Best Albums of 2014 – A Top 5 List
From underground hip hop to doom metal, here’s our five favorite albums of 2014.
#5 | Yob, 'Clearing the Path to Ascend'
Clocking in at over eleven minutes, “Nothing to Win”, the second track on Yob’s latest release, Clearing the Path to Ascend, is one of my favorite songs this year. While “Nothing to Win” might be the early peak in the album, at over eleven minutes, it’s the shortest on this four song, nearly eighty minute album. These Eugene, Oregon heavy hitters showcase their incredible dynamic range as Mike Scheidt screams, growls, and claws his way into your soul.
Buy it on vinyl from your local record store!
#4 | Beck, 'Morning Phase'
At first listen, Beck’s latest studio release, his first in six years, might seem like just another Sea Change. It certainly could be considered a companion to that album, but take another spin (or six) and you’ll hear a much more uplifting vibe in this set of morning inspired song’s from one of the most prolific song writer’s of our time.
Buy it on vinyl from your local record store!
#3 | Pallbearer, 'Foundations of Burden'
Pallbearer takes us on a sonic journey through the sludgiest depths of metal music on Foundations of Burden, their sophomore effort for Profound Lore. Formed in 2008, this Little Rock, AR quartet quickly garnered widespread praise, making it onto many “year-end” lists in 2012 with their debut album, Sorrow and Extinction. Foundations of Burden is a timeless classic, that will draw you in with a cascade of crushing riffs, and ethereal, entrancing guitar interplay, all layered over soaring vocals. The metal scene is in good hands as long as these guys are making music.
Buy it on vinyl from your local record store!
#2 | The War on Drugs, 'Lost in the Dream'
Sometimes we immediately know when an album will be on our year-end list, and that’s the case with The War on Drugs’ latest release, as Adam Granduciel and crew deliver their finest studio album to date with Lost in the Dream. Loneliness never sounded so good.
Buy it on vinyl from your local record store!
#1 | Run the Jewels, 'Run the Jewels 2'
Killer Mike and El-P might be the two rappers you’d least expect to collaborate, but that’s just what they did last year, when they joined forces to form Run the Jewels, and released their self-titled album (psst, best album of 2013!). Their contrasting styles work perfectly together, and Run the Jewels 2 is another hip-hop masterpiece.
Buy it on vinyl from your local record store!