Ballet School – part of Getintothis‘ Albums of 2014
Our countdown of the best albums of 2014 continues with Getintothis editor Peter Guy reflecting on Nigerian grooves, Scottish pride and classic rock & roll from the Wirral peninsula.
Last Friday we revealed albums 100-51 from our end of year countdown and we continue all week with the final 50.
Today’s selection includes legends of pop and rock, fresh new favourites and a band who introduced the insult ‘tit rifle’ into our consciousness.
As ever, we look forward to hearing your recommendations in the comment section below, or alternatively join in the discussion on Facebook or Twitter.
The countdown continues…
50. Ibibio Sound Machine: Ibibio Sound Machine
Infectious, riotous and impossibly funky – this was groove with all kinds of heart.
49. Lust For Youth: International
What on first listen appears detached and wrapped in arch cool gradually unravels into an emotive piece of art-pop containing one of the singles of the year, the irresistible Armida.
Getintothis on Lust For Youth
48. New Build: Pour It On
DFA beats via London – Hot Chip-assisted electronica with a hefty dollop of soul and an epic closing title track that The Juan Maclean would be proud of.
47. By The Sea: Endless Days Crystal Sky
Sure there was a mild evolution but at it’s heart, Endless Days Crystal Sky, once again emphasised just how good the Wirral quintet’s song-writing skills are. Almost effortless in its savoir faire magnificence.
Getintothis on By The Sea
46. FKA Twigs: lp1
Recalling the likes of Tricky, The Weeknd and Janelle Monae, yet Twigs‘ vision was singularly twisted, sexual and for a debut, ridiculously ambitious. Centre-piece Pendulum backed up the hype emphasising the sense that this is the start of something very special indeed.
Getintothis on FKA Twigs
45. Pallbearer: Foundations Of Burden
If it’s been a good year for heavy rock records then we must have missed it. Pallbearer were one of few who absolutely nailed it.
44. Swans: To Be Kind
I think we used up all hyperbole with regard to Swans in 2012.
Getintothis on Swans
43. Sleaford Mods: Divide And Exit
To quote Bananarama: ‘It ain’t what you do, it’s the way that you do it.’ Sleaford Mods get results. You fucking tit rifle.
Getintothis on Sleaford Mods
42. Phantom Band: Strange Friend
Business as usual for Rick Anthony‘s Glaswegian collective; a cauldron overflowing with organ-drenched tribal-folk imbued loveliness. Strange Friend simply felt like a good friend returning from the wilderness.
Getintothis on Phantom Band
41. Young Fathers: Dead
A justifiable Mercury winner – and at last something to rock the boat. Rooted in hip hop this gnarly rapid-fire attack also contained lashings of pop, soul and lots more in between. To witness them play live was something else, too.
Getintothis on Young Fathers
40. Ballet School: The Dew Lasts An Hour
Far more than the sum of their notable influences, Ballet School are Grade A primal acrobatic pop with Rosie Blair one of finest new voices around and in Ghost and Heartbeat Overdrive they’ve two of the tunes of 2014.
Getintothis on Ballet School
39. Prince: Art Official Age
The soulful electronic yin to PlectrumElectrum’s guitar-heavy yang, Art Official Age oozed P-Funk class and some of his finest ballads in years.
Getintothis on Prince
38. St Vincent: Digital Witness
Indebted to Bowie, Digital Witness saw Annie Clark evolve into robo-electro guitar-fuelled glam. A very good record became something truly great when transmitted live suggesting it won’t be long before her ideas are executed onto very big stages indeed.
Getintothis on St Vincent
37. The Brian Jonestown Massacre: Revelation
Anton Newcombe‘s collective delivered by far their most consistent racket in some time, a glorious sprawling rock & roll hit which lived up to its name.
Getintothis on The Brian Jonestown Massacre
36. Damien Jurado: Brothers And Sisters Of The Eternal Sun
Deftly brushed Americana with sprawling stylistics from another cosmos.
Getintothis on Damien Jurado
35. Jack White: Lazaretto
You suspect Jack White could toss out an album a month. What an absolute bastard.
Getintothis on Jack White
34. Jessie Ware: Tough Love
Jessie sounded pretty bummed out on her follow up to Devotion but that didn’t stop her from penning some of the year’s best soul-pop numbers; Say You Love Me had us in bits, Champagne Kisses was slicker than Bret The Hitman Hart‘s hair-do while You & I (Forever) was seriously massive.
Getintothis on Jessie Ware
33. King Creosote: From Scotland With Love
Kenny Anderson‘s ode to his homeland was dripping in passion and pride – and resonated even more poignantly in 2014.
Getintothis on King Creosote
32. Kate Tempest: Everybody Down
The new kid on the block nails 12 pop fables which were as unique as they were unshakeably infectious.
Getintothis on Kate Tempest
31. Mogwai: Rave Tapes
More in keeping with their Zidane or Les Revenants soundtracks, Rave Tapes oddly became Mogwai‘s biggest commercial success despite it being their most tranquil.
Getintothis on Mogwai
