2014 Albums Poll - RESULTS

Dan · Post by **Dan** » Mon Feb 09, 2015 11:10 am

Welcome to the results thread of our forum's poll of the top albums of 2014!

Thanks very much to the 41 participants: acroamor, Andre, antonius, BleuPanda, bonnielaurel, Brad, Chambord, Chris K., Dan, DaveC, DocBrown, fabianski, Future Critic, Gillingham, Greg, GucciLittlePiggy, Jackson, jamieW, Jeff, Jirin, Kingoftonga, Maschine_Man, Matski, Mattceinicram, Miguel, Mindrocker, Nassim, Nick, nickfunk, nicolas, notbrianeno, ordinaryperson, phil, PlasticRam, Rocky Raccoon, Romain, schaefer.tk, slick, sonofsamiam, TimmyWing, whuntva.

Just a couple of things about the presentation: Your name will appear in the "Biggest fans" section if you have placed the album in your top 10, and you will be in the "Also a fan" part if you have given points to the album but it's not in your top 10 (i.e. it's in your #11-50 range). The formula I used to calculate points is 20*(1+5)/(position+5).

Let's get crack'n.

100
Band of Skulls – Himalayan

Points: 20.16 (3 votes)

Biggest fans: DocBrown (7)

Also a fan: Andre (16) whuntva (22)

Place on critics’ list: Unranked

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99
Imogen Heap – Sparks

Points: 20.3 (2 votes)

Biggest fans: DocBrown (2)

Also a fan: jamieW (33)

Place on critics’ list: Unranked

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98
Carla Bozulich – Boy

Points: 20.5 (4 votes)

Biggest fans: Matski (8)

Also a fan: Brad (33) DocBrown (16) Jirin (45)

Place on critics’ list: 358

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97
Kelis – Food

Points: 20.72 (6 votes)

Biggest fans:

Also a fan: Dan (20) Jirin (30) Maschine_Man (43) notbrianeno (20) schaefer.tk (38) sonofsamiam (45)

Place on critics’ list: 93

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96
Robert Plant – lullaby and… The Ceaseless Roar

Points: 20.8 (5 votes)

Biggest fans:

Also a fan: Chambord (11) Dan (32) DocBrown (37) Greg (31) jamieW (26)

Place on critics’ list: 57

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95
Mitski – Bury Me at Makeout Creek

Points: 20.84 (3 votes)

Biggest fans: phil (4)

Also a fan: DaveC (26) DocBrown (28)

Place on critics’ list: 265

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94
Against Me! – Transgender Dysphoria Blues

Points: 20.89 (3 votes)

Biggest fans: notbrianeno (5)

Also a fan: DocBrown (49) nickfunk (13)

Place on critics’ list: 38

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93
Weezer – Everything Will Be Alright in the End

Points: 20.95 (3 votes)

Biggest fans: Greg (8)

Also a fan: Nick (16) phil (15)

Place on critics’ list: 152

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92
Big K.R.I.T. – Cadillactica

Points: 21.0 (4 votes)

Biggest fans: PlasticRam (6)

Also a fan: Greg (38) Jeff (20) Mindrocker (43)

Place on critics’ list: 394

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91
A Sunny Day in Glasgow – Sea When Absent

Points: 21.14 (5 votes)

Biggest fans:

Also a fan: Brad (40) Chris K. (24) Matski (29) Mattceinicram (27) Nick (12)

Place on critics’ list: 178

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Dan · Post by **Dan** » Mon Feb 09, 2015 11:54 am

90
Behemoth – The Satanist

Points: 21.43 (4 votes)

Biggest fans: PlasticRam (10)

Also a fan: Matski (23) Mattceinicram (30) schaefer.tk (16)

Place on critics’ list: 83

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89
Scott Walker + Sunn O))) – Soused

Points: 21.79 (4 votes)

Biggest fans:

Also a fan: BleuPanda (16) jamieW (13) schaefer.tk (46) sonofsamiam (12)

Place on critics’ list: 28

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88
Jenny Lewis – The Voyager

Points: 22.17 (4 votes)

Biggest fans:

Also a fan: Future Critic (12) notbrianeno (15) phil (44) Rocky Raccoon (13)

Place on critics’ list: 39

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87
Jungle – Jungle

Points: 22.85 (5 votes)

Biggest fans: schaefer.tk (6)

Also a fan: Dan (44) jamieW (24) Maschine_Man (35) Mindrocker (46)

Place on critics’ list: 61

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86
The Hotelier – Home, Like Noplace Is There

Points: 22.91 (2 votes)

Biggest fans: Nassim (5) TimmyWing (6)

Also a fan:

Place on critics’ list: 174

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85
Aurelio – Lándini

Points: 23.57 (2 votes)

Biggest fans: Dan (3) nicolas (9)

Also a fan:

Place on critics’ list: 527

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84
Mastodon – Once More ‘Round the Sun

Points: 23.6 (4 votes)

Biggest fans: whuntva (4)

Also a fan: bonnielaurel (26) Greg (25) jamieW (45)

Place on critics’ list: 68

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83
Foxygen – ...And Star Power

Points: 23.95 (4 votes)

Biggest fans: Maschine_Man (7)

Also a fan: acroamor (11) Gillingham (25) notbrianeno (44)

Place on critics’ list: 168

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82
Foo Fighters – Sonic Highways

Points: 24.0 (2 votes)

Biggest fans: slick (1)

Also a fan: whuntva (25)

Place on critics’ list: 109

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81
Angus & Julia Stone – Angus & Julia Stone

Points: 24.79 (5 votes)

Biggest fans:

Also a fan: Andre (11) jamieW (18) Miguel (35) phil (34) whuntva (15)

Place on critics’ list: 1041

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Post by **Henrik** » Mon Feb 09, 2015 12:43 pm

Dan wrote:85
Aurelio – Lándini

Points: 23.57 (2 votes)

Biggest fans: Dan (3) nicolas (9)

Also a fan:

Place on critics’ list: 527

Dan, if I had more time, I would have listened to yours and Nicolas' world music favorites and helped them up the list. This is simply wonderful. I hope there are a couple more along the way, as I really look forward to discovering more albums like this!

What source do you use to find these gems?

