My Review of 2014 [finished <3]

[Shaun]

http://i.imgur.com/0iM3a0W.png

Anyone who's been following will have noticed that I've barely reviewed any albums last year, so I've spent the past month listening to a wad of about 80 of them :laugh: Thus follows my traditional end-of-year review.

Over the next few days I'll be posting:

- My top 50 albums
- My top 100 songs
- My 5 worst albums
- My 5 favourite artworks
- My 10 favourite videos
- My 5 biggest letdowns
- And the 5 albums that enjoyed the most undeserved success

How very mean, right? Do read if you wish. Don't expect miracles, TiBB's abundant Lily/GaGa/Iggy fans. We'll begin with the 'fives' soon.

[Smithy]

I will read through this, when you finish it in march

[Shaun]

http://i.imgur.com/OlNXYQk.png

http://images3.mtv.com/shared/media/images/amg_covers/200/drv800/v849/v84982y80md.jpg?width=200&height=200&enlarge=false&matte=true&matteColor=black&quality=0.85
#5 - "Shakira" - Shakira
When your strongest single is the nonsense wailing of Can't Remember to Forget You, you just might not be up to scratch, I'm afraid. Who'd have thought that having to write "Shakira - Shakira" would ever be such an unpleasant reminder?

http://assets.rollingstone.com/assets/2014/albumreview/maroon-5-v-20140902/165500/small_square/200x200-maroon-5-v-album-artwork.jpg
#4 - "V" - Maroon 5
If an album makes you think "god I miss Payphone" then it's probably not going to be anybody's favourite. Anyone who saw them (I am still maintaining that they are a band and not just an Adam Levine vanity project) perform at Saturday Night Live will have cringed and died laughing at the howl at the very top of 'Animals'.

http://assets.rollingstone.com/assets/2014/albumreview/the-flaming-lips-with-a-little-help-from-my-fwends-20141105/173442/small_square/1415033081/200x200-flf.jpg
#3 - "With a Little Help From my Fwends" - The Flaming Lips
I've been aware that frontman Wayne Coyne has been a SLIGHT bit of a prick ever since his public fall-out with Erykah Badu, but I wasn't quite expecting that ego to be put towards a disastrous Beatles remake with Ke$ha and Miley Cyrus. I don't know who I feel more offended for - Ke$ha for being duped into it, or the fab four themselves.

https://i3.sndcdn.com/artworks-000083771817-ngch0i-t200x200.jpg
#2 - "Paula" - Robin Thicke
The perfect definition of fremdscham. Or schadenfreude. I don't know. It takes german psychologists to evaluate this dirge.

http://www.evous.fr/local/cache-vignettes/L200xH200/enrique_iglesias_sex_love-d6afc.jpg
#1 - "Sex and Love" - Enrique Iglesias
It's pretty much all about the former, which is fine, but at least have the decency to get your dick out, Enrique.

[Niamh.]

:hehe:

It's pretty much all about the former, which is fine, but at least have the decency to get your dick out, Enrique.
__________________

[Crimson Dynamo]

ed sheeran x

[Shaun]

Were you not a fan, LT?

[Crimson Dynamo]

Were you not a fan, LT?

No

If i see his "goofy" face and body with his ironic trainers and stupid guitar again i will vomit lava and combust

his lyrics make my skin crawl

This love is a blaze
I saw flames from the side of the stage
And the fire brigade comes in a couple of days
Until then we got nothing to say and nothing to know
But something to drink and maybe something to smoke
Let it go until our roads are changed
Singing we found love in a local rave
No, I don't really know what I'm supposed to say
But I can just figure it out and hope and pray
I told her my name and said, "It's nice to meet ya."
And then she handed me a bottle of water filled with tequila.
I already know she's a keeper
Just from this one small act of kindness I'm in deep
If anybody finds out
I'm meant to drive home but I've drunk all of it now, not
Sobering up we just sit on the couch
One thing led to another
Now she's kissing my mouthhttp://i.imgur.com/fp42xlM.gif

[Shaun]

http://i.imgur.com/ELcoLMP.png

Some albums fail to live up to expectations. Is that their fault? No. But god damnit I'm an entitled blogger and I will express my opinions! Here are five albums that probably should've delivered more.

http://cdn-images.deezer.com/images/cover/e9348d5c24bdabc41d13222827c2aee1/200x200-000000-80-0-0.jpg
#5 - "BEYONCÉ (Platinum Edition)" - Beyoncé
DO NOT GET ME WRONG - The original Beyoncé album dropped at the end of 2013 was glorious. Her best yet. Wonderful. But when rumours surfaced around summer that the lady herself would once again drop a follow-up, and potentially feature Rihanna, Justin Timberlake and another Nicki Minaj track... well some of us got our hopes up. What was delivered? A bunch of remixes and the hideous 7/11. Upsetting.

http://assets.rollingstone.com/assets/2014/albumreview/foo-fighters-sonic-highways-20141111/173626/small_square/1415123300/200x200-ffsh.jpg
#4 - "Sonic Highways" - Foo Fighters
It's not that Sonic Highways was terrible, it's just that it drastically pales in comparison to 2011's Wasting Light. Perhaps if less time was spent on trying to make it a landmark album (recording each song in a different city), it might've had more than one stand-out track.

http://assets.rollingstone.com/assets/2014/albumreview/u2-songs-of-innocence-20140911/167963/small_square/200x200-u2-2.jpg
#3 - "Songs of Innocence" - U2
OK, a lot's already been made of the controversial release technique, but it's not exactly a new phenomenon to hate on U2. The problem here was that they usually have the decency to put out a good, or at least decent, record with each wave of hate.

http://i1.cdnds.net/14/18/200x200/music-kasabian-48-13-album-cover.jpg
#2 - "48:13" - Kasabian
There had never been a bad Kasabian record prior to this. Even the artwork lacks imagination.

http://www.evous.fr/local/cache-vignettes/L200xH200/foster_the_people_supermodel-a617c.jpg
#1 - "Supermodel" - Foster the People
In a way I shouldn't have been surprised: a debut packed full of infectious hooks at the very peak of indie-pop's chart dominance was always going to be difficult to follow. But at least try :(

[Benjamin]

Agree with all of those so far, especially the Foo's, was really disappointed in that album :(

[Gstar]

Don't agree with the Beyonce one (obviously) the platinum edition was great, not as good as the IASF platinum edition but I liked all the bonus tracks.

