[Maark Abbott]

From my perspective as a connoisseur of all things heavier than a Snorlax's testes, 2014 has been a very, very good year for music. There have been enough awesome albums out that I'm having to bump my year-end top five to a year-end top ten for the first time ever.

I would be interested to see what other people have picked. And you never know, by swapping our picks we could well find something new to listen to between us. Perhaps I'll find something to satiate my Jean Michel Jarre leanings.

I shall get mine written up at a later stage and link it through from my music blog.

[worry]

Okay I will bite, but I don't think it will help you much.

5 Albums:
Open Mike Eagle - Dark Comedy
Run the Jewels - RTJ2
Modern Baseball - You're Gonna Miss It All
T Swift - 1989
Helms Alee - Sleepwalking Sailors

10 Songs:
Open Mike Eagle - Qualifiers
FKA Twigs - Pendulum
Tove Lo - Habits
Weezer - Go Away
Tweedy (Jeff Tweedy & son) - Low Key
Schoolboy Q - Man of the Year
The Hotelier - An Introduction to the Album
La Sera - Losing to the Dark
Jenny Lewis - Love U Forever
Lydia Loveless - Head

[QuickTidal]

I'm gonna copy Worry's list-style

5 Albums

Elbow - the Take Off And Landing Of Everything
Taylor Swift - 1989
Seven Lions - Worlds Apart
Within Temptation - Hydra
Zola Jesus - Taiga

10 Songs

Less Than Tomorrow - The D.O.T (feat Oscar #Worldpeace)
Top Of The World - Greek Fire
Outlines - Mike Mago & Dragonette
Wild Heart - Bleachers
Drop Dead Cynical - Amaranthe
The Way Back Home (Club Mix Feat. Poppy) - Ferry Tayle
Feeling Like Yeah (Alexander Popov Remix Feat. Christina Novelli) - LTN
Beggin For Thread - Banks
Two Weeks - FKA Twigs
Hostage To The Light - Lacuna Coil

[Tiste Simeon]

I usually do one of these so I have already thought about it but I'm at work so will do it later. Best album of the year is Òtta by Sòlstafir.

[Maark Abbott]

I'll have a crack at the top five then. I couldn't offer a top ten for songs... Too difficult.

ALBUMS:

#1 Black Crown Initiate - The Wreckage of Stars

It's a rare thing for a band's debut to be my top pick for the year, but the hype around them has been more than justified. Every riff is well placed, well executed, and there's enough variety to keep me happy, from the eldritch and ominous (A Great Mistake) to what I can only describe as a bendy elephant (Shape's Collapse). The more melodic aspects are excellent as well (Withering Waves).

#2 The Devin Townsend Project - Sky Blue

I had a job deciding if this would be my #1 pick for a goodly while, and it was pipped at the post. I had to separate it from Dark Matters as well for the fact they're two distinct albums. Here we have huge, radio rock choruses, choirs, and bombastic positivity. Sublime melodies and massive singalong moments. Who would ever peg me as liking a pop album?

#3 Machine Head - Bloodstone & Diamonds

I had made my peace with this not making my year end list - Unto The Locust was solid but nothing earth-shattering, especially compared to The Blackening. And then they drop this. If you know the band, it's classic Machine Head - fast, thrashy riffs, dual lead harmonies and rapid-fire drumming. It also displays some of their best songwriting to date. Not bad when you consider that the average age in the band is 42 or so.

#4 Intervals - A Voice Within

2014 was certainly the year where melodically voiced bands made their mark on me. A Voice Within can be described as djent in places, but it's more progressive metal/rock crossed with male pop vocals. Anup Sastry's drumming is immaculate on this, and the songwriting from the rest of the band is tight and memorable.

#5 The Contortionist - Language

It seems odd comparing the dreamy, progged-out sondscapes of this to the crushing heaviness of Exoplanet. But for the most part this album is quite relaxed, reflective music, with occasional bouts of heaviness. Michael Lessard's vocals took some getting used to as he has a very different timbre to John Carpenter, but it clicked one time when walking through an avenue in the grasp of autumn.

