I used to love year-end lists, I guess mainly because I thought they kind of validated what I liked. But then I realized that the weird stuff I liked tend to fall off of the radar of most everyone else, especially when it came to music. There is nothing more subjective or diffuse than music because of two things: people shake the junk in their trunk to different stuff; there's sooooo much stuff out there to make you shake the junk in your trunk.
Anyhow, I still troll the year-end lists of best albums because I love finding new stuff. Last year I came across my absolute favorite album for quite some time in Lord Huron's Lonesome Dreams (if you haven't given it a listen, do so now...and see these guys live if you ever get the chance. You will not be disappointed). While most of my list for this year actually came from either bands I knew and loved already or learned via SiriusXM, one great discovery was made just under the wire and has been in heavy play mode ever since.
So, here's my list, hoping the one or two of you who read this might find something new. If nothing else, Sophia likes what I play (and what's better for a dad's ego than for his daughter to tell him he's got great taste?).
1. Vampire Weekend, Vampires of the Modern City
2. Cayucas, Bigfoot
3. Arcade Fire, Reflektor
4. Daft Punk, Random Access Memories
5. Yo La Tengo, Fade
6. The Mother Hips, Behind Beyond
7. Typhoon, White Lighter
8. Atoms for Peace, Amok
9. Foxygen, We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic
10. Volcano Choir, Repave
11. Wiped Out, Paracosm
12. Dr. Dog, B-Room
Happy 2014, y'all!
