The Grammys are on tonight, and I certainly will not be watching them. Little more than a self-congratulatory industry function, the Grammys mainly benefit and recognize popular artists who hardly need more promotion. That's not to say that less popular or less corporate artists are necessarily better than the glamorous, rich, and famous. There's just simply so much music out there, and the superstars recognized by the Grammys are not representative of the massive and wide-ranging music industry. A great deal of music came out last year, and a lot of it was quite good. Anyone who says 2014 was not a good year for new music was not listening enough or not with an open mind. With that being said, here is my list of the best albums of last year.
1. TV on the Radio, Seeds
TVOTR have yet to release a poor album. They continue to make nervy, nervous music that is accompanied by equally anxious lyrics. Remarkably they've also continued to combine rock with electronic influences without ever sounding detached or lacking in soulful emotion.
2. Jonny Greenwood, Inherent Vice soundtrack
Greenwood's score for Paul Thomas Anderson's film adaptation of Thomas Pynchon's novel stands by itself as a great piece of art. The Radiohead member's score is melancholy and evocative, and makes for great mood music. His compositions are complemented by eclectic tracks by CAN, Neil Young, and others.
Morning Phase has been endlessly compared to Beck's Sea Change record. In truth, both albums are slow-paced, spare, and a little sad, but Morning Phase is also a welcome return to the Singer-Songwriter Album. Unlike most Beck records, this is one without catchy standout tracks. It's a contemplative album meant to be listened to in a single sitting (and setting) without distractions. In a download-heavy music world, the quiet and collective Morning Phase is a singularity.
4. Stephen Malkmus, Wig Out at Jagbags
Malkmus is too cool for school. He's a hip and intellectual slacker too chill to take his own music too seriously. While the Portlandia persona has gotten more tiresome as he ages, Malkmus continues to make fun, funny songs that just happen to also have excellent guitar work.
5. Spoon, They Want My Soul
More loose and limber rock from the beloved and arty Spoon. 'Nuff said.
6. Sea Wolf, Song Spells No. 1: Cedarsmoke
The Jack London-inspired name Sea Wolf perfectly captures California native Alex Church's music, which often references forest trees, ocean waves, and majestic creatures. To his credit, Church made this great and bittersweet album available for free online.
7. Ty Segall, Manipulator
Blatant and lovingly replicated Glamrock from Segall.
8. Thom Yorke, Tomorrow's Modern Boxes
The sound of impending doom brought to you by Thom Yorke, who didn't sound much like himself with Atoms For Peace.
A majorly self-indulgent double disc album from Jeff Tweedy and his son. Still, some of the best tracks here are miles better than anything Tweedy has done with Wilco in years.
10. Conor Oberst, Upside Down Mountain
Oberst continues to sound a little less depressing with every new album release. Here his compositions bring Springsteen to mind, and in a good way too.