OK, I usually wait until the end of the year to make top album list, but with so many good albums that have came out just recently, I just couldn’t resist, and had to make my top album list for my favorite recent albums. These are some good albums worth checking out…
Cheatahs, Cheatahs, Wichita – Release Date: Feb 11, 2014
I’m lovin’ this album for nostalgic reasons. This takes me back to Halifax’s rock scene of the 90’s, comparitively to bands such as the “Smeared-era” Sloan, Super Friendz, & Thrush Hermit. It’s noise-rock, and throw in the instrumental energy of a band like Toronto’s Fucked Up, but with more fuzz. This album will bring you into a dream world of clouds, and hula dancing on the beach.
Must hear tracks: The Swan, Mission Creep, Geographic
Phantogram, Voices, Republic – Release Date: Feb 18, 2014
If you can get past Phantogram’s latest juicy electro-pop single, “Fall In Love” and dig deep into the album, Voices, you’re about to embark into one hell of an eargasm. And after a few spins, it will leave you smokin’ a cigarette. This band is quite original, and there’s a lot to like on this album. The sweet/transitioning vocals, the heavy bass-lines, that kinda hip-hop groove included, but there’s still room for refinement. The consistency of in-consistence is evident, which might have you skipping songs for your favourites, but I suggest just diving right into the album for the whole experience.
Must hear tracks: Fall In Love, Nothing But Trouble, The Day You Died
The Pack A.D., Do Not Engage, Nettwerk – Release Date: Jan 28, 2014
This album rocks! Before the first suggestions were released, this was the only new record of 2014 that I’ve been spinning constantly. The raw sound, the aggressive vocals, and… yes… the bluesy guitar sounds that I’m hearing, which is quite the departure from their last album, Unpersons. I gotta mention that The Pack A.D. will be playing a show at Halifax’s Seahorse Tavern with Like A Motorcycle & The Scoop Outs on March 29th, they played in Halifax a couple years back, and they were awesome. I totally advise you to pick up your tickets for this show, trust me, you’ll thank me later.
Must hear tracks: The Water, Battering Ram, Big Shot
Blondefire, Young Heart, Tender Tender Rush – Release Date: Feb 11, 2014
http://youtu.be/udgIvgv5pSY
It’s been two years since Blondefire released their first single entitled, “Walking With Giants”, but yet, there hasn’t been an album release in sight since then. But that’s all gonna change with their latest release, Young Heart. With a lot of speculation over the last couple years about their sound, comparing their sound to the likes of Foster The People, Naked & The Famous & Imagine Dragon, I originally thought they were going for a sugary, color-coded pop album. I believe, I was near-right to assume, but this album also has an element of sweetness to it. I thinking back to the 90’s pop-rock band, The Cardigans. Hey, just take this album for a spin, I think you’ll agree.
Must hear tracks: Walking With Giants (download the original singles-version, the one in the video above), Where The Kids Are, Waves
Warpaint, Warpaint, Rough Trade – Release Date: Jan 17, 2014
The self-titled, Warpaint is one that I’ve been playing on & off, whenever it fits my mood, and usually it’s a late night/chill kind of album. It’s quite the contrast of what I usually listen to, and man, is it ever dark. Not so much creepy in a way, but more like listening to this, and feeling in despair. There’s elements of trip-hop, and there’s themes that really paint the feeling of certain songs. I really suggest, for those nights where it storming out, pop this into your car CD player, just listen & drive.
Must hear tracks: Go In, Hi, Biggy
Anyhoo, these are my top spins for the last couple months, I won’t be surprised if any of the albums hold up for this year’s end list. So, what are some albums I would like to get into? Probably the new St. Vincent, if I can get past the weirdness, and maybe the new Beck album, hopefully he maintains his weirdness. Haha.
Any albums you would like to suggest, I’d love to hear them. Drop me a line in the comments below…
