Structures- I really am drawn to the retro sound of this band. Listen to "Keep In The Dark" and "Colors to Life".
War on Drugs. Lost In a Dream- Fletcher turned me on to this
band earlier this year. Both the songwriting and the performances on this album are terrific. Enjoy a full live performance from these artists on KEXP.
Top Songs of the Year (listed alphabetically by band)
Ambrose Akinmusire. Our Basement- There are not many pleasures that can surpass hearing Amrose's amazing trumpet work tastefully riffing alongside Becca Stevens gorgeous voice. Beautiful stuff.
Drive-By Truckers. Till He's Dead Or Rises- Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley still know how to write good tunes. Here is but one example.
Jamestown Revival. California (Cast Iron Soul) – Terrific harmonies can be heard in the work of this Texas duo. This is a wonderful song. It's melody will be in your head in no time.
Leonard Cohen. Did I Ever Love You- In the past few years Leonard Cohen has again emerged as one of the best song writers in the business. This ballad is yet another example of his genius.
Saint Saviour. Nobody Died- This is a beautiful haunting ballad. While I never cared much for her electro pop stuff her singing and songwriting here is top notch.
Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings Stranger to My Happiness. Sit still while you listen to this song. Come on. I dare you. I double-dare you.
Spoon. Rent I Pay- Spoon just keeps their wonderful sound coming. I love the guitar on this one.
Wussy. Teenage Wasteland- The sound of this band and this song is first rate. Anyone who has ever been in a garage band, or been a fan of garage bands will be charmed.
Wussy. Teenage Wasteland- The sound of this band and this song is first rate. Anyone who has ever been in a garage band, or been a fan of garage bands will be charmed.
Best Musical Moments- In February, I was fortunate to see the Manhattan Transfer perform at the Dosey Doe in Spring, Texas. They put on a typically awesome show. I was extremely saddened to learn that Tim Hauser passed away last month. MT had a terrific sound that endured for decades.
As a new arrival in Hawai'i I was extremely lucky to see Henry Kapono perform in front of an intimate audience at the Playing For Change show at Ala Moana last month. He's an amazing performer that usually plays in front of much larger crowds.
As a new arrival in Hawai'i I was extremely lucky to see Henry Kapono perform in front of an intimate audience at the Playing For Change show at Ala Moana last month. He's an amazing performer that usually plays in front of much larger crowds.