[Z]

No

If i see his "goofy" face and body with his ironic trainers and stupid guitar again i will vomit lava and combust

his lyrics make my skin crawl

This love is a blaze
I saw flames from the side of the stage
And the fire brigade comes in a couple of days
Until then we got nothing to say and nothing to know
But something to drink and maybe something to smoke
Let it go until our roads are changed
Singing we found love in a local rave
No, I don't really know what I'm supposed to say
But I can just figure it out and hope and pray
I told her my name and said, "It's nice to meet ya."
And then she handed me a bottle of water filled with tequila.
I already know she's a keeper
Just from this one small act of kindness I'm in deep
If anybody finds out
I'm meant to drive home but I've drunk all of it now, not
Sobering up we just sit on the couch
One thing led to another
Now she's kissing my mouthhttp://i.imgur.com/fp42xlM.gif

Hope you're very ****ing pleased with yourself, I just snorted with laughter, got soup all over myself, my contact lens clouded up from crying with laughter and I got snot all over my face.

10/10 would recommend to a friend

[Z]

I disagree with Kasabian's inclusion on that list, I think Treat is both a stand out on that album and a stand out in their discography as a whole, that song alone makes the album worthwhile. Eez-eh is a bit basic but it's still very distinctly Kasabian-sounding without being a retread of previous lead singles...

[Jake.]

I loved Eez-eh

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

why isn't sheezus on that list

[Samm]

why isn't sheezus on that list

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/06/11/article-2655437-1EA6382000000578-84_306x382.jpg

[Shaun]

http://i.imgur.com/wexWdD8.png

Hmm. Perhaps 'lovely' isn't quite the right work for these five LP covers. But they're at least the five that most took my eye this year, even if that wasn't enough to convince me to listen to the CD inside (people still buy CDs right?)

http://images.popmatters.com/music_cover_art/t/tvotr_-_seeds.jpg
#5 - "Seeds" - TV on the Radio
Well. It's just pretty, innit?

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n3UzjWBT_Xw/VDWNf_o3GqI/AAAAAAAAJeE/O0sDFwyO6bY/s200/Paloma-Faith-A-Perfect-Contradiction-2014-1200x1200%5B1%5D.png
#4 - "A Perfect Contradiction" - Paloma Faith
I'm quite content for her to keep releasing sort-of-average albums so long as they are packaged as strikingly as this.

http://assets.rollingstone.com/assets/2014/albumreview/nicki-minaj-the-pinkprint-20141217/178102/small_square/1418835212/200x200-pp.jpg
#3 - "The Pinkprint" - Nicki Minaj
Some will look into this and draw all sorts of talking points about Minaj's identity in amongst a shroud of makeup and artifice, others will question whether it's the end of her signature pink branding - I just think it's a little bit nice.

http://www.recordstore.co.uk/media/ArticleSharedImage/image200/ArticleSharedImage-17353.jpg
#2 - "LP1" - FKA twigs
It would stand out in pretty much any gallery, let's be real.

http://www.piccadillyrecords.com/imgrec/sl-98438.jpg
#1 - "Wonder Where We Land" - SBTRKT
A subtle reference to his first self-titled record's artwork, an uber-glossy, shiny, metallic hand displaying it all... wonderful.

(feel free to share your favourite artworks, etc, since I don't think I've seen a thread on such a topic)

[T*]

ily shaun
i love things like this

[Shaun]

http://i.imgur.com/Dd9IWaU.png

LPFgBCUBMYk
#10 - "Electric Lady" - Janelle Monae
Yes, the song and glorious album may have come out last year, but if there's anything you can count on being delayed it's a good old music video. Featuring cameos from Estelle, T.I., Kimbra and guest artist Solange herself (post-elevatorgate), the video is a wonderful little college party without the beer-chugging rapists.

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#9 - "Red" - Hyuna
I feel we are not going to progress as a society until more music videos begin with a baboon's arse and an apple being punctured by a stiletto.

HMUDVMiITOU
#8 - "Turn Down For What" - DJ Snake & Lil' Jon
When a music video racks up hundreds of millions of views without being released by one of the twenty-odd biggest popstars in the world, then you know it's because it's spawning memes. The year's most obnoxious (and loveably so) anthem is only outdone in its audacity and ridiculousness by the thrusts of this poor cast.

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#7 - "Call You Out" - JUCE
The video to end all '90s nostalgia' videos. A lovely bit of choreography thrown in for good measure, too, in one of those "video within a video" moments last seen by Stardust's Music Sounds Better With You.

Z7OSSUwPVM4
#6 - "Queen" - Perfume Genius
Be honest - who hasn't wanted to don an oversized power suit and writhe all over a boardroom table whilst feeding the occupants giant shrimp?

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#5 - "On the Regular" - Shamir
Everyone calls the video a "wannabe 212". As though wanting to be the greatest song of the decade so far is a bad thing. This makes the list just for the neon bursts from Shamir's whipcracking.

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#4 - "Monument" - Royksopp & Robyn
Robyn can make a mullet look compelling.

MDUoSpDKwXk
#3 - "Giant in my Heart" - Kiesza
Whilst Hideaway had the "one-take, one-camera" choreography in its favour and will obviously go down as her most memorable output, the second single from the Canadian goddess let a far more striking and moving frontwoman take the credit. Plus it's always worth reminding yourself of how far we have to yet to progress as a tolerant society (not that youtube comments are ever a good gauge).

3yDP9MKVhZc
#2 - "Two Weeks" - FKA twigs
We are not strangers to loving a long, panning-out video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L53gjP-TtGE), are we?

2vjPBrBU-TM
#1 - "Chandelier" - Sia
Oh, like it was going to be anything else.

[Daniel.]

7/11 is beautiful

[Shaun]

[steal my girl & anaconda would be #11 and #12 respectively]

[Shaun]

http://i.imgur.com/sJRnMkW.png

Onto the most important two lists of all, then... I'll start with the tracks since there's still an album I need to check out (thanks Ben :rolleyes:) Sorry if I forget your faves...

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#100 - "Wasted" - Tiësto & Matthew Koma
How strange. I was almost certain that that was a female vocalist.

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#99 - "Would You Fight for My Love?" - Jack White
It's a far cry from his debut solo record's tunes (let alone the wondrous majesty of the White Stripes) but this single just about sneaks into my list. Well done, Jack x

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#98 - "Get Away" - CHVRCHES
Again, not a patch on the stuff that made The Bones of What You Believe, but when news surfaced that BBC Three would be re-soundtracking the movie Drive I had every right to be terrified. This cushioned the blow.

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#97 - "Feels so Good" - Kylie Minogue
I live in hope that she actually releases this as a single.

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#96 - "Waste of Time" - MØ
Otherwise known as "that song off that advert".

