The Top 40 Albums of 2014 (40-21)

For me, this list is the most important thing I write all year. While I enjoy all the various writing avenues I take, the “Top Albums” list is really the end-all-be-all. I’m not blind to the list of other music websites, and as I peruse them, I always find myself scoffing or shaking my head in frustration. Sometimes it’s because of the thinly veiled politics behind picks; other times it’s the unwarranted hype given to an artist who still needs time to grow. I like to believe that I’m so outside the industry and that I can give you a list that is based solely on my passion for music that lurks outside the mainstream. Once again, I’ve compiled a list of some incredible albums that hail from a wide range of genres. Give the first 20 a read through and a listen, and I’m sure you’ll find something that strayed beyond your listening peripheral in 2014.

The Worst Album Covers of 2014

The annual “Worst Album Covers” list is one of the highlights of the year for me because it gives me a chance to explore music outside of what I usually focus on. It also gives me a chance to loosen my pretentious music reviewer tie for a moment and have some fun. Obviously this list is just a matter of taste; in fact, I have had friends tell me in the past that they prefer many of the albums on this list to my “Best Album Covers” list.  Whether you find the following covers to be interesting or fantastically bad, take joy this year’s collection of strange cover art(?).

Best Album Covers of 2014

With the year coming to a close, it’s that time again to take a look back at some of the best that the music world had to offer in 2014. First up, I will run-down the most compelling album covers of 2014. While this may seem like something thrown together in a late night fever, this list is actually a result of a year long process. Throughout the year, amidst my on-going music obsession, I keep a side list of covers that caught my eye for varying reasons. This year, the list consisted of 37 albums and was eventually cut down to the 20 you see below. Audio as a physical form may be dying, but based off the artwork below, the imagery associated with the music is more powerful than ever.

BDWPS Podcast #31

In this episode you’ll hear new tracks from Meatbodies, Caribou, Mick Jenkins, Ariel Pink, Young Widows, S. Carey, and Electric Wizard. I also discuss the documentary “The Ballad of Ramblin’ Jack” and take a look at the year Bob Dylan broke, 1965. You can now subscribe to BDWPS Podcast on Stitcher (search: BDWPS) and, of course, you can subscribe on iTunes.  You can also listen to it online over at podomatic (click HERE!).

Playlist:

Meatbodies “Wahoo”

Caribou “Can’t Do Without You”

Mick Jenkins “Healer”

Ariel Pink “White Freckles”

Young Widows “Kerosene Girl”

S. Carey “Alpenglow”

Electric Wizard “Sadiowitch”

Bob Dylan “Ballad of a Thin Man”