Top 100 Music Albums of 2014
by CameronMB 
Always being updated. I know I probably liked some albums you didn't, and I probably didn't like some albums you did. I hope we can still be friends!
I got most of the genre tags from AllMusic and RateYourMusic.
This chart does not include classical music, film score albums, multi-artist compilations, or greatest hits albums. I'll make charts for those separately.
Comments and suggestions welcome.
- Chart updated: 10/17/2014 04:45
- (Created: 09/06/2014 21:33).
- Chart size: 100 albums.
There are 2 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Top 100 Music Albums of 2014 has an average rating of 88 out of 100 (from 2 votes). Please log in or register to leave a comment or assign a rating.
View the complete list of 58,000 charts on BestEverAlbums.com from The Charts page.
MASHUP, PLUNDERPHONICS, NOVELTY
Humor, listenability, and familiarity are the reason to turn this on, but there's a lot more than meets the eye - linguistic games, social commentary, and studied kitsch are just some of the tools Cicierega uses to turn this into much more than a generic mashup album. One of the best independent releases of the year.
Suggested Track: "Modest Mouth" [First added to this chart: 09/06/2014]
Humor, listenability, and familiarity are the reason to turn this on, but there's a lot more than meets the eye - linguistic games, social commentary, and studied kitsch are just some of the tools Cicierega uses to turn this into much more than a generic mashup album. One of the best independent releases of the year.
Suggested Track: "Modest Mouth" [First added to this chart: 09/06/2014]
ART POP, INDIE POP, AFROBEAT
There's so many influences here. At times I thought of Dirty Projectors, Vampire Weekend, Prince, Justin Timberlake, Givers, classic reggae. An outstanding, energetic, completely bizarre album. Imagine a band that is bother weirder and more accessible than Dirty Projectors and you'll have an idea of how impressive this accomplishment is. Outré outlandishness, humor, hooks, and brain-melting sounds in a delicious mix.
Suggested Track: "Find A New Way" [First added to this chart: 09/15/2014]
There's so many influences here. At times I thought of Dirty Projectors, Vampire Weekend, Prince, Justin Timberlake, Givers, classic reggae. An outstanding, energetic, completely bizarre album. Imagine a band that is bother weirder and more accessible than Dirty Projectors and you'll have an idea of how impressive this accomplishment is. Outré outlandishness, humor, hooks, and brain-melting sounds in a delicious mix.
Suggested Track: "Find A New Way" [First added to this chart: 09/15/2014]
Year of Release:
2014
Appears in:
Rank Score:
307
Rank in 2014:
Rank in 2010s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
EXPERIMENTAL ELECTRONIC, PSYCHEDELIC FOLKTRONICA, GLITCH POP
Wow, this one was a surprise... my first exposure to the music of Jan Anderzén, and now I'm certain to listen to everything he's released. How to describe this music? Imagine Animal Collective, on acid, minus the lead vocals; throw in a dash of Richard D. James Album-era Aphex Twin, the sonic soundscapes The Orb, and the MIDI soundtracks of mid-90's PC space shooter games. But despite these references,the result is something really original. This album is a breath of fresh air.
Suggested Track: "Arkistorotat / Risuilla Täyteyssä Salissa" [First added to this chart: 09/12/2014]
Wow, this one was a surprise... my first exposure to the music of Jan Anderzén, and now I'm certain to listen to everything he's released. How to describe this music? Imagine Animal Collective, on acid, minus the lead vocals; throw in a dash of Richard D. James Album-era Aphex Twin, the sonic soundscapes The Orb, and the MIDI soundtracks of mid-90's PC space shooter games. But despite these references,the result is something really original. This album is a breath of fresh air.
Suggested Track: "Arkistorotat / Risuilla Täyteyssä Salissa" [First added to this chart: 09/12/2014]
MUSICAL PARODY, COMEDY ROCK, POLKA
I'll admit that a good part of this ranking comes from nostalgia, being a lifelong fan, and being excited that Al finally hit the #1 spot. That said, this is his best set of parodies since "Running With Scissors" - a damn fun album and one of the delights of the year.
Suggested Track: "Tacky" [First added to this chart: 09/06/2014]
I'll admit that a good part of this ranking comes from nostalgia, being a lifelong fan, and being excited that Al finally hit the #1 spot. That said, this is his best set of parodies since "Running With Scissors" - a damn fun album and one of the delights of the year.
