Burn the Bowery: Favorite Albums of 2014

2014 will be a year that I'll definitely never forget. Personally it's been one of extreme ups and downs, from my wife and I having our first child and also becoming new homeowners, to losing my job and battling major health issues most of the year. I'll be happy to let it go and move forward to the New Year.
Like most major events in my life good and bad it's always music that keeps me going. Keeping my head up through the dark days, and bringing extra joy to the good times. Luckily this year was a strong one for albums from some old favorites and new comers too.
I try to make my list a little different each year and this year is no different, so i'll be doing my top 14 of 2014.

FAVORITE ALBUMS OF 2014

14- J MASCIS- TIED TO A STAR



13- KALLE MATTSON- SOMEDAY, THE MOOD WILL BE GOLD



12- FIRST AID KIT- STAY GOLD



11- THE WOODEN SKY- LETS BE READY



10- LO FANG- BLUE FILM



9- ALT-J THIS IS ALL YOURS



8- LYKKE LI- I NEVER LEARN



7- ISRAEL NASH- RAIN PLANS



6- OWL JOHN- SELF TITLED



5- STURGILL SIMPSON- METAMODERN SOUNDS IN COUNTRY MUSIC



4- THE WAR ON DRUGS- LOST IN THE DREAM



3- PETER MATTHEW BAUER- LIBERATION!



2- SHARON VAN ETTEN- ARE WE THERE



1- STRAND OF OAKS- HEAL



As always I appreciate anybody that stopped in over the year or reached out and said hello. If you ever want to check out what I'm listening to your best bet is to follow me on Twitter HERE:(https://twitter.com/burnthebowery).
Happy Holidays, be safe & have a great 2015!!!

Luluc- "Tangled Heart"

Every year there's an album that sneaks up on me at the end of the year that I'm just kicking myself I didn't find sooner. This year that album & artist is Luluc, a duo from Australia that is now based out of Brooklyn, who released their sophomore LP Passerby this past Summer. I discovered their song "Tangled Heart"via an NPR end of the year list and it's hit me like a ton of bricks ever since hearing it for the first time.
It's the simple sparse one's that always do it to me. Give a watch to their just released video for the track here.



http://www.lulucmusic.com

Junius Meyvant- "Color Decay"

This is quickly becoming one of my favorite songs of 2014.



http://juniusmeyvant.com

Strand of Oaks- "Shut In"

If I haven't blogged in a long while, it's because I've been dealing with some health problems for a good while now. Fortunately it's albums like this that have been helping me get through some tough days. This one has been one of my top albums since it came out back in June and it's firmly planted there still. Check out this recent performance Timothy gave at the KEXP studios of "Shut In" below.


http://strandofoaks.net

Amason

I'd be shocked if these guys don't blow up in the next 12 months. The band is known somewhat of a Swedish super-group with members of Mike Snow and Dungen among others. They have a self titled EP out now and are supposedly working on their debut full length that I'll be anxiously waiting for.



http://amasonband.com

The National (Perform on Saturday Night Live) 3/08/14

[HD] The National - Graceless - SNL 3-8-14 by IdolxMuzic

[HD] The National - I Need My Girl - SNL 3-8-14 by IdolxMuzic

Augustines (Live on KEXP)

http://www.weareaugustines.com

New Music: Lykke Li- "Love Me Like I'm Not Made of Stone"

Lykke Li returns this May with her third full length called I Never Learn. She unveiled the first single yesterday, a stunning stripped back track titled, "Love Me Like I'm Not Made of Stone."
Watch the accompanying video below, directed by Tarik Saleh.


http://www.lykkeli.com/

New Music: Sharon Van Etten- "Taking My Chances"

Today Sharon Van Etten premiered the first single off her upcoming LP Are We There. The new album comes out this May 27th via Jagjaguwar and you can pre-order it here. Listen to the single  "Taking My Chances" below.

http://sharonvanetten.com

Woman's Hour-"Her Ghost"

This London band recently signed on with Secretly Canadian Records, and they just released their newest single called "Her Ghost."

http://www.womanshour.co.uk

Matthew Ryan- "An Anthem for the Broken"

This week Matthew Ryan previewed an early single off his forthcoming LP (no release date yet). The track is called "An Anthem for the Broken" and it comes out this Feb. 26th with the proceeds benefitting his good friend John Anderson who is in the last stages of a long battle with ALS.
Watch and listen below and visit Matthewryanonline for more info on the single or to read about Jon's story.

