Top 20 Best Albums of 2014

Normally when I’ve done top year lists I’ve usually done it with movies. But after reading Rolling Stone’s top album list I’d figure I would take a crack at my own top album list. So this will be my last best of 2014 list before I move on to talking about other things seeing how we are a month into 2015. Plus I wanted to do this list because 2014 was a great year in music I thought I would recognize that. So without further adieu here is my list for the Top 20 albums of 2014. Also I figured this would be a great way to recap the music year seeing how the Grammy Awards are this weekend.

20) “Nick & Knight” – Nick Carter & Jordan Knight

Backstreet Boys’ Nick Carter and New Kids’ Jordan Knight team up for a duet album with “Nick & Knight.” Carter and Knight combine their generations of boy band sound with songs that sound like something that either BSB or NKOTB would’ve done a long time ago.

Favorite Tracks: “One More Time,” “Drive My Car” and “Just the Two of Us”

19) “V” – Maroon 5

I mean seriously is there anything Maroon 5 can’t make good? Maroon 5 is back with their fifth album as they continue to maintain their pop rock sound but also continuing to be more contemporary. Not to mention Adam Levine continues to make a name for the band as well as himself.

Favorite Tracks: “Maps” and “Sugar”

18) “1989” – Taylor Swift

I have to say Taylor Swift has really out done herself with this album. After the last couple of albums I thought she was starting to repeat herself and thought that she needs to change it up. But she pulled a major 180 by ditching the country image and going for more of a full on mainstream pop image. The sales numbers speak for themselves that Swift should definitely stick to this kind of music.

Favorite Tracks: “Shake It Off”, “Out of the Woods”, “Blank Space” and “Style”

17) “X (Multiply)” – Ed Sheeran

Ed Sheeran is back with his sophomore album and it’s an improvement from his debut album. Not like there was anything wrong with his first album but his second album really sets the musical tone and style that he wants to be known for. But in some of his songs he tends to shift vocally similar to other artists but still making it his own thing and not copying the others.

Favorite Tracks: “Sing” and “Don’t”

16) “Pop Psychology” – Neon Trees

The Neon Trees are back with their third album with major improvements. Their last album was okay but at the same time it didn’t hold to their debut album. This time they avoid repeating their sophomore slump by ditching their alternative sound and taking a page out of Maroon 5’s playbook going for a pop rock new wave sound. If they keep up this mainstream sound they can be the next Maroon 5.

Favorite Tracks: “Sleeping with a Friend”, “I Love You (But Hate Your Friends)” and “First Things First”

15) “Strange Desire” – Bleachers

Bleachers has to be one of picks for favorite new artists from 2014. This new indie band sets the tone of its modern alternative rock sound and even goes with a bit of retro sound. When I mean retro I mean “something you would hear in a John Hughes movie” kind of retro. I know random name of a category right? But it’s good enough to make the list.

Favorite Tracks: “I Wanna Get Better” and “Rollercoaster”

14) “Shakira” – Shakira

Shakira is another artist who has taken her sound to the next level. Shakira continues to make her music come off through her strong presence and personality. When it comes to Shakira we all know those lips definitely don’t lie especially in the “Can’t Remember to Forget You” music video she did with Rihanna.

Favorite Tracks: “Can’t Remember to Forget You” and “Empire”

13) “This Is All Yours” – Alt-J

Alt-J really took a risk in their sophomore album as they decided to go on without their bass player, Gwil Sainsbury. But they pulled it off as their trademark sound steals the show with indie and mainstream music. This band has taken their sound to the next level and I look forward to what they have in store for their future albums.

Favorite Tracks: “Left Hand Free” and “Hunger of the Pine”

12) “Voices” – Phantogram

Another sophomore-hit album making the list is Phantogram. This electronic rock duo up tempos their sound by combing electronic rock with some aggressive pop music. Like Alt-J, this another electronic alternative group that has taken their sound up another level and forward to what they do next.

Favorite Tracks: “Fall In Love” and “Nothing But Trouble”

11) “Gypsy Heart” – Colbie Caillat

Colbie Caillat is an artist that continues to grow and improve as an artist. This time she goes out of her comfort zone as she continues to become a more confident artist and shows her vulnerability with her writing and lyrics. She also drifted away from the fun beach image to more of a contemporary image to tie in with her new music.

