Favourite Albums of 2014 (so far)

With a little over two-thirds of the year behind us, I thought I'd run down my faves thus far. At this point there are less than ten I would list as real favourites--something I go back to repeatedly. Makes me wonder a bit if it's true that the album is dead...  Anyway, here they are in rough order, most favourite first.

1. Spoon – “They Want My Soul”  --  I've always liked Spoon, but this is a nearly perfect set of tunes.

2. Armand Margjeka – “Hummingbird”  --  This one caught me by surprise.  At first unfamiliar with him as an artist, I continue to be intrigued by several of the songs on this album. "If" and "Castles" are definite standouts.

3. Magic Man – “Before the Waves”  --  So far their single "Paris" is at the top of my favourite songs of 2014 list. They are alternapop and rely on synthesizers a fair amount. This album is a great debut.

4. Blondie – “Ghosts of Download”  --  This release surprised me perhaps the most. Blondie had my attention way back with "Heart of Glass" and then "The Tide Is High" and "Rapture."  This album is wide ranging, but there are truly enjoyable songs like "Euphoria," "Mile High," "A Rose By Any Name," and "Sugar on the Side."

5. Broken Bells  – “After the Disco” --  I will never not like Broken Bells and the Shins. Period.

6. Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s  --  “Sling Shot to Heaven” --  Finally a true return to form after a few albums of more experimental stuff.

7. Caught a Ghost – “Human Nature” --  Another surprisingly strong debut mixing rock, soul, and blues. I really love the songs "No Sugar in My Coffee" and "Time Go."