Continuing in the spirit of INFIDELITY (the movie), we give you our (Amy and Shelia) TOP 5 ALBUMS OF 2014. For our TOP 4 SONGS, click HERE
Amy’s Top 5 Albums
STAY GOLD by FIRST AID KIT – another Swedish band that I just love. Their first single of this album, “My Silver Lining”, is haunting and sad and I love the lyrics “I try not to hold on to what is gone, I try to do right what is wrong, I try to keep on keeping on.” So I knew I liked the band but then STAY GOLD was released and I was hooked. Everything about this song brings tears to my eyes, the sadness, the lyrics, the thoughts that I have had so many times. “What is our hard work ends in despair? What if the road won’t take me there? I wish for once we could stay gold” Great things don’t last. “There is only forward no other way….gold turns gray.” I needed to hear this when it came out and it has remained a favorite. It is probably just my mood of late, but these folksy sisters have become one of my favorites of the year.
STOCKHOLM by CHRISSIE HYNDE – CHRISSIE HYNDE is a badass. I saw her in concert this year and was so impressed with how great her voice sounded and how she just oozed rockstar. This is her first solo album and while you can hear a bit of Pretenders in the music, she has enough solid songs to make me love this album. Just listen to “Dark Sunglasses” and try to not rock and revel in her awesomeness.
LOST IN THE DREAM by WAR ON DRUGS – It seems more and more rare these days for a band to have more than one hit on an album, so when there are a solid 4 songs that I love, I know it is a keeper. If there was such a thing as techno-Bob Dylan, I think this would be it. In the movie of my life, one of these songs is playing as I drive down the road. The whole album has such an ethereal feel with a great beat.
STRANGE DESIRE by BLEACHERS – I am a fan of FUN, but associated the voice with Nate Ruess. So I was happy to hear this new creative outlet for Jack Antonoff. There is a lot of 80s sounds in the album, and many of the songs have that same anthemic feel that FUN songs have. While “I Wanna Get Better” was the first single and it catchy, “Wild Heart” is my favorite followed by “Rollercoaster”. It’s a great album and will have you bopping along to the songs.
SADNECESSARY by MILKY CHANCE – I don’t often buy albums so MILKY CHANCE get the honor of being “the only album I bought this year”. They first came out with “Stolen Dance” that I loved but when they released “Flashed Junk Mind”, I knew I was hooked. The guys are super cute and from Germany, so I am totally in love.
Shelia’s Top 5 Albums
MY FAVOURITE FADED FANTASY by DAMIEN RICE – Damien has sort of been M.I.A since his album 9 CRIMES but he came back with a punch and a kick with MY FAVOURITE FADED FANTASY. It just a beautiful and sad album. It’s signature DAMIEN RICE.
CATEGORY 5 by LINUS YOUNG: I set the bar really high for my expectations for this full length album from this duo. Their second single “Sister” was so hauntingly beautiful and poetic and made me a huge fan. When their third single “Crystal Ball” was released I was a bit thrown with crunchy, loud, and full of angst guitar and drums mixed with their soft harmonies and vocals, but the album did not disappoint. Their debut album showcases the strengths that make LINUS YOUNG. IRIS BELSON and JOSEPH WALKER compliment and bring out the best in each other’s voices. They’re just fantastic. So many good songs off the album, but I suggest listening to “Sister” and “Cool Trip”. Opposite ends of the musical spectrum, but gives you the sense and vibes of the essence of LINUS YOUNG.
LIMINAL by THE ACID – I really can’t find the right words to explain the sound that is THE ACID, but by god this album is damn good. I guess if you’ve ever taken acid, this album could be soundtrack to your trip. However you think of it, the album is sometimes minimal in sound with vocals that stalk you and sometimes the sound is overwhelming complex. I just love this album.
BOXERS by MATTHEW RYAN – Prolific, poetic, passionate, heartbreakingly beautiful, and always hypnotic is how I feel about Matthew’s music and songs. His voice always has a sense of a heavy heart but a heart that is filled with hope and belief that there is something better and bigger on the other side of the song. This album is all of that packaged in 13 songs. It is my favorite album by Matthew since MATTHEW RYAN vs THE SILVER STATE. It’s absolutely gorgeous. I love it.
SILENT SO LONG by EMIGRATE – Loudwire gave their number one rock album of 2014 to this album. I was completely shocked by the choice. Not in a “it didn’t deserve to be #1” but in a “someone else is loving this album besides me” way. EMIGRATE is RAMMSTEIN’s RICHARD KRUSPE other band. I have been patiently waiting for the sophomore follow up to the self titled debut. Richard and company did not disappoint. The album features guest vocals from Franke Delle, Peaches, Lemmy Kilmister of Motorhead, Marily Manson, Margaux Bossieux, and Jonathan Davis of Korn. It’s an album that just ninja kicks you in the stomach but leaves you begging for more.
Amy’s honorable mention: HOZIER by HOZIER – a sad victim of radio overplay
Shelia’s honorable mentions: PURE ADULTERATED JOY by Morning Parade and SONGS OF INNOCENCE by U2
