As ever, it is the usual eclectic mix of genres with returning veterans and explosive debuts.
This is in alphabetical order, so not ranking them in order of what is best. Its also all my personal preference. There is a lot of music and big songs not included, but you can't include them all.
So sit back and have a look back at some of the best songs from the past year, although some do deviate from that timeline.
AC/DC- Play Ball: The hard rock icons are back with their first
album since 2008’s Black Ice. It’s AC/DC so you already know what it’s going to
sound like. I’m just looking forward to July 2015 when I will be seeing them at
Wembley Stadium.
Anastacia- Stupid Little Things: That’s right, from AC/DC to
Anastacia. The lead single from her sixth studio album, ‘Stupid Little Things’
shows a classy return from one of the most distinctive voices in pop. It’s a
very catchy song and it was good to hear her back in the charts.
Augustines- Cruel City: They may have shortened their name from We
Are Augustines, but there has been not cutting of quality with the bands second
album. ‘Cruel City’ is a perfect example of the Brooklyn band’s catchy yet
moodful indie tones. A band well worth persevering with.
Band of Skulls- Hoochie Coochie: The Southampton trio returned this
year with their third album ‘Himalyan.’ After much hype I decided to get
tickets to see them at Brighton and they blew me away. I had really liked this
single beforehand, but live it is something else. A very talented band that is
doing very well for itself given a distinct lack of coverage from the
mainstream media.
Beans on Toast- A Whole Lot of Loving: I had never heard of Beans
on Toast until this year, when this bearded man with a guitar stepped out on
stage as the opening act for on Frank Turner’s tour back in February. He only
played a handful of songs but he won me over completely, enough for me to see
him at his own stand-alone show in Brighton last month. With his songs mostly
about sex, drugs or politics, he is very down to earth and has a wonderful
ability to tell a story through his songs. Well worth giving a listen because
you will find yourself a gem.
Bipolar Sunshine- Where Did the Love Go?: After two Eps in 2013 Adio
Marchant aka, Bipolar Sunshine, returned in 2014 with a third EP entitled ‘Where
Did the Love Go’. The title track is an absolute stunner; it is quite
incredible that this didn’t get the airplay or recognition it deserves as it has
all the attributes to be a flyaway mainstream success. Take a listen and spread
the word.
Black Stone Cherry- Never Surrender: The Kentucky rockers returned
triumphantly with their fourth album culminating in them headlining the mighty
Wembley Arena in November. The only disappointment was that this song didn’t
make the set-list. It’s an absolute monster which would have sounded fantastic
live.
Black Keys- Gotta Get Away: When I first heard this on the radio I
thought it was an old 1970s classic rock track, so I was quite surprised when I
discovered it was the blues rock duo. It’s a cracking song with proper old
school rock vibes. One that is going to sound great on their 2015 UK tour,
which unfortunately I am not attending.
Bruno Mars- Uptown Funk: Ok so this is Mark Ronson feat Bruno Mars but I'm too lazy to move it on the list. A very late addition to this list as it
has only just hit the charts over here, but it definitely deserves its place.
It went straight to number one, is getting lots of radio play and it isn’t hard
to see why. It is simply and fantastic song. When I first heard it I thought it
was a 1970s funk song, something from Nile Rogers maybe, but then I twigged.
Canterbury- Expensive Imitation: One of the most pleasant surprises
of the year was my discovery of British rock band Canterbury. ‘Expensive
Imitation’ is a fantastic song. However it appears I have discovered them a few
months too late as the band has since announced they will not be recording
anymore music. It’s a real shame as we’ll be missing out on more music like
this.
Catfish & the Bottlemen- Fallout: One of the best live acts I
saw all year, Catfish and the Bottlemen have had an extraordinary 2014. Their
rise has been quite phenomenal, and with tracks like Fallout, their live show
is an absolute riot. Make sure to catch them in 2015, because if it’s anything
like their Brighton show this month, you will love it.
Chrissie Hynde- Dark Sunglasses: Former Pretenders frontwoman
Chrissie Hynde returned this year with her first solo album and after the debut
single it was clear she was onto a winner. With her distinctive voice and
style, ‘Dark Sunglasses’ had a habit of embedding itself into your conscience
after its fair share of radio play. A triumphant return from a talented lady.
Ed Sheeran- Sing: How do you follow up a massively successful debut
album? By writing an even better follow up, smashing America and selling out
three nights at Wembley Stadium. That’s how. Fair to say, 2014 has been pretty
good for Ed Sheeran. Looks like 2015 will be going the same way.
