The Top 200 of 2014 - !earshot charts
There really are no bad years in music and 2014 was no exception. But finding your way to the best of the year can be challenging. More than 7000 releases charted on campus/community radio stations this year. Fortunately, more than 1500 deejays at stations across the land sorted through it all and played the best they could find on their programs throughout the year. We have added it all up to bring you the collective wisdom and airplay of all those music lovers in the Top 200 of 2014. Make sure to check out the specialty charts too: Electronic, Hip Hop, International, Jazz, Loud and Folk, Roots & Blues. Edited by Magnus Thyvold
| 1 | 
Chad VanGaalen 
Shrink Dust - (Flemish Eye) http://www.flemisheye.com/chad-vangaalen @chadvangaalen Actor Lee Marvin was born under a wandering star. And while Calgary's Chad VanGaalen draws on country classics for his fifth record, Shrink Dust, his star would be more accurately described as reverberating. 2014's record saw Chad in a mellower state with a few tracks that even find soft strums out-weighing sonic chaos. Die-hard fans need not despair though, or head out to buy country boots, because Chad remains weird through and through to the delight and vague terror of his listeners. Shrink Dust explodes and serenades you through twisted landscapes alongside mutilated monsters with all the aural glory and wreckage Chad is known for. |
||
| 2 | 
Mac DeMarco
Salad Days - (Captured Tracks) http://macdemarco.bandcamp.com/ @msldemarco DeMarco is so big now that during the last week of December he auctioned off some used sneakers for charity and raised $11,000. Vancouver indie music fans will always be the guy or girl at the party who can say, "I'm so cool. I saw Mac when he played in Makeout Videotape"--the band he was in here before he moved to Montreal and tried being a solo artist. His solo work is so simple and immediate that it's won over EVERY music writer in 2014. What Best of 2014 list is he NOT on? |
||
| 3 | 
Caribou
Our Love - (Merge) Many names have been used for Canadian composer, musician and recording artist, Dan Snaith. Initially, he went by Manitoba. But Snaith had to look for another stage name after being threatened with a copyright lawsuit. He settled on Caribou and reissued his previous work. He also opts for a third moniker, Daphni, when working on for some side projects. He has more than 10 releases to his various names, since starting to release music back in the early 2000s; and this amassed discography has not gone unnoticed. Caribou's 2007 album Andorra won the 2008 Polaris Music Prize, followed by a 2010 Polaris Music Prize shortlist placement for the his Caribou album, Swim and then in 2013, his Daphni LP, Jiaolong, was long-listed for the 2013 Polaris Music Prize. Now his sixth Caribou release, Our Love put out on October 7, 2014 through Merge Records, seems primed to follow suit. The 2014 album retains the auditory charm found on his previous records but his themes and lyrics have shifted and matured. This latest record for Caribou embraces and explores Snaith's changing life circumstances, including fatherhood. |
||
| 4 | 
The Pack A.D.