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#95 - "Winter Linn" - Clark
It was difficult picking a highlight from Clark's record this year but this will have to do. Listen to the whole album, though. Especially you Ben :fist:

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#94 - "Like I Can" - Sam Smith
Smith has found it difficult to tread that line between pop goodness and overwhelming self-pity this year, and this was the effort that stood strongest and hurt my ears the least.

tlYcUqEPN58
#93 - "Sing" - Ed Sheeran
It doesn't seem all that long ago that I was trashing "plus" and its soporific nonsense. Mr. Sheeran had the good grace to grow a soul this year. Still not sold on the rapping though.

syFZfO_wfMQ
#92 - "Night Changes" - One Direction
Another month, another superb 1D video. Clap yourselves on the back.

I1NV97UYtCQ
#91 - "Modify" - Kniles
Very, very few YouTube videos have inspired me to spend a good half an hour scouring the internet for the name of the song playing in the background. Bad Lip Readings' tribute to Game of Thrones (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Krz-dyD-UQ) back at the start of 2014 is probably the finest example. It is tremendously funky.

[Smithy]

Like I Can is the only good sam smith song :clap2:

[Braden]

Agreed. :love:

[Shaun]

http://i.imgur.com/sJRnMkW.png

GlzR59l_cQY
#90 - "Regret" - St. Vincent
As far as I'm aware, the album favourites were Digital Witness and Birth in Reverse, but for me the loveliest track was the fuzzy guitarwork on display right here.

L0Vh8Bgicao
#89 - "Run" - Nicole Scherzinger
I'm still not comfortable with the idea of the strongest Scherzinger song of the campaign being a ballad but I suppose that's just the world we live in, now.

GIr2SJlzXvc
#88 - "Vista" - iamamiwhoami
I still think she's absurdly pretentious and wrapped up in her own sense of enigma but oh well, this song is nice.

#87 - "Rebel Heart" - Madonna
I haven't actually checked out the rest of those leaked tracks but ah well, this is a lovely nod to her strongest American Life moments. Apologies for the lack of a video. I suppose it's still not quite legal. Oops.

2jhTiLuGezI
#86 - "Video Girl" - FKA twigs
I was spoilt for choice from LP 1 but I think this just about emerges as one of the more eerie and lovely offerings.

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#85 - "Go" - Grimes & Blood Diamonds
Well, it's no Oblivion but it filled a void. Her wonderful voice just about makes up for the needless trap breakdowns.

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#84 - "Sledgehammer" - Fifth Harmony
I was sure I read that this was a B-side to one of their other singles. But here it is with a (not great) video. Very good, because the rest of their output has been a bit underwhelming.

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#83 - "Rather Be" - Clean Bandit
Everyone loved it at some point. Be nice.

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#82 - "Indecision" - Shura
All songs should sound like Madonna's Borderline. That is just a fact.

GJDdBbgJafU
#81 - "Love Never Felt so Good" - Michael Jackson
This, much like everything else that's ever existed, did not need Justin Timberlake.

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

clark, twigs, st vincent, iamamslay :flutter:

[Jake.]

LNFSG :lovedup:

[Shaun]

http://i.imgur.com/sJRnMkW.png

Ndzln1UEyf0
#80 - "Best Friend" - Foster the People
Pretty much the only cut from the token "difficult second album" that was worthwhile.

YkGIWb1FKBI
#79 - "The Love" - Kiesza
I'm not sure if it's an addiction to Grand Theft Auto V that's put me in the mood for an endless stream of 80s Madonna-derivative singles, but at least the donk shoved on top of it made it her own.

-wa0CFqySSA
#78 - "Cruel World" - Lana del Rey
Whilst there is indeed the worry that Lana's slightly vague lyrics are now just playing into the hands of some very confused and melodramatic Brazilian fans, at least she has the common courtesy to put together blissful little pieces of music like this.

tA8AfQaUnXM
#77 - "Ghost" - Ella Henderson
Imagine a world where everyone who finishes sixth on the X Factor releases a debut single as fantastic as this. Isn't it a wonderful idea? No pressure, Stevi Ritchie.

ere2Mstl8ww
#76 - "Little Monster" - Royal Blood
Well I think that, to date, this is the only CD from 2014 that I own so I suppose it's only fitting I slot something of theirs into this list.

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#75 - "Something from Nothing" - Foo Fighters
Never before has a song title borne more relevance in comparison to its corresponding album.

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#74 - "In the Heat of the Moment" - Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds
The first album was wonderful, and if this is anything to go by, the second should be too.

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#73 - "Shanghai" - Nicki Minaj
You'll have to make do with a pitched version for now. Further proof that Minaj saves her fire for the deluxe tracks.

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#72 - "Outside" - Calvin Harris & Ellie Goulding
The fizzling out of 18 Months and the slow build-up to this record did a lot of damage to the concept that Calvin Harris releases extremely catchy, interesting and - most importantly - distinct songs. 'Outside' was a welcome reminder that he's still capable, but even better from Motion is yet to come.

MCJ7_NPtNEo
#71 - "Mecca" - Wild Beasts
The video is pretty. The music prettier. The voice prettiest. Who wouldn't pray to the east for this?

[Shaun]

http://i.imgur.com/sJRnMkW.png

7ZoIYSAyKpM
#70 - "Dance With Me" - Le Youth
Memo to Philip George: this is how you take a classic single and give it a new lease of life. I'm keen for Le Youth to make this an annual ritual.

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#69 - "Budapest" - George Ezra
Sometimes Radio 1 get behind someone worthwhile. Sometimes.

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#68 - "push pull" - Purity Ring
We've already heard a much better teaser from their upcoming second album, but they managed to sneak a surprisingly poppy little tune into the end of 2014. How lovely.

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#67 - "Inferno" - Music Go Music
I've given up on trying to lure people over to the side of the fence where we reenact ABBA videos and enjoy Music Go Music so I'll just let the song do the talking.

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#66 - "Lemonade" - SOPHIE
If 2015 doesn't belong to PC Music then to be honest I give up on everything. Never before has the sound of someone pissing on the floor (VERY FEASIBLE - SHUSH) been the start of something good.

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#65 - "Blue Blue" - iamamiwhoami
Sorry Scott, this is the last time they'll be appearing here.

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#64 - "Heart on Fire" - Indiana
The first time I heard this, I was driving home from my first day of work with incredibly sore feet in the middle of London. It was quite comforting.

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#63 - "Longpig" - Perfume Genius
I just couldn't let a list go by without including a song title that refers to cannibalism.

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#62 - "Desperado" - Azealia Banks
I'm struggling to choose a favourite bit.

29GWMT0GB6s
#61 - "Up" - Olly Murs & Demi Lovato
It's certainly the best male/female pop duet since Nelly Furtado & James Morrison.

