Archive for December, 2014

Albums of the Year – 2014

Wednesday, December 31st, 2014

Prince/3rd Eye Girl – Plectrum Electrum

Amazing album. I love it when prince plays rock n roll guitar, but much to my surprise, I also really enjoy the Hannah songs too. The album can’t touch how amazing Prince and 3rd Eye Girl are live, but is still a much closer representation of the live sound than any prince solo stuff.

My biggest complaint is that this album cam out about a year too late. There was some great buildup in 2013, with demos, club shows, tv appearances etc, but then nothing until late 2014, by which point we’d been listening to the songs for 18 months already, making the album seem a little stale even as soon as it was released.

Standout track: BOYTROUBLE

2014-03-31 Prince poster
(prince doesn’t like people taking photos at his shows anymore)

The Architects – Border Wars Episode II

A little bit of a lighter sound than Episode I, but still great rock and roll songs along with probably the best production the Architects have ever had.

Standout track: In the snow

2014_04_25 0153 the ARCHITECTS
I still haven’t got to see The Architects live

Old Firm Casuals – This Means War

A really cohesive album, which is easier to listen to than the separate singles and complilation they’d released before now. These tracks are more nuanced than their earlier songs, but still very angry and loud, straight up oi.

Standout track: Off With Their Heads

2014-03-08 old firm casuals @ thee parkside

Jamie T – Carry on the Grudge

A surprise release after almost complete silence for 5 years. Much more mature and less “fun” than his earlier stuff. Jamie T has grown up; he’s no longer singing about drinking and fighting, there’s a sadness in these songs but also a slow-burning anger that I really like.

Standout track: Zombie (but Love is Only a Heartbeat Away is probably more representative of the album)

2014-12-02 Jamie T @ the independent

The Interrupters – S/T

Incredibly solid, polished ska/punk album. I love Amy Allen’s angry vocals but everyone in the band is on top of their game. Hard to believe this is a first album. I’m really looking forward to future albums to see if they branch out more.

Standout track: Take Back the Power

2014-12-02 The interrupters @ the independent