Do Not Engage - (Nettwerk) Vancouver's favorite garage duo made a power move this year and released their first record on Vancouver's big time Nettwerk label, leaving Mint Records (Nardwuar's home label) behind. This means Do Not Engage saw some mainstream radio play and was the soundtrack to a few TV shows. These two may be upwardly mobile, but they're still incredibly talented. Don't worry. They'll still drink all the beer at your Dad's BBQ party, pick a fight with your cousin and pass out under the picnic table--making the event talked about for years. |
||
| 5 | 
The New Pornographers
Brill Bruisers - (Last Gang) This release marks fourteen years since their first release, Mass Romantic, astounded listening and dancing audiences. Brill Bruisers harnesses the music multitude with a similar production formula and obvious enthusiasm. The vocals are exciting, and the lyrics are well-written reflections of the rock-pop persuasion. The lively music will have listeners relishing the inviting and passionate anthems. This is The New Pornographers' sixth studio release. Brill Bruisers has style, sass, depth, breadth and pizzazz much like their first release. The New Pornographers will not fail to bring the listener back to their fold with this thirteen-track release; Brill Bruisers is excellent quality music. |
||
| 6 | 
Death From Above 1979
The Physical World - (Last Gang) Death From Above 1979 from Toronto make music that lifts the roof, and smashes the pavement on impact. The eleven-track release is their second in a decade of uncertainty for the band as to their continuing on as Death From Above 1979; they disbanded in 2006. Reuniting in 2011 brought about the combination of attitude and energy evinced on The Physical World. It is produced by Dave Sardy (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Oasis), and encompasses the very same brazen insistence that fans come to expect of the band: bass that slaps, drums that pound, shrill, intense vocals and sharp lyrics. Both band mates contribute to the songwriting and do not disappoint. The Physical World is a volcano exploding with brash synth, molten drum rolls and red hot popping bass that doesn't quit until you do. |
||
| 7 | 
Monomyth
Saturnalia Regalia - (Mint) 2014 was big for Halifax's Monomyth. This trip around the sun included signing with a label and releasing their debut album. This isn't the first band for many of the members, they also play with the East Coast bands, Nap Eyes and Psychic Fair. Having self-released a couple of singles and an EP since 2012, the band of Haligonians caught the ear of Vancouver-based Mint Records. In April 2014, the Nova Scotia band was officially announced as the label's newest act. Then on July 22, their first full length album, Saturnalia Regalia dropped. With a runtime just shy of 30 minutes, it truly resides in the pop rock tradition - a great hook, strong guitar riffs, cheery vocals and jangly tone. Some may feel the urge to draw a line from earlier Halifax bands (like Sloan or Thrush Hermit) straight to these gents, but I would caution against it. Their songs are very much of the now, allowing for distortion, dirt and touches of the psychedelic. Although the three of the band members share the song writing duties, the eight tracks are cohesive and speak (er...sing) to one another. It;s music that didn't leave the garage just because it found a label. |
||
| 8 | 
Timber Timbre
Hot Dreams - (Arts & Crafts) Out of dark steamy forests came Timber Timbre's 2014 release, Hot Dreams. The record garnered rave reviews all around for its complex tone and sensual sound. Building on their unique vocal and lyrical style the band brought everything to the next level with Hot Dreams. The record is as soothing as it is unnerving. It's no wonder this, the band's fifth record, found them a place on the year's Polaris Prize shortlist. |
||
| 9 | 
Pink Mountaintops
Get Back - (Outside Music) 2014 saw the release of the new Pink Mountaintops record. Pink Mountaintops is really Stephen McBean and his collaborators. To give you an idea, McBean - who himself also plays in Black Mountain, Obliterations and Grim Tower - somehow charms contributions from J Mascis (Dinosaur Jr.), Anne Hardy (Giant Drag), Rob Barbato (the Fall, Cass McCombs), Gregg Foreman (Cat Power), Daniel Allaire (Brian Jonestown Massacre) and more. Is he just really charismatic? How does he convince all these people to guest on his records? |
||
| 10 | 
BadBadNotGood
III - (Pirates Blend) BadBadNotGood, are a Toronto trio of jazz schooled renegades whose music "keeps the joint jumpin" for hip hop, electronica and jazz lovers alike. People like visionary rapper Tyler the Creator and British broadcaster Gilles Peterson has embraced the experimental nature of pianist Mathew Tavares, bassist Chester Hansen and drummer Alex Sowinski as well as a new legion of fans from the four corners of the globe.
There is a certain freedom that permeates BadBadNotGood. The name alone sets the stage for a rising trajectory, as does their willingness to rip up traditional rulebooks. From wide ranging musical influences that run from Mingus to Coltrane to Frank Ocean and MF Doom, the trio have crafted a sonic pallet that in its' originality points to a new era for the trio.
III is BBNG's third full-length album and first of all originals. The instrumental music is at times moody and swirling, juxtaposed with a strong pointed rhythm.
