It would be wrong to call this list the best albums of 2014, and do a disservice to those many fine releases that haven’t
crossed my path yet. So this year it is renamed favourite albums to reflect
those records which had the most prominent listening effect on me over the last
twelve months. Not all have been reviewed on the site as reviews are restricted
to submissions only, but all have provided immense enjoyment during 2014 and
deserve their place on this list. So sit back, enjoy and as always,your reading
presence for this bout of self-indulgence is highly valued.
1.Miranda Lambert –
Platinum
A career best release that succeeded in uniting both ends of
the country music spectrum. The mainstream revelled in the success of the
singles and collaborations, while the true depth of the record was in its core
and soul. Sixteen tracks presented a hefty release but the top quality numbers hit
double figures to reveal an artist effortlessly moving into the next diverse phase of her
career.
2.Red Sky July – Shadowbirds
This surprise hit of 2014 revealed a beautiful collection of
prime melodic songs, sung in sparkling harmony and sealed with exquisite
musicianship. Shelly, Charity and Ally set out to mix the best of country, folk
and Americana, coming up trumps with a record possessing instant appeal status before
retaining an air of substance within your listening repertoire.
3.Rosanne Cash – The
River and the Thread
In a year of career best releases, Rosanne traced her roots
and succinctly captured a breath of southern folklore with a sound rich in execution
and accomplishment. Educational, inspirational and enchanting are just three
deserved superlatives for a record that was brought to life by Rosanne during
her summer UK tour. A widely acclaimed album heading for legendary status.
4.Lucinda Williams -
Down Where the Spirit Meets the Bone
Definitely the most appropriate and highly metaphorically
titled album of the year as Lucinda re-wrote the roots agenda in taking her
alt-country tendencies deeper than ever before into the psyche of Americana
music. To say this is her best effort since the critically acclaimed album ‘Car
Wheels on a Gravel Road’ is an understatement for a record not once outstaying
its lengthy presence.
5.Hurray for the
Riff Raff – Small Town Heroes
A folk Americana album embodying the magnetic appeal of
roots instrumentation and the wanderlust soul of Alynda Lee Segarra. Its
introduction, via a first class radio session, raised the temperature for a
release soaked in pure emotion, spirit and a hint of dark musings. Though undervalued
in the UK, its day will come with greater awareness.
6.First Aid Kit –
Stay Gold
Blessed with a title track proving to be the sound of the
summer and heard blasting out of many a cool record shop, the Soderberg sisters
moved through the industry gears with a record reaching out to country and folk
connoisseurs. The harmonies were stunning alongside melted vocals adorning a
bunch of strong evocative songs forming an album rarely off the playlists all year.
7.Angaleena Presley –
American Middle Class
In the absence of a release by Brandy Clark and Kacey
Musgraves, Angaleena Presley filled the gap of social commentary and provided
further proof where the strength of quality country song writing lies. Residing
in the inhibited world of the indie label, this record experimented extensively, boldly
explored common themes and stretched into the world of Americana without losing any strain of
attention from the listener.
8.Jennifer Nettles –
That Girl
The golden sassy vocals of Georgia’s finest were revitalised
in the studio of Rick Rubin as the Sugarland hiatus breathed a renewed sense of
life into the career of Jennifer Nettles. With a voice that will never lose its
southern country tinge, it was taken into a world of multi-genre songs
supremely formatted into an excellent album that provided multiple splendid
listens.
9.Sturgill Simpson –
Metamodern Sounds in Country Music
Whether classified as Americana, traditional country or just plain country music ahead of its time, this release was drooled over all year by
plaudits across the world. Likened to many as the true heir to the outlaws,
Sturgill belied his indie status to court praise from the very core of the
establishment and to the pleasure of us in the UK, his tie up with Loose Music
led to frequent visits.