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

nobody else gets a shoutout i'm special

[Shaun]

ben got one on page 1 but who cares that's in the past (like his youth)

[Shaun]

http://i.imgur.com/sJRnMkW.png

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#60 - "Blame it On Me" - George Ezra
It's rare that a second single is the loveliest of the lot but Ezra sticks out as a strong example.

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#59 - "Ocean Death" - Baths
Hmm. I need to listen to this in the shower. (We don't have a shower at home :fist:)

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#58 - "Unicorn" - Basement Jaxx
I think Tom liked this?

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#57 - "Sweetest Song" - Jessie Ware
To be honest you can't really go wrong with any of the songs on Tough Love but this stands as one of the more chilled and serene moments.

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#56 - "Sissy That Walk" - RuPaul
As usual, the main single that soundtracked a season of Drag Race was the only thing worth my time from Ru's new album but oh boy was this good. The build-up, the helpless reminders of this season's more jaw-dropping runways (http://courtneyact.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/tumblr_mzd60nnzhC1sw42l1o1_500.gif), and the lovely putdowns make this probably Ru's best yet.

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#55 - "Talking Backwards" - Real Estate
There is a very strong chance this song and the album it's on will only grow on me more since it was one of the last I listened to. *sways*

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#54 - "Ride" - TV on the Radio
Sadly not an insanely funky Lana del Rey cover, but more of a crestfallen masterpiece. I tend to go for their quieter, more sombre tracks on their records (see: Nine Types of Light's Killer Crane).

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#53 - "Yellow Flicker Beat" - Lorde
I think I'm now just about comfortable with the idea of liking a Lorde song. More of this sort of thing in the future, love.

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#52 - "Jubel" - Klingande
To be honest the vocalist should feature a bit more, but oh well. Still a sublime mix of the year's most dominant dance trends. I'm a bit concerned by how alike all of these music videos tend to be, though - sunny, blonde hipsters enjoying a drive and waving their arms around out the car window. An improvement on the wildly exploitative (look! she's operating a pneumatic drill and her tits are juggling!) videos that plagued Britain in the noughties, though, I suppose.

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#51 - "Blockbuster Night Part 1" - Run the Jewels
In context of the album it stands out as a highlight and a frightening, eye-opening track so lord knows what effect this has on the uninitiated.

[Braden]

George, Basement Jaxx, Ru & Lorde :flutter:

[Benjamin]

Nice list so far :love:

And my youth is still here :fist:

[Shaun]

http://i.imgur.com/sJRnMkW.png

WhZQ9naUvHI
#50 - "Sort of Light" - Cuushe
Well done Ben x

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#49 - "Giant in my Heart" - Kiesza
Waaaaah-de-de-de-de-de-waaaaaah. The people's anthem.

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#48 - "This is What it Feels Like" - BANKS
Very good.

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#47 - "Bang Bang" - Jessie J, Nicki Minaj & Ariana Grande
Individually, they've put out some of the more disappointing and uninspiring (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTOFEgJ9zzI) singles of the year. Paired with others, they're capable of terrible things (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXtsGAkyeIo). But as this perfect trilogy? True greatness.

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#46 - "Riot" - Ace Wilder
It's funny: I thought 2013 would have taught us, with Icona Pop, that at least one imported Swedish number one single was necessary. This is the ideal candidate for that ongoing tradition. But no, I suppose we'll have to settle for Avicii.

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#45 - "Ice Princess" - Azealia Banks
Although a fairly large portion of this song's excellence is indebted to the chorus of Morgan Page's "In the Air", and much of the rest in the beat, at least a fine coating of Banks' arrogance and wordplay made it into the mix.

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#44 - "Fever" - The Black Keys
The album might not've lived up the standards set by Brothers or Rubber Factory but at least this first taste of it was good.

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#43 - "Uptight Downtown" - La Roux
Essays shall be written on why 2014 La Roux deserved the same, if not more, success as 2009 La Roux. But that's another post entirely.

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#42 - "Sayit" - Röyksopp & Robyn
This pips 'Monument' to the list just because of the robotic voice.

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#41 - "Boom Clap" - Charli XCX
It was very kind of Charli XCX to take a flop film and give it an anthem to make it more successful, wasn't it?

[Benjamin]

Cuushe in the top 50 :clap1:

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

:flutter:

[Shaun]

http://i.imgur.com/sJRnMkW.png

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#40 - "Our Time" - Lily Allen
Just about the only track from Sheezus that might be worth my time (no pun intended) three years down the line.

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#39 - "Glow" - Ella Henderson
Obviously this is the single that should have gone to #1. To be fair, both this and Ghost should have. But this is a far superior song.

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#38 - "The Crying Game" - Nicki Minaj & Jessie Ware
I totally didn't expect one of the most successful artists in the world right now to work with one of my underrated queens but I'm delighted it's happened, because it was just about the only standard-edition Pinkprint track that was "definitely good".

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#37 - "Can't Do Without You" - Caribou
It is quite nice

Ltm3dHLnDe0
#36 - "Pray to God" - Calvin Harris & HAIM
I am led to believe that this shall be the next single now that the buzz around Outside has subdued a little, and I could not be happier. By far his greatest effort since Feel So Close.

iS1g8G_njx8
#35 - "Problem" - Ariana Grande & Iggy Azalea
Quite rightly the song of the summer, and even Iggy managed to string together a good verse for the occasion.

EPFvbc4onks
#34 - "Every Night" - Hannah Diamond
YES.

hkrF8uC92O4
#33 - "Calm After the Storm" - The Common Linnets
Everyone knows that the Eurovision Song Contest is a tacky annual spectacle that, at best, will provide one memorable pop song and an assortment of daft and hilarious ones, so you'll forgive me if, on the night, I wrote this off as something "just pleasant". Once the night ended, and in the following months, it grew and grew and I found myself listening to it through choice quite often. It really is rather lovely.

50GQjUZ4P3M
#32 - "I Will Never Let You Down" - Rita Ora
Even Rita Ora is capable of releasing a banger if it's written by Calvin Harris. Even Rita Ora.

N9Wq7B_VV_U
#31 - "Uptown Funk" - Mark Ronson & Bruno Mars
That week when nobody really knew of Uptown Funk and then Fleur East kindly helped it to its current chart dominance was a wonderful one, and in an ideal world would've sealed her win, but no, bland rock still exists and so too do millions of voters with a soft spot for a well-groomed beard.