Suggested Track: "Tacky" [First added to this chart: 09/06/2014]
MASHUP, PLUNDERPHONICS, NOVELTY
Not quite as packed full of fun as "Mouth Sounds," but nonetheless a second strong album, companion to Cicierega's earlier release - and probably the album, of the two, that will appeal more to anyone with an irrational hatred of Smash Mouth (but since I grew up enjoying their particular brand of 90's cheese, I still prefer Mouth Sounds).
Suggested Track: "Rollercloser" [First added to this chart: 09/06/2014]
Not quite as packed full of fun as "Mouth Sounds," but nonetheless a second strong album, companion to Cicierega's earlier release - and probably the album, of the two, that will appeal more to anyone with an irrational hatred of Smash Mouth (but since I grew up enjoying their particular brand of 90's cheese, I still prefer Mouth Sounds).
Suggested Track: "Rollercloser" [First added to this chart: 09/06/2014]
POST-BOP, CHAMBER JAZZ, AVANT-GARDE JAZZ
Yes, it's jazz - but it's also got a lot to appeal to anyone with open ears. A profound and deeply heartfelt album; Akinmusire's sense of space and his feel for harmony is something to behold. A mixture of instrumental and vocal with a notably experimental touch.
Suggested Track: "Our Basement" [First added to this chart: 09/06/2014]
Yes, it's jazz - but it's also got a lot to appeal to anyone with open ears. A profound and deeply heartfelt album; Akinmusire's sense of space and his feel for harmony is something to behold. A mixture of instrumental and vocal with a notably experimental touch.
Suggested Track: "Our Basement" [First added to this chart: 09/06/2014]
ALTERNATIVE RAP, POP RAP, HIP HOP
Another delightful surprise. I'm not really an expert, but Watsky strikes me as a really talented dude. The lyrics are clever, original, and funny. There's shades of pure pop ("Let's Get High and Watch Planet Earth,") slam poetry ("Cannonball") and, most importantly, the album doesn't take itself too seriously. Most tracks are short, not outliving their welcome. Nicely produced, as well.
Suggested Track: "Tears To Diamonds" [First added to this chart: 09/13/2014]
Another delightful surprise. I'm not really an expert, but Watsky strikes me as a really talented dude. The lyrics are clever, original, and funny. There's shades of pure pop ("Let's Get High and Watch Planet Earth,") slam poetry ("Cannonball") and, most importantly, the album doesn't take itself too seriously. Most tracks are short, not outliving their welcome. Nicely produced, as well.
Suggested Track: "Tears To Diamonds" [First added to this chart: 09/13/2014]
ART POP, NOISE POP, ALTERNATIVE POP
There's a real humanity behind the studied facade, and even though the album falters a bit towards the end, its best moments shine. St. Vincent knows how to craft compelling music.
Suggested Track: "Prince Johnny" [First added to this chart: 09/06/2014]
There's a real humanity behind the studied facade, and even though the album falters a bit towards the end, its best moments shine. St. Vincent knows how to craft compelling music.
Suggested Track: "Prince Johnny" [First added to this chart: 09/06/2014]
Year of Release:
2014
Appears in:
Rank Score:
3,481
Rank in 2014:
Rank in 2010s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
CHAMBER POP, ART POP, INDIE POP
Perhaps a slight step back after "Heartland," but nonetheless Pallett remains one of the most compelling figures in music today. Pallett's vocals are moving and intimate, and the electronic/classical soundscapes are perfectly sculpted environments for his voice. It says a lot that this is probably the third best album Pallett has ever released, yet it's still one of the best of 2014.
Suggested Track: "On A Path" [First added to this chart: 09/06/2014]
Perhaps a slight step back after "Heartland," but nonetheless Pallett remains one of the most compelling figures in music today. Pallett's vocals are moving and intimate, and the electronic/classical soundscapes are perfectly sculpted environments for his voice. It says a lot that this is probably the third best album Pallett has ever released, yet it's still one of the best of 2014.
Suggested Track: "On A Path" [First added to this chart: 09/06/2014]
ELECTROPOP, SYNTH POP, NEW WAVE
Another really nice retro-influenced synth pop album. I do wish there was more of a cue taken from the colorful album cover - a more varied, polychromatic sound would have spiced things up nicely. Still, very solid.
Suggested Track: "Sexotheque" [First added to this chart: 09/10/2014]
Another really nice retro-influenced synth pop album. I do wish there was more of a cue taken from the colorful album cover - a more varied, polychromatic sound would have spiced things up nicely. Still, very solid.
