RR’s Top 10 of 2014

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top10-social2As the editor of this Music Blog and as the staff member who forced all the DJs to choose their favorite records of the year (which is pretty much the hardest thing they do all year), I force myself to do it as well.

My picks are always the albums I genuinely listened to the most. When I need some musical accompaniment in my life, I turned to these records.

1. TV on the Radio – Seeds (Harvest)

This album has been on repeat since it came out a few weeks ago and my favorite song has changed 4 times over!

2. Beck – Morning Phase (Capitol)

Beck released three incredible singles towards the end of 2013, but nothing could prepare me for this record. Many people compare it to his masterpiece “Sea Change” and it’s perfect for that same mellow, contemplative mood.

3. Spoon – They Want My Soul (Loma Vista/ Republic)

They’re one of my favorite bands and everything I love about them is represented throughout this album. “Inside Out” is one of the best songs in their catalogue.

Side note: You can download their MBE session for free for a short time!

4. Sylvan Esso – Sylvan Esso (Partisan Records)

I really got into this record when I gave it a late night listen. It’s a sexy pop record with great beats.

5. Mac Demarco – Salad Days (Captured Tracks)

I’d been hearing about Demarco for years and then he releases the PERFECT record for a lazy sunny day. Super pop with just the right amount of weirdness

6. The War On Drugs – Lost In the Dream (Secretly Canadian)

This album is simply epic. They suck you in on the very first song – a 9 minute jam – and never let go. It’s a great album for thinking about life, longing and love.

7. Odesza – “In Return” (Counter Records)

This is my favorite dance record of the year. I had to make myself stop listening to it so I didn’t get sick of it, but it is utterly addictive.

8. Glass Animals – Zaba (Harvest)

I was an early supporter of this band here at the station so watching their rise has been really fun. They kill it live and, after a promising EP, this full length was everything I hoped it would be.

9. Ty Segall – Manipulator (Drag City)

I have a certain pride in the fact that Ty Segall moved to LA and released his best album yet. A psychedelic-leaning garage rock sound explosion.

10. Bahamas – Bahamas is Afie (Universal Republic)

This album snuck up on me! I wasn’t sure on the first listen and then it slowly became one of my favorites. Afie hits all those emotional chords just right.

RUNNER UPS!

RAC – Strangers (Interscope Records)
Dan Croll – Sweet Disarray (Capitol(Universal))
Angel Olsen – Burn Your Fire For No Witness (Jagjaguwar)
Jungle – Jungle (XL Recordings)
Tennis – Ritual in Repeat (Communion Records)
Jenny Lewis — The Voyager (Warner Bros)
Todd Terje – It’s Album Time (Redeye Label)
The Horrors – Luminous (XL Recordings)
New Basement Tapes – Lost on the River (Electromagnetic Recordings/Harvest Records)
Perfume Genius – Too Bright (Matador Records)
Hollie Cooke – Twice (Mr Bongo Records)
De Lux – Voyage (Innovative Leisure)