ELO- Long Black Road: Ok so not strictly released this year, but I
still think it’s worthy of a place on this list. ‘Long Black Road’ featured in
the film ‘American Hustle’, one of the most anticipated films of the year. In
fact after seeing the premier, BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show host Chris Evans
played this song twice in a row the following morning. I can understand why and
I’m glad he did. It’s a proper, old school classic rock track which would have slipped
under the radar.
Family of the Year- Hero: Wait… this song is from 2012. Well that
might be true, but I discovered the song this year through airplay on Absolute
Radio and it is too good not to include here. Give it a listen and you will
understand why.
Foo Fighters- Something From Nothing: One of the most eagerly
anticipated albums of the year was definitely Foo Fighters latest LP. ‘Something From Nothing’, the first single, shows the band in top form. Bit of a slow
burner, but well worth the wait, it is typical Foos. Even includes the riff of
the Dio classic ‘Holy Diver’. Looking forward to hearing it at their Wembley
show in the summer.
Gaslight Anthem- Rollin’ and Tumblin’: What people may not know is
that New Jersey band Gaslight Anthem came perilously close to calling it a day
after Brian Fallon had become disillusioned with life in the band. Thankfully
they pulled themselves back from the brink and went back to the studio. The
result was their fifth studio album ‘Get Hurt’, and although it doesn’t stray
too far from the sound of previous albums, it is still top class. They are a
very talented band who make top class music, and this is no exception.
George Ezra- Listen to the Man: Sorry for sounding like a hipster
(excuse me while I swallow some bile), but I saw George Ezra on his prealbum
release tour. I went on the strength of ‘Budapest’ and ‘Casey O’’ and I made a
prediction afterwards that he would be massive. Low and behold 3 months later
his album is at number one. This is my favourite song off the album, made even
better by a fantastic video with special guest Sir Ian McKellen.
Grant Nicholas- Joan of Arc: Known as the frontman of British rock institute
Feeder, Grant Nicholas decided to take a break from the band after their last UK tour in 2012 and pursue a
solo album. Being a big Feeder fan I was really looking forward to it. It didn’t
disappoint. Created with the help of fans via Pledge Music (I got a signed copy
of the album via the site), Nicholas’ solo album has a very different sound to
the rock and indie of Feeder. It’s a very mellow and laid back acoustic sound
and shows his strength as a songwriter. The album reached number 29 in the UK
charts, an impressive feat given that it had very little mainstream attention.
HAIM- If I Could Change Your Mind: There isn’t much I can say about
Haim that I haven’t said before. I am a massive fan and was fortunate to see
them last year. They are even better live than on record, somewhere this song
really stands out. The fifth single from their enormous debut album ‘Days Are
Gone’, ‘If I Could Change Your Mind’ showcases the sister’s ability to mix
catchy rock pop with their distinctive harmonies. Very much looking forward to
their next album.
Hozier- Take Me to Church: Actually released as a single from his
first EP in 2013, ‘Take Me To Church’ has since gained a lot of airplay after
the worldwide release of Hozier’s debut album. Selling over a million copies in the US alone, it isn't difficult to understand why it is such a hit.
Imelda May- Tribal: Imelda May has grown to be one of my favourite
artists. Not only does she appear twice on this list, but I saw her twice live
this year and blew me away both times. Her band and she are incredibly talented
musicians, something you really appreciate in a live environment. The title track from their latest
album is a great place to start if you are in the mood for some rockabilly.
Jacqui Abbot and Paul Heaton- DIY: Two members of 90s indie pop
band Beautiful South reunited this year with big success for a brilliant
collaborative album. ‘DIY’ is a fantastic song, very catchy and you couldn’t
get away from it on the radio.
James Bay- Hold Back the River: There has been some hype
surrounding the name James Bay, with comparisons being made to Ben Howard. Judging
by this song, he is someone to sit up and take notice of. The second single
from his debut album, ‘Hold Back the River’ is a wonderful indie folk song;
very upbeat and cheerful. The song charted at number 18 in the UK charts upon
release.
Jamie T- Zombie: I have radio station XFM to thank for introducing
me to this song. Thanks to them endlessly playing it while I was work, it didn’t
take long for this song to grow on me. It is one of the best indie songs of the
year, a real sing along anthem. Instantly catchy and with a great video, it has
been one of my favourite songs of recent weeks.
Jungle- Busy Earnin’: Another song I have XFM to thank for, ‘Busy
Earnin’’ is the third single from London based indie soul outfit Jungle.
Releasing their debut album this year, the band have slowly been making a name
for themselves, appearing at Glastonbury and Reading & Leeds festivals here
in the UK. With the song also on the soundtracks for both the FIFA 15 and Forza
Horizon 2 video games, their music is going to be exposed to a wide audience
throughout the coming year.