New Music: The Afghan Whigs- "Algiers"

The Afghan Whigs will be releasing their first studio album in over 16 years titled Do to the Beast this April 15th on Sub Pop Records. Watch the video for the first single "Algiers" below.

http://theafghanwhigs.com

Walter Martin- "Sing To Me" (featuring Karen O)

Maybe it's because I'm about to be a new Dad, but I love everything about this new project from The Walkmen's Walter Martin. On May 13, Martin will be releasing his first solo album called We're All Young Together. 
 Says Martin ..."I'm calling it a family record and I tried to fill it with warmth and humor because that's the kind of art I like - stuff that makes everyone feel welcome ... "I began to imagine a record I really wanted to hear: something new and original that captured the essence of early rock 'n' roll - innocent but mischievous, romantic but funny, and unabashedly sweet," he says. "It wasn't that I wanted to write songs to suit my new situation as a parent, it was more that parenthood made relevant writing the kind of songs I've always loved most."

Augustines- "Walkabout"

Augustines second full length album hit stores this week. The self titled disc sees the band turning the page from their debut, which dealt with heartbreaking loss and grief. Eric Sanderson told the Wall Street Journal ...“The core of the record is the concept of a walkabout,” ...Going on a journey to find—re-find—yourself after going through a life-changing experience. What do you do when you make it through the other side? When you can confidently say that you’ve worked through the tragedy? When your life actually starts to mirror the belief you have in yourself? 
Although much of the disc is uptempo, my favorite track at the moment is "Walkabout" which feels like the perfect bridge between their debut disc and new LP. Check out the link below for the bands latest tour info and to order the new album.

http://www.weareaugustines.com

Beck- "Blue Moon"

This Feb 25th sees Beck back in the spotlight with the release of his newest work, Morning Phase. It's been about 6 years since his last LP, and after the long hiatus he unveiled a gem of track called "Blue Moon" which is very reminiscent of 2002's Sea Change LP.
Give a listen to the song below and stay tuned for more info.

http://www.beck.com

Burn the Bowery Favorite 20 Albums of 2013

So many great albums in 2013, a truly fantastic year for music in my opinion. Usually something I agonize over for weeks, this was one of the easiest year end lists I've made to date.
This year I'll be bringing you my top 5 albums list plus my best of the rest.
As always thanks for stopping in throughout the year it's much appreciated. Happy Holidays & Happy New Year!!

THE TOP  5:

#5 THE DODOS- CARRIER
A somber yet beautifully retrospective disc that deals with the death of their former bandmate Christopher Reimer. Same melodic qualities you would expect from the SF band with heavier themes this go round. One of their best.
Favorite track- "Confidence"
Other standouts- "Substance" "Holidays" and "The Current"

#4 NIGHT BEDS- COUNTRY SLEEP
Young and incredibly talented, Nashville's Winston Yellen released one of the years finest debut LP's. With a wild vocal range and heartfelt sentimental lyrics, this album is stacked from top to bottom with heartbreaking numbers.
Favorite track- "Lost Springs"
Other standouts- "22" "Even if We try" and "Cherry Blossoms"

 

#3 GAMBLES- TRUST
Tackling intensely personal subjects like divorce and miscarriage doesn't make Trust an easy listen.  But it's done so purely and so raw, just a voice and a guitar, that it's one of the most powerful things you'll hear this year.
Favorite track- "So I Cry Out"
Other standouts- "Animal" "Your Are the Truth" and "Angel"

