Thursday 18 December 2014

Even The Stars Top 20 Albums Of 2014 - 8 to 5


This week we will be running down our Top 20 albums of 2014, four albums a day.  On Day 4 we reveal the albums in 8th to 5th position.

So far we have revealed the following :

20 - Esben And The Witch - A New Nature
19 - Catfish And The Bottlemen - The Balcony
18 - High Hazels - High Hazels
17 - Gulp - Season Sun
16 - Little Sparrow - Wishing Tree
15 - Hookworms - The Hum
14 - Jenny Lewis - The Voyager
13 - Violet Woods - Violet Woods
12 - Lorelle Meets The Obsolete - Chambers
11 - Black English (NO) - El Prado
10 - John Grant - Live With The BBC Philharmonic
9 - The Vacant Lots - Departure

8 - NICOLE ATKINS - SLOW PHASER


At number two in Dave's chart of the year and unplaced in Stuart's, Nicole Atkins' third album was released in February.

We said - "It's expansive, widescreen in parts, brimming with unspoken sexual tension and adventurously taking her out on to the dance floor in parts. It's exploring new sonic territory for her throughout, both in the music, but also in the way she stretches her voice, using it as a fifth instrument to dictate the pace of the song and to provide a dramatic intervention to change the whole mood of the record.

Slow Phaser is the best record we've heard by a female artist this year." (Dave)

Key tracks - Girl You Look Amazing, Red Ropes, Who Stole The Moonlight?



link to Even The Stars review

Nicole Atkins' website can be found here.  She is also on Facebook and Twitter.

7 - I AM KLOOT - FROM THERE TO HERE


At number fourteen in Dave's chart of the year and six in Stuart's, I Am Kloot's soundtrack to the TV series of the same name was released in November.

We said - "Whilst not a record for those that loved Sky At Night and Let It All In, it’s a fascinating insight into the creative minds inside I Am Kloot and potentially a pointer for a future away from the string-laden commercially-atuned glories of those albums."

Key tracks - Even The Stars, From There To Here, Joanne and Daniel


link to Even The Stars review

I Am Kloot's website can be found here.  They are also on Facebook and Twitter.

Unofficial updates are also available at @iamklootclub on Twitter.

6 - JOHN BRAMWELL - LIVE AT THE TRADES


At number eight in Dave's chart of the year and twelve in Stuart's, John Bramwell from I Am Kloot's solo live acoustic album recorded at Hebden Bridge Trades Club in June 2013 was released in January.

We said - "Whilst I Am Kloot's last two albums have brought them the success they deserve, it's been at the cost of the simplicity of the music accompanying John's words. These songs don't need any adornments, attachments or over-complicated string arrangements, they're perfect just as they are here, naked in their own battered and bruised way.  Why build a rocket when you can walk to where you need to get to?" (Dave)

Key tracks - The Same Deep Water As Me, Ferris Wheels, I Still Do



link to Even The Stars review

John Bramwell's website can be found here.  He is also on Twitter and Facebook. Unofficial updates are also available at @iamklootclub on Twitter.

5 - THE SLOW READERS CLUB - LIVE AT THE LIBRARY


At number eleven in Dave's chart of the year and five in Stuart's, The Slow Readers Club's performance on International Book Day to celebrate the reopening of Manchester's iconic Central Library was released in December.

We said - "Live At Central Library is the perfect introduction to the band as it captures their energy whilst showcasing their talents as exceptional song writers. The Slow Readers Club may have the standard singer-guitarist-bassist-drummer line up but they are anything but a standard band. All of them have their own territory and role to play in the band. All four of them seem to have a determination, commitment and a passion too. A passion that is shared by a growing number of fans. Live at Central Library is an essential purchase." (Stuart)

Key tracks - Forever In Your Debt, Days Like This Will Break Your Heart, Start Again



link to Even The Stars review

The Slow Readers Club can be found at their website.  They are also on Facebook and Twitter.
________________________________

Follow Even The Stars on Twitter at @eventhestarsuk and like our Facebook page for all the latest updates

No comments:

Post a Comment