What a year 2014 has been! In fact, I can’t remember a recent year that has brought us as much fantastic music as we have gotten in 2014. While I was disappointed by the lack of a new Wilco album, it seems as if every single Wilco side project had a release this year. Including an absolutely fantastic record from Nels Cline’s experimental jazz guitar trio, and a “solo” album from Jeff Tweedy and his teenage son Spencer. For some reason, I had low expectations for the latter of the two, but man, the Tweedy’s put out one of the bests albums that I’ve heard, ever. Plus, they get bonus points for having Lucius sing back up. While I could try to string together a series of complex but meaningless adjectives to describe the sonic qualities of these albums, there are many writers on the internet much better than me, so if that’s what you’re looking for you’ll have to find it elsewhere (may I suggest the other Mezzic top ten lists). Just know they are all fantastic works of art that deserve to be listened to from front to back. Also, shoutout to Adam, Dave, Robbie, Charlie, Jon and Anthony, from The War on Drugs. Your fans in Philly are especially proud of your success this year.
10. Ásgeir – In the Silence
9. Lake Street Dive – Bad Self Portraits
8. Sylvan Esso – Sylvan Esso
6. Broken Bells – After the Disco
5. Nels Cline – Macroscope
4. Sharon Van Etten – Are We There
3. The Antlers – Familiars
1. The War On Drugs – Lost in the Dream