Kacey Musgraves- Follow Your Arrow: A brilliant track from American
Country singer Kacey Musgraves. ‘Follow Your Arrow’ is a very bouncy, liberal
song with a very modern feel. It’s very
catchy and will soon have you singing along.
Kaiser Chiefs- Coming Home: Fifth studio album from Yorkshire indie
rockers Kaiser Chiefs shows a band with a more mature and grown up sound. I don’t
mean that in a negative way, it’s just their sound has evolved a lot since
their debut, and they are all the better for it. They still remain a brilliant
live act and I am very much looking forward to seeing them on their UK tour
next month.
Kongos- Come With Me Now: Funny how songs sometimes take time to
get noticed. Originally released in 2011, it has taken three years for KONGOS’ ‘Come
with Me Now’ to have an effect on the charts. Good things come to those who
wait though, and the song has been picked up and is now a runaway success. Have
to say, it took a while for it to grow on me, but now I love it.
Lenny Kravitz- The Chamber: The lead single from his tenth studio
album, ‘The Chamber’ is an instant Kravitz classic. Whether it’s the hook, the
bassline or the sing along chorus, it’s up there with some of his best work.
Levellers feat Imelda May- Beautiful Day: I saw the Levellers for
the first time this year at OnBlackheath festival in London. They were
brilliant, and they even brought a special guest on stage with them. Imelda May
was on the same bill and joined the band to perform ‘Beautiful Day’, a re-recording
of their classic for their upcoming ‘Greatest Hits’ album. I fell in love with
it on first listen, and in my opinion it sounds much better than the original.
But then I’m a big fan of Imelda May, so may be a bit biased.
Manic Street Preachers- Futurology: The evergreen Manic Street
Preachers released their 12th studio album in 2014 to critical acclaim, with
many citing it as a band returning to top form. I’d certainly go along with
that. The title track ‘Futurology’ showcases the band’s trademark sound with
James Dean Bradfield’s distinctive vocals. Good
to see the Welsh icons back.
Milky Chance- Down by the River: Another acoustic singer song writing
duo who have established themselves this year are German born Milky Chance. Even
though there is a lot of choice in this particular genre at the moment, these guys
have managed to create their own style and with the massive popularity of their
music, it’s safe to say that is has worked for them.
Molly- Children of the Universe: Now this is a very rare occurrence,
a Eurovision song that I actually like. And it was little old Britain’s entry
as well. We still lost, but that doesn’t detract from the fact that this is a
cracking song. Singer Molly Smitten Downes has a very distinctive voice and
this pop anthem really showcases her talent. Hopefully it can be used as a springboard
to future success.
Nerina Pallot- Happy Day: 12 months, 12 Eps. Quite a challenge but one that
has been a success. The new songs sound good with a varied sound. Choosing just
one for here was difficult. Nerina is still one of my favourite live artists. I
saw her for the second time Brighton and not only is she incredibly talented,
she is funny and very entertaining. A criminally underrated artist who you
would do well to go and see.
Nick Mulvey- Cucurucu: Another singer songwriter who has had a
breakthrough year in 2014 is British singer Nick Mulvey. Releasing his debut album ‘First Mind’ to
critical acclaim, ‘Cucurucu’ is a perfect introduction to his brand of acoustic
folk rock. It has a wonderfully slow build up to the chorus, where the title is
used a perfect hook. A very catchy and bouncy song that is perfect for the
summer months.
Noel Gallagher-In the Heat of the Moment: The preceding single to
the ex-Oasis guitarist’s second solo album, ‘In the Heat of the Moment’ is a
classic Noel Gallagher song. It has his signature sound stamped all over it and
is as good as anything from his debut High Flying Birds effort. With the album due for release in March, we
can only hope the rest of the album is as good as this.
Paolo Nutini-Scream (Funk My Life Up): Back in 2009, after the success
of his second album ‘Sunny Side Up’, Paolo Nutini was one of the hottest
artists in British music. Fast forward five quiet years later and I was
starting to wonder if we were due another album. Low and behold, in late 2013,
it was announced a new album had been recorded and a month later this was released
as the first single. A cocktail of soul, funk and folk mixed with his
distinctive vocals makes it a perfect, upbeat way to open the album. A sure
fire Nutini classic.
Paloma Faith- Only Love Can Hurt Like This: British soul sensation
returned to the charts this year with her third album, with this song the
second single off the album. It’s a brilliant song, something reaffirmed by it
becoming Faith’s highest charting single to date, peaking at number 6 in the UK
charts.
