The 40 Best Albums of 2014

It's time once again that I pick my favorite 40 albums of the year. Of course, these may or may not be the actual greatest 40 albums that were released, but they were my favorite albums that I listened to.  Looking at my iTunes, it looks as though I listened to about 90 albums that were released this year, so making this list is a pretty big deal. Almost as big as winning a Grammy. 

I must say, this year was a little bit of a disappointment for me, music wise, as compared to years past. Still some great stuff came out this year.

At any rate, here's my list from 40 to 1, with a few snarky comments about some of the albums. Please remember, I am not a music expert, just an ordinary Joe that likes good music. Also, at the bottom of the list, you will find my top 10 albums from years past, just in case you have read that far.  So, here we go...

40. The Kooks - Listen

39. Hospitality - Trouble

38. Interpol - El Pintor
Interpol is a great band but I like their stuff in small does because they kinda give me a headache.

37. Metronomy - Love Letters

36. Real Estate - Atlas
I've seen this album ranked pretty high on a lot of people's lists. I found it a good listen, but nothing that really grabbed me.

35. The Notwist - Close to the Glass
This album had real highs and lows for me. The highs were terrific songs, the lows is what puts this album this low.

34. The Drums - Encyclopedia
This seemed like an entirely new sound for this band. Still liked it, but not as much.

33. TV on the Radio - Seeds
How could I not love a TV on the Radio album? Still liked it, but not loved it. My least favorite TV on the Radio album.

32. Minus the Bear - Love Losts
See TV on the Radio comments. Same here.

31. Cold War Kids - Hold My Home

30. Jenny Lewis - The Voyager

29. The Juan McLean - In A Dream
Great for dancing!

28. Walk The Moon - Talking Is Hard
Not nearly the follow up I was hoping for from their last album, but still decent.

27. Tennis - Ritual In Repeat
One of my biggest surprises of the year. 

26. tUnE-yArDs - Nikki Nack

25. The Black Keys - Turn Blue

24. Alt-J - This is all Yours
Again, I've seen this very high on some lists. It's a good album, but not one of the best of the year.

23. Sylvan Esso - Sylvan Esso

22. Elbow - Take Off and Landing of Everything
Some incredible vocals and harmonizing on this album.

21. The Pains of Being Pure in Heart - Days of Abandon

20. Fanfarlo - Let's Go Extinct
Lots of really good, not great songs.

19. Delta Spirit - Into the Wide
One of my favorite bands. A good album, but a little disappointing for me.

18. Dry the River - Alarms in the Heart

17. Stars - No One is Lost

16. Augustines - Augustines
I listened to this album a ton, which tells me it was good, but I never really fell in love with it.

15. Generationals - Alix
Generationals are always great to relax to. They never disappoint.

14. Bleachers - Strange Desire

13. OK Go - Hungry Ghosts
I've said it before, but OK Go gets too much credit for their videos and not enough credit for their MUSIC!

12. The New Pornographers - Brill Bruisers
Their best album in years.

11. Mr. Little Jeans - Pocketknife

10. Manchester Orchestra - Cope
A great album, but not my favorite Manchester Orchestra album by a long shot.

9. Broken Bells - After the Disco
Almost a forgotten album because it came out so early in the year. Very good stuff though.

8. Foster the People - Supermodel
I'm sure their last album sold more copies because of that retched song "Pumped Up Kicks" but this is by far the better album!

7. Spoon - They Want my Soul
It seems every other year Spoon releases an album and every other year, it's in my top ten. This year is no different.

6. Bombay Bicycle Club - So Long, See You Tomorrow
Very energetic from start to finish. An adrenaline rush.

5. The Rural Alberta Advantage - Mended With Gold
Every single album these guys come through. Every single one has a similar sound, but they're all amazing.

4. Tokyo Police Club - Forcefield
Their best album to date.

3. Bishop Allen - Lights Out
So many catchy tunes on this album.

2. Passenger - Whispers
This may be a controversial choice as this band has its haters. But I love the lyrics and the vocals and the meaning behind each song. 

1. Future Islands - Singles

Their previous albums I thought were okay, but this one took this band to a whole new level for me. They have been described as a bunch of construction workers playing music. I love how the lead singer just couldn't give a crap about what he looks like on stage. They also had the performance of the year. Here it is on Letterman...

Now, here are my favorite albums from the past five years previous to this one.

2013
1. Vampire Weekend - Modern Vampires of the City
2. Radical Face - Family Tree: The Branches
3. Twenty One Pilots - Vessel
4. The National - Trouble Will Find Me
5. Arcade Fire - Reflektor
6. Shout Out Louds - Optica
7. Crystal Fighters - Cave Rave
8. The Sounds - Weekend
9. Tegan & Sara - Heartthrob
10. Little Green Cars - Absolute Zero

2012

1. Radical Face – The Family Tree: The Roots
2. Passion Pit - Gossamer
3. Mumford And Son – Babel
4. Miike Snow – Happy To You
5. Imagine Dragons – Night Visions

6. Two Door Cinema Club – Beacon
7. Metric – Sythetica
8. Dr. Dog – Be The Void
9. Of Monsters And Men – My Head Is An Animal
10. The Avett Brothers – The Carpenter

2011
1. Death Cab For Cutie – Codes And Keys
2. The Sounds – Something To Die For
3. Architecture In Helsinki – Moment Bends
4. Decemberists – The King Is Dead
5. The Strokes – Angles
6. The Head And The Heart – The Head And The Heart
7. Brett Dennen – Loverboy
8. Manchester Orchestra – Simple Math
9. I’m From Barcelona – Forever Today
10. The Rural Alberta Advantage – Departing

2010
1. The National – High Violet
2. Vampire Weekend – Contra
3. Shout Out Louds – Work
4. Mumford And Sons – Sigh No More
5. Mates Of State – Crushes
6. Dr. Dog – Shame Shame
7. Rogue Wave – Permalight
8. Arcade Fire – The Suburbs
9. Matt & Kim – Sidewalks
10. Tokyo Police Club – Champ

2009
1. The Sounds – Crossing The Rubicon
2. Passion Pit – Manners
3. Metric – Fantasies
4. Animal Collective – Merryweather Post Pavilion
5. Empire Of The Sun – Walking On A Dream
6. The Rural Alberta Advantage – Hometowns
7. Silversun Pickups – Swoon
8. We Were Promised Jetpacks – These Four Walls
9. Islands – Vapours
10. Mew – No More Stories Are Told…