2014 was a year where the music industry had a free for all. Bigtime or small, every artist had their chance to make an impact. Here are the albums that were ahead of their competition, making albums that will act as a time capsule for what’s the best of 2014.
5)”2014 Forest Hills Drive” – J Cole
The whole internet spent December going crazy on how “fire” and “dope” this album is. After “Born Sinner”, I learned to close my ears as people will eat anything Cole says. He could be reading the audio version from “50 Shades of Grey” and they would set their stereos ablaze and claim “Cole did this”.
The praise is actually deserved this time in an album that perfect comes in a time where racial and social tensions are at an all-time high. Tackling a various subjects with a finesse that few other people in the “new school” class have of rap have.
It’s not perfect and is not trying to be, “2014 Forest Hills Drive” more than a photograph of time of where we as a society are and will progress.
Album Highpoints: “Intro”, “Apparently”, “No Role Modelz”, “G.O.M.D”, “Hello” .
4)”Oxymoron” – Schoolboy Q
When your project is going to be compared by everyone and their mom to your label mate (Kendrick Lamar), expectations will already set high. Q, unknown to the masses created an album full of bangers that took down hip hop heavyweight (no pun intended) Rick Ross.
In this age dominated by backpack rappers, this album is reminiscent of a simpler time when gangster rappers ruled the mainstream. It’s not trying to get anyone thinking about deep and philosophical, the tracks are hype, hard hitting and unapologetic.
Album Highpoints: “Hell of A Night”, “Studio”, “Man of The Year”, “Collard Greens”, “Break The Bank”.
3)”Everything Will Be Alright In The End” – Weezer
Weezer did what few bands who been around as long could, they recaptured the magic of their earlier projects. It’s one thing to imitate, but it’s another to create something newly original that still contains echoes of the past.
That rebellious garage band, adorably dorky sound is all here in a rock album where the momentum never stops. Giving this a listen will take someone back for an hour to better times and connect with a new generation like Weezer has done for years.
Album Highpoints: “I’ve Had It Up To Here”, “Da Vinci”, “Cleopatra”, “Go Away”, “The British Are Coming”.
2)”Talking Is Hard” – Walk The Moon
Their first self-titled album was full of catchy songs that didn’t stretch it’s arms too for anything past that. With their sophomore effort, they kept all the catchiness and added much more diversity to go from being a great band a favorite band.
Deep cutting guitar strings to synth covered records it’s all here blended up in a cohesive track list that all sound different, but are thematically consistent. Having seen them live, these types of songs are going to make for unforgettable performances to an already memorable album.
Album Highpoints: “Avalanche”, “Aquaman”, “Portugal”, “Shut Up And Dance”, “Up 2 U”.
1) “Worlds” – Porter Robinson
This one came as a big surprise as Robinson decided to bless the music world with more than just bass drops and fast tempos. He made a project that is sonically beautiful and will no doubt stand the test of time.
It’s experimental and succeeds in most areas where others have tried a failed. A testament on why people should turn their ears from the radio and to the internet, because this is where great projects like this can be showcased and found.
Album Highpoints: “Sad Machine”, “Fresh Static Snow”, “Hear The Bells”, “Lionhearted”,” Divinity”
The Top 5 Movies and Top 10 Songs of 2014 are coming Thursday and Friday. Like & Follow the Made Something Channel for everything music, movies and gaming (which I have an announcement about soon).
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