Pure Love- Hurricane: Fronted by ex-Gallows frontman Frank Carter,
Pure Love are a really fun band and an absolute riot in a live environment. I
had the pleasure of seeing them on tour last year at a tiny club in Brighton
and they were fantastic. Sadly they are now on an ‘indefinite hiatus’, but they
did give us fans three more songs before their departure. ‘Hurricane’ is taken
from their ‘Bunny EP’ and wouldn’t have been out of place on their debut album ‘Anthems’.
It is a big, foot stomping anthem in itself and shows that rock doesn't have to
be serious.
Queen-Let Me in Your Heart Again: Taken from their recent compilation
album ‘Queen Forever’, ‘Let Me In Your Heart Again’ is the first Queen single to
include Freddie Mercury and bassist John Deacon since 1995. The song was
originally recorded in 1983, but failed to make the final track listing on ‘The
Works’. It finally gets an airing in time for Queen’s January UK tour with US
singer Adam Lambert.
Radkey- Romace Dawn: A band to watch out for in 2015 is American
band Rakey. Consisting of three brothers, I first came across them at Calling
Festival in London back in the summer where they were supporting Aerosmith. I
was impressed with their sound and energy and immediately checked them out when
I got home and downloaded their EP. ‘Romance Dawn’ is a big sing along anthem,
which should be getting more radio play. These guys have the potential to make
it big, so here’s hoping they have a big 2015.
Rodriguez- I Wonder: Another song not from 2014. This one is actually
from the 1970s, by a little known singer called Sixto Rodriguez. I say little
known, that is not strictly true, but things could have been a lot different.
To give you an idea of what you have been missing out on, listen to this. It
has one of the best bass lines you will ever hear. If you are unfamiliar with his story, you need
to watch the documentary ‘Searching for Sugarman’. It really is a fantastic story.
Royal Blood- Figure it Out: Who says rock is dead? Royal Blood, the
duo from Brighton (actually two towns close to me, near Brighton on the South
Coast), have had a remarkable year.
They’ve opened for the Arctic Monkeys, had packed out tents at every
festival appearance and then their album went straight to number one. To top it
off, they will open for the mighty Foo Fighters at Wembley Stadium next summer,
something I am really looking forward
to.
Saint Motel- My Type: One of my favourite finds of the year has
been LA band Saint Motel. One of the main reasons, apart from making really
good music, is the fact that the more I listen to them, the more I can’t pigeon
hole them. They seem to be genre free. They just make really fun, easy to
listen to music. At a push they could be classed as indie, and they will
certainly be a massive success at festivals this coming year. I saw them live
in Brighton in November and they were fantastic. 2015 is going to be a big year
for them.
Sam Smith- Stay With Me: Quite a year for the British singer
songwriter. One million album sales in both the UK and US charts has seen Smith
storm into the public consciousness. With his gentle piano ballads, he is got
the perfect recipe to be universally popular and is reaping the rewards.
Slash- 30 Years to Life: I have to admit I am a big fan of Slash,
so when I heard he was doing a new album with Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators,
I was really excited. I wasn’t disappointed. The title track ‘World on Fire’
was good, but this is one of my personal favourites from the album. It’s a real
sing along and head banger at the same time, the album’s ‘Paradise City’ as it
were. It really stands out in a live environment so if you get the chance to
go, do it.
Southern- Shout It: Belfast brother and sister duo Thom and Lucy
Southern are one of the best kept musical secrets of 2014. I heard their song ‘Shout
It’ on MTV Rocks and was instantly hooked. What I really liked was their style
of blues mixed with the perfect compliments of their voices. I liked them
enough to see them live in Brighton and they were fantastic. Met them afterwards
and they were very down to earth and genuine. They are going to go far.
The Pretty Reckless- Follow Me Down: Taylor Momsen and her band The
Pretty Reckless made a triumphant return this year with the difficult second album.
Titled ‘Going to Hell’, a couple of singles, the title track and ‘Heaven Knows’
were released at the back end of last year. However it’s this, the opening
track that is my favourite. Opening with an, intimate, sound effect the song
bursts into a heavy riff that is just as dirty as the intro. With less than ambiguous lyrics and Momsen’s
attitude filled delivery, it is a fitting way to start the album.
The Pierces- Kings: If what you are looking for in music is
brilliant songs with a wonderful harmony, then look no further than Catherine
and Allison Pierce, more commonly known as The Pierces. Their harmony on record
is brilliant, but stunning to listen to live. There is a definite vibe between
the two of them that is magnified in a live environment. ‘Kings’ was the first
single from their latest album ‘Creation’, and show cases the sister’s talents
perfectly.
So there you have it, a selection of 50 of the best songs from 2014.
Thanks for reading
Happy New Year to you all, hope 2015 treats you well.
Happy
No comments:
Post a Comment