Dan · Post by **Dan** » Mon Feb 09, 2015 12:50 pm

80
Damien Jurado – Brothers an Sisters of the Eternal Son

Points: 24.89 (4 votes)

Biggest fans: Maschine_Man (9)

Also a fan: Andre (19) DocBrown (19) Gillingham (14)

Place on critics’ list: 269

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79
EMA – The Future's Void

Points: 25.02 (4 votes)

Biggest fans: Maschine_Man (8) Nassim (9)

Also a fan: BleuPanda (24) DaveC (34)

Place on critics’ list: 75

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78
Parquet Court – Sunbathing Animal

Points: 25.83 (5 votes)

Biggest fans: fabianski (8)

Also a fan: Brad (45) Chris K. (40) PlasticRam (14) Rocky Raccoon (18)

Place on critics’ list: 36

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77
Alejandra Ribera – La Boca

Points: 26.0 (2 votes)

Biggest fans: DocBrown (1)

Also a fan: DaveC (15)

Place on critics’ list: 835

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76
Moodoïd – Le Monde Moo

Points: 26.45 (3 votes)

Biggest fans: Romain (1)

Also a fan: DaveC (25) jamieW (44)

Place on critics’ list: 624

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75
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart – Days of Abandon

Points: 26.67 (2 votes)

Biggest fans: Greg (1)

Also a fan: Miguel (13)

Place on critics’ list: 238

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74
Lykke Li – I Never Learn

Points: 26.7 (7 votes)

Biggest fans:

Also a fan: Chris K. (41) Dan (33) DaveC (36) jamieW (48) Kingoftonga (11) notbrianeno (32) phil (19)

Place on critics’ list: 31

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73
Marissa Nadler – July

Points: 26.85 (6 votes)

Biggest fans: Andre (10)

Also a fan: Dan (47) DaveC (48) nicolas (14) phil (20) sonofsamiam (33)

Place on critics’ list: 150

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72
Kate Tempest – Everybody Down

Points: 27.44 (4 votes)

Biggest fans: phil (5)

Also a fan: Dan (36) DaveC (17) schaefer.tk (12)

Place on critics’ list: 62

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71
Hundred Waters – The Moon Rang Like a Bell

Points: 27.57 (4 votes)

Biggest fans: phil (2)

Also a fan: Brad (25) Chris K. (38) Jirin (28)

Place on critics’ list: 189

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Dan · Post by **Dan** » Mon Feb 09, 2015 1:42 pm

Henrik wrote:
Dan wrote:85
Aurelio – Lándini

Points: 23.57 (2 votes)

Biggest fans: Dan (3) nicolas (9)

Also a fan:

Place on critics’ list: 527
Dan, if I had more time, I would have listened to yours and Nicolas' world music favorites and helped them up the list. This is simply wonderful. I hope there are a couple more along the way, as I really look forward to discovering more albums like this!

What source do you use to find these gems?

Glad you like the Aurelio album, Henrik. I obviously agree that it’s just delightful. To answer your question regarding sources I use: throughout the year I pay attention to the World Music Charts Europe website (which has a monthly chart of world music albums selected by Europe-based "specialists" in the genre - they also have a very useful annual year-end chart). The World Music Network website also has a monthly chart that is worth exploring. Other year-end lists that I find useful are the ones by fRoots and Songlines. And besides Nicolas, there are two people on RYM whose taste in world music I can really relate to, and I discovered quite a lot of good world music albums through their 2014 lists: AlRog and Patricksmash.

Dan · Post by **Dan** » Mon Feb 09, 2015 2:03 pm

70
Taylor Swift – 1989

Points: 27.73 (3 votes)

Biggest fans: Future Critic (3) notbrianeno (7)

Also a fan: Maschine_Man (39)

Place on critics’ list: 22

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69
Ben Frost – A U R O R A

Points: 27.84 (7 votes)

Biggest fans:

Also a fan: Brad (35) Chris K. (37) jamieW (22) Matski (21) Mattceinicram (40) phil (17) PlasticRam (20)

Place on critics’ list: 45

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68
Sturgill Simpson – Metamodern Sounds in Country Music

Points: 28.03 (4 votes)

Biggest fans: Dan (9) Future Critic (7)

Also a fan: bonnielaurel (17) sonofsamiam (25)

Place on critics’ list: 42

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67
Wadada Leo Smith – The Great Lakes Suites

Points: 28.05 (2 votes)

Biggest fans: Jeff (2) sonofsamiam (6)

Also a fan:

Place on critics’ list: 1088

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66
Ibibio Sound Machine – Ibibio Sound Machine

Points: 28.08 (4 votes)

Biggest fans: Dan (8) sonofsamiam (5)

Also a fan: DaveC (45) Greg (22)

Place on critics’ list: 425

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65
Eno • Hyde – High Life

Points: 28.43 (6 votes)

Biggest fans:

Also a fan: Brad (15) Chris K. (23) DocBrown (41) Kingoftonga (14) Mindrocker (25) PlasticRam (18)

Place on critics’ list: 197

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64
Lenny Kravitz – Strut

Points: 30.48 (2 votes)

Biggest fans: bonnielaurel (4) slick (2)

Also a fan:

Place on critics’ list: 1199

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63
Tinariwen – Emmaar

Points: 30.56 (7 votes)

Biggest fans: jamieW (10)

Also a fan: Brad (29) DocBrown (44) Gillingham (12) Greg (39) nicolas (22) phil (46)

Place on critics’ list: 234

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62
Dean Blunt – Black Metal

Points: 30.75 (6 votes)

Biggest fans: Jackson (5) sonofsamiam (9)

Also a fan: DaveC (42) Mattceinicram (49) Mindrocker (35) schaefer.tk (45)

Place on critics’ list: 69

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61
Alvvays – Alvvays

Points: 32.07 (6 votes)

Biggest fans: GucciLittlePiggy (6)

Also a fan: Dan (39) Maschine_Man (45) Miguel (25) nickfunk (16) TimmyWing (14)

Place on critics’ list: 50

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Post by **Henrik** » Mon Feb 09, 2015 2:09 pm

Who are Taylor Swift's fans?

Future critics. Not Brian Eno. Also Machine Men.

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Mon Feb 09, 2015 2:21 pm

I have a lot of respect for all of your opinions, but that Foxygen album is easily the worst album I've heard this decade, and probably one of the worst albums I've heard in my entire life (probably bottom 10). Anyone who voted for it care to explain its appeal? I really liked "We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors...", but "...And Star Power" sounds like a group of 12 year olds trying to cover "White Light/White Heat".

Gillingham · Post by **Gillingham** » Mon Feb 09, 2015 2:33 pm

Nick wrote:I have a lot of respect for all of your opinions, but that Foxygen album is easily the worst album I've heard this decade, and probably one of the worst albums I've heard in my entire life (probably bottom 10). Anyone who voted for it care to explain its appeal? I really liked "We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors...", but "...And Star Power" sounds like a group of 12 year olds trying to cover "White Light/White Heat".

Admittedly, I was a bit disappointed as well when I frist heard it, because I did have some expectations after 'We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace and Magic'. Something that helped was listening to it the album a couple of times after those expectations were gone. I found out it was enjoying after all, although in a different way from their previous outing. But there are some specific factors that helped me appreciate the album.
First of all, I think the singles 'How Can You Really' and 'Cosmic Vibrations' are absolutely great. That helps a lot. Some other songs more in the vein of 'We Are...' are nice, too. Another important fact is that I went to see them live after they released their album. Most of the songs they performed were from this album and they brought it iwth a lot of energy. That helped too. And also I can enjoy listening to White Light/White Heat now and then, so a comparison is not that much of a problem for me. It doesn't sound like a cover of that album though, let alone by kids...

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Mon Feb 09, 2015 2:40 pm

Thanks for the reply Gillingham! I actually really do like the singles for "...And Star Power" (those singles were about its only saving grace). And I haven't seen Foxygen live, though I'd love to if I got the chance. The album might make a bit more sense to me if I did, but as of right now it's pretty much unlistenable.

