In keeping with past tradition, first I give you a few notable EPs.
Drifting EP (Hollow Coves)
This folky duo from Brisbane has a really nice homey feel. I really like how their songs start quiet with just the acoustic guitar, and gradually build, with increasing percussion and other instrumentation. One of the guys in particular has a thick Australian accent, which adds a cool touch. It's really good chill out music if you need to relax. The last song, "Heatwave", seems an appropriate year-end song since it's recently been over 100 F in southern Australia. I'll be looking forward to this band's new work in 2015.
Innate (Laulu)
This group is from Minneapolis; they have a really nice acoustic sound. The girl's voice is really other-worldly and amazing-sounding. And actually the dude's voice, too...they work well together, and they both create the same interesting atmosphere. I would classify their sound as slightly tribal, but the rhythms are variable, even within individual songs. They are definitely worth checking out if you enjoy folky, indie music.
Fountain EP (Island Wren)
This band was another recent noisetrade discovery. They have a cool do-it-yourself bluegrassy sound, and the arrangements are quite well done. They strike me as a really young band; some of the lyrics are not perfectly in tune. But the range of instrumentation used is really impressive; there are some very skilled musicians in the group. Particularly the violinist. The harmonies are also bold, and generally well-delivered. I really like how the songs build and gradually change. The last couple of songs are really one long piece.
Wolfe (Brolly)
Last year Brolly announced the exciting news that they are relocating to Denver as a band! They were also working on new music, which was released in late July. I actually didn't get around to listening to the new EP until this autumn, but I was quite impressed. Their initial EP was not just a fluke; their skill and powerful sound is still evident on this new release. I am eagerly anticipating a full-length album from the band in the not-too-distant future! And hopefully some live shows too.
Now on to the top ten albums:
10. The Whiskey Switch (The Whiskey Switch)
This group, headed by a guy by the name of Luke Brindley (whose solo stuff is also quite good), is sort of a throwback to Bob Dylan's style of music. Although I've never personally cared for Bob Dylan's style of talking during his songs and not really singing very much. The Whiskey Switch is how I imagine Bob Dylan would sound if he actually sang during his songs. It is pretty mellow western-style folk, with some nice backing harmonies and cool finger-picking guitar work. I imagine it would be good road trip music.
9. Slouching (Work Friend)
I only came across this band in the last month or so. My first impressions were of the similarity to David Bazan's work. The lead singer's voice is incredibly deep and raspy, and really complements the electric guitar distortion featured in some of the songs, as well as the driving percussion. Overall, though, the music is somewhat more melodic and more immediately accessible than Bazan's music. I haven't been able to follow the lyrics on each of the songs, but overall they strike me as pretty dark and depressing.
8. Volume I & II (Streets of Laredo)
This band is not my typical favourite band style. They are a bit too rocky and maybe a bit too country for my normal taste, but something about their sound works for me. I think something about their sound reminds me of alternative bands from the Pacific Northwest (especially Band of Horses). They have that vintage, old-school vibe. And the beats are really rocking. The band sounds like it's pretty large, with a lot of different instruments and a number of vocalists. Check them out if this sounds like a style you would enjoy.
7. Christmas Collection 2014 (Sleeping at Last)
It's been interesting to follow Sleeping at Last over the few years. The band has been around for a long time now, and their style has definitely changed considerably. But their music remains really beautiful and moving. This year they released a Christmas collection through noisetrade, and I really liked it. It's a nice mix of old Christmas carols re-worked, and original songs. It takes something special to make me like a Christmas album, since there are so many of them these days and many are terrible. But I think they succeeded. Give it a listen.
6. Curse Our Love (Young Rebel Set)
I'm not sure how I never came across this band until now...apparently they been around since 2007. They are an indie rock band from the north of England. When I first heard the album, I was struck by the lead singer's incredibly ability to stay perfectly on pitch, despite the emotion and power in his voice. There is a good variety of songs on the album; some are more poppy, some are more rocky. The lyrics are not particularly uplifting, but it's undeniably good music.
5. The Mountain (Jordan Ruiz)
This guy is apparently from LA. He has a very calming, soothing voice, and a nice mix of acoustic guitar in the background along with a bigger orchestra sound at times. He does a good job recording harmonies over himself. The music style is folky, but with some pretty syncopated beats on some songs. Pretty much every song is straight out of the Bible, and/or preaching the gospel; it's pretty solid. I highly recommend giving him a listen.
4. Ghost Stories (Coldplay)
I've always loved Coldplay. So I was pretty excited when I heard they were releasing another album, only a couple of years after their last one, Mylo Xyloto. The first couple of songs they released, Magic and Midnight, set the tone for the album: quiet, introspective songs. Midnight, in particular, impressed me with its seemingly perfect capture, in music form, of the atmosphere that exists when you're alone in the middle of the night. The entire album is really good, although the lyrics are pretty depressing: generally filled with regret and sadness. My personal favourite is "Another's Arms"; the percussion gives me chills every time I hear it. The only downside about the album is that it's too short.
3. The Astorian (Side Saddle)
I came across this group on noisetrade I believe. They are from NYC, and I believe the lead singer has been involved in other bands and music projects before. The closest comparison I can make is with the Shins, although Side Saddle is undeniably more rocky, louder, and more beat-driven than the Shins' typical work. I was really impressed with the clean percussion, and also the creative way the lyrics work with the rhythms. The horns are really cool too. The lead singer also has a very tuneful voice.
2. Islands (Bears Den)
I think of Bears Den sort of like the new Mumford and Sons. They have continued the tradition of the liberal use of banjos as an English band. The song structures are generally simpler than Mumford, but I think that often works to their advantage. This is their debut album, and as such it features many of the songs previously released on their EP. As a whole, however, the album works extremely well. Many of the lyrics are bit on the dark side, and there is a fair amount of profanity, but it makes the music that much more powerful. I really like the simplicity of a lot of their melodies, and how the guys' voices work together so well. This album is high on the list of the top records.
1. All This Is Yours (Alt-J)
We've all been eagerly awaiting the next release from Alt-J, and let me just say it did not disappoint. I've been obsessed with it pretty much since the day it was released. I can't deny some parts of it are really weird, and during my first listen there were many "...what?" moments, but there were also a lot of parts where I continue to get chills. Some of the songs are intense, super-dark songs (like "Hunger of the Pine"); some are fun, old-school-sounding rocky songs (like "Left Hand Free"); some are epic orchestral sounding songs, and there is one marginally dirty almost overtly sexual song, which is hilarious. Pretty much every song is genius. Also, I don't know if it's because I've gotten more used to the lead singer's voice, but I had a much easier time understanding the lyrics on this album than on "An Awesome Wave". There wasn't really much competition for the top album of the year spot this year; this was a clear winner.
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