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

can you hurry it up a little :omgno:

[Shaun]

no

i'll do another ten 2nite

[Smithy]

Giving Jessie ware credit when no one else does :clap2:

[Shaun]

forgot to do ten last night so here's twenty to make up for it :ninja2:

http://i.imgur.com/sJRnMkW.png

As-issfZ2-Q
#30 - "Dangerous Days" - Zola Jesus
Although Taiga might not've lived up to her career-high 2011 album Conatus, this first glimpse of it promised glory and a killer chorus. It just sounds super-happy, which is as far removed from her usual sound as it can get.

TYoQ6WLuMq4
#29 - "Put Your Number in My Phone" - Ariel Pink
He's certainly doing a lot to pick up a reputation as a douchebag this year but so long as he continues releasing enchanting albums and singles like this I'm quite happy to stay aboard this train. Also I quite like his fashion taste. Or I dislike it enough to come full circle.

81Mw7Z9AOkw
#28 - "Dibby Dibby Sound" - DJ Fresh, Jay Fay & Ms. Dynamite
As is custom with music threads posted by Z on here, I initially hated it and found it annoying. Then it crept onto the BRIT Award adverts. Then RuPaul's Drag Race launched and I considered it the perfect lipsynch-for-your-life should a UK edition emerge. It is flawless. Fun video, too.

j0DvjgagJko
#27 - "Cavalier" - James Vincent McMorrow
dat falsetto tho

iQS4oa-dgLY
#26 - "I'm Aquarius" - Metronomy
It took a while to adjust from the patriotic indie cool of English Rivieira but once I settled down and accepted that a 2001: A Space Odyssey video was the next phase, it burrowed its way into my head in pretty much the same way. Especially with those shoop-doop-doop-aaaahs.

74TP8QhupLU
#25 - "I'm Not Part of Me" - Cloud Nothings
Full Springsteen effect on this one, it just feels energetic.

XLaOxbd37jc
#24 - "Tough Love" - Jessie Ware
Can this current trend of electronic/R&B ballads never end please? Thanks

CN0jkdTvl9s
#23 - "I See You" - The Horrors
Although basically one long continuation of their 2011 album Skying, this just ticks every box for me.

hFz_EBJlp5U
#22 - "Call You Out" - JUCE
I've already talked about the wonderfully-nineties video so let me instead wax lyrical on the insanely stylish trio behind it. You've got a hella soulful lead vocalist, a hella cute keyboarder (is that even a word?) and lovely harmonies from the guitarist. This song just deserves to go stratospheric.

vpxbYH22DNY
#21 - "Simplethings" - Miguel
The Girls soundtrack has already been responsible for hundreds of great things prior to 2014, so this was just the icing on the cake, really. Matching a heavily-distorted riff with Miguel's gorgeous crooning is a difficult balance to reach but it just works and works and works. *melts*

UpsKGvPjAgw
#20 - "Steal My Girl" - One Direction
Look, I'm not comfortable about a One Direction single making it this far up the list either but that's just the selling power of this un. de. ni. a. ble. an. them.

-5Ae-LhMIG0
#19 - "Seasons (Waiting on You)" - Future Islands
Admittedly a late discovery for me and I strongly suspect this might creep its way further up the list with time. It sort-of sounds like someone has ground down the most sublime elements of about 12 different genres (the shoegazy synths, the gravelly voice, the piercing chorus riffs, the sci-fi sound effects) and concocted the perfect song from them.

FHCYHldJi_g
#18 - "I Got U" - Duke Dumont & Jax Jones
I spent all of my time allocated for this little write-up on a petition to make sure every single summer song features at least one steel drum in future. For now I'll just say: it makes me deliriously happy.

50-_oTkmF5I
#17 - "Shower" - Becky G
WHY, pray tell, DID THIS RACK UP 95 MILLION VIEWS, HIT THE TOP TEN OF THE BILLBOARD CHART, AND THEN MAKE ZERO IMPACT OVER HERE AT ALL? Especially when Carly Rae Jepsen can do it! That's just ****ing wrong. Real song of the summer right here.

UvVuEEPM3j0
#16 - "Close Your Eyes (And Count to ****)" - Run the Jewels & Zack de la Rocha
It's just the perfect anarchic party song, really.

BOboa27SHDE
#15 - "Crying for No Reason" - Katy B
Best British ballad since Someone Like You, no question.

x2AOjb9HW2E
#14 - "Touch" - Shura
A video of pretty people making out to a chillout anthem? Well of course it was going to make the list.

IyVPyKrx0Xo
#13 - "My Type" - Saint Motel
Hands down the catchiest track of the year.

KlyDYI_ddZY
#12 - "Let Me Down Gently" - La Roux
Oh god this La Roux era was so perfect and so much better than the first one <3

BxRQNO8vg2Y
#11 - "Ugly Heart" - G.R.L.
The absolute perfect pop debut and should've been the start of something special. It speaks of the song's strength and charm that even the tragic passing of Simone Battle can sort of momentarily be forgotten in amongst it. Aaaaah, now I'm sad :( *puts it on again*

[Shaun]

http://i.imgur.com/sJRnMkW.png

Onto the top ten, then...

[Shaun]

WSrktmE963I
#10 - "Solo Dancing" - Indiana
This makes the top ten on account of having just about everything that made V V Brown's The Apple great: a thumping, dark, evolving beat, a disinterested and cold vocal, and a ridiculously good rhythm.

[Shaun]

z6_ikWlJu_0
#9 - "Hey QT" - QT
Long live bubblegum pop.

[Shaun]

2vjPBrBU-TM
#8 - "Chandelier" - Sia
Years down the line from now, seismologists will still be baffled trying to explain where on earth this pop masterpiece came from. I look forward to years of drunk, interpretive dances to this.

[Smithy]

Shoulda been #1 -sobs-

[Shaun]

Z7OSSUwPVM4
#7 - "Queen" - Perfume Genius
Just about everything on his first two albums was either backed by a simple piano melody or a slow synth progression, so it was a bit of a surprise for him to embrace glam rock on album #3 (even if it only extended to this and the next single). Also, there's the whole wonderful "let's piss off the homophobes" angle about it all.

[Shaun]

DCbDVSwr_E4
#6 - "Do it Again" - Röyksopp & Robyn
R&R are basically the greatest combination since Nutella and your finger.

[Shaun]

3yDP9MKVhZc
#5 - "Two Weeks" - FKA twigs
Sexiest song of the year :flutter:

[Shaun]

5jUGAVUwhRU
#4 - "Down on My Luck" - Vic Mensa
It astounds me that this only managed to reach #37, because it's quite obviously aimed at the clubs but simultaneously layered and arranged like an actual song, like most aren't. It's just ridiculously funky.

