2014 Albums The year is not nearly over yet, but Christmas songs have already started playing in department stores.
Actually, it was playing as I shopped for some last-minute Halloween candy.
When you tire of being bombarded by all the carols and jingles, consider listening to some of the best music released in 2014.
Talented artists from age twenty though almost 70 recorded new albums this year, and here are fourteen gems of '14.
Spoon: They Want My Soul Brit Daniel and his band, after more than two decades of recording alternative and indie rock, just keep getting better and better.
The highlights on this CD are the title track, "Do You," and "New York Kiss.
" Kaiser Chiefs: Education, Education, Education and War The title of the Brit rockers' fifth album is politically charged, a name that fits very well its best tracks.
"Cannons," "My Life" and "Meanwhile Up in Heaven" are true gems, and there is not a single skippable tune on it.
John Gorka: Bright Side of Down The songwriter who helped pioneer the new folk of the 90s has since consistently recorded albums rife with whimsical and poignant songs about life, family and relationships.
The best of this batch are "Mind to Think" and "Outnumbered.
" Loudon Wainwright: Haven't Got the Blues Yet The folk legend is approaching 70, yet he continues to pen humorous, insightful classics.
His new disc offers the anti-NRA "I'll Be Killing You (This Christmas)" as well as the comically vengeful "The Morgue.
" Foster the People: Supermodel After striking gold with "Pumped Up Kicks" and an excellent debut a few years ago, Mark Foster and his band mates have delivered an even better record.
"Coming of Age" was a great first single, but "Are You What You Want To Be?," "Ask Yourself" and "Nevermind" are the true highlights.
Weird Al Yankovic: Mandatory Fun Rock's great parodist mocks some of today's biggest pop hits, substituting "Happy" with "Tacky", "Radioactive" with "Inactive" and "Blurred Lines" with "Word Crimes.
" Chrissy Hynde: Stockholm The leader of the Pretenders waited until her late fifties to issue a solo album, and the patience certainly paid off.
Songs like "Adding the Blue" and "Dark Sunglasses" could only be done by a time-tested rock veteran like Hynde.
Jenny Lewis: The Voyager The alt-country band Rilo Kelly introduced Lewis to the music world, and her solo stuff since then has only served to further endear her to fans.
The best offerings from this set are "Just One of the Guys" and "Slippery Slope.
" Broken Bells: After the Disco After saying farewell to the Shins last year, James Mercer returned to the studio with Dangermouse to record their sophomore album.
As the tile indicates, the record has a 70s feel.
"Holding on for Life" sounds very much like Saturday Night Fever Bee Gees, while "Control" recalls Station to Station David Bowie.
Christopher Owens: A New Testament The former leader of indie group Girls has the sweetest surprise album of the year.
This solo effort is country-twinged fun masking some mournful tales of loss, regret, and unrequited love.
Let's Wrestle: Self-Titled The rock quartet fronted by Wesley Patrick Gonzalez continue the catchy pop ride they embarked upon two albums ago.
This disc has their characteristic mix of humor amid heartache, best exemplified in "Rain Ruins Revolution" and "Always a Friend.
" The New Pornographers: Brill Bruisers AC Newman and Neko Case both suspended their solo careers to rejoin their indie brethren to make one of the band's typical gems.
Newman's "Dance Hall Domine" and Dan Bejar's "War on the East Coast" are among the many highlights.
Conor Oberst: Upside Down Mountain The essence of indie rock's Bright Eyes finally goes solo, and the result is his most fantastic work to date.
He especially shines on "Enola Gay" and "Hundreds of Ways.
" Old 97s: Most Messed Up The autobiographical opener sets the stage for the alt country band's raunchiest album to date, as leader Rhett Miller sings of being wasted, getting lucky with ladies, and playing music.
He sounds best, though, on lost love tunes like "The Disconnect" and "The Ex of All You See.
"
Actually, it was playing as I shopped for some last-minute Halloween candy.
When you tire of being bombarded by all the carols and jingles, consider listening to some of the best music released in 2014.
Talented artists from age twenty though almost 70 recorded new albums this year, and here are fourteen gems of '14.
Spoon: They Want My Soul Brit Daniel and his band, after more than two decades of recording alternative and indie rock, just keep getting better and better.
The highlights on this CD are the title track, "Do You," and "New York Kiss.
" Kaiser Chiefs: Education, Education, Education and War The title of the Brit rockers' fifth album is politically charged, a name that fits very well its best tracks.
"Cannons," "My Life" and "Meanwhile Up in Heaven" are true gems, and there is not a single skippable tune on it.
John Gorka: Bright Side of Down The songwriter who helped pioneer the new folk of the 90s has since consistently recorded albums rife with whimsical and poignant songs about life, family and relationships.
The best of this batch are "Mind to Think" and "Outnumbered.
" Loudon Wainwright: Haven't Got the Blues Yet The folk legend is approaching 70, yet he continues to pen humorous, insightful classics.
His new disc offers the anti-NRA "I'll Be Killing You (This Christmas)" as well as the comically vengeful "The Morgue.
" Foster the People: Supermodel After striking gold with "Pumped Up Kicks" and an excellent debut a few years ago, Mark Foster and his band mates have delivered an even better record.
"Coming of Age" was a great first single, but "Are You What You Want To Be?," "Ask Yourself" and "Nevermind" are the true highlights.
Weird Al Yankovic: Mandatory Fun Rock's great parodist mocks some of today's biggest pop hits, substituting "Happy" with "Tacky", "Radioactive" with "Inactive" and "Blurred Lines" with "Word Crimes.
" Chrissy Hynde: Stockholm The leader of the Pretenders waited until her late fifties to issue a solo album, and the patience certainly paid off.
Songs like "Adding the Blue" and "Dark Sunglasses" could only be done by a time-tested rock veteran like Hynde.
Jenny Lewis: The Voyager The alt-country band Rilo Kelly introduced Lewis to the music world, and her solo stuff since then has only served to further endear her to fans.
The best offerings from this set are "Just One of the Guys" and "Slippery Slope.
" Broken Bells: After the Disco After saying farewell to the Shins last year, James Mercer returned to the studio with Dangermouse to record their sophomore album.
As the tile indicates, the record has a 70s feel.
"Holding on for Life" sounds very much like Saturday Night Fever Bee Gees, while "Control" recalls Station to Station David Bowie.
Christopher Owens: A New Testament The former leader of indie group Girls has the sweetest surprise album of the year.
This solo effort is country-twinged fun masking some mournful tales of loss, regret, and unrequited love.
Let's Wrestle: Self-Titled The rock quartet fronted by Wesley Patrick Gonzalez continue the catchy pop ride they embarked upon two albums ago.
This disc has their characteristic mix of humor amid heartache, best exemplified in "Rain Ruins Revolution" and "Always a Friend.
" The New Pornographers: Brill Bruisers AC Newman and Neko Case both suspended their solo careers to rejoin their indie brethren to make one of the band's typical gems.
Newman's "Dance Hall Domine" and Dan Bejar's "War on the East Coast" are among the many highlights.
Conor Oberst: Upside Down Mountain The essence of indie rock's Bright Eyes finally goes solo, and the result is his most fantastic work to date.
He especially shines on "Enola Gay" and "Hundreds of Ways.
" Old 97s: Most Messed Up The autobiographical opener sets the stage for the alt country band's raunchiest album to date, as leader Rhett Miller sings of being wasted, getting lucky with ladies, and playing music.
He sounds best, though, on lost love tunes like "The Disconnect" and "The Ex of All You See.
"