This year, for my “Best of” lists, I decided to do something a little different. Instead of listing 10 albums, I went with 14 (because it’s 2014, obviously…); and, instead of just making a list, I put them into completely made-up categories, that sort of hint at why I consider them the best of this year, along with my favourite song.
Without further ado:
A favourite band’s new album that took a while to grow on me:
Cavalier Youth – You Me At Six
Latest incarnation of a talented singer:
Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness – Andrew McMahon (in the Wilderness)
Concept album/sequel to another concept album:
The Resistance: Rise of the Runaways – Crown the Empire
“Sing-alongs and headbanging are unavoidable”:
Happiness Is… – Taking Back Sunday
Scottish album that took forever to come out, but it was worth it:
The Great Divide – Twin Atlantic
Country-style old school rock ‘n’ roll:
Big Skies – Nick Santino
“Finally new music from these guys!”:
Losers & Kings – The Downtown Fiction
Dance all night:
The Bad & the Better – The Ready Set
If all female-fronted bands sounded like this, I would listen to female-fronted bands more often:
White Noise – PVRIS
Unapologetic pop-punk (from a Welsh band, no less!):
Wishful Thinking – Neck Deep
Final album from a band that’s been around for over a decade:
Lowborn – Anberlin
Solo music from a guy in a popular (fun.) band:
Strange Desire – Bleachers
Pure pop-rock:
Oh, What a Life – American Authors
Guilty pleasure:
5 Seconds of Summer – 5 Seconds of Summer
BONUS:
Most magnificent/unexpected single:
Centuries – Fall Out Boy
This list doesn’t even include those albums released in 2014 that I haven’t listened to in full yet, such as This Wild Life’s Clouded, not to mention any re-releases (The Maine’s deluxe edition of Forever Halloween), or albums by bands that I love(d) that left me feeling a little “meh” (Breathe Carolina’s Savages).
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