Cugerock Top 14 of 2014: Best Albums of The Year

I think the theme of 2014 (for me at least) is "still got it" with stellar releases from long running indie favs like The New Pornographers, Spoon and Interpol coupled with the long awaited return from veterans like DFA 1979, Unwound and Braid. A few more contemporary bands like Tennis, Cloud Nothings and Real Estate came forth with solid records as well to round out the list. Enjoy!

1. Spoon - They Want My Soul

2. New Pornographers - Brill Bruisers

3. Braid - No Coast

4. Real Estate - Atlas

5. Interpol - El Pintor

6. Unwound - No Energy

7. Death From Above 1979 - The Physical World

8. Tennis - Ritual in Repeat

9. Cloud Nothings - Here and Nowhere Else

10. Fucked Up - Year of the Dragon EP

11. Peter Matthew Bauer - Liberation!

12. Strand of Oaks - Heal

13. The Men - Tomorrows Hits

14. Tokyo Police Club - Forcefield 

Honorable (aka had to) Mention

Fugazi - First Demo

Not new music but a new release showcasing rough drafts of some legendary tracks.

Encore...

Great year for music indeed. Looking forward to the highly anticipated cuts from Sleater Kinney, Modest Mouse, Belle & Sebastian and others in early 2015...oh and Star Wars :)

Happy New Year!!

American Football Reissue Their Self-Titled Album

(regarding the recent American Football reunion shows) Holmes said, "Obviously, we knew the time was ripe for three middle aged dudes to play some old songs about teenage feelings, and stand around tuning guitars for a long time."

http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/19352-american-football-american-football/

They also just released a video for Never Meant...15 years late.



Like other bands in the mid-late 90s/early aughts (Hum, The Anniversary, Sunny Day Real Estate etc) these guys made amazing music and moved to other ventures as quickly as they came in.

PLEASE pick up this record. It'll make your day/year/life.

Operators + Japandroids Perform "This Heart's On Fire"

Maybe a Japandroids + Wolf Parade double-bill in the not so distant future?

Happy Valentines Day - From De La Soul

Holy crap this is awesome. De La Soul has released their entire catalog for FREE for Valentines Day. Check the link below.

http://www.wearedelasoul.com/

"Keep the love spinning"

Extra Cugerock Treat:

CUGEROCK TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2013

2013 has been a swell year for tunes my friends. Some old favorites...some new on the scene. Check these out. You wont be disappointed. If you are, you can call me to complain at 555-5785.

Happy New Year!!!


1.  Savages - Silence Yourself

2.  Tennis - Small Sound EP

3.  Parquet Courts - Light Up Gold (thanks for the reco Budz)

4.  Washed Out - Paracosm (good call Dominic)

5.  Tegan & Sara - Heartthrob

6.  The Appleseed Cast - Illumination Ritual (I think I converted Mr. Faust on this one)

7.  Superchunk - I Hate Music

8. The London Suede - Bloodsports

9.  Surfer Blood - Pythons

10. The Thermals - Desperate Ground (made the cut Danny...its a "grower")