Here's a review of the album I wrote a couple months ago-

Foxygen's new album is absolute trash. Their previous album, "We are the 21st Century..." was really good, the lead singles for "...And Star Power" were really enjoyable, and when I heard it was going to be a double album, my excitement only increased. I was thinking that "...And Star Power" would be Foxygen's shot at a masterpiece, an album that took everything great they did on their previous album and launched it into the stratosphere.

When the album came out, I was crushed. "...And Star Power" is a mess of songs that are barely formed, songs that sound like they were written as REALLY rough demos but then never developed, songs that sounded like they were recorded in a high school locker room and then mixed down to some unfathomably low bitrate, songs that sound like something a band of 12 year olds wanting to imitate "White Light/White Heat" would create, songs that served zero purpose to the album whatsoever, songs that tested ones patience to the breaking point, and songs that made you wonder if the whole thing was a big joke from Foxygen.

It's easy to see that Foxygen were trying to do what artists like The Beatles, David Bowie, Talk Talk, Radiohead, and countless other innovators had done in the past. There's a common rock music narrative of a band writing simple pop music, that then goes on to create an avant-garde masterpiece. Radiohead did it on albums like "OK Computer" and "Kid A", Talk Talk did it on their final two albums, The Beatles did it for the later half of their career, etc. But the difference between a band like The Beatles and Foxygen is that The Beatles had the talent to transition from simple pop music to the experimental masterpieces of "Revolver" and "Sgt. Pepper's". Foxygen do not have this talent, Foxygen do not even have a sliver of this particular talent, and throughout the meandering 82 minutes of "...And Star Power", they make their lack of talent very, very, very apparent.

Sometimes bands should rise above their beginnings and evolve, creating albums that may be successes, that may be failures, but ultimately showcase the bands ability to experiment. Other bands should stick to what they do best. Foxygen fall into the later category.

Pierre · Post by **Pierre** » Mon Feb 09, 2015 2:45 pm

Henrik wrote:Who are Taylor Swift's fans?

Future critics. Not Brian Eno. Also Machine Men.

I didn't vote for this poll because I haven't listened to nearly enough 2014 albums, but if I had I would definitely have voted for Taylor Swift, and I believe quite high at that. One of the most entertaining (and listenable) pop record I've listened to in a while.

The way you put it is really funny, yeah

I wonder what Brian Eno actually thinks of it, if he even has an opinion about it.

Dan · Post by **Dan** » Mon Feb 09, 2015 2:54 pm

60
Melingo – Linyera

Points: 32.14 (3 votes)

Biggest fans: Dan (10) nicolas (1)

Also a fan: bonnielaurel (24)

Place on critics’ list: Unranked

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59
Ryan Adams – Ryan Adams

Points: 32.95 (4 votes)

Biggest fans: Greg (2)

Also a fan: antonius (13) bonnielaurel (30) notbrianeno (16)

Place on critics’ list: 60

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58
Steph Cameron – Sad-Eyed Lonesome Lady

Points: 33.13 (4 votes)

Biggest fans: DaveC (4)

Also a fan: Jirin (11) phil (11) whuntva (20)

Place on critics’ list: Unranked

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57
The Twilight Sad – Nobody Wants to Be Here and Nobody Wants to Leave

Points: 33.33 (2 votes)

Biggest fans: DaveC (1) jamieW (4)

Also a fan:

Place on critics’ list: 113

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56
Real Estate – Atlas

Points: 33.55 (6 votes)

Biggest fans: Greg (9)

Also a fan: Brad (22) Chris K. (15) GucciLittlePiggy (13) Nick (25) notbrianeno (26)

Place on critics’ list: 26

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55
Ben Howard – I Forget Where We Were

Points: 34.24 (3 votes)

Biggest fans: antonius (4) bonnielaurel (6) TimmyWing (7)

Also a fan:

Place on critics’ list: 408

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54
Temples – Sun Structures

Points: 34.85 (6 votes)

Biggest fans: Andre (6) DaveC (9)

Also a fan: DocBrown (45) jamieW (31) Mindrocker (15) phil (28)

Place on critics’ list: 41

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53
Warpaint – Warpaint

Points: 35.46 (4 votes)

Biggest fans: Chambord (2) Kingoftonga (6)

Also a fan: Gillingham (20) jamieW (41)

Place on critics’ list: 46

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52
Strand of Oaks – Heal

Points: 35.71 (3 votes)

Biggest fans: DaveC (7) nickfunk (1)

Also a fan: jamieW (16)

Place on critics’ list: 80

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51
Toumani Diabaté & Sidiki Diabaté – Toumani & Sidiki

Points: 38.52 (6 votes)

Biggest fans: Gillingham (6) nicolas (8)

Also a fan: Dan (13) DaveC (39) phil (14) sonofsamiam (40)

Place on critics’ list: 130

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Dan · Post by **Dan** » Mon Feb 09, 2015 4:05 pm

50
Old Crow Medicine Show – Remedy

Points: 38.53 (3 votes)

Biggest fans: Dan (1) nicolas (3)

Also a fan: bonnielaurel (29)

Place on critics’ list: 409

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49
Fennesz – Bécs

Points: 39.02 (6 votes)

Biggest fans: Chambord (7) Jirin (3)

Also a fan: DaveC (38) Gillingham (27) Matski (18) sonofsamiam (48)

Place on critics’ list: 204

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48
Gruff Rhys – American Interior

Points: 40.07 (5 votes)

Biggest fans: Brad (5) Miguel (2)

Also a fan: Chris K. (34) phil (45) whuntva (17)

Place on critics’ list: 179

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47
Metronomy – Love Letters

Points: 40.58 (5 votes)

Biggest fans: GucciLittlePiggy (10) Maschine_Man (1)

Also a fan: Jirin (39) nickfunk (12) notbrianeno (38)

Place on critics’ list: 34

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46
LCD Soundsystem – The Long Goodbye: LCD Soundsystem Live at Madison Square Garden

Points: 41.58 (5 votes)

Biggest fans: BleuPanda (7) fabianski (10) Nick (6)

Also a fan: Matski (13) Nassim (15)

Place on critics’ list: Unranked

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45
Interpol – El Pintor

Points: 42.83 (7 votes)

Biggest fans: jamieW (8) notbrianeno (9)

Also a fan: acroamor (13) Andre (20) BleuPanda (25) DaveC (32) GucciLittlePiggy (14)

Place on critics’ list: 56

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44
Azealia Banks – Broke with Expensive Taste

Points: 43.53 (8 votes)

Biggest fans: acroamor (10) notbrianeno (8)

Also a fan: Chris K. (42) Dan (18) jamieW (29) Maschine_Man (23) Mindrocker (16) Nick (19)

Place on critics’ list: 54

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43
Ty Segall – Manipulator

Points: 43.88 (7 votes)

Biggest fans: Romain (2)

Also a fan: Chris K. (35) fabianski (18) Maschine_Man (12) Matski (34) Mindrocker (40) nicolas (16)

Place on critics’ list: 25

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42
John Luther Adams – Become Ocean

Points: 49.23 (4 votes)

Biggest fans: jamieW (3) Jeff (8) sonofsamiam (1)

Also a fan: Kingoftonga (19)

Place on critics’ list: 906

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41
Ought – More Than Any Other Day

Points: 50.62 (8 votes)

Biggest fans: fabianski (3) Nassim (4)

Also a fan: Brad (49) Chris K. (31) Jackson (24) Jirin (32) Mattceinicram (28) PlasticRam (16)

Place on critics’ list: 47

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Andre · Post by **Andre** » Mon Feb 09, 2015 4:43 pm

Great list and thank you so far, Dan!
Among them are quite a few interesting albums that I've not heard yet ...