The album is a good indicator of where BBNG are willing to go musically and their future appears limitless.
|
||
Specialty Charts #1s |
|
| Electronic: | Caribou - Our Love - (Merge) |
| Hip Hop: | Elaquent - Green Apples and Oranges - (Urbnet) |
| International: | The Souljazz Orchestra - Inner Fire - (Strut) |
| Jazz: | BadBadNotGood - III - (Pirates Blend) |
| Loud: | Comeback Kid - Die Knowing - (Distort) |
| Folk/Roots/Blues: | Del Barber - Prairieography - (True North) |
Asterisk (*) denotes Canadian artists. All !earshot charts in this issue reflect actual airplay on campus/community stations during the year 2014 (January 2014 to December 2014). Charts are weighted according to broadcast range and market size. To view older charts from as far back as 1999, go to our charts main page.
The Top 200 of 2014
top 200 >> 51 to 100 >>101 to 150 >>151 to200 | electronic | hip hop | international | jazz | loud | folk/roots/blues | main charts page
| Rank | Artist | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chad VanGaalen * | Shrink Dust | Flemish Eye |
| 2 | Mac DeMarco * | Salad Days | Captured Tracks |
| 3 | Caribou * | Our Love | Merge |
| 4 | The Pack A.D. * | Do Not Engage | Nettwerk |
| 5 | The New Pornographers * | Brill Bruisers | Last Gang |
| 6 | Death From Above 1979 * | The Physical World | Last Gang |
| 7 | Monomyth * | Saturnalia Regalia | Mint |
| 8 | Timber Timbre * | Hot Dreams | Arts & Crafts |
| 9 | Pink Mountaintops * | Get Back | Outside Music |
| 10 | BadBadNotGood * | III | Pirates Blend |
| 11 | Cousins * | The Halls Of Wickwire | Hand Drawn Dracula |
| 12 | Alvvays * | Alvvays | Royal Mountain |
| 13 | PS I Love You * | For Those Who Stay | Paper Bag |
| 14 | Bry Webb * | Free Will | Idee Fixe |
| 15 | Owen Pallett * | In Conflict | Secret City |
| 16 | Tokyo Police Club * | Forcefield | Dine Alone |
| 17 | Ought * | More Than Any Other Day | Constellation |
| 18 | Coeur De Pirate * | Trauma | Dare To Care |
| 19 | Dog Day * | Fade Out | Fundog |
| 20 | The Harpoonist & the Axe Murderer * | A Real Fine Mess | Tonic |
| 21 | Sharon Jones And The Dap-Kings | Give the People What They Want | Daptone |
| 22 | Kevin Drew * | Darlings | Arts & Crafts |
| 23 | Arcade Fire * | Reflektor | Merge |
| 24 | Tanya Tagaq * | Animism | Six Shooter |
| 25 | Chromeo * | White Women | Last Gang |
| 26 | Ty Segall | Manipulator | Drag City |
| 27 | Rich Aucoin * | Ephemeral | Bonsound |
| 28 | Flying Lotus | You're Dead! | Warp |
| 29 | Tops * | Picture You Staring | Arbutus |
| 30 | Cloud Nothings | Here And Nowhere Else | Carpark |
| 31 | The Souljazz Orchestra * | Inner Fire | Strut |
| 32 | Elephant Stone * | Three Poisons | Hidden Pony |
| 33 | Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra * | Fuck Off Get Free We Pour Light On Everything | Constellation |
| 34 | Fucked Up * | Glass Boys | Arts & Crafts |
| 35 | Mozart's Sister * | Being | Asthmatic Kitty Records |
| 36 | Broken Bells | After the Disco | Columbia |
| 37 | Bahamas * | Bahamas Is Afie | Brushfire |
| 38 | White Lung * | Deep Fantasy | Domino |
| 39 | Trust * | Joyland | Arts & Crafts |
