Jeff's Best of the Rest of 2014

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While I was able to narrow down my 10 favorites in 2014, that doesn't mean there wasn't a further list of albums I loved along the way. Listed below are some of my other favorites, all of which are available to stream on Spotify:

The Jezebels - The Brink
Phox - Phox
Tuatara - Underworld
Lana Del Ray - Ultraviolence
Orwells - Disgraceland
Justin Townes Earle - Single Mothers
+/- - Jumping the Tracks
Aphex Twin - Syro
Spoon - They Want My Soul
HAERTS - HAERTS
Front County - Sake of the Sound
Shovels and Rope - Swimmin' Time
Philip Selway - Weatherhouse
Knife Party - Abandon Ship
Gemma Ray - Milk for Your Motors
Orwells - Disgraceland
Orenda Fink - Blue Dream
Benjamin Booker - Benjamin Booker
Tennis - Ritual in Repeat
Banks - Goddess
Iggy Azalea - The New Classic
The Rentals - Lost in Alphaville
Death From Above 1979 - The Physical World
Kelis - Food
Hiss Golden Messenger - Lateness of Dancers
Calvin Harris - Motion
Mogwai - Rave Tapes
Dom Flemons - Prospect Hill
Bela Fleck and Abigail Washburn - Bela Fleck and Abigail Washburn
Damien Rice - My Favourite Faded Fantasy
Lily & Madeliene - Fumes
The Rural Alberta Advantage - Mended With Gold
2:54 - The Other I
Nude Beach - 77
Curtis Eller's American Circus - How to Make It In Hollywood
September Girls - Cursing the Sea
Black Prairie - Fortune
Allo' Darlin - We Come From the Same Place
Sallie Ford - Slap Back
La Sera - Hour of the Dawn
Secret Sisters - Put Your Needle On
Mr Little Jeans - Pocketknife
Parquet Courts - Sunbathing Animals
Lights - Little Machine
Ruby the Rabbitfoot - New as Dew
Craft Spells - Nausea
Jolie Holland - Wine Dark Sea
Shakey Graves - And the War Came
Nikki Lane - All or Nuthin'
Ex Hex - Rips
Mean Creek - Local Losers
Manchester Orchestra - Cope
The Whigs - Modern Creation
Beverly - Careers
Alvvays - Alvvays

On Repeat...

Liam Kazar - "Shoes Too Tight"

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Photo by Alexa Viscius This may be Liam Kazar's debut single, but the Chicago based musician already has an impressive resume, having worked with Jeff Tweedy, Chance the Rapper, Steve Gunn, Daniel Johnston, and others. "Shoes Too Tight" features childhood friend Spencer Tweedy on drums, Lane Beckstrom on bass, and Ohmme on vocals. It's an absurdly fun and groovy little song that is a party waiting to happen. What he gives us here is a timeless song that could truly have been released any time since the 1960's (ok... maybe not the 80's...) There are elements of classic rock, 60's crooners and R&B, indie rock, modern Americana... it's really just packed with everything in a cohesive song that maintains the vibe the entire way through. You can watch the video for "Shoes Too Tight" below. For more on Liam Kazar, check him out on Instagram and Twitter . He's also raising money on his Bandcamp for Constellation and The Hungry Brain. ...
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The Freqs - "Witch"

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Photo via Facebook When you're a rock band from Salem, MA, you have to have at least one song about witchcraft. The Freqs have fulfilled their obligation with a banger of a song. "Witch" is this giant monster of a song, filled with fuzz and strained, screaming vocals. This is the type of song that doesn't usually exist in this century. It's giving me some serious 90's flashbacks, like if Hum got aggressive or Alice in Chains decided to do some damage on the college charts. As great as the vocals are in "Witch," what's really drawing me in is the instrumental break down that takes over about halfway through. This is the kind of song to make the hipsters and the headbangers equally excited. You can listen to "Witch" below. For more on The Freqs, check out the band on Facebook and Instagram . The Freqs · Witch
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Dutch ReBelle - "GOONIEZ"

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How is Dutch ReBelle not a national superstar at this point? The Boston MC just released "GOONIEZ," and I know I'm a bit out of touch with current mainstream hip hop, but this song is absolutely killer. It's a stripped down hip hop song that has this futuristic space age sound to it. Plus, ReBelle's flow is unsurpassed. You can't listen to her and not be completely sucked in. The song has a feel reminiscent of classic Missy Elliott. As much as I love that we can still see Dutch ReBelle in smaller Boston venues, "GOONIEZ" proves she should be playing much larger venues nationwide very, very soon. You can watch the video for "GOONIEZ" below. For more on Dutch ReBelle, check out the artist's website . 
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