Favorite Tracks: “Try”, “Just Like That” and “Never Gonna Let You Down”

10) “Sex and Love” – Enrique Iglesias

Enrique Iglesias is at again! Enrique continues to do what works for him. Which is his usual club dance tracks that make you want to dance the night away and his sophisticated sound that goes back to his Spanish roots with ballads of charisma and emotion. This album reminds his fans on how he has maintained his heartthrob status for so long, well his female fans at least.

Favorite Tracks: “Turn the Night Up”, “Loco”, “Let Me Be Your Lover” and “Bailando” (both in English and Spanish)

9) “Zaba” – Glass Animals

Glass Animals has to be another one of my favorite new bands to break out from this past year. This band has a way of diversifying their sound for each track and allowing the lyrics to set the tone for the different sounds. Some of it is danceable and some it is mellow. Whatever sound they make it work to their advantage. Also this band got exposure from Kansas City’s very own 965 The Buzz by being the first radio station in the US to play them.

Favorite Tracks: “Gooey”, “Pools” and “Hazey”

8) “Make a Shadow” – Meg Myers

Another new artist that got exposure from Kansas City’s 965 The Buzz is the lovely, fierce and talented Meg Myers. Damn I love this artist! She has such a killer voice that is raw around the edges but backs up power. Plus she is awesome live! This is one artist I definitely want to see more of in the near future!

Favorite Tracks: “Desire”, “Go”, “Make a Shadow” and “Adelaide”

7) “Sonic Highways” – Foo Fighters

Let’s just say Foo Fighters never gets old to listen to - ever! This legendary grunge rock band continues to rock out with their eighth album, Sonic Highways. This new album combines underground rock music while maintaining their mainstream modern rock sound with a little homage to classic rock. This had to be the band’s most ambitious album ever. Not to mention for their world tour Dave Grohl decided to have a day where fans go to only the box office to buy the tickets like they did in the 90’s before the internet existed. Well done Dave Grohl you music genius!

Favorite Tracks: “Something from Nothing” and “The Feast and the Famine”

6) “Everything Will Be Alright in the End” – Weezer

Weezer are the comeback kings of 2014! This big comeback album goes back to sound of their earlier albums from the 1990’s which is refreshing for long-time fans. The music may be hooky but at the same it’s what they’re known for. Their leading single “Back to the Shack” speaks for themselves on their comeback to the point where you could’ve imagined hearing this song in the 90’s.

Favorite Tracks: “Back to the Shack”, “Cleopatra” and “Da Vinci”

5) “Kitten” – Kitten

Another new artist to make my countdown list is Kitten. The leader singer, Chloe Chaidez has a powerful and feisty stage presence with powerful vocals and charisma. Some of her songs have a 80’s and 90’s dance tracks but keeping it modern and hardcore. When Chaidez definitely dominates the stage when performing live and a definite must see!

Favorite Tracks: “G Sharp” and “Like a Stranger”

4) “The Outsiders” – Eric Church

Normally I’m not a huge country music fan but Eric Church is one of the few artists that I like and give an exception. Church has a way of expressing his vulnerability through a great amount of guitar riffs in southern rock. Church also has a way with writing great lyrics especially in one of hit songs, “Give Me Back My Hometown” which kind of has a feel of “Springsteen” from last his last album.

Favorite Tracks: “Give Me Back My Hometown”, “Talladega” and “The Outsiders”

3) “Daggers” – Ex Cops

Ex Cops is by far my favorite new act from 2014! This is one band that I hope gets more exposure within the next year or so. They call themselves an indie band but they definitely have their sound stand out without sounding too cliché. They have a sound of alternative and synthpop. Not to mention I love the name of this band because it sounds so badass! Hope to see more of this band and hope they get a wider audience.

Favorite Tracks: “Black Soap”, “White Noise” and “Teenagers”

2) “Supermodel” – Foster the People

Foster the People are back after a smashing debut back from 2011. The band continues to use their winning alternative rock sound that made them successful with their debut. The album features themes like negativity towards popular culture and consumer ideology. Also they’ve improved their sound with importing different instruments and various sounds from other cultures.

Favorite Tracks: “Coming of Age”, “Are You What You Want to Be?” and “Best Friend”

1)   “Lazaretto” – Jack White

Finally last but not least, Jack White taking the number 1 spot on this list. This has to be one of Jack White’s best solo work ever! Jack White used a collection of poems, short stories and plays that he wrote several years ago. White manages to draw the attention of the listener with crazy lyrics but at the same time very colorful as it nods to various key tones and ideas. Well-done Jack White you genius!

Favorite Tracks: “Lazaretto” and “I Think I Found the Culprit”