Dan · Post by **Dan** » Mon Feb 09, 2015 4:55 pm

40
The Antlers – Familiars

Points: 52.21 (8 votes)

Biggest fans: Chambord (1)

Also a fan: Chris K. (39) DaveC (22) DocBrown (48) Gillingham (11) Mattceinicram (43) Miguel (12) Romain (16)

Place on critics’ list: 90

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39
Röyksopp & Robyn – Do It Again

Points: 52.31 (6 votes)

Biggest fans: jamieW (6) Kingoftonga (2) Nassim (8)

Also a fan: DocBrown (47) Maschine_Man (11) whuntva (18)

Place on critics’ list: 171

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38
Leonard Cohen – Popular Problems

Points: 52.43 (6 votes)

Biggest fans: Dan (4) Miguel (1)

Also a fan: DaveC (28) jamieW (27) nicolas (15) phil (16)

Place on critics’ list: 58

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37
Ariel Pink – Pom Pom

Points: 52.76 (7 votes)

Biggest fans: Jackson (3)

Also a fan: Brad (19) Chris K. (11) Matski (12) Mattceinicram (14) Mindrocker (13) notbrianeno (18)

Place on critics’ list: 23

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36
TV on the Radio – Seeds

Points: 53.97 (9 votes)

Biggest fans: Chambord (6) Kingoftonga (7) slick (9)

Also a fan: DaveC (47) Jackson (29) Jirin (27) notbrianeno (22) Rocky Raccoon (17) whuntva (19)

Place on critics’ list: 96

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35
tUnE-yArDs – Nikki Nack

Points: 58.75 (10 votes)

Biggest fans: BleuPanda (9) Rocky Raccoon (3)

Also a fan: acroamor (15) Chris K. (33) fabianski (11) Maschine_Man (25) Matski (26) Mattceinicram (36) phil (48) Romain (17)

Place on critics’ list: 51

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34
Iceage – Plowing Into the Field of Love

Points: 59.93 (8 votes)

Biggest fans: Matski (10) Mattceinicram (4) TimmyWing (3)

Also a fan: Chris K. (25) Jackson (17) jamieW (36) Jirin (15) Nick (18)

Place on critics’ list: 136

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33
First Aid Kit – Stay Gold

Points: 62.97 (8 votes)

Biggest fans: acroamor (2) Dan (5) Jirin (2)

Also a fan: Andre (22) DaveC (31) DocBrown (43) notbrianeno (34) phil (31)

Place on critics’ list: 49

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32
Owen Pallett – In Conflict

Points: 67.21 (11 votes)

Biggest fans: Brad (10) DaveC (3) Matski (9)

Also a fan: BleuPanda (15) Chris K. (44) DocBrown (22) Jackson (14) Jirin (47) Kingoftonga (21) phil (23) sonofsamiam (18)

Place on critics’ list: 40

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31
Jack White – Lazaretto

Points: 69.87 (10 votes)

Biggest fans: PlasticRam (8) Rocky Raccoon (4) Romain (3) slick (8)

Also a fan: DaveC (46) GucciLittlePiggy (25) Maschine_Man (18) Mindrocker (48) phil (36) whuntva (14)

Place on critics’ list: 33

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Jirin · Post by **Jirin** » Mon Feb 09, 2015 5:04 pm

I didn't listen to the Taylor Swift album because it's not on Spotify and she's nowhere near blind buy level. I would still like to hear it. You know, before I decide whether it's good enough to spend money on.

Pierre · Post by **Pierre** » Mon Feb 09, 2015 5:15 pm

Jirin wrote:I didn't listen to the Taylor Swift album because it's not on Spotify and she's nowhere near blind buy level. I would still like to hear it. You know, before I decide whether it's good enough to spend money on.

It's a solid pop record, but I'm not sure you would like it. It's very synthpop heavy, and if I remember correctly your thing is more folk music. I don't think there's anything on this album that sounds even remotely like folk.

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Mon Feb 09, 2015 5:20 pm

Jirin wrote:I didn't listen to the Taylor Swift album because it's not on Spotify and she's nowhere near blind buy level. I would still like to hear it. You know, before I decide whether it's good enough to spend money on.

My advice- listen to "Blank Space", "Style", and "Shake It Off". After you've listened to those three songs you'll have a good enough idea as to whether the album is worth buying or not.

Gillingham · Post by **Gillingham** » Mon Feb 09, 2015 5:29 pm

1989 is the first full Swift album I've listened to. I wasn't disappointed and mildly enjoyed it, but singles like Shake it Off and Blank Space are better than pretty much all other tracks. It's definitely alright for a pop album, but it didn't make my top 30 of the year. It's good to see it in this forum's top 100 of 2014 though.

Dan · Post by **Dan** » Mon Feb 09, 2015 6:06 pm

30
Grouper – Ruins

Points: 70.18 (11 votes)

Biggest fans: Gillingham (4) Jeff (3) Mattceinicram (7)

Also a fan: Brad (46) Chris K. (19) DaveC (21) DocBrown (34) Jirin (24) phil (38) schaefer.tk (15) sonofsamiam (26)

Place on critics’ list: 30

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29
Cloud Nothings – Here and Nowhere Else

Points: 70.82 (9 votes)

Biggest fans: GucciLittlePiggy (2) Nassim (3) Nick (10) nickfunk (5)

Also a fan: Brad (42) Chris K. (36) Mattceinicram (21) Rocky Raccoon (14) schaefer.tk (48)

Place on critics’ list: 27

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28
alt-J – This Is All Yours

Points: 73.08 (12 votes)

Biggest fans: Maschine_Man (5) Romain (8) slick (7)

Also a fan: Andre (17) Dan (25) DaveC (13) Gillingham (17) GucciLittlePiggy (19) jamieW (46) Jirin (41) notbrianeno (14) schaefer.tk (25)

Place on critics’ list: 24

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27
The Black Keys – Turn Blue

Points: 73.15 (9 votes)

Biggest fans: Chambord (5) DaveC (8) jamieW (5) nickfunk (4) nicolas (10) Rocky Raccoon (10)

Also a fan: Gillingham (28) Jirin (40) Kingoftonga (23)

Place on critics’ list: 55

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26
Beck – Morning Phase

Points: 73.97 (14 votes)

Biggest fans: Chris K. (6) Rocky Raccoon (7)

Also a fan: Andre (21) BleuPanda (23) Dan (22) DocBrown (33) Gillingham (29) GucciLittlePiggy (22) Jirin (20) Kingoftonga (13) Maschine_Man (29) nicolas (21) notbrianeno (27) phil (18)

