Best Ever Albums

Re: 2014 is Just Not Making the Cut

Muslim-Bigfoot — Fri, 8 Aug 2014 17:11:23 GMT

Author: Muslim-Bigfoot

Posted: 08/08/2014 21:11

Seems a little underwhelming compared to the last couple of years; the ratio of unbearable stuff to the mediocre has been higher for me in comparison. Although every year has many gems and this year isn't any exception, years with the larger pile of shit make it harder and more time-consuming to find them.

Re: 2014 is Just Not Making the Cut

denmarkman — Fri, 8 Aug 2014 16:51:39 GMT

Author: denmarkman

Posted: 08/08/2014 20:51

I got that impression initially, but tbh I think that's just how pretty much all new years seem. 2011, 2012, and 2013 all seemed pretty lousy to me at first, too. If I had to guess why, it's because we've already had generations of music listeners to pick out the best stuff from past eras. That's not to say there isn't great stuff among the more obscure stuff from the '70s through '90s, but it's a lot more likely that we'll enjoy the higher-ranked stuff from those years because that stuff has stood the test of time and has proved to be among the favorites of thousands of passionate music-listeners.

Nowadays, there's so much more music available (higher population, Internet, at-home recording technology, etc.), and since it's so recent the average album from the 2010s has not yet received even a fraction as many listens as the average album from the 1990s and before. Consequently, you may not particularly agree with the current consensus on the best albums for recent years. I bet if you dig a lot deeper, though, you'll find some really great stuff. There's just too much music coming out for it to all be mediocre or worse.

Re: 2014 is Just Not Making the Cut

rustyautoparts — Fri, 8 Aug 2014 15:46:45 GMT

Author: rustyautoparts

Posted: 08/08/2014 19:46

I've checked out a random track or two from Ought, and filed it away for closer listening. Trophy Scars was completely off my radar, so I look forward to listening to both. Thanks!

Re: 2014 is Just Not Making the Cut

Karnoffel — Fri, 8 Aug 2014 15:37:23 GMT

Author: Karnoffel

Posted: 08/08/2014 19:37

Have you checked out Ought's Today More Than Any Other Day or Trophy Scars' Holy Vacants? Fantastic albums.

Re: 2014 is Just Not Making the Cut

rustyautoparts — Thu, 7 Aug 2014 20:19:59 GMT

Author: rustyautoparts

Posted: 08/08/2014 00:19

Last year had a ton of hyped blockbuster albums. Justin Timberlake, Vampire Weekend, Arcade Fire, Daft Punk, Kanye West... There was a lot of buzz around those albums last year, and there is something magical about well known musicians putting out stellar work in their prime. I'm not seeing a lot of that this year, can't really think of a blockbuster type album that's gotten a lot of critical praise.

That said, I think there are just as many stellar albums out so far this year, they're just further below the radar than normal. Garage rock in particular has been off the charts so far. Some of favorites:

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Burn Your Fire For No Witness by Angel Olsen

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Tomorrow's Hits by The Men

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Here And Nowhere Else by Cloud Nothings

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Are We There by Sharon Van Etten

Re: 2014 is Just Not Making the Cut

mickilennial — Thu, 7 Aug 2014 20:03:58 GMT

Author: mickilennial

Posted: 08/08/2014 00:03

I think this year has a higher average of 4 stars+ records than some of the past ones so far, so I have to go with the "it's just you" sentiment as well. I really really like most of what I put up in my top 30-50 of the 100 and the other half is damn stellar too.

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The Serpent & The Sphere by Agalloch

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This Kindly Slumber by Birds Of Passage

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Prayer For Terrene by Idylls

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Splinters by Vallenfyre

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Ester Rada by Ester Rada

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Make My Head Sing... by Jessica Lea Mayfield

Re: 2014 is Just Not Making the Cut

Skinny — Thu, 7 Aug 2014 19:51:10 GMT

Author: Skinny

Posted: 08/07/2014 23:51

Kool Keith Sweat wrote:

lehtal just rec'd me something on my chart that I'll probs like; maybe that'll be my aoty.

Oh, that's from years ago. You'll love it anyway.

Re: 2014 is Just Not Making the Cut

JOSweetHeart — Thu, 7 Aug 2014 19:47:32 GMT

Author: JOSweetHeart

Posted: 08/07/2014 23:47

This year has been slow from my perspective too. Right now only three of my top ten favorite solo singers have new albums coming, Brad Paisley, Kenny Chesney, and Hal Ketchum (Its been six years since his last album). One of my favorite female singers LeAnn Rimes did just now release a dance album on the day before yesterday, but all of the songs on it are from her previous albums only they have been redone so that they can be danced to. My favorite duo, Brooks & Dunn, went their separate ways a few years ago, I haven't seen anything new lately on my favorite trio, SheDaisy, and even though a live album from my favorite band, Diamond Rio, is supposed to be in stores at some point, its been almost five years now since a new album from them was released.