Thank you, Samuel. :flutter:

[Shaun]

hmgF9OUWdQs
#3 - "Style" - Taylor Swift
Yeah, Taylor Swift. In my top five. It's that good. If this doesn't make #1 this year (when released), I actually give up on pop music.

[Tom4784]

3yDP9MKVhZc
#5 - "Two Weeks" - FKA twigs
Sexiest song of the year :flutter:

Should have won it tbh.

[Samuel.]

Down On My Luck :dazzler:

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

i love the smoke and mirrors EP

[Shaun]

Lp9GgdCgMXk
#2 - "On the Regular" - Shamir
Just amazing in every sense.

[Shaun]

MW7g6yMx_4A
#1 - "*****house" - ceo
Another year, another "...oh." moment for my song of the year :dazzler: This doesn't seem to have done too well in just about anyone else's list, which is understandable, since it's a bit of a mess of a song, but at the same time it sounds like someone throwing MGMT down the stairs of a brothel and that's obviously a good thing.

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

:worry:

[MB.]

*****flop

(but nice list)

[Black Dagger]

Lp9GgdCgMXk
#2 - "On the Regular" - Shamir
Just amazing in every sense.

:worship:

[Z]

On the Regular is really irritating. Just working my way through the songs I don't know in the top 10 now

[Black Dagger]

YOU ARE REALLY IRRITATING :fist:

xo

[Z]

Shaun I'm really disappointed, this list was going so well. The top two sound like they're in competition for most irritating C+ song of the year, not Song of the Year.

[LukeB]

Lp9GgdCgMXk
#2 - "On the Regular" - Shamir
Just amazing in every sense.

Chandelier >>>

[LukeB]

On the Regular is really irritating. Just working my way through the songs I don't know in the top 10 now

(2)

[GypsyGoth]

Thanks for posting vids :lovedup:

[Shaun]

greg **** off back to the MKS thread

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

https://smileyshack.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/s_waiting_9.gif?w=68&h=47

[Shaun]

greg **** off back to the MKS thread

not me prompting Flopya Flopsha Sioflop into releasing something?

i'll do the first ten albums now ok

[Shaun]

http://i.imgur.com/QazaCse.png

Albums. Yay. Finally. Thank you for waiting. You are very lovely. Here are fifty albums that are definitely worth your time.

http://images.musictimes.com/data/images/full/6002/ed-sheeran-x-2014.png
#50 - "X" - Ed Sheeran
Anyone who read my assault on "plus" back in 2011 should be at least a little bit surprised to find me acknowledging Ed Sheeran as the best of anything, let alone something I care about - but the right production and right changes of style, and a slight shift away from that soporific "she's lovely but she's homeless" nonsense did him good.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/fb/Calvin_Harris_-_Motion.png
#49 - "Motion" - Calvin Harris
18 Months had equally (if not more) fine singles than this but Motion had something of a rarity in the world of "dance albums": not one dud track.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/60/Lily_Allen_-_Sheezus.png
#48 - "Sheezus" - Lily Allen
I think we've all come to terms with the fact that this was a huge letdown and not even a patch on her other two albums, but Sheezus wasn't without its charms. Like that song about the keyboard warriors. Very canny.

http://www.musicomh.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/kele-trick-300x300.jpg
#47 - "Trick" - Kele
Bloc Party's Silent Alarm was released ten years ago this week. That's how far we've come, now :( The second solo record from Mr. Okereke was far improved on The Boxer.

http://images.nationaltimes.com.au/2014/07/17/5603368/1405574860494.jpg-300x0.jpg
#46 - "World Peace is None of Your Business" - Morrissey
I hadn't planned on doing a "worst artworks" section of this whole shindig but I am quite tempted, all of a sudden... forgive me but most of this first list of ten can be boiled down to "well it's not their best effort but well done for trying!"

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/ba/Elbow-Take-Off-Landing-Everything.jpg
#45 - "The Take Off and Landing of Everything" - Elbow
Elbow shall forever be my favourite band that I dedicate 0% of my listening time to.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51%2BRU86c5rL._SY300_.jpg
#44 - "Goddess" - Banks
Aha! A debut. Not the strongest, mind, but certainly good enough to capture the imaginations of TiBB (but then I suppose we're the only community to truly care about Nicola Roberts' solo career so I wouldn't place too much importance in our support).

http://nbhap.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads//2014/04/Baths-Ocean-Death-300x300.jpg
#43 - "Ocean Death EP" - Baths
For someone so enamoured with various weeaboo paraphernalia on Vine and Twitter he sure does make some dark, morbid stuff.

http://herculesandloveaffair.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/HLA-feast-cover.jpg
#42 - "The Feast of the Broken Heart" - Hercules and Love Affair
The artwork looks like something Scott might have bookmarked on Pornhub but the listening experience is a lot less sordid and a lot more fun.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51i0eBkH5KL._SY300_.jpg
#41 - "The Pinkprint (Deluxe Edition)" - Nicki Minaj
I MUST STRESS that I am only here for the deluxe edition. Those six additional tracks more than make up for the shrill nonsense like Want Some More, Only and Get On Your Knees.

[Smithy]

Get on YOUR knees Shaun's

Get on my knees makes no sense :joker:

[Z]

Get on YOUR knees Shaun's

Get on my knees makes no sense :joker:

Example sentence "I'm going to unzip your trousers, get on my knees and examine your socks."

See!

[Shaun]

thank you greg

http://i.imgur.com/QazaCse.png

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/26/Jack_White_-_Lazaretto.jpg
#40 - "Lazaretto" - Jack White
This will do, but can you please just get back with Meg, Mr. White?

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/91/M%C3%98_-_NMTF.png
#39 - "No Mythologies to Follow" - MØ
In future, if you're going to make lovely albums, can you please make your recording name a little easier to Google, please.

http://www.contactmusic.com/images/content/jungle-jungle.jpg
#38 - "Jungle" - Jungle
I've been hearing songs from this album all over the place. It's not the greatest thing I've ever heard but it's a fine assortment of some great singles.

https://a2-images.myspacecdn.com/images04/4/4cc6a24c60b5490faa853660981f5c83/300x300.jpg
#37 - "St. Vincent" - St. Vincent
Really not anything close to the "best of the year" title being banded about by just about every music site but it's not without its charms...

http://inthejunkyardmusic.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/the-horrors-announce-new-album-luminous_300_300_80_s_c1.jpg
#36 - "Luminous" - The Horrors
Lovely.

http://cdn.soundstagedirect.com/media/ceo_wonderland.jpg
#35 - "Wonderland" - ceo
Extremely weird, extremely fun and extremely listenable.

http://www.musicomh.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/kindness-otherness-300x300.jpg
#34 - "Otherness" - Kindness
Well, I mean, it has Robyn, Kelela and Dev Hynes on it, so it was always going to work, but he just makes rather funky and interesting stuff. He's sort of like Thundercat, in that bracket of extremely talented producer/writers who I always seem to forget about.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/6a/UltraviolenceLDR.png
#33 - "Ultraviolence" - Lana del Rey
Well, it's every bit as good as Born to Die, really.

http://nbhap.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads//2014/03/First-Aid-Kit-Stay-Gold-300x300.jpg
#32 - "Stay Gold" - First Aid Kit
Probably the cutest and most charming record of the year, they're sort of like a pair of Laura Marlings in a perennially cheerful mood.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/archive/6/6d/20140521052159!R%C3%B6yksopp_and_Robyn_-_Do_It_Again.png
#31 - "Do It Again EP" - Röyksopp & Robyn
It's only five tracks long but it's fantastic. As was expected.

