Album reviews: Best of 2014
By Jon Dawson
Columnist
The Endless River by Pink Floyd:
The one song with vocals — album closer “Louder Than Words” — acts an ethereal line drawn under Pink Floyd’s entire career. The rest of the album is peppered with bits of dialog from band members and even an encore appearance by theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking. But for the most part, The Endless River is a collection of inventive, emotional music, free to breathe instead of being weighed down by an overbearing lyrical concept.
Wooden Aquarium by Mazes:
Aside from being an early front runner for album cover of the year, Wooden Aquarium pulls off the neat trick of sounding ramshackle yet tight. Sounding like Neil Young’s band Crazy Horse after being fed a steady diet of Red Bull and sugar for a week, Mazes blast through intelligent guitar rockers “Salford” and “Astigmatism” like a runaway train.
Are We There by Sharon Van Etten:
Peddling downtroddenness is nothing new in the world of songwriting, but being able to make it attractive is no small trick. Somewhere between the inventiveness of Tori Amos and the tunefulness of Fiona Apple, Van Etten’s music springs from a stoic center. The Daniel Lanois-esque funeral dirge of “Your Love Is Killing Me” should send people running for the exits, but the song’s spooky beauty warrants repeated listening.
Woodstock Sessions Vol. 2 by Medeski, Martin & Wood w/Nels Cline:
The opening salvo “Doors Of Deception” is an intriguing sound collage that oozes into existence rather than starting or stopping. “Bonjour Beze” follows with creepy Farfisa sounds from John Medeski and ancient, otherworldly percussion from Billy Martin. By the time the ensemble reaches “Mezcal,” Chris Wood’s barbed bass lines are beautifully entangled with Cline’s jagged guitar runs.
You’re Dead! by Flying Lotus:
Around 70 percent instrumental with occasional vocals from the likes of Kendrick Lamar and Angel Deradoorian, the true guest star on “You’re Dead!” is legendary keyboardist Herbie Hancock. Since Hancock was involved with the genre busting electric jazz work of Miles Davis, it makes sensee that he lend his talents to the “You’re Dead!” track “Tesla,” which also benefits from the manic but measured guitar work of Brendon Small.
While You Were Sleeping by Jose James:
Aided by a band that includes keyboard wizard Kris Bowers (who also has a burgeoning solo career), James shows off his wide ranging tastes on a collection that weaves together the sounds and textures of jazz, rock, hip-hop and even psychedelia. Not since the mainstream ascendance of Beck has a new artist arrived with a fully-formed vision and been able to maintain it. “While You Were Sleeping” encapsulates everything James does well, which is actually a little bit of everything.
Chasing Shadows by The Lost Patrol:
Right off the bat, you can tell the band have shaken things up with the thick, rolling organ romp of “Creeper.” Sounding like Deep Purple’s legendary organist Jon Lord somehow hooked up with Angelo Badalamenti, “Creeper” is a perfect showcase for vocalist Mollie Israel — who herself is unquestionably the greatest female rock vocalist around.
Awake by Tycho:
Like a less-frenetic version of Signal Path, through Tycho Hansen crafts cinematic instrumental music laced with pinches of obscure vocal samples. There are dozens of acts operating under this business model, but few if any of the current groups do it with as much style and purpose as Tycho.
Heroes and Misfits by Kris Bowers:
The Julliard-trained Bowers made a name for himself as a live performer and session man before “Heroes & Villains” was recorded. Instead of easing into a recording career of his own, Bowers jumped right in with a near masterpiece that weaves elements of jazz, rock, electronica and hip hop into a murky hybrid that’s tough to pin down.
Pushin’ Against A Stone by Valerie June:
Blues, country, soul, jazz and even bluegrass weave around these songs like kudzu. June has labeled her sound “organic moonshine roots music.” If it sounds like she’s going out of her way not to call it Americana, then you’d be right, but then again her music is much more interesting than a bunch of music school graduates pretending to be hobos.
Jon Dawson’s books available at www.jondawson.com.
Jon Dawson’s album reviews appear every Thursday in The Free Press. Contact Jon at 252-559-1092 or jon.dawson@kinston.com.