[Tiste Simeon]

EDIT: Wow, OK this is a bit long. Not gonna shorten it or do a Tl;dr for it. It took me long enough to write the darn thing, you can all read it!

THE TOP 3 ALBUMS OF THE YEAR, IN ORDER FROM 1-3

Sólstafir - Ótta.
This Icelandic band takes a step away from their black metal roots to create an absolute masterpiece! It is hard to accurately label what kind of music this is (if you're wondering it isn't really "metal" so you should check it out - no screaming on this one!), but it is as brooding and atmospheric as I imagine the Icelandic countryside to be. Melodic piano music mixed with rocking riffs and excellent vocals, sung in the Icelandic language to make the sound more mysterious and, in my opinion, more powerful. Not every song will be to everyone's taste but I think there is something on there for everyone, from the haunting opening, "Láganætti" to the epic title track, "Ótta" to the stripped down, beautiful "Miðaftann"
Track to get you started: "Ótta"


Ne Obliviscaris - Citadel
Quite a latecomer but I fell in love with it almost immediately! This is both brutal and breathtaking, stupendously heavy yet stunningly melodic, progressive and powerful, furious and erm... fernomenal!! Make no mistake, this album is not for the faint of heart but once you get past the growling and the intense, fast pace riffage, you are met with some stonkingly good musicianship, a variety of musical styles and appearing throughout, some insane violin playing. This album makes you work for it, but take the time and you will discover a very well crafted album indeed!
Track to get you Started: Look, just listen to the whole thing...
EDIT, can only post 2 media links so this has to be a link the old fashioned way: Here's your full album!

Anathema - Distant Satellites
Wow. Just wow. This progressive rock outfit always impresses me. Their flawless mix of male and female vocals, mournful pianos mixed with soaring, atmospheric guitars and synth combines to make a beautiful end result. This album is not heavy at all, so people who like music that is tuneful and intelligent, I can't recommend it enough. The band are doing an acoustic cathedral tour next year and you can sign me up for that!
Track to get you started: The Lost Song Part 1.


THE "NOT IN MY TOP 3 BUT DEFINITELY WORTH A LISTEN BUT I COULDN'T BE BOTHERED TO PUT THEM IN A PARTICULAR ORDER" ALBUMS OF THE YEAR

Falloch - This Island our Funeral
Celtic metallers return with a worthy successor to their debut "Where Distant Spirits Remain" However, they appear to have got rid of a lot of the elements that made me love their first album, such as the prevalence of non-metal instruments like flutes etc. Yes the haunting, ethereal vocals are still there but I miss what they had going before...

Pink Floyd - The Endless River
I love Pink Floyd and always will, and while this album definitely works and is good to listen to, I feel that they haven't really tried anything new, and just relied on some of their older songs to get by. Definitely worth getting but don't expect their next "Dark Side of the Moon"

Devin Townsend - Z2
This double album consists of "Sky Blue" an album harking back to his other progressive works, with the choral bits especially making my hair stand on end, and a sequel to "Ziltoid the Omniscient" the hilarious album Devin made a few years back. Both albums make a wonderful contrast in style and form, and I am looking forward to hearing more!

EP OF THE YEAR, IN ORDER FROM 1-1
Haken - Restoration
Flipping heck, this 3 track packs more into it than most full lengths! Haken truly are my favourite band and their epic "Crystallised" is well worth 20 minutes of your life.

THE "NOTABLE BY THEIR ABSENCE" ALBUMS OF THE YEAR
Opeth - Pale Communion
Their last few albums have been decidedly "Meh." It's not bad but it's not particularly good either.

Mastodon - Once More 'Round the Sun
I still love Mastodon, but I just couldn't fully get into this. I will definitely return to it later to give it time to settle but it's just not that amazing. Especially when Crack the Skye was so flipping good.