[Smithy]

33 - "Ultraviolence" - Lana del Rey
Well, it's every bit as good as Born to Die, really.

is this a joke

[Shaun]

ARE YOU A JOKE http://agardenoftears.com/edit/data/emoticons/twitch.gif

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

me if LP1 and BWET aren't in the top 5

http://i.imgur.com/DUeqmzB.png

[Shaun]

:joker:

[Benjamin]

Stay Gold at #32 :worship:


but /sob at their album cover missing

[Daniel.]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/6a/UltraviolenceLDR.png
#33 - "Ultraviolence" - Lana del Rey
Well, it's every bit as good as Born to Die, really.


This is a huge lie

Born to Fie is one of the best albums of the decadehttp://i.imgur.com/BAdA1aO.gif

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

shut up

[Shaun]

http://i.imgur.com/QazaCse.png

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61urCZXJkTL._SY300_.jpg
#30 - "Wanted on Voyage" - George Ezra
More than two good singles, I was surprised to find. Let's hope he beats Sam Smith and Ed Sheeran at the BRITS next week (this is highly unlikely but oh well).

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/2b/Iamamiwhoami_-_Blue.png
#29 - "Blue" - iamamiwhoami
You know, writing her name is getting to be a real chore. The album has a few pretensions too but is largely quite 'epic' and imaginative and exciting.

http://nbhap.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads//2014/10/Zola-Jesus-Taiga-300x300.jpg
#28 - "Taiga" - Zola Jesus
I think I mentioned somewhere in the song countdown that this record had been a little bit imperfect and made me yearn for another Stridulum (either one) - but you can't really go wrong with this and were you to approach me in the street and say "I bought Taiga because you placed it in this countdown thing you did a few years ago" I'd probably smile and if you instead said "hey, you said Taiga was the 28th best album of 2014, but it really disappointed me and I'd say it was 59th at best" then I'd probably politely laugh and think you may be right.

http://www.piccadillyrecords.com/imgrec/slm-98860.jpg
#27 - "Impressions" - Music Go Music
I know the album sleeve is really not going to lure anyone into this pretty-unknown band but really, I implore you: if you like fun happy disco-ish pop you shall love them. (But get Expressions first).

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41pmIBOqK8L._SY300_.jpg
#26 - "Junto" - Basement Jaxx
Their albums tend to be an assortment of hits lost in a blur of noise for me so - whilst having no hits at all this time around was deeply upsetting and the last of my childhood dance artists to tumble down into pop irrelevance - a cohesive and wildly weird theme throughout Junto was a nice surprise.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/9b/Caribou_Our_Love.jpg
#25 - "Our Love" - Caribou
I'll be honest: I've only heard it once and I'm not even sure I'll ever listen to it again, but we'll always have 3am a few days after Christmas, etc. etc...

http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/review/album/img/jamesvincentmcmorrow_posttropical.jpg
#24 - "Post Tropical" - James Vincent McMorrow
On the other hand, at the very start of the year, this was one of the few albums that could coax me back into the whole "reviewing albums because I want to and not because I feel like I should" business. His voice is beautiful.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/b8/Kelis_-_Food.png
#23 - "Food" - Kelis
Yeah, OK, it wasn't anywhere near as fun as Flesh Tone, and it was always destined to flop, but sod everything because this was groovy as ****.

http://www.spin.com/sites/all/files/styles/style300_300/public/14-12-12-charlixcx-review.jpg
#22 - "Sucker" - Charli XCX
"But Shaun!" you scream and grab me by the lapel of a thing with lapels that I might be wearing at the time, "this didn't come out until today!" Well, indeed, but leaks alone (and preposterously earlier transatlantic release dates) managed to force this into my list. A few words about the actual album? Uh, it's sort of like Gwen Stefani meets Republica and doesn't really do away with the stupid annoying bits, but she's on top form, like Tragic Kingdom-era songwriting-form, so it works.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o-gxeZZnJUI/VH2-KulXT_I/AAAAAAAAAwg/msMlY2r4pJo/s1600/clark-clark-300x300.jpg
#21 - "Clark" - Clark
So so so so good, like the Drive soundtrack fed through the mind of John Grant.

[Shaun]

http://i.imgur.com/QazaCse.png

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f4/Tvotr_-_seeds.jpg
#20 - "Seeds" - TV on the Radio
I should love them more, really, they've never made a bad album and every single one has been super-groovy and strong :love:

http://www.spin.com/sites/all/files/styles/style300_300/public/future-islands-singles1.jpg
#19 - "Singles" - Future Islands
So nothing on the album quite lives up to the majestic wondrousness of Seasons (the very start of the album as well) but that's fine because nothing in this world does. The album feels like the album Foster the People should've made this year.

http://whenthegramophonerings.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Wild-Beasts-Present-Tense.jpg
#18 - "Present Tense" - Wild Beasts
ugh i forgot how awful that artwork is. The album is anything but. If you don't know their music yet (understandable - I don't condone it but I'll let you live) then picture that bloke from Antony and the Johnsons filming himself doing Kate Bush covers. Doesn't that sound wonderful?

