So, 2014 is drawing to a close. It’s been a year of a lot of change, a lot of new things have happened. I’ve learnt a lot, and realised along the way that I knew a lot less in the first place than I had previously thought. In the midst of all these changes, joys and celebrations, celebration, mourning and downright hard work, I’ve heard some fantastic music. Music is a gift, I think. It never ceases to amaze me that there is a song, or an album for every mood, seemingly every circumstance. I’m writing this list as much for my own sense of posterity as anything – it’ll be nice to look back on this in a while (perhaps years) and see what was exciting me by the end of 2014! I’m not going to be pretentious and write long, florid paeans to each album. If they sound intriguing, take the time to track them down and delve in. I hope that they give you as much joy as they have given me this year. A final caveat, there’s no way I could possibly do this list in order or anything like that, so just assume that I like them all equally! Ok, here goes…
Motorpsycho – Behind the Sun
2014 was the year I discovered vinyl. I know it had been there for a long time. I was slow on the uptake. It was also the year I discovered the incredible Norwegian band Motorpsycho. This is their 2014 release, but as I began to delve in to their back catalogue there was the glorious realisation that here was a band who defied characterisation and had been making albums since the late 1980’s. Sometimes it’s like Black Sabbath. At other times it’s free jazz. Sometimes 60s pop, other times a cacophonous racket. A staggeringly inventive and individual band. If you do nothing else after reading this, listen to this album.
Royal Blood – Royal Blood
This won’t surprise anyone who knows me. I was fortunate enough to hear about Royal Blood 18 months ago, before their first single was released, and saw them twice, playing to a combined total of about 120 people. I don’t think I’ve ever been more inspired by seeing a band I barely knew anything about than that first time in Leicester. Fortunately their debut album delivers on their promise in spades. It’s crazy to think that they are among the biggest bands in the country now. Can only wait and see what comes next with interest.
Neil Cowley Trio – Touch and Flee
This was a departure for the best live band in the world, a dancehall record. Quite restrained. Full of emotion, but lacking in some of the bombast of previous releases, which really gave Neil’s compositional flair space to shine. I have no idea how they aren’t the biggest band in the world, as I keep saying. If you like music you will like this album. If you don’t like this album you probably should give up listening to music.
Enormodome – Big Boy Machines
The second rock duo on this list. This is a huge sounding, melodically inventive, inspiring listen. This has more of my favourite songs of the year on it than any other album. It sounds so good loud as to be ridiculous. Fantastic work from J Hall and Brad Blackwood on mixing and mastering.
David Bazan and Passenger String Quartet – Volume 1
David Bazan is a world-class songwriter. He is also a world-class quester after truth, willing to question and doubt, and honestly express his feelings and findings at every step. The songs on this album see Bazan’s haunting vocal backed only by a string quartet. in these environs you see just how strong his writing is. He’s a special talent that everyone should know.
Plank! – Hivemind
An instrumental trio traversing the line between indie, rock and electronica, this is a brilliantly joyous record. No-one seems to have heard of them either…
Gavin Clark – Beautiful Skeletons
I’ve been waiting for a new release from Gavin, the voice of Funhouse and Clayhill, for what feels like an eternity, but was actually only about 8 years (I’m impatient). This is a beautifully presented collection of sparse, emotive folk, charting the course of the last 20 years or so of Clark’s songwriting life. Her has one of of those voices. Another one who, if there was any justice in music world, would be a household name.
Early Winters – Vanishing Act
This is a flat-out beautiful album. Carina Round is another one of those singers. Here, her vocals intertwine the equally brilliant Justin Rutledge’s, as they adorn some amazing and effortlessly laid-back songs. Just wonderful.
Ormonde – Cartographer/Explorer
This record has Anna-Lynne Williams on it. That should be enough to send you scurrying out to hear it. If you need more, this is marked departure for her duo with Robert Gomez. More direct, perhaps even aggressive, but still maintaining the wonder and sense of the numinous. Another special album.
Damien Rice – My Favourite Faded Fantasy
A surprise new album from Damien Rice came late in the year. In a sense though, what we got was far from a surprise. Perfectly crafted, full of emotion, twisting and turning. A lovely return.
Dan Wilson – Love Without Fear
The former singer with Semisonic, Dan Wilson writes great songs. They are the kind of songs that make you, were you to find yourself considering yourself to be a songwriter, more than willing to down tools to retirement.
Luke Sital Singh – The Fire Inside
One of the standout performers I saw at Greenbelt this year, Luke’s debut full length has justifiably elevated him to a new level of recognition as one of the best songwriters in this country. Don’t be surprised if he’s everywhere next year. It’s his time.
Her Name is Calla – Navigator
I love Calla. They’ve been in my life a long time. This year they released an astonishingly progressive album, nuanced and full of maturity. Out with noise, in with pastoral folk of the best kind. On with the show. Can’t wait for their next one.