God bless you and all of my favorites always!!! 😄 😄 😄

Holly

Re: 2014 is Just Not Making the Cut

Anonymous — Thu, 7 Aug 2014 18:31:43 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 08/07/2014 22:31

I have a huge 2014 backlog right now but of the few I've heard, the following two are all-time great status:

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U As In Utah by Ju Sei & Utah Kawasaki

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Miseri Lares by Valerio Tricoli

Re: 2014 is Just Not Making the Cut

Anonymous — Thu, 7 Aug 2014 18:27:47 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 08/07/2014 22:27

Skinny wrote:

I find that people who think there isn't enough good new music coming out tend not to listen to enough new music.

meh. I've only listened to somewhere around 60/70 albums from this year so far, but I don't think there's one that floored me, and there's usually a handful or two for me each year. Still need to listen to Fatima and CLPPNG, among many others. lehtal just rec'd me something on my chart that I'll probs like; maybe that'll be my aoty.

Re: 2014 is Just Not Making the Cut

craola — Thu, 7 Aug 2014 16:07:31 GMT

Author: craola

Posted: 08/07/2014 20:07

Necharsian wrote:

Wow both of these will be on my chart when i get around to doing another update.

Yay! Thanks. I was thinking about adding them myself, but I'm fighting off a streak of laziness at the moment and losing terribly.

Re: 2014 is Just Not Making the Cut

NowhereMan — Thu, 7 Aug 2014 16:05:05 GMT

Author: NowhereMan

Posted: 08/07/2014 20:05

Gonna' have to check out Owl John.

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New Eyes by Clean Bandit

This is great.

Re: 2014 is Just Not Making the Cut

RockyRaccoon — Thu, 7 Aug 2014 15:57:36 GMT

Author: RockyRaccoon

Posted: 08/07/2014 19:57

Aside from Sun Kil Moon and the aforementioned by benpaco "Ether" (which, good call Ben), I've heard fantastic, 5/5s on these albums

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Lost In The Dream by The War On Drugs

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Cosmos by Yellow Ostrich

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Nux Vomica by Nux Vomica

(the above is only if you like black metal)

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Nikki Nack by tUnE-YaRdS

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Familiars by The Antlers

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...And Then You Shoot Your Cousin by The Roots

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Morning Phase by Beck

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Cope by Manchester Orchestra

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I Never Learn by Lykke Li

Re: 2014 is Just Not Making the Cut

Necharsian — Thu, 7 Aug 2014 15:44:08 GMT

Author: Necharsian

Posted: 08/07/2014 19:44

nicklas wrote:

Other albums not featured on BEA currently:
Adult Jazz: Gist Is
OOIOO: Gamel

Wow both of these will be on my chart when i get around to doing another update.

Re: 2014 is Just Not Making the Cut

craola — Thu, 7 Aug 2014 15:34:42 GMT

Re: 2014 is Just Not Making the Cut

Necharsian — Thu, 7 Aug 2014 15:25:54 GMT

Author: Necharsian

Posted: 08/07/2014 19:25

Skinny wrote:

I find that people who think there isn't enough good new music coming out tend not to listen to enough new music.

Basically. Threads like this seem to consistently pop up on a quarter yearly basis for as long as ive been here. Every year is bad or not as good as the last. 2014 has been great and i still feel like ive missed out on a lot.

ill plug these 3 albums for now tho

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Want by Wreck And Reference

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Ultima ll Massage by Tobacco

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Heaven by The Bilinda Butchers

the last one ive been listening to non stop for about a week. god damn it really is Heaven

Re: 2014 is Just Not Making the Cut

benpaco — Thu, 7 Aug 2014 14:49:55 GMT

Author: benpaco

Posted: 08/07/2014 18:49

meruizh wrote:

I'll definitely check these albums! Thankss!!

Course! If you've got any recs for me, that'd be great too 😄 Oh and a certain someone named benpaco put out a 2014 album that's worth checking out 😜

Re: 2014 is Just Not Making the Cut

meccalecca — Thu, 7 Aug 2014 14:46:44 GMT

Author: meccalecca

Posted: 08/07/2014 18:46

I prefer last year, but there's a lot of time left. A lot of personal favorites released records last year (Nick Cave, Low, Califone, Wire, MBV, Mazzy Star, and Mark Kozelek put out 3 albums compared to 1 this year). So, based on that, it's hard to beat, but there's still plenty to love about 2014, especially below the surface of what's getting loads of press.

Re: 2014 is Just Not Making the Cut

Anonymous — Thu, 7 Aug 2014 14:40:36 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 08/07/2014 18:40

Basically my whole top 30 this year are stellar which is more than what I can say about many many many other years

2014 has been won der ful

Re: 2014 is Just Not Making the Cut

ThisisaCall — Thu, 7 Aug 2014 14:39:03 GMT

Author: ThisisaCall

Posted: 08/07/2014 18:39

I agree, 2014 has been a very weak year... Lana Del Rey's album was bad and the black keys' album was bad, and the same can be said for the new Parquet Courts and Shabaz Palaces. I assume that it's because a lot of great music has been produced in the last two years and we're still waiting for their follow ups. Frank Ocean, Kendrick Lamar, Queens of the Stone Age, Kanye West, Haim, Miguel, and Disclosure are just a few artists that have released great music in the past couple of years so we have to settle for the new music that's out now, which is just not that good. Unfortunately no new acts have come out this year that have sparked my interest. However, I would say that Piñata by Freddie Gibbs and Madlib is the album of the year and would hold up any other year.