Sven; Weird Al Yankovic Mandatory Fun
I have been enjoying the music of Weird Al since I was kid, and I am continually amazed at his ability to adapt to new musical trends, and stay relevant year after year. 2014 was a great year for Mr. Yankovich, as Mandatory fun provided not only a great album but also a number of quality music videos to go with the album. Mandatory Fun features a number of standout tracks, and as I listen to the album each time I find new jokes that I had missed during my earlier.
Key Tracks: Handy, Foil, Word Crimes, Jackson Park Express
Rating: 4/5
Pick it up here; Digital (iOS) (Amazon), Physical
Steven; Beartooth Disgusting
When I first heard their EP “Sick” in 2013, I knew Caleb Shomo had finally come into his own, and found his sound and true voice. Signed by Red Bull Records, and with the help of mega-producer John Feldman; Disgusting was fully realized in the studio.
Like it’s predecessor, Disgusting was written, composed, and produced solely by Shomo. Disgusting is an intense, and exhilarating listen from front to back.You get to experience the full gamut of Shomo’s creative genius ranging from the circle-pit inducing track; “Dead” to the blistering punk anthem “Beaten in Lips”, and the uber catchy song “In Between”. The latter of the three being the easily recognizable sound that Jon Feldman is known for.
All in all, Disgusting is my album of the year. Mostly by my play count on last.fm, but also because it’s one of the best produced albums I’ve heard to date.
Rating: 5/5
Key Tracks: Beaten in Lips, In Between, I Have a Problem
Pick it up here; Digital (iOS) (Amazon), Physical
Dav3: Lindsey Sterling Shatter Me
What I love about Lindsey Sterling is the musical acumen she brings to her music as well as the unique sound she has brought to the music world. A solo violin, mixed with a dubstep beat, and the occasional vocal or two, but primarily she is all about the music. The hybrid sound is excellent, and is something that you can be ok with listening over and over on repeat in the car, while working out, or wherever you listen to music.
Shatter Me is her sophomore record following a self titled debut.
Rating: 4/5
Pick it up here; Digital (iOS) (Amazon), Physical
Honorable mention: Ok Honey – Be Okay
This was the most Shazammed…totally a word…song on my phone this year. They currently only have a 4 song EP out on iTunes but damn this song just catches me wherever I hear it…even if it is in a Chili’s commercial.