Suggested Track: "Sexotheque" [First added to this chart: 09/10/2014]
Total albums: 100. Page 1 of 10
Don't agree with this chart? Create your own from the My Charts page!
Top 100 Music Albums of 2014 composition
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| Neil Cicierega | 2 | 2% | |
| Rosanne Cash | 1 | 1% | |
| Ingrid Michaelson | 1 | 1% | |
| David Gray | 1 | 1% | |
| Temples | 1 | 1% | |
| IQ | 1 | 1% | |
| Real Friends | 1 | 1% | |
| Show all | |||
| Country | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| |
55 | 55% | |
 |
17 | 17% | |
 |
7 | 7% | |
 |
3 | 3% | |
 |
2 | 2% | |
 |
2 | 2% | |
 |
2 | 2% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 100 Music Albums of 2014 chart changes
| Biggest climbers |
|---|
| Up 8 from 14th to 6thThe Imagined Savior Is Far Easier To Paint by Ambrose Akinmusire |
| Biggest fallers |
|---|
| Down 1 from 6th to 7thAll You Can Do by Watsky |
| Down 1 from 7th to 8thSt. Vincent by St. Vincent |
| Down 1 from 8th to 9thIn Conflict by Owen Pallett |
Top 100 Music Albums of 2014 similarity to your chart(s)
Not a member? Registering is quick, easy and FREE!
Why register?
- Join a passionate community of over 50,000 music fans.
- Create & share your own charts.
- Have your say in the overall rankings.
- Post comments in the forums and vote on polls.
- Comment on or rate any album, artist, track or chart.
- Discover new music & improve your music collection.
- Customise the overall chart using a variety of different filters & metrics.
- Create a wishlist of albums.
- Gain access to a Dark Mode theme.
- Help maintain the BEA database.
- Earn member points and gain access to increasing levels of functionality!
- ... And lots more!
Register now - it only takes a moment!
Top 100 Music Albums of 2014 ratings
Average Rating = (n ÷ (n + m)) × av + (m ÷ (n + m)) × AVwhere:
av = trimmed mean average rating an item has currently received.
n = number of ratings an item has currently received.
m = minimum number of ratings required for an item to appear in a 'top-rated' chart (currently 10).
AV = the site mean average rating.
N.B. The average rating for this chart will not be reliable as it has been rated very few times.
Showing all 2 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08/24/2019 22:25 |  buzzdainer | 664 | 90/100 | |
| 10/26/2014 21:07 |  Tap | 54 | 99/100 |
Top 100 Music Albums of 2014 favourites
Showing all 1 members who have added this chart as a favourite
Top 100 Music Albums of 2014 comments
Showing all 2 comments |
Most Helpful First | Newest First | Positive Sentiment First |
Longest Comments First
(Only showing comments with -2 votes or higher. You can alter this threshold from your profile page. Manage Profile)
From buzzdainer 08/24/2019 22:29 | #241643
buzzdainer 08/24/2019 22:29 | #241643
I really appreciate your approach to making year charts, as I tend also to exclude film soundtracks, multi-artist compilations, and greatest hits albums, as well as live albums, unless something extraordinary happens. Lots of really thoughtful choices here, but I want especially to single out After the Disco, which I still have rated as my #1 album for the year. I know you haven't rated it nearly as highly as I have, but I just felt like taking a moment to appreciate that one, as it never quite seemed to me to get as much love as it deserved. A really solid and beautifully produced album of sugar-sweet pop songs.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From Tap 10/26/2014 21:09 | #125467
Tap 10/26/2014 21:09 | #125467
This is a cool list (yay kemialliset ystavat!). Just a shot in the dark here, but if you're open to some idm-y type stuff, VHS Head - Persistence of Vision is some really good stuff.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
Your feedback for Top 100 Music Albums of 2014
Let us know what you think of this chart by adding a comment or assigning a rating below!
If you enjoy our site, please consider supporting us by sparing a few seconds to disable your ad blocker.
A lot of hard work happens in the background to keep BEA running, and it's especially difficult to do this when we can't pay our hosting fees :(
We work very hard to ensure our site is as fast (and FREE!) as possible, and we respect your privacy.
A lot of hard work happens in the background to keep BEA running, and it's especially difficult to do this when we can't pay our hosting fees :(
We work very hard to ensure our site is as fast (and FREE!) as possible, and we respect your privacy.