#2 TYPHOON- WHITE LIGHTER
This big 11 piece orchestral collective out of Portland released their sophomore full length in 2013. A big, bold and joyful effort that juxtaposes singer Kyle Morton's songs about sickness, death and lost childhood.
Favorite track- "Young Fathers"
Other standouts- "Hunger and Thirst" "Common Sentiments" and "Dreams of Cannibalism"

#1 THE NATIONAL- TROUBLE WILL FIND ME
If you know me I'm sure this comes as no surprise at all. I don't hide the fact that The National are my favorite band. As obscure as their lyrics can sometimes be there's always been something that speaks to me in Berninger's anxiety filled stories. As nerve wracking as it can be when a favorite artist releases something new,  Trouble Will Find Me did not disappoint in any way shape or form. It's way too early to judge if it's their best album to date, but it does see the group hitting their stride and sounding as confident and tight as ever.
Favorite track- "Don't Swallow the Cap"
Other standouts- "Pink Rabbits" "Heavenfaced" and "I Should Live in Salt"


THE BEST OF THE REST (in alphabetical order):

CAVEMAN- SELF TITLED


CHVRCHES- THE BONES OF WHAT YOU BELIEVE


DAUGHTER- IF YOU LEAVE


FRIGHTENED RABBIT- PEDESTRIAN VERSE


GENERATIONALS- HEZA


HAYDEN- US ALONE


LOCAL NATIVES- HUMMINGBIRD


MODERN KIN- SELF TITLED


PARQUET COURTS- LIGHT UP GOLD


PHOSPHERESCENT- MUCHACHO


PICKWICK- CANT TALK MEDICINE


VAMPIRE WEEKEND- MODERN VAMPIRES OF THE CITY


WATER LIARS- WYOMING


WAXAHATCHEE- CERULEAN SALT


JESSE WOODS- GET YOUR BURDENS LIFTED



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2013 Highlights: Elvis Depressedly: "Pepsi/Coke Suicide"

The project of Mat Cothran, Elvis Depressedly released an EP Holo Pleasures this April that featured the warm and fuzzy track, "Pepsi/Coke Suicide." One of my most played songs in 2013.

http://elvisdepressedly.bandcamp.com

2013 Highlights: Deer Tick- "The Rock"

Been highlighting some tracks that meant a lot to me during 2013 that I never had a chance to post about. Providence Rhode Island band Deer Tick released their 5th album in 2013, and although I must be honest it wasn't my favorite disc of theirs, it did feature the standout track, "The Rock" which was one of 2013's finest Rock tracks.

http://deertickmusic.com

2013 Highlights: Lightning Dust- "Diamond"

One of my absolute favorite tracks of 2013 came from the Vancouver duo Amber Webber and Josh Wells, known as Lightning Dust. The group is a side project when their not working under their other band Black Mountain, and the duo's 3rd LP Fantasy came out this year. It features this gorgeous synth laden track "Diamond" that you can watch the video for below.  

https://www.facebook.com/lightningdustofficial

2013 Highlights: Brazos-"How the Ranks Was Won"

Putting the spotlight on some tracks or Artists that maybe I was never able to get around to talking about during the year, but yet still played a major part in my music listening habits during 2013.

This former Austin band is now based in Brooklyn and they released their second full length in 2013 titled, Saltwater. It features the slow building jam "How The Ranks Was Won" that found me breaking out the air drums on many occasions.

http://www.brazosbrazos.com

New Music: Water Liars- "I Want Blood"

Mississippi band Water Liars sure don't waste any time. Although their stellar 2nd LP Wyoming came out just this past March, the group are already rolling out plans for their third album. The self titled disc gets released February 4th via Fat Possum Records, and you can stream the first single from the album titled "I Want Blood" below.

http://waterliarsmusic.com