As we always do, we breakdown the list in short form and then with explanations.
2014 Honorable Mentions in Short Form (In No Particular Order):
TV on the Radio - Seeds
The Hold Steady - Teeth Dreams
Ratking - So It Goes
The Horrors - Luminous
Death From Above 1979 - The Physical World
Spoon - They Want My Soul
Now, in long form:
TV on the Radio have always delivered records that sound as if they come from another cosmic part of the universe, Seeds is no exception. The band’s latest, their first recorded since the passing of bassist Gerard Smith, doesn’t sound like a band reflecting too much on their past but focusing, as always, on the future and what is ahead. Which in many ways, is probably what Smith would have wanted. The production of member David Sitek is as funky and freaky as ever and the energy this record packs is a colorful punch to fans around the globe.
Key Tracks: Happy Idiot, Seeds
Teeth Dreams marked the longest gap between Hold Steady records but heard the band bring their signature sound to the masses again. It is also a record devoid of themes and characters but much more introspective than ever. With engaging roaring riffs and Craig Finn's personal stories that could be moments of your life, Teeth Dreams is a record to admire.
Key Tracks: Spinners, Wait a While
One of the most exciting new hip-hop groups to emerge from New York City in years arrives with their pulverizing and shocking debut. Ratking hail from Manhattan and have been emerging as a new voice in Big Apple rap since 2010. Now, with their debut, So It Goes, Ratking provide lyrical blows to the hipsters, the NYU crowd, and anyone who thinks they are the King of New York. Plus, thanks to chaotic and ravaging production and a guest appearance from King Krule, it displays how diverse and exciting this group really is.
Key Tracks: Canal, So Sick Stories feat. King Krule
The career of The Horrors has been a gradual incline and alteration in sound from when they first appeared on the music scene back in 2006. Back then, with their debut, Strangehouse, they looked like a poor mans version of My Chemical Romance. Then, in 2009, they returned with Primary Colours, a record that heard them channeling the angst into art and a contemporary Joy Division. Then, in 2011, they released the groundbreaking Skying, a record that heard them take the best of 80’s cold and new wave and giving it a modern spin. With Luminous, they don’t transition too much from Skying but still manage to mature in all the right ways. Luminous is dark, cavernous, but also melodic and angelic.
Key Tracks: So Now You Know, I See You
Ten years after their landmark debut, Canadian post-hardcore thrashers Death From Above 1979 regrouped and released their sophomore record, The Physical World. It is a bit more polished then their debut, You’re a Woman, I’m a Machine, and it is also much more political than ever before. Still this band made us all wait to hear them again and this proved it was worth the wait.
Key Tracks: Right On, Frankenstein; Trainwreck 1979
The Austin indie icons returned with They Want My Soul and ventured more into the trippy side of music than that typical jangling indie rock we have come to love and expect from them. Filled with jangling riffs and psychedelic undertones, They Want My Soul is one of the more diverse albums in this bands growing catalog.
Key Tracks: Rent I Pay, New York Kiss
Stay Tuned Next Week When We Announce The 2014 "League of Their Own" Recipient.