What follows are the albums I would call “Essential Listening” for 2014, meaning:
- that the majority of songs on the album are great
- that 2014 would be a bit less complete without them
First Aid Kit – Stay Gold
Chuck Ragan – Till Midnight
Official * Bandcamp * Amazon * iTunes
Manchester Orchestra – Cope
White Lung – Deep Fantasy
Ryan Adams – Ryan Adams
Restorations – LP3
Official * Bandcamp * Amazon * iTunes
Sturgill Simpson – Metamodern Sounds in Country Music
Official * Bandcamp * Amazon * iTunes
The Gaslight Anthem – Get Hurt
Lydia Loveless – Somewhere Else
If someone’s written a better song this year, I haven’t heard it.
By the time I get the money, it will be all gone
Lord, it’s already gone
Well, by the time I get the money, it will be all gone
Lord, everything’s gone
Everything’s gone, everything’s gone
Everything’s gone, lord everything’s gone
Kierston White – Don’t Write Love Songs
The Interrupters – s/t
YouTube: “Take Back the Power”
COLD WAR KIDS – Hold My Home
Death from Above 1979 – The Physical World
RVIVR – Bicker and Breathe
We’re gonna miss it when it’s gone
If it’s the sun we’ll leave a light on
If it’s the dark, just close our eyes
We don’t wanna get good at goodbyes
Nikki Lane – All or Nothin’
Shakey Graves – And the War Came
Official * Bandcamp * Amazon * iTunes
Billy the Kid – Horseshoes & Handgrenades
The Lawrence Arms – Metropole
What are we doing here?
Nothing.
That’s what’s f*cking killing me.
Black Pistol Fire – Hush or Howl
Matthew Ryan – Boxers
Official * Bandcamp * Amazon * iTunes
The Both – s/t
Tim Barry – Lost and Rootless
Old Crow Medicine Show – Remedy
The Copyrights – Report
Heart wants what the heart can’t have
The world is such a drag
Heart wants what’ll never be yours.
This world is such a bore.