Top 20 Albums of 2014: 16-15

16. Beyonce



Released late last year, this is the oldest album on my list, and perhaps suffers just a bit from that. I remember going through about a week or so where I just couldn't get enough of this complex, dense album. I can't say I've returned to it often throughout the year, but when I do I'm continually impressed with the artistry and consistency on display. For me (and this is coming from a Beyonce-appreciator, but not a hardcore fan), this is her best album.

15. Bleachers - Strange Desire



2014, as with many years recently, was devoid of very many good rock albums. Luckily, this one got me through the summer. It would have been higher on my list if the album tracks would have lived up to the singles. As it is, though, the singles are so fantastic that it still makes for an enjoyable and compulsive listen. And if nothing else, it definitely held me over until the next release from fun.

Top 50 Singles of 2014: 50-46

50. Bleachers - Rollercoaster



An homage to the summers of the 80's, in a different world this could have soundtracked a John Hughes movie. I love the cascading drums.

49. Ola - This Could Be Paradise



One of the best surprises of the year, Ola came back with a soaring dance track that subtly reinterprets Over The Rainbow over a surging beat.

48. Kliff - Maija



A Euro-inspired dance track that lit up the summer. It's all about that chorus and the build-up to the full dance beat at the end.

47. Roy Kim - Home 



A beautiful, Autumn-influenced ballad. This guy is one of the few artists who can capture my attention with his gorgeous voice alone.

46. VIXX - Error 



A theatrical, futuristic dance track with a sorrow-filled heart. Brings back memories of Bigbang's awesome Monster two years ago.

Don't forget, if you'd like to listen to the Top 50 Singles Countdown in full, download the audio version!

Bleachers - Like A River Runs

"When I fall asleep, I can see your face"

In a summer that has been (for me, at least) entirely dominated by international music, Bleachers' debut album has been a nice American surprise. Bleachers is the side-project of Jack Antonoff (of fun. fame). The album was released last week after three amazing singles. Those singles remain the best portion of the album, but the rest of the songs aren't exactly slouchers. Maybe a little more mellow, but still good. Like A River Runs is a late-album energizer, with surging production and a shout-along chorus. It represents what I consider the best qualities of Antonoff's music. If you like this, you should also check out his work with the band Steel Train. The song Bullet, in particular, is a nice aural companion to this one.



(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. Buy the album here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.

Bleachers - Shadow

"If you're feeling small, I'll love your shadow"

Sometimes I'm so focused on the international pop scene that I miss out on awesome stuff that's happening at home in the USA. Such is the case with Bleachers, the phenomenal side project of Jack Antonoff, the guitarist for the band fun. (of We Are Young and Some Nights fame). Simply put, I am all over this. Like white on rice. Like vultures on dead stuff. This is the kind of theatrical, big pop music that I live for. I feel like Antonoff took the absolute best bits of fun. and congealed them into something that seems to be recorded just for me. I Wanna Get Better, the current single, is a giant slice of bombastic singalong bliss, but Bleachers have released two additional teasers that might even be more instant. Rollercoaster has that classic 80's sound down pat, and Shadow has a chorus to die for. The album's out on the 15th of July, and I will be counting down the hours.



(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. Preorder the album here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.