Top 5 - Albums of the Year - 2014

2014 is almost over. While Hecoxian Ways blog has been shelved for most of it, I feel compelled to continue my tradition of picking five favorite albums for the year, and then crowning a single champion. Despite having Spotify continue to offer unlimited choices for music, I found this year a bit disappointing. Maybe I'm just spoiled. Back in the CD era I used to be able to listen to the same album over and over. Now I 'wring them out' and end up just wanting to hear something new.

As usual, my top five albums choices are based on what I got the most enjoyment out of personally. The albums don't necessarily need to have been released in 2014, only that I listened to them for the first time this year. My 2014 favorites can be listened to here: 2014 Top 5 Albums.

Beck - Morning Phase

According to a press release, Morning Phase is a "companion piece" to Beck's 2002 album Sea Change, and "harkens back to the stunning harmonies, song craft and staggering emotional impact of that record, while surging forward with infectious optimism." Several of the musicians who recorded parts for Sea Change returned to record for Morning Phase. Sea Change has been an all-time favorite of mine, so I was really excited about this one. It definitely delivered.

Sons Of The Sea - Sons Of The Sea

A collaboration between Incubus frontman Brandon Boyd and producer Brendan O'Brien, Sons of the Seas may be a 'one and done' band that allowed Boyd to depart from Incubus. The songs are more mellow and melodic than Incubus, and that's ok with me. Several songs remind me of Queen and Muse. In addition to this album, Brendan O'Brien also produced the excellent 2014 Pearl Jam album Lightning Bolt, (that nearly made my top five) and he has toured with Eddie and the band.

Crash Kings - Dark Of The Daylight

Crash Kings are a Los Angeles trio, two of which are brothers. The band is known for using analog keyboards such as the Clavinet with distortion effects and a whammy bar in place of a typical lead guitar. It seems like it would be a detriment, but the absence of lead guitar doesn't take away from their powerful sound. It's straightforward modern rock, and I like the healthy dose of piano. The song 'All Along' with its soaring vocals is my favorite on the album.


Kan Wakan - Moving On

Kan Wakan is another Los Angeles based trio consisting of composer/instrumentalist Gueorgui I. Linev, singer Kristianne Bautista, and producer guitarist Peter Potyondy. The group creates "sophisticated, moody tunes with lush arrangements" and "swooning orchestral crescendos that swell with kaleidoscopic glimmers of psychedelic soul, jazz, and Americana. The results are winding and picturesque." Ok...to me it sounds like singer Adele and electronic band Zero 7 got mashed together. It's chill and cool. The song 'Space Owl' is my favorite.


Ivan & Alyosha - All The Times We Had

Founded by Tim Wilson and Ryan Carbary in 2007, this Seattle-based duo created Ivan & Alyosha. The band name comes from Fyodor Dostoevsky's 1880 novel The Brothers Karamazov. The band added members as time progressed, including Wilson's brother. Their sound is a combination of indie folk-pop and rock, and has an uplifting tone even in the midst of a slow ballad. As far as I can tell, All The Times We Had is the their only full length LP. They have other EPs that are equally good, and there's a live acoustic set on Spotify that's really well done.


So long 2014. May 2015 be filled with great music!