I compiled this quickly and without too much over thought. I guess if they stuck, they make the cut, right? Absolutely putting honourable mention to Ben Frost, The Drink, Hookworms, Wharves, not to mention that I haven't even sat and played a Soused by Sunn 0)) and Scott Walker yet.
That aside, these ones really stuck. I played them countless times, and they are certainly the soundtrack to the end of my teaching career and the beginning of Hot Salvation. So I guess they're quite resonant with me. I've had the pleasure of seeing, putting on or playing alongside some of these groups and that always galvanises a record for me if the experience matches or outdoes the recording itself. Good Throb and Soft Walls meet that criteria head on.
I guess the stand out pieces here are by Perspex Flesh, Institute and Total Control. These bands are at the vanguard of what's happening in punk and hardcore in 2014. I don't think DIY music has been this exciting in so many years, and these three records absolutely outshone their peers, not to take too much away from such a vibrant scene.
Heres the list. Spend your Christmas catching up on bits you've missed like I will be, as 2015 will be just as full of incredible new music.
- Perspex Flesh S/T Static Shock
- Institute 'Salt' Sacred Bones
- Ought 'More Than Any Other Day' Constellation
- Total Control 'Typical System' Iron Lung
- Owls 'Two' Polyvinyl
- Death Comet Crew 'Ghost Among The Crew' Diagonal
- Earth 'Primitive and Deadly' Southern Lord
- Good Throb 'Fuck Off' Super Fi
- Goat 'Commune' Sub Pop
- Iceage 'Plowing Into The Field Of Love' Matador
- The Lowest Form 'Negative Ecstasy' Iron Lung
- Old Man Gloom 'The Ape Of God' SIGE
- Cult Of Youth 'Final Days' Sacred Bones
- Pallbearer 'Foundations of Burden' Profound Lore
- Soft Walls 'No Time' Faux Discx
- Wildbirds and Peacedrums S/T Leaf Label
- Swans 'To Be Kind' Mute
- Wolves in The Throne Room 'Celestite' Artemesia
- Yob 'Clearing the Path To Ascend' Neurot
- Dollkraut 'Schimanski's Black Lullabies' The Gym
- Trashkit 'Confidence' UTR