10.Kelly Willis and
Bruce Robision – Our Year
Since discovering that making duet records is not a bad
idea, the golden couple of Austin music continue to harness their talents
around both original material and cleverly selected covers. Another release
proving an instant hit from first listen, it successfully captured the fine
individual talents of Kelly and Bruce as well as their mighty acts of unison in
a simplistic yet satisfying nature.
11.Dierks Bentley –
Riser
Although Dierks flirts a little bit with bro-country in his
extrovert nature, he continues to make records generally free of clichés and ones
that reflect his true country heart. This widely acclaimed album reached out
from the inner sanctum of mainstream country with a string of strong ballads,
majestic country rock and certainly not short of raw emotion.
12.Eric Church – The Outsiders
Many proclaimed this a rock album which is difficult to
argue against but it is the slightly lower key tender approach that for me
reveals the true Eric Church. The album was packed with a variety of sounds and
styles alongside reams of interesting lyrical content. Once again a record from
the heart of the mainstream which crossed borders successfully, while retaining
utmost integrity.
13.Redlands Palomino
Company – Broken Carelessly
Each time Alex, Hannah and the boys go into the studio, the
results are eagerly awaited and this year’s exceptional release didn’t
disappoint, cementing their place as the UK’s premier alt-country rock band. Keeping
the pedal steel relevant and fusing it into crashing guitars defines the band
which continue to showcase their smart ear for mixing engaging lyrics into popular
tunes.
14.Lee Ann Womack –
The Way I’m Living
Now back as a fully-fledged member of the country gold club, Lee
Ann’s new record saw no loss in effect, presence or voice as she assumed role model status for aspiring country songstresses. A release from outside the
mainstream was soon embraced by the industry and held up as a blueprint of how traditional
country can be made relevant in 2014.
15.John Fullbright –
Songs
This sophomore album from a young man hailed as the future
of American song writing confirmed the plausibility of the accolades. Exploring
the songs of John Fullbright is a delightful pastime and he uses the
accompanying medium of piano and guitar with equal scintillating effect.
Another artist with a growing commitment to support the UK, makes him a talent
to treasure and enjoy.
16.Hannah Aldridge –
Razor Wire
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Hannah harnessed her genetic gifts, talent and influences to make a
record successful in syncing the sounds of Muscle Shoals, Memphis and
Nashville. A record you believe in from start to finish was highly valued by
many in the UK Americana scene as Hannah was given a warm welcome by folks over
here and subsequently unveiled as a precious talent.
17.Simone Felice –
Strangers
The abstract, quirky and profusely creative world of Simone
Felice brought us a highly enjoyable record that engaged, entertained and
helped raise his solo artist profile. The master of the autobiographical ballad epic, Simone
can blow you away with the sheer magnitude of his songs and provide wave after
wave of sumptuous folk rock.
18.Hatful of Rain –
The Morning Key
A lot of over here and a little bit of over there, saw South
Coast quartet Hatful of Rain hit the highs with a fascinating brand of
folk-Americana. Beautiful vocals, crafted musicianship and well-constructed interesting
songs populated this follow up album that had the stamp of the band’s cheery
persona firmly planted all over.
19.Emma Swift –
Emma Swift
Just like the Swedish entry at number 5, this extended play
release by Aussie songstress Emma had a golden track (Bittersweet) that both seduced
and trapped you in. Stints living and working in East Nashville have helped
Emma form her distinctive style and you are left in little doubt to where her
country and Americana allegiances lie. Although the shortest release in this year’s list, it is firmly there on merit.
20.Old Crow Medicine
Show – Remedy
The golden boys of roots music produced another high class
serving in this year’s album release with a brash and catchy set of songs perfectly
formed for transfer into the live arena. Roots, folk and Americana labels were
often attached to this record but its country credentials are strong and many
of the tracks will easily slip into timeless status.
So that’s the ultimate favourite list for 2014 and just a
flavour of the many fine releases that reached my ear during the year. Stay
tuned for loads more in 2015.