THE "DIDN'T ACTUALLY COME OUT THIS YEAR BUT I ONLY HEARD IT FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR" ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Leprous - Coal
Man, I wish I knew about this band before. Truly talented musicians create a very stand out sound. I was lucky enough to see them live this year and I will keep a keen eye out on any future releases. I can't actually find fault with this album, each track is uniquely brilliant. Also the singer (yes, singer, not screamer) has one of the best vocal ranges I can think of, in any genre!

THE "THIS SONG ISN'T FROM THIS YEAR EITHER BUT I ONLY JUST HEARD IT LIKE THE OTHER WEEK AND MUST HAVE LISTENED TO IT A BUNCH OF TIMES SINCE THEN COS IT IS PRETTY SWEET" OF THE YEAR
Beardfish - Sleeping in Traffic
35 minutes, one song. Considering it is about the length of most pop albums, it actually contains more variety, style and tunes than most pop albums. Most entertaining. But yeah, it's not from this year either.

This post has been edited by Tiste Simeon: 18 December 2014 - 01:30 PM

[Maark Abbott]

Why do I seem to recall that one of my mates from uni was going to do something with someone from Anathema? I was going to try and get something for his post-black metal project but I think I've missed that boat.

[Maark Abbott]

Wellp here's the full versions from my little blog.

http://angrymaarkmus...lbums-10-6.html

http://angrymaarkmus...albums-5-1.html

[Tiste Simeon]

Dude have you listened to Citadel by Ne Obliviscaris yet? Seriously I almost poop myself with excitement every time I hear it! Utter masterpiece!

[Maark Abbott]

I haven't. As with Peruggia, I'm told I should. The idea of violin death metal is mildly off putting though. Would you recommend?

Also incidentally seeing drumsticks in your profile... do you know The Leviathan or a certain affiliated Viking?

[Tiste Simeon]

Maark, on 01 January 2015 - 12:42 PM, said:

I haven't. As with Peruggia, I'm told I should. The idea of violin death metal is mildly off putting though. Would you recommend?

Also incidentally seeing drumsticks in your profile... do you know The Leviathan or a certain affiliated Viking?

Would so recommend. And it goes way beyond death metal.

Also I don't really play the drums. I think that was one of the guitar hero games.

[Maark Abbott]

Tiste Simeon, on 01 January 2015 - 01:22 PM, said:

Maark, on 01 January 2015 - 12:42 PM, said:

I haven't. As with Peruggia, I'm told I should. The idea of violin death metal is mildly off putting though. Would you recommend?

Also incidentally seeing drumsticks in your profile... do you know The Leviathan or a certain affiliated Viking?

Would so recommend. And it goes way beyond death metal.

Also I don't really play the drums. I think that was one of the guitar hero games.

Ah fair play. I'll give it a looksie.

[HiddenOne]

@Maark -

TIste Simeon has a 66.6% success rate when recommending metal bands, so it's worth a click, I will do so myself when I leave here. Also, I checked out your blog, I liked a few of those bands and went home to jam on the 7 string a little while. Now I want a new guitar. And amp. and distortion pedal. Curse you.

Mastodon's new one, of course, I enjoy
Contortionist - new to me, but I like the texture quite a bit
Fallujah - this song didn't thrill me, but I like some of their other stuff that I found by accident on YOuTUbe one day searching for Prog Metal
BCI - you turned me on to this one already, I think they will season into a great band


Also, I intend to get into a convo about recording & production type stuff, I've just been busy

[Maark Abbott]

The Contortionist are very much a changed beast. Their first album (Exoplanet) was two parts chuggy, progressive deathcore to one part ambient cleans parts. I'd recommend starting with Flourish.

Fallujah took a while to grow on me but when they did, well... It was one of those 'holy shit' moments.

Now the real question is, 7 string in standard tuning? Or is it lower? I've been considering restringing my bass for F# but I don't know if the neck would cope.

