– posted by Colby
This year I’ve decided to start by reviewing my favorite songs and save my top albums for the next post. As a quick reminder, there are a few rules I follow when listing out my top songs – only one song per artist, no songs from my top albums (since those artists will already be highlighted), I don’t try to rank my top songs (it’s just to hard), and I don’t necessarily hold myself to ten picks.
Favorite Songs of 2014:
“Bury Our Friends” – Sleater-Kinney, Bury Our Friends (single): The full album won’t be out until next year but thankfully they dropped a couple singles early and I was quickly reminded why these ladies ruled the end of the millennium – and it’s great to have them back at their best.
“Lazaretto” – Jack White, Lazaretto: With his solo work, I wouldn’t say that he’s been able to put together a consistently great album, but Jack White knows guitar hooks. There’s really no denying it. Listen to this and try not to strut – I dare you.
“Left Hand Free” – alt-J, This Is All Yours: Funky college rock.
“5-Sax Piece” – Moon Hooch, This is Cave Music: To me, their best tracks sound like a mix between jazz and EDM. In this one, Moon Hooch make a slow build – give it 100 seconds – and then let the funky hammer fall. (And in case you hadn’t heard, saxophones are cool again.)
“Coffee” – Sylvan Esso, s/t: A great example of how hard it is to do just enough, but not too much, especially with electronic based music. A very simple song at first blush with hidden complexity. Layers of clicks, snaps, thumps, beeps and chimes with Amelia Meath’s voice floating over the top and just the right space all around.
“No Rest for the Wicked” – Lykke Li, I Never Learn: Reminds me a bit of the track “Youth” that I had on my list last year. Melancholy with a driving beat.
“Hotel” – The Antlers, Familiars: This song grabbed me just with it’s tone, the melody that rises and falls. I didn’t even listen to the lyrics the first dozen times and then it gradually pulled me in further. I couldn’t tell you for sure what it’s about but the meaning seems to be just under the surface.
“Chris Issak” – Lydia Loveless, Somewhere Else: Lydia Loveless is Outlaw Country in a skirt (I hope she wouldn’t find that offensive, I mean that in the best possible way) and this is self-aware country music with a bite.
“Seven” – Blake Mills, Heigh Ho: Blake Mills takes what could have turned in to a sappy, cliche love song and made it rich and complex by adding the undertow of a bowed stand-up bass, a great blues guitar sound and bitter-sweet tone.
“The Body Electric” – Hurray for the Riff Raff, Small Town Heroes: As some may know, I love murder ballads and this is a beautiful addition to the catalog.
“Lucia” – Hiss Golden Messenger, Lateness of Dancers: A song for my beautiful little niece.
“Madman” – Sean Rowe, Madman: This is the best “ear worm” of the lot for me. There were many times this year I found bits of this song repeating inside my head. But it’s one of those rate tracks I didn’t mind invading my inner soundtrack.
Here’s my my full Best Songs of 2014 playlist on Spotify:
Not More Music Crap? 