| 40 | Electric Youth * | Innerworld | Last Gang |
| 41 | Jack White | Lazaretto | Third Man Records |
| 42 | Sloan * | Commonwealth | Yep Roc |
| 43 | Mode Moderne * | Occult Delight | Light Organ |
| 44 | Blackie And The Rodeo Kings * | South | File Under: Music (FU:M) |
| 45 | FKA twigs | LP1 | Young Turks |
| 46 | Jennifer Castle * | Pink City | Idee Fixe |
| 47 | tUnE-yArDs | Nikki Nack | 4AD |
| 48 | The Black Keys | Turn Blue | Nonesuch |
| 49 | Dum Dum Girls | Too True | Sub Pop |
| 50 | Gord Downie & The Sadies* | The Conquering Sun | Weiner Art |
top 200 >> 51 to 100 >>101 to 150 >>151 to200 | electronic | hip hop | international | jazz | loud | folk/roots/blues | main charts page
| Rank | Artist | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | Bend Sinister * | Animals | File Under: Music (FU:M) |
| 52 | The Rural Alberta Advantage * | Mended With Gold | Paper Bag |
| 53 | Warpaint | Warpaint | Rough Trade |
| 54 | The War On Drugs | Lost In The Dream | Secretly Canadian |
| 55 | Nap Eyes * | Whine of the Mystic | Plastic Factory |
| 56 | King Tuff | Black Moon Spell | Sub Pop |
| 57 | Spoon | They Want My Soul | Republic |
| 58 | Kandle * | In Flames | Dare To Care |
| 59 | Odonis Odonis * | Hard Boiled Soft Boiled | Buzz |
| 60 | Real Estate | Atlas | Domino |
| 61 | Zeus * | Classic Zeus | Arts & Crafts |
| 62 | The Wet Secrets * | Free Candy | Rawlco |
| 63 | St. Vincent | St. Vincent | Loma Vista |
| 64 | Greys * | If Anything | Buzz |
| 65 | The Barr Brothers * | Sleeping Operator | Secret City |
| 66 | Jon McKiel * | Jon McKiel | Headless Owl |
| 67 | Future Islands | Singles | 4AD |
| 68 | Walrus * | Glam Returns | Out Of Sound |
| 69 | Foxygen | ...And Star Power | Jagjaguwar |
| 70 | Ryan Hemsworth * | Alone for the First Time | Last Gang |
| 71 | Beck | Morning Phase | Capitol |
| 72 | Rebekah Higgs * | Sha La La | Self-Released |
| 73 | Parquet Courts | Sunbathing Animal | What's Your Rupture? |
| 74 | PyPy * | Pagan Day | Slovenly |
| 75 | Angel Olsen | Burn Your Fire for No Witness | Jagjaguwar |
| 76 | Tough Age * | Tough Age | Mint |
| 77 | Elliott BROOD * | Work and Love | Paper Bag |
| 78 | Mogwai | Rave Tapes | Sub Pop |
| 79 | Alt-J | This Is All Yours | Warner (WEA) |
| 80 | Lydia Ainsworth * | Right from Real | Arbutus |
| 81 | Yamantaka // Sonic Titan * | Uzu | Paper Bag |
| 82 | Del Barber * | Prairieography | True North |
| 83 | Black Lips | Underneath the Rainbow | Vice |
| 84 | Legato Vipers * | LV | Missed Connection |
| 85 | Vogue Dots * | Toska | Indica Records |
| 86 | Corb Lund * | Counterfeit Blues | New West |
| 87 | Ariel Pink | pom pom | 4AD |
| 88 | Thus Owls * | Turning Rocks | Secret City |
| 89 | Weaves * | Weaves | Buzz |
| 90 | Aphex Twin | Syro | Warp |
| 91 | Blood Orange | Cupid Deluxe | Domino |
| 92 | Pink Moth * | Eclipsed | Label Fantastic |
| 93 | Solids * | Blame Confusion | Dine Alone |
| 94 | The Wilderness of Manitoba * | Between Colours | Pheromone |
| 95 | Amelia Curran * | They Promised You Mercy | Six Shooter |
| 96 | Milosh * | Jet Lag | Deadly |
| 97 | Arkells * | High Noon | Universal |
| 98 | Cold Specks * | Neuroplasticity | Arts & Crafts |
