2014 Albums Poll - RESULTS

[Dan]

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

99
Imogen Heap – Sparks



Points: 20.3 (2 votes)

Biggest fans: DocBrown (2)

Also a fan: jamieW (33)

Place on critics’ list: Unranked

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[Dan]

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

85
Aurelio – Lándini



Points: 23.57 (2 votes)

Biggest fans: Dan (3) nicolas (9)

Also a fan:

Place on critics’ list: 527

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

82
Foo Fighters – Sonic Highways



Points: 24.0 (2 votes)

Biggest fans: slick (1)

Also a fan: whuntva (25)

Place on critics’ list: 109

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[Henrik]

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]

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

77
Alejandra Ribera – La Boca



Points: 26.0 (2 votes)

Biggest fans: DocBrown (1)

Also a fan: DaveC (15)

Place on critics’ list: 835

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[Dan]

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]

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

64
Lenny Kravitz – Strut



Points: 30.48 (2 votes)

Biggest fans: bonnielaurel (4) slick (2)

Also a fan:

Place on critics’ list: 1199

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[Henrik]

Who are Taylor Swift's fans?

Future critics. Not Brian Eno. Also Machine Men.

[Nick]

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]

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]

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]

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]

60
Melingo – Linyera



Points: 32.14 (3 votes)

Biggest fans: Dan (10) nicolas (1)

Also a fan: bonnielaurel (24)

Place on critics’ list: Unranked

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[Dan]

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[Andre]

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

[Dan]

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[Jirin]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[Dan]

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[Nick]

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]

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[Sweepstakes Ron]

15
FKA twigs – LP1

Place on critics’ list: 2

Well, this was certainly unexpected.

[Dan]

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

Sorry! It still made top 10, though?!

[Nick]

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]

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[Gillingham]

John Cougar Mellencamp is stealing my show...!

[Nick]

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]

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]

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

[jamieW]

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]

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]

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.

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]

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.

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.