Place on critics’ list: 13

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25
Freddie Gibbs & Madlib – Piñata

Points: 76.28 (10 votes)

Biggest fans: Jackson (9) Jeff (1) Matski (7)

Also a fan: Greg (23) GucciLittlePiggy (20) Mattceinicram (13) Mindrocker (38) Nick (11) schaefer.tk (13) sonofsamiam (19)

Place on critics’ list: 20

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24
Damon Albarn – Everyday Robots

Points: 78.0 (11 votes)

Biggest fans: GucciLittlePiggy (4) ordinaryperson (7) Romain (4)

Also a fan: Chris K. (20) Dan (29) DocBrown (29) Maschine_Man (16) Miguel (27) Nick (17) phil (12) PlasticRam (11)

Place on critics’ list: 11

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23
Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra – Fuck Off Get Free We Pour Light on Everything

Points: 83.27 (9 votes)

Biggest fans: Brad (1) DocBrown (9) Jackson (7) Mindrocker (4) Rocky Raccoon (6)

Also a fan: Gillingham (30) Kingoftonga (16) Matski (14) Nassim (19)

Place on critics’ list: 129

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22
Future Islands – Singles

Points: 84.96 (14 votes)

Biggest fans: Andre (8) Future Critic (10) nickfunk (6)

Also a fan: BleuPanda (18) Brad (16) Chris K. (21) DaveC (16) GucciLittlePiggy (11) jamieW (11) Kingoftonga (17) Maschine_Man (30) Nick (21) notbrianeno (30) schaefer.tk (28)

Place on critics’ list: 12

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21
Mac DeMarco – Salad Days

Points: 85.5 (11 votes)

Biggest fans: Chris K. (8) fabianski (4) PlasticRam (1)

Also a fan: antonius (14) BleuPanda (12) Future Critic (11) Greg (14) Maschine_Man (49) Mattceinicram (47) Nassim (18) TimmyWing (15)

Place on critics’ list: 15

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Dan · Post by **Dan** » Mon Feb 09, 2015 7:00 pm

20
Neneh Cherry – Blank Project

Points: 88.14 (13 votes)

Biggest fans: Kingoftonga (3) Maschine_Man (6) phil (3)

Also a fan: BleuPanda (20) DocBrown (21) Jackson (21) jamieW (37) Jirin (12) Matski (31) nickfunk (14) PlasticRam (15) schaefer.tk (17) sonofsamiam (50)

Place on critics’ list: 52

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19
Andy Stott – Faith in Strangers

Points: 89.12 (15 votes)

Biggest fans: Gillingham (10) Jackson (2) Kingoftonga (8) Nassim (6)

Also a fan: antonius (20) Chris K. (43) DaveC (24) Greg (20) jamieW (20) Jeff (14) Matski (45) Mattceinicram (26) Mindrocker (45) schaefer.tk (29) sonofsamiam (23)

Place on critics’ list: 35

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18
The Afghan Whigs – Do to the Beast

Points: 89.7 (8 votes)

Biggest fans: jamieW (2) Jirin (4) Nassim (2) whuntva (2)

Also a fan: Brad (13) Greg (18) GucciLittlePiggy (15) notbrianeno (12)

Place on critics’ list: 91

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17
Wild Beasts – Present Tense

Points: 101.14 (17 votes)

Biggest fans: Andre (7) Chambord (3) GucciLittlePiggy (7) Kingoftonga (9) PlasticRam (9)

Also a fan: BleuPanda (14) Chris K. (32) Dan (19) DaveC (37) DocBrown (26) fabianski (19) Jackson (15) jamieW (12) Maschine_Man (48) Matski (49) Mattceinicram (42) schaefer.tk (41)

Place on critics’ list: 21

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16
Angel Olsen – Burn Your Fire for No Witness

Points: 104.78 (13 votes)

Biggest fans: acroamor (6) DaveC (5) Gillingham (5) phil (1) Rocky Raccoon (8)

Also a fan: Andre (14) Brad (11) Chris K. (16) DocBrown (46) Future Critic (13) GucciLittlePiggy (17) Jirin (43) Nick (24)

Place on critics’ list: 14

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15
FKA twigs – LP1

Points: 128.2 (15 votes)

Biggest fans: Future Critic (9) Matski (4) Mattceinicram (2) nickfunk (2) schaefer.tk (2) TimmyWing (10)

Also a fan: BleuPanda (13) Chambord (13) Chris K. (14) fabianski (17) Jackson (30) Maschine_Man (27) Mindrocker (22) notbrianeno (24) Rocky Raccoon (15)

Place on critics’ list: 2

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14
Caribou – Our Love

Points: 132.81 (20 votes)

Biggest fans: fabianski (6) Gillingham (3) Kingoftonga (4) ordinaryperson (6) TimmyWing (5)

Also a fan: BleuPanda (11) Brad (47) Chris K. (13) Dan (50) DaveC (44) Future Critic (14) Greg (45) GucciLittlePiggy (23) Jackson (13) jamieW (15) Maschine_Man (26) Mattceinicram (12) Nick (20) notbrianeno (23) schaefer.tk (26)

Place on critics’ list: 6

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13
Aphex Twin – Syro

Points: 133.65 (19 votes)

Biggest fans: BleuPanda (10) Chris K. (5) Greg (7) Jeff (10) Kingoftonga (5) Mattceinicram (9) Nick (8) ordinaryperson (5) TimmyWing (4)

Also a fan: Brad (37) Gillingham (16) Jackson (28) Jirin (23) Maschine_Man (40) Matski (35) Nassim (12) notbrianeno (31) phil (33) sonofsamiam (20)

Place on critics’ list: 8

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12
Spoon – They Want My Soul

Points: 137.12 (19 votes)

Biggest fans: acroamor (9) Andre (3) antonius (5) Chambord (10) Chris K. (10) GucciLittlePiggy (3) notbrianeno (3)

Also a fan: Brad (21) DaveC (35) jamieW (19) Kingoftonga (22) Maschine_Man (46) Mattceinicram (50) Nassim (13) Nick (14) Rocky Raccoon (11) schaefer.tk (40) TimmyWing (13) whuntva (24)

Place on critics’ list: 16

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11
Flying Lotus – You’re Dead!

Points: 137.92 (17 votes)

Biggest fans: BleuPanda (5) Chambord (4) Jirin (6) Nick (7) ordinaryperson (3) schaefer.tk (5) sonofsamiam (2)

Also a fan: Brad (44) Chris K. (12) fabianski (13) Jackson (12) jamieW (34) Matski (22) Mattceinicram (19) notbrianeno (42) phil (21) whuntva (21)

Place on critics’ list: 9

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Nick · Post by **Nick** » Mon Feb 09, 2015 7:42 pm

A great presentation so far, Dan! It looks like most of my favorites have made the top ten! Of course, I'll be pulling for Todd Terje all the way!

Dan · Post by **Dan** » Mon Feb 09, 2015 7:47 pm

10
Lana Del Rey – Ultraviolence

Points: 140.05 (17 votes)

Biggest fans: bonnielaurel (3) Brad (3) DaveC (6) GucciLittlePiggy (8) Kingoftonga (10) Maschine_Man (4) notbrianeno (10) ordinaryperson (8) PlasticRam (5)

Also a fan: Andre (23) antonius (15) BleuPanda (19) Future Critic (15) jamieW (38) Mindrocker (32) Nassim (14) Rocky Raccoon (16)

Place on critics’ list: 19

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09
Sharon Van Etten – Are We There

Points: 150.44 (15 votes)

Biggest fans: acroamor (1) Andre (2) antonius (7) BleuPanda (8) Brad (2) DaveC (2) Future Critic (1) Maschine_Man (10)

Also a fan: Chris K. (18) fabianski (20) Gillingham (22) GucciLittlePiggy (24) Mattceinicram (17) Mindrocker (19) sonofsamiam (39)

Place on critics’ list: 10

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08
Perfume Genius – Too Bright

Points: 154.0 (16 votes)

Biggest fans: antonius (3) BleuPanda (3) Chris K. (4) Dan (6) Future Critic (4) Jirin (1) Mindrocker (1)

Also a fan: Brad (12) DaveC (33) jamieW (30) Maschine_Man (22) Matski (11) Nick (13) Rocky Raccoon (20) sonofsamiam (47) TimmyWing (12)

Place on critics’ list: 18

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07
Todd Terje – It's Album Time

Points: 190.27 (23 votes)

Biggest fans: acroamor (5) BleuPanda (6) Chris K. (9) fabianski (7) Greg (3) Jackson (6) Nassim (10) Nick (1) PlasticRam (3) schaefer.tk (3) sonofsamiam (8) TimmyWing (9)

Also a fan: Brad (34) Dan (41) DocBrown (38) jamieW (50) Jeff (18) Jirin (14) Kingoftonga (15) Maschine_Man (19) Mattceinicram (18) nickfunk (15) notbrianeno (40)

Place on critics’ list: 17

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06
Swans – To Be Kind

Points: 198.6 (19 votes)

Biggest fans: BleuPanda (2) Jackson (1) Matski (2) Mattceinicram (1) Mindrocker (7) Nick (4) ordinaryperson (9) PlasticRam (2) sonofsamiam (7) whuntva (1)

Also a fan: Brad (18) Chris K. (17) fabianski (15) jamieW (32) Jirin (21) Kingoftonga (20) Nassim (11) notbrianeno (28) schaefer.tk (20)

Place on critics’ list: 7

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Sweepstakes Ron · Post by **Sweepstakes Ron** » Mon Feb 09, 2015 7:54 pm

Dan wrote: 15
FKA twigs – LP1

Place on critics’ list: 2

Well, this was certainly unexpected.

Dan · Post by **Dan** » Mon Feb 09, 2015 8:17 pm

Nick wrote:Of course, I'll be pulling for Todd Terje all the way!

Sorry!

It still made top 10, though?!

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Mon Feb 09, 2015 8:17 pm

At this point I'd be happy with any of the remaining albums winning, all of them were albums I voted for, and only "Black Messiah" failed to make my top ten. If I had to choose 1 album I'd want to win of the ones that are left, it would be Sun Kil Moon's though.

And I'm glad FKA Twigs failed to crack the top 10. Easily the most overrated album of the year.

Dan · Post by **Dan** » Mon Feb 09, 2015 8:37 pm

05
Run the Jewels – Run the Jewels 2

Points: 209.26 (21 votes)

Biggest fans: Chris K. (7) Future Critic (6) GucciLittlePiggy (1) Matski (5) Mattceinicram (3) Mindrocker (2) Nassim (1) Nick (9) nicolas (5) Rocky Raccoon (5) schaefer.tk (7) slick (10)

Also a fan: BleuPanda (22) Dan (16) Jackson (11) Jeff (11) Jirin (18) Maschine_Man (13) nickfunk (11) notbrianeno (17) sonofsamiam (28)

Place on critics’ list: 4

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04
D'Angelo and the Vanguard – Black Messiah

Points: 234.23 (19 votes)

Biggest fans: Brad (9) Chris K. (1) Gillingham (1) Jackson (4) Jeff (4) Matski (1) Mattceinicram (5) notbrianeno (2) Rocky Raccoon (1) schaefer.tk (1) slick (6) sonofsamiam (3) TimmyWing (8)

Also a fan: antonius (12) bonnielaurel (11) Greg (24) GucciLittlePiggy (18) Nassim (20) Nick (15)

Place on critics’ list: 73

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03
St. Vincent – St. Vincent

Points: 267.06 (25 votes)

Biggest fans: acroamor (4) antonius (6) BleuPanda (4) Brad (4) Chris K. (2) fabianski (1) Future Critic (5) Jirin (8) Maschine_Man (2) Nick (3) nickfunk (9) notbrianeno (1) ordinaryperson (2) Rocky Raccoon (2)

Also a fan: Andre (12) Dan (15) DaveC (12) GucciLittlePiggy (16) Kingoftonga (12) Matski (20) Mattceinicram (16) nicolas (20) PlasticRam (17) schaefer.tk (44) sonofsamiam (13)

Place on critics’ list: 3

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02
Sun Kil Moon – Benji

Points: 277.21 (26 votes)

Biggest fans: acroamor (8) antonius (2) BleuPanda (1) Brad (7) fabianski (2) Future Critic (8) Gillingham (2) GucciLittlePiggy (5) jamieW (1) Jirin (5) Matski (6) Mattceinicram (6) Mindrocker (5) Nick (2) nicolas (4) TimmyWing (2) whuntva (5)

Also a fan: Andre (25) Chris K. (26) Dan (35) Jackson (23) Kingoftonga (18) Maschine_Man (38) nickfunk (18) notbrianeno (25) schaefer.tk (11)

Place on critics’ list: 5

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01
The War on Drugs – Lost in the Dream

Points: 336.07 (29 votes)

Biggest fans: Andre (1) antonius (1) Brad (6) Chris K. (3) Dan (2) DocBrown (3) Future Critic (2) Gillingham (9) Greg (4) Kingoftonga (1) Matski (3) Mattceinicram (8) Nick (5) nicolas (2) ordinaryperson (1) slick (3) TimmyWing (1) whuntva (3)

Also a fan: acroamor (14) BleuPanda (17) DaveC (11) fabianski (12) GucciLittlePiggy (12) jamieW (21) Jirin (48) Maschine_Man (50) notbrianeno (13) phil (39) schaefer.tk (27)

Place on critics’ list: 1

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Gillingham · Post by **Gillingham** » Mon Feb 09, 2015 8:48 pm

John Cougar Mellencamp is stealing my show...!

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Mon Feb 09, 2015 8:52 pm

Wow! I knew The War on Drugs would place high, but it looks like they totally blew away any competition! Great presentation, Dan! I'm sure we are all looking forward to the songs list!

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Mon Feb 09, 2015 9:16 pm

The War on Drugs joins these other artists in "Winners of the AM EOY Poll"...

2005: Sufjan Stevens- Illinois

2006: Belle and Sebastian- The Life Pursuit

2007: LCD Soundsystem- Sound of Silver

2008: Fleet Foxes- Fleet Foxes

2009: Animal Collective- Merriweather Post Pavilion

2010: Kanye West- My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

2011: PJ Harvey- Let England Shake

2012: Frank Ocean- Channel Orange

2013: Vampire Weekend- Modern Vampires of the City

DocBrown · Post by **DocBrown** » Mon Feb 09, 2015 11:48 pm

I see only 40 number one votes. Did someone's favourite album fail to make the top 100?

jamieW · Post by **jamieW** » Mon Feb 09, 2015 11:59 pm

Awesome presentation, Dan! Not surprisingly, I do prefer this list to the critics list. When I first came to AM, I started with the top ranked albums on the critics lists that I hadn't heard. However, it didn't take long for me to turn my attention instead to the lists and recommendations from the AM forum members as my first source for new discoveries. In the few years I've been participating, it's been a consistently reliable path to great music; and I appreciate the great tastes of the voters in these polls, as well as the colossal amount of work it takes for the hosts that compile and present the results.

PlasticRam · Post by **PlasticRam** » Tue Feb 10, 2015 12:12 am

Great presentation, Dan!

I still don't know what it is that Kanye does with Autotune that makes me like it. I'm just wondering cos I tried to listen to 1989, but couldn't listen to more than 10 seconds cos of the Autotune. Like I still don't understand how Taylor supposedly doesn't use Autotune as an instrument and Kanye supposedly does. But I guess not all things have to be analysed either.

GucciLittlePiggy · Post by **GucciLittlePiggy** » Tue Feb 10, 2015 1:01 am

Awesome Dan! Can't wait to explore some of these albums. The majority of my listening generally comes from the critics' lists but I'll give some of the forum's favorites a chance as well.

Nick wrote:And I'm glad FKA Twigs failed to crack the top 10. Easily the most overrated album of the year.

I'm also relieved to see this. I mostly enjoyed the album, but I didn't see anything new or exciting that it brought to the table. Also, "Two Weeks" is definitely not my favorite from the album, but I guess that's something for me to talk about when the songs list rolls in.

Maschine_Man · Post by **Maschine_Man** » Tue Feb 10, 2015 1:09 am

Henrik wrote:Who are Taylor Swift's fans?
Future critics. Not Brian Eno. Also Machine Man.

I have said it before (not sure if here or not) but if this album was cut down to the first 9 tracks the album would have hit an even higher position in the EOY lists. The last 4 tracks make the album drag on, but the rest of the tracks are either good or great pop songs. Each one could be potentially released as a successful single (like Thriller) and I don't know why someone didn't point this out to her.

Nick wrote:Anyone who voted for it care to explain its appeal?

There are a few reasons. I'm a sucker for a concept album, they make me so happy. ... And Star Power is about the punk Star Power coming in and attempting to take over Foxygen and part of this concept requires the journey through the mostly awful 3rd side.

I think the Star Power Suite is fantastic and really reflects the albums elements - it should have been the first thing on the record. The rest of the first side is more narrative focused with classic Foxygen hits (How Can You Really/Coulda Been My Love) a complication (Cosmic Vibrations) and leading into more loose sounds with the Suite.
Side two is where having more relaxed boundaries really helps the band, the absurd bopping of Mattress Warehouse than the banjo chants of 666 and the instrumental silliness of Wally's Farm.
The third side, the side with no boundaries, has very little to offer. Talk is a decent song though.
The final side/two tracks are a return to form, but compared to the first side Foxygen feels like they have grown as a band.

In a year where several musicians seemed to have dialed in their albums (Jack White - I'm looking at you) Foxygen tried. Did they score a home run? No. Should have several tracks been cut? Most certainly yes. Do I listen to the third side, ever? No. They tried though and they got points for that.

Henry · Post by **Henry** » Tue Feb 10, 2015 1:45 am

I would be interested in seeing how other would rate these winner compared to each other.

My favorite is Sufjan Stevens - Illinois, and my least favorite is Kanye's, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.

Jirin · Post by **Jirin** » Tue Feb 10, 2015 2:12 am

Kanye West is definitely better with autotune than most people who try to use it. He at least understands it's not just a gimmick to make you sound cool.

I agree I tend to get more good recommendations from this site than from he general population of critics. I think it's because we get a lot of cross-pollenation of exposure, so if one person discovers some random obscure album nobody else has heard of, five or six more people are going to discover it too.

My favorite albums tend to show up toward the top of both critic and AM lists, mixed in with a few I think are okay but don't get.

Jackson · Post by **Jackson** » Tue Feb 10, 2015 2:13 am

Very interesting results this year. I enjoyed Neneh Cherry, Andy Stott, and Thee Silver Mt. Zion making the top 25. LP1 outside of the top ten was interesting too. I thought D'Angelo would have made a better challenge for the top spot. I bet it would have won had it come out earlier and made more critics lists (even though our forum poll was late enough so people had time to hear it, our list is always correlated with the critics).

Nassim · Post by **Nassim** » Tue Feb 10, 2015 2:37 am

Henry wrote:I would be interested in seeing how other would rate these winner compared to each other.

My favorite is Sufjan Stevens - Illinois and least favorite is Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavillon

2007: LCD Soundsystem- Sound of Silver
2005: Sufjan Stevens- Illinois
2010: Kanye West- My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
2009: Animal Collective- Merriweather Post Pavilion
2012: Frank Ocean- Channel Orange
2014 : The War on Drugs - Lost in a Dream
2013: Vampire Weekend- Modern Vampires of the City
2008: Fleet Foxes- Fleet Foxes
2011: PJ Harvey- Let England Shake
2006: Belle and Sebastian- The Life Pursuit

I'd have to listen to lost in a dream and modern vampires of the city to decide which one I like the most but I doubt anything else would change.
Top 3 are "best albums ever" (Sound of Silver and Illinois are anchored in top 20 of all time and MDTP is a solid top 50) for me and MPP and Channel Orange are great albums too. (MPP top 200 for sure, Channel Orange very close but not guaranteed)
It drops quickly after that though, no huge love for the other 5.

Jirin · Post by **Jirin** » Tue Feb 10, 2015 2:47 am

My year rankings of the AM poll winners:

2005: Sufjan Stevens- Illinois #1
2006: Belle and Sebastian- The Life Pursuit #11
2007: LCD Soundsystem- Sound of Silver #1
2008: Fleet Foxes- Fleet Foxes #16
2009: Animal Collective- Merriweather Post Pavilion #1
2010: Kanye West- My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy ~#30
2011: PJ Harvey- Let England Shake #1
2012: Frank Ocean- Channel Orange #10
2013: Vampire Weekend- Modern Vampires of the City ~#40
2014: War On Drugs - Lost In The Dream #48

Nothing I particularly dislike, and 4 out of 10 my actual #1.

whuntva · Post by **whuntva** » Tue Feb 10, 2015 3:10 am

Good list! I'm especially pleased to see my #1 in the Top Ten and #2 in the Top 20. Those two were great!

I have no problems with War on Drugs winning. It was my #3 and I did give it a 5/5 on my initial listen. It actually came very lose to snatching #1 at times, but I went with my gut at the last moment.

As for the cumulative. Most of those are in my Top 200 except Vampire Weekend and Belle and Sebastian, which I haven't heard in their entirety.

The only one I'd rank #1 for its year (and my all-time #30) is Let England Shake. Oh, wait. Illinois wins for '05 and is in the upper 60's all time.

I got to hear Black Messiah. I missed it even when it made rounds here.

PlasticRam · Post by **PlasticRam** » Tue Feb 10, 2015 3:49 am

2005: Sufjan Stevens- Illinois: Didn't like really.

2006: Belle and Sebastian- The Life Pursuit: Haven't heard.

2007: LCD Soundsystem- Sound of Silver: Didn't like really.

2008: Fleet Foxes- Fleet Foxes: Was okay.

2009: Animal Collective- Merriweather Post Pavilion: #227 OAT, not a masterpiece still IMO.

2010: Kanye West- My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy: #9 OAT.

2011: PJ Harvey- Let England Shake: Was okay.

2012: Frank Ocean- Channel Orange: Didn't like really, except Thinkin Bout You.

2013: Vampire Weekend- Modern Vampires of the City: #237 OAT, not a masterpiece IMO.

2014: War on Drugs- Lost in the Dream: Was okay.

I guess my taste is a bit different than the average AM member. Also some variance involved.

Like for example I have always found many albums I like on the Moderately Acclaimed competition.

Sweepstakes Ron · Post by **Sweepstakes Ron** » Tue Feb 10, 2015 4:06 am

2005: Sufjan Stevens- Illinois: "Chicago" is amazing, and I somewhat recall "Man of Metropolis" being moving. I can't see myself being a huge Sufjan fan, but I'll definitely come back to this one.

2006: Belle and Sebastian- The Life Pursuit: Haven't heard it.

2007: LCD Soundsystem- Sound of Silver: I've only listened to it once, but three songs on it are all-time favorites for me, so the album itself can probably become an all-time favorite if I just listened to it some more!

2008: Fleet Foxes- Fleet Foxes: I've only heard "White Winter Hymnal" but it definitely hasn't averted me to giving the album a try.

2009: Animal Collective- Merriweather Post Pavilion: I've only heard "My Girls" which I don't really feel to strongly about. I'll probably listen to this more out of a sense of duty than anything else.

2010: Kanye West- My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy: Love it, love it, LOVE IT. Easily my favorite non-Beatles album ever. Actually, I'm still trying to sort out my thoughts on the Beatles albums as individual albums rather than a whole discography, so until then, MBDTF is my favorite album.

2011: PJ Harvey- Let England Shake: Haven't heard it.

2012: Frank Ocean- Channel Orange: I've only heard "Pyramids" and "Thinkin' 'Bout You" but they've definitely left a positive impression.

2013: Vampire Weekend: Modern Vampires of the City: I've heard some of the more acclaimed tracks, with varying degrees of reception, but nothing too moving. I'll definitely check it out soon, though.

2014: War on Drugs - Lost in the Dream: There were a few moments where the sounds were pretty great, but it felt like kind of a blur to me. I hope I can come to see the meat of it all.

notbrianeno · Post by **notbrianeno** » Tue Feb 10, 2015 4:26 am

2010: Kanye West- My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (#1 or #2 of all time)
2012: Frank Ocean- Channel Orange (20th of all time)
2007: LCD Soundsystem- Sound of Silver (28th of all time)
2005: Sufjan Stevens- Illinois (49th of all time)
2013: Vampire Weekend- Modern Vampires of the City (61st of all time)
2011: PJ Harvey- Let England Shake (65th of all time)
2014 : The War on Drugs - Lost in a Dream (placement to be determined, bubbling under top 100)
2008: Fleet Foxes- Fleet Foxes
2009: Animal Collective- Merriweather Post Pavilion
2006: Belle and Sebastian- The Life Pursuit(haven't heard)

Future Critic · Post by **Future Critic** » Tue Feb 10, 2015 4:34 am

Thanks for all the wonderful work on this, Dan! Can't wait to see the song list!

P.S. I stand by my vote for T-Swift, even if the haters gonna hate...

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Tue Feb 10, 2015 4:41 am

2005: Sufjan Stevens- Illinois (#50 All Time)

2006: Belle and Sebastian- The Life Pursuit (I have not heard this album)

2007: LCD Soundsystem- Sound of Silver (#7 All Time)

2008: Fleet Foxes- Fleet Foxes (#137 All Time)

2009: Animal Collective- Merriweather Post Pavilion (#65 All Time)

2010: Kanye West- My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (#14 All Time)

2011: PJ Harvey- Let England Shake (#146 All Time)

2012: Frank Ocean- Channel Orange (#52 All Time)

2013: Vampire Weekend- Modern Vampires of the City (#83 All Time)

2014: The War on Drugs- Lost in the Dream (#424 All Time)

So pretty standard taste.

bootsy · Post by **bootsy** » Tue Feb 10, 2015 5:36 am

Nick wrote:
And I'm glad FKA Twigs failed to crack the top 10. Easily the most overrated album of the year.

Except it's not. Even though you are trying convince us it is.

PlasticRam · Post by **PlasticRam** » Tue Feb 10, 2015 5:47 am

bootsy wrote:
Nick wrote:
And I'm glad FKA Twigs failed to crack the top 10. Easily the most overrated album of the year.
Except it's not. Even though you are trying convince us it is.

When people say these things, they're talking subjectively. Don't be so confrontational.

Henry · Post by **Henry** » Tue Feb 10, 2015 6:06 am

1) 2005: Sufjan Stevens- Illinois (#135 All Time)
2) 2006: Belle and Sebastian- The Life Pursuit (290)
3) 2007: LCD Soundsystem- Sound of Silver (334)
4) 2012: Frank Ocean- Channel Orange (#461)
5) 2013: Vampire Weekend- Modern Vampires of the City (#497)
6) 2008: Fleet Foxes- Fleet Foxes (540)
7) 2009: Animal Collective- Merriweather Post Pavilion (#591)
8) 2011: PJ Harvey- Let England Shake (601)
9) 2010: Kanye West- My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (#603)

2014: The War on Drugs- Lost in the Dream - TBD

Gillingham · Post by **Gillingham** » Tue Feb 10, 2015 9:17 am

2005: Sufjan Stevens- Illinois: Great album, one of the year's best, in my all-time top 100.
2006: Belle and Sebastian- The Life Pursuit: Haven't heard it.
2007: LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver: Alright, but I don't listen to it very often.
2008: Fleet Foxes- Fleet Foxes: Great album, in my all-time top 100.
2009: Animal Collective- Merriweather Post Pavilion: Haven't heard all of it, but I have the feeling I'm not fully appreciating Animal Collective yet.
2010: Kanye West- My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy: Alright, although I think it's overrated. I do see the talent here though.
2011: PJ Harvey- Let England Shake: Fantastic, the year's best, in my all-time top 20.
2012: Frank Ocean- Channel Orange: Really quite good, especially pyramids, reminds me to revisit it again some time soon.
2013: Vampire Weekend- Modern Vampires of the City: Haven't heard enough of it, would like to.
2014: The War on Drugs - Lost in the Dream: Good album, inside top ten of the year but not making my all-time top 200.