| 99 | Haim | Days Are Gone | Columbia |
| 100 | Jenny Lewis | The Voyager | Warner (WEA) |
top 200 >> 51 to 100 >>101 to 150 >>151 to200 | electronic | hip hop | international | jazz | loud | folk/roots/blues | main charts page
| Rank | Artist | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 101 | Freelove Fenner * | Do Not Affect A Breezy Manner | Fixture |
| 102 | Frog Eyes * | Carey's Cold Spring | Paper Bag |
| 103 | Language Arts * | Wonderkind | Self-Released |
| 104 | The Orwells | Disgraceland | Atlantic |
| 105 | Fountain * | Fountain | Self-Released |
| 106 | Harlan Pepper * | Take Out a Twenty and Live Life to the Fullest | Six Shooter |
| 107 | Shabazz Palaces | Lese Majesty | Sub Pop |
| 108 | Whitehorse * | Ephemere Sans Repere | Six Shooter |
| 109 | Young Liars * | Tidal Wave | Nettwerk |
| 110 | Matt Andersen * | Weightless | True North |
| 111 | Jef Barbara * | Soft To The Touch | Club Roll |
| 112 | Conor Oberst | Upside Down Mountain | Nonesuch |
| 113 | Mariachi Ghost * | Mariachi Ghost | Self-Released |
| 114 | Kuato * | The Great Upheaval | Acadian Embassy |
| 115 | Perfect Pussy | Say Yes To Love | Captured Tracks |
| 116 | Lykke Li | I Never Learn | Atlantic |
| 117 | Reuben and the Dark * | Funeral Sky | Arts & Crafts |
| 118 | Library Voices | For John | Young Soul |
| 119 | Teenanger * | EP LP | Telephone Explosion |
| 120 | Neil Young * | Live At The Cellar Door | Reprise |
| 121 | The Wooden Sky * | Let's Be Ready | Chelsea |
| 122 | Shad * | Flying Colours | Black Box |
| 123 | Pine Tarts * | Wolves Named The Moon | Bow |
| 124 | Brave Radar * | Message Centre | Fixture |
| 125 | Jeremy Fisher | The Lemon Squeeze | Hidden Pony |
| 126 | Valery Gore * | Idols In The Dark Heart | Self-Released |
| 127 | How To Dress Well | What Is This Heart? | Weird World Record Co. |
| 128 | Wye Oak | Shriek | Merge |
| 129 | Viet Cong * | Cassette | Mexican Summer |
| 130 | Sylvan Esso | Sylvan Esso | Dine Alone |
| 131 | Gramercy Riffs * | Desire Trails | Self-Released |
| 132 | Old and Weird * | What I Saw | Self-Released |
| 133 | Moss Lime * | July First | Fixture |
| 134 | Old Crow Medicine Show | Remedy | ATO |
| 135 | Damien Jurado | Brothers and Sisters of The Eternal Son | Secretly Canadian |
| 136 | First Aid Kit | Stay Gold | Sony |
| 137 | Thee Oh Sees | Drop | Castle Face |
| 138 | Ghost Beach | Blonde | Nettwerk |
| 139 | Various * | House of Burners | Pre-Rock |
| 140 | The Jezabels | The Brink | Dine Alone |
| 141 | Jill Barber * | Fool's Gold | Outside Music |
| 142 | The Strumbellas * | We Still Move On Dance Floors | Six Shooter |
| 143 | Single Mothers * | Negative Qualities | Dine Alone |
| 144 | TV On The Radio | Seeds | Harvest |
| 145 | Absolutely Free * | Absolutely Free | Arts & Crafts |
| 146 | Vampires * | Every Kind Of Light EP | Self-Released |
| 147 | WHOOP-Szo * | Pt. 1 Qallunaat / Pt. 2 Odemin | Out Of Sound |
| 148 | Five Alarm Funk * | Abandon Earth | Self-Released |
| 149 | SBTRKT | Wonder Where We Land | Young Turks |
| 150 | Dub Rifles * | No Town, No Country: 1981 - 1984 | Sundowning Sound Recordings |