http://static.universal-music.de/asset_new/349786/60/view/c/Sound-Of-A-Woman.jpg
#17 - "Sound of a Woman" - Kiesza
If I'm being honest, when Hideaway dropped and became the phenomenon it was, I had about a 98% level of certainty it'd be a one-off and the rest of her material to come would either be derivative of the same tune or lacking in any at all. What was delivered was an album without any filler, and a heck of a lot of infectious songwriting, 80s Madonna vibes and a piano cover of Haddaway, so everyone wins.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f6/Taylor_Swift_-_1989.png
#16 - "1989" - Taylor Swift
It's difficult trying to pinpoint this as the year that Taylor Swift got everything right and became the justified current queen of pop that she is, because every other album cycle after the bland-country nonsense has been full of the same fun, irreverent pop glory. But I think her venture into electropop - even if a single was alike enough to probably justify a CHVRCHES lawsuit - was her best yet.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/18/Lykke_Li_-_I_Never_Learn.png
#15 - "I Never Learn" - Lykke Li
Probably the most underrated musician of recent times in terms of consistent excellent output in ratio to her success and online adoration. Let's all resolve to 'stan' for her next year and afterwards.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/519FnCu7%2BNL._SY300_.jpg
#14 - "Atlas" - Real Estate
Probably the most serene album of the year and full of all of these gorgeous, picturesque riffs and a just all-encompassing 'mellow'.

http://wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net/80450F/loudwire.com/files/2014/07/Royal-Blood-Royal-Blood.jpg
#13 - "Royal Blood" - Royal Blood
It is so far the only album from last year that I have bought on CD, so... I don't think I need to explain them, they had a pretty good spin campaign right?

http://www.spin.com/sites/all/files/styles/style300_300/public/cloudnothings.jpg
#12 - "Here and Nowhere Else" - Cloud Nothings
yes yes yes

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51736g%2BkGML._SY300_.jpg
#11 - "Little Red" - Katy B
I know we're only two albums into her career but I feel safe enough in the knowledge that Katy B is the best thing to come from Britain since whippy ice cream.

[Shaun]

http://i.imgur.com/QazaCse.png

right let's get this over with

[Shaun]

http://www.spin.com/sites/all/files/styles/style300_300/public/20140314-war-on-drugs.jpg
#10 - "Lost in the Dream" - The War on Drugs
It's sort of like a series of Joni Mitchell songs covered by Bob Dylan in the style of Bruce Springsteen. Just excellence all around and a heartwarming album.

[Shaun]

http://nbhap.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads//2014/03/metronomy-love-letters-300x300.jpeg
#9 - "Love Letters" - Metronomy
I don't think The English Riviera (a slightly superior record to this) even made it into my top ten way back in 2012 but that's really just proof that 2014 was a tragically sub-par year for albums in general. This was a great mixed bag of Motown, spaced-out lyrics and a strong whiff of Giorgio Moroder.

[Shaun]

http://thewireless.co.nz/system/production/cover_images/images/000/013/695/thumb_2x/TooBright-cover.jpg?1412623660
#8 - "Too Bright" - Perfume Genius
I will always have time for this wonderful man

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

yaaas love letters *my handbag drops to the floor as i jump up and down excitedly. a bag of coke falls out. i am using again*

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

is this dramatic enough

[Shaun]

http://www.radioq.de/wp-content/uploads/bbc1.jpg
#7 - "So Long, See You Tomorrow" - Bombay Bicycle Club
Their best record yet by an achingly long margin; I really didn't expect too much from this, just a couple of nice singles like with I Had the Blues but I Shook them Loose, really.

[Shaun]

it will do!!!!

http://www.spin.com/sites/all/files/styles/style300_300/public/141118-ariel-pink-pom-pom.jpg
#6 - "Pom Pom" - Ariel Pink
Again, still not quite good enough to live up to the self-titled Haunted Graffiti record, but I think it just about trumps Mature Themes. The silly 'commercial gimmick's aside, it's a fantastic and fun album :love:

[Shaun]

http://www.mixtopia.ro/music/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/jessie-ware.png
#5 - "Tough Love" - Jessie Ware
This basically took the framework from her debut album - an ear for great songwriting and a heck of a lot of emotional delivery - and matched it with a deeper, more satisfying theme.

[Shaun]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/ba/Azealia_Banks_-_Broke_With_Expensive_Taste_album_cover_2014.png
#4 - "Broke With Expensive Taste" - Azealia Banks
She's still a disappointing **** but hey ho, musicians are people too. This was a very very kind surprise - not that it surfaced at all, but that too - that it turned out to be a really ****ing strong, consistent, sick album. :worship:

[Shaun]

http://www.spin.com/sites/all/files/La-Roux-Trouble-In-Paradise-2014-1200x1200.png
#3 - "Trouble in Paradise" - La Roux
Just a perfect (in a "not literally perfect" way) album. I think I loved it so much just because their debut was so long ago and so mediocre.

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

:flutter:

[Shaun]

http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/review/album/img/runthejewels_rtj2.jpg
#2 - "Run the Jewels 2" - Run the Jewels
I am sf glad I bought the hype and gave this a listen because it's the first hip hop album since Kendrick's that really wowed me and made me excited to try and take it all in.

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

yaas @ the #1 :flutter:

[Shaun]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/77/FKA_twigs_-_LP1.png
#1 - "LP 1" - FKA twigs
Well, duh. It's called LP1. Just gets everything right: sexy, angry, upsetting, jealous, delirious emotions floating about under the guise of a beautiful voice and some gorgeous R&B. Marvellous :flutter:

[LukeB]

Where is Sia?

[Daniel.]

The winner :clap2:

[Shaun]

i don't know, not-showing her face at another public performance because she's so so so anxious and hates the attention despite being a pop artist?

idk the album was ok but nothing special

THANKS FOR READING GOODNIGHT

[Daniel.]

Hew won 2012 and 2013

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

john grant won 2013 icr 2012

[Shaun]

Hew won 2012 and 2013

Kendrick Lamar & John Grant

think I went with:
2010: Arcade Fire (should've picked Kanye though)
2011: Bon Iver? idk

too

omg this is the first time a man hasn't won? someone phone the_truth

[Daniel.]

I hope Warrior was in the list for 2012

http://i.imgur.com/BJOdyCC.gif

[Shaun]

well obviously, i'm not deaf

at #31 apparently :worry: i must have been feeling pretentious, it was clearly better than icona pop's and plan b's (which i put a little higher)

[LukeB]

Sia has been robbed </3

first Chandelier and now her album

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

1000 forms of ugly aint even good tho

i dont have it on itunes idk why but it feels like a novelty for some reason

like having glee songs in your library

[Shaun]

i'm not even going to justify its absence to someone who listens to Chanelle Hayes tbh

https://40.media.tumblr.com/dc35edf5a84a33c66daacefdd65d14bc/tumblr_nj634pryzb1r48qmoo1_500.jpg

[Gstar]

Want Some More (from the pinkprint) slays

[Shaun]

it's no Four Door Aventador

[Amy Jade]

I hate the twigs woman shes crap imo

[Shaun]

ok

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

I hate the twigs woman shes crap imo

mess

[Jake.]

not having 1000 FOF anywhere in the top 50 though :worry: