The end of the year is coming tomorrow and I can say the year has again flown by like a storm. A lot has happened this year and the records that I have listed on these two posts are albums that have a special moment in my life this year. I wish everyone a fun New Years Eve and a promising and hopeful coming year :) Here are my Top 10 albums of this year!
10. Manchester Orchestra - Cope
10. Manchester Orchestra - Hope
Manchester Orchestra has done a lot in a year. Started selling their own merchandise and buying a house, which they built into a training space/studio where they recorded their 4th album "COPE". The singer Andy Hull told the press that the new album will be straight on rock album. And that is exactly what they bring to the table! 11 straight bashing rock songs that leaves no one alone. Also the acoustic/alternative record "HOPE" is worth a listen!
9. Alcest - Shelter
The French metal group Alcest surprised fans with their newest "Shelter" album. Known for their dark slightly black metal/shoegazing sound the band wanted to do something different for their next album. Jon Thor Birgisson (known as the singer in Sigur Rós) was chosen to be the producer of the new album and it can be heard from the album. The almost surfing shoegazing album is a really beautiful record. The soothing guitars and dynamic sounds, make you feel like someone is painting a masterpiece while you are listening to the album. A very beautiful and calming album for your sundays.
8. Ryan Adams - Ryan Adams
The singer/songwriter has had a long road. 14th albums down and it seems that Ryan Adams has not even done his best work yet. The punk driven EP "1984" was a ravishing step from the acoustic 2011 released "Ashes & Fire" and the 14th full length "Ryan Adams" takes a step back to the electric guitar driven pop music. The 80s style guitars and amazingly catchy hooks and jamming keeps the album in a steady form that you can listen to time after time!
7. Pepe Willberg - Pepe & Saimaa
The most underrated singer in Finnish history. Pepe Willberg has had rough years, playing concerts where there were only 4 people listening and being forgotten from the medias. But 2014 has definitely been Pepes year! He released the best Finnish record of the year! These masterfully written songs with orchestral and anthemic sounds is something that Pepe Willberg was born to do! The singer is finally getting the notice he has always deserved! A very beautiful and mindblowing record!
6. Ben Howard - I Forget Where We Were
Ben Howard has taken a well time while working on his second album. The chart breaking debut album "Every Kingdom" was a definite summer record for everyone, with its catchy folk songs and sing along songs. "I Forget Where We Were" is more like the dark shadows of the Kingdom. These melancholic and dark songs are captivating and makes you dance in a slow mantra. Even though the record might not have straight hits, its still a solid record that shows that Ben Howard is not slowing down and can make songs that grow inside you spreading like a virus!
5. The Xcerts - There Is Only You
The Scottish trio have blown the bank! Said to be a concept album " There Is Only You" shows the band at their very best. These anthemic pop songs brings little hope to peoples lives and tells how far the band has gone with their third album. The album is a hit on hit record that even Biffy Clyro would be jealous about! Murray Macleod has proved that he is capable of improving his writing skills and the power of the trio can be heard in the record! A very strong pop record that the band can stand proud behind.
4. Pianos Become The Teeth - Keep You
Pianos Become The Teeth has steadily risen to be a promising band in the post-hardcore scene with two brutal and raw records, while touring bands like Touché Amoré and Circa Survive, the road has been steady for the band. But with their third album they have taken a courageous step, making a more dark indie flowing record which makes the band start feeling like The National of post-hardcore scene. The biggest applause given to the lead signer Kyle Durfey, who has proven that he is capable of singing like a true dark indie singer, with a perfect amount of rawness to give these melancholic landscapes the offering it deserves!
3. La Dispute - Rooms Of The House
Post-Hardcore has been on a steady rise for the couple of years, with promising bands like Touché Amoré and Pianos Become The Teeth bringing new points of view to the music. La Dispute has also shown their claws with their third album which is a raw, emotional and dynamic record that shows how far the band has gone from the debut album. The theme hovering on the story of a couple who have split and the house where they used to live in. Its a captivating lyrical theme that is given life with the beautifully crafted songs and almost spoken word singing of Jordan Dreyer, that makes you want to get lost in the cold, abandoned Rooms Of The House.
2. Transit - Joyride
The Boston pop punk group has always been strong in their beliefs. With the debut album that could be referred to something that American Football could have released and the mixed feelings driven sophomore album "Young New England" prove that Transit is not afraid to change their sound to something that they actually like to play. During the recording sessions of the third album, one of the original members left the band and put the band in a bad situation, but Transit has shown that they are stronger than ever! Even though the joyful album title these songs are emotionally filled love songs that makes your throat close and lets the tears flow slowly on your face. Every song on the album is a hit and shows that the band can actually do a very solid pop punk record without any special effects or mixing. Filled with catchy hooks and punk driven songs these record has grown on me and is going to stay with me for the rest of my life!
William Fitzsimmons has been on the folk scene for a long time, while releasing records that have shaken the singer/songwriter scene many times. On his 5th album "Lions" William turned for the help of Chris Walla to record an album of songs that were written during his most struggling period of time. The name of title coming from the concept of humans being a savage and kind person at the same time and how it gets more humid while getting older. These reminiscing songs that float like a steady river shows that with little things you can actually create an album that makes you think about the memories of the past and think about the things you could have done differently. A raw and beautiful record that has been playing in my stereos for the whole year, while finding something new every time I start it again. "Lions" is a record that everyone should listen even once!
- Niklas