top 200 >> 51 to 100 >>101 to 150 >>151 to200 | electronic | hip hop | international | jazz | loud | folk/roots/blues | main charts page
| Rank | Artist | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 151 | Various * | Psych Pop 2 | Optical Sounds |
| 152 | The Royal Oui * | The Royal Oui | File Under: Music (FU:M) |
| 153 | Hag Face * | Hag Face | Self-Released |
| 154 | J Mascis | Tied to a Star | Sub Pop |
| 155 | Drive-By Truckers | English Ocean | ATO |
| 156 | Frazey Ford * | Indian Ocean | Nettwerk |
| 157 | NO | El Prado | Arts & Crafts |
| 158 | Mark Mills * | Triple Fire Sign | Self-Released |
| 159 | Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks | Wig Out at Jagbags | Matador |
| 160 | Basia Bulat * | Tall Tall Shadow | Secret City |
| 161 | The Horrors | Luminous | XL |
| 162 | Tim Hecker * | Virgins | Paper Bag |
| 163 | Swans | To Be Kind | Young God |
| 164 | Sebastien Grainger * | Yours To Discover | Last Gang |
| 165 | The Reverend Rambler * | The Reverend Rambler | Golden Oak Record Co. |
| 166 | Sean Nicholas Savage * | Bermuda Waterfall | Arbutus |
| 167 | Ryan Hemsworth * | Guilt Trips | Last Gang |
| 168 | Hag Face * | Rag Face | Self-Released |
| 169 | Afghan Whigs | Do To The Beast | Sub Pop |
| 170 | Royal Canoe * | Today We're Believers | Nevado |
| 171 | Austra * | Habitat | Domino |
| 172 | Liars | Mess | Mute |
| 173 | Spr�ng * | Celebrations | Self-Released |
| 174 | Cold Specks * | Bodies At Bay [single] | Mute |
| 175 | Secret Sun * | Cold Coast | Bonsound |
| 176 | Wet Denim * | Wet Denim | Self-Released |
| 177 | Radio Radio * | EJ Feel Zoo | Bonsound |
| 178 | Stars * | No One Is Lost | ATO |
| 179 | NQ Arbuckle | The Future Happens Anyway | Six Shooter |
| 180 | Monogrenade * | Composite | Bonsound |
| 181 | Sabota * | Sabota | Hybridity Music |
| 182 | Ryan Adams | Ryan Adams | Pax AM |
| 183 | Old Man Luedecke * | I Never Sang Before I Met You | True North |
| 184 | Dead Soft * | Dead Soft | Kingfisher Bluez |
| 185 | Each Other * | Being Elastic | Lefse |
| 186 | Wake Owl * | The Private World of Paradise | Vagrant |
| 187 | We Are Scientists | TV En Francais | Dine Alone |
| 188 | Little You Little Me * | What Have You Been Doing With Yer Time? | Self-Released |
| 189 | Sleepy Sun | Maui Tears | Dine Alone |
| 190 | Temples | Sun Structures | Fat Possum |
| 191 | Perfume Genius | Too Bright | Matador |
| 192 | Various * | PIXXX4 | Unit Structure Sound Recordings |
| 193 | Jay Malinowski & The Deadcoast* | Martel | Pirates Blend |
| 194 | Hey Rosetta! * | Second Sight | Sonic |
| 195 | Elaquent * | Green Apples and Oranges | Urbnet |
| 196 | catl * | The Shakin' House | Self-Released |
| 197 | Beefdonut * | Famous For Quality | Self-Released |
| 198 | The Antlers | Familiars | Anti- |
| 199 | Broncho | Just Enough Hip To Be A Woman | Dine Alone |
| 200 | Oh Susanna * | Namedropper | Sonic Unyon |
|
Contributing stations:CFBU CFBX CFCR CFMH CFMU CFOU CFRC CFRE CFRU CFUR CFUV CHLY CHMA CHMR CHOQ CHRW CHRY CHSR CHUO CHYZ CICK CILU CIOI CISM CITR CIVL CJAI CJAM CJLO CJLY CJSF CJSR CJSW CJUM CKDU CKLU CKUA CKUT CKUW CKXU CSCR RadL scop |