[Spoilsport Stonny]

I do a yearly list. Once again, I really need to grab some beers and go see some shows with Worrywort.

Anyway, here's mine.
______________________________________________________

Guided By Voices - Motivational Jumpsuit

http://youtu.be/DvLPq13NKEw

The reunion was amazing. The breakup was unspectacular. When Pollard dies, a little piece of me will go with him. Lets hope its not until Game of Thrones is over.
______________________________________________________

Shellac - Dude Incredible

http://youtu.be/NK0kxtOajVA

I didn't ever expect another Shellac album. That's exactly what this is.
______________________________________________________

Luluc - Passerby

http://youtu.be/cFWw75PY4V4

Nick drake, Nico, whatever. Its quiet acoustic guitar and chanteuse making your soul hurt.
______________________________________________________

White Fence - For the Recently Found Innocent

http://youtu.be/_3EZDt8--k0

I like that its just one guy. I'm sure he has help, though. Long live lo-fi.
______________________________________________________

Reigning Sound - Shattered

http://youtu.be/tirtx2R0oeA

If rock is dead, how did I make love to this record, huh? Riddle me that, riddle-answering guy.
______________________________________________________

Growlers - Chinese Fountain

http://youtu.be/PWazRuBycUw…

Why do I even bother with these lists?
______________________________________________________

Ought - More Than Any Other Day

http://youtu.be/G9nzU5gvQuc

The anthem of today's youth is only 6 seconds long. Baseball games in the future will start sooner.
______________________________________________________

Obnox - Louder Space

http://youtu.be/pTo41eaoT80

This guy is making the best rock music in America right now. From sound to style, there's no one else doing it better.
______________________________________________________

The Hotelier - Home, Like Noplace Is There

http://youtu.be/FRc9a9P4t5E…

This album properly belongs on Jade Tree in 2002. And should be covered with my tears and the blood from where I cut myself.
______________________________________________________

Sun Kil Moon - Benji

http://youtu.be/begLNqsNusk

All the hate on Kozelek is pure jealousy. Or misandry. I'm working on gathering the data.
______________________________________________________

Circus Devils - Escape

http://youtu.be/hKjVgUNELSM

The stuff that bad acid trips are made of. Hey they can't all be unicorn women with 8 penis arms checking out the hyperdrive on the tattoo vessel.
______________________________________________________

Run The Jewels - Run the Jewels 2

http://youtu.be/aTgyJngkvmA

Rap. Rap. A-rappie-rap-rap. A rip-rap-ripittie-doooooo!
______________________________________________________

Guided By Voices - Cool Planet

http://youtu.be/6knGjUD4BZM

The final GBV record is a great GBV record.
______________________________________________________

Teenage guitar - More Lies From the Gooseberry Bush

http://youtu.be/EcA59vWFfZU

One more Robert Pollard project joins the fray. That's four. Four Robert Pollard projects. I like this one too.

This post has been edited by Spoilsport Stonny: 01 January 2015 - 04:25 PM

[koehkont]

Top 5 albums (systematically ordered by the order in which they popped into my mind):

Insomnium - Shadows of the dying sun

Agalloch - The serpent and the sphere

Sonata Arctica - Pariah's child

Sabaton - Heroes

Devin Townsend - Z2

And special credits to Christopher Lee for his metal knight EP and his chrismas carol

[Maark Abbott]

Yesssss, you embrace the power cheese as well!

[koehkont]

Maark, on 03 January 2015 - 04:18 PM, said:

Yesssss, you embrace the power cheese as well!

I'm Dutch, ergo I looooooooovvvvvvvveeeeeeee cheese

[Maark Abbott]

Checked out Ne Obliviscaris. I'm still very unsure on the violin - the song I listened to (Curator) was pretty good up until that came in and it just threw me off.

[Tiste Simeon]

Huh. That was